Tanavast
| Tanavast | |
|---|---|
 by botanicaxu
| |
| Died | Shattering of Honor[1] |
| Abilities | Shard of Honor |
| Titles | Honor |
| Aliases | The Almighty, Elithanathile[2] |
| Homeworld | Roshar |
| Universe | Cosmere |
“Tanavast was a fine enough fellow - bought me drinks once - but he was not God ”
Tanavast was the Vessel of the Shard Honor.[4]
Appearance and Personality
“ Child of Tanavast. Child of Honor. Child of one long since departed. ”
—The Stormfather's description of Tanavast and his relationship to humans.[5]
He is described as being a tall muscular man with dark skin and pure white hair. He wore a golden costume of billowing trousers and a coat which came to his waist.[6] When asked by Dalinar if Honor had cared about men's pain, the Stormfather said that Honor did love mankind, even dying to defend them.
History
Tanavast was one of the sixteen who shattered Adonalsium and took up its power.[7] Following this he moved to Roshar with his lover,[8] Cultivation.[9]
At some point in the past, Tanavast met Hoid, leaving a good impression on him.[3]
To counter the Fused, he formed the Oathpact with the ten Heralds, which bound the Fused to Braize after death. The Oathpact is also part of what keeps Odium captive on Braize where he could not splinter other Shards.[10][11]
He left the Stormfather with the task of imparting his visions upon select individuals, to help mankind even after his death.[12] It is through these visions that he is seen and described.
Sometime after the Day of Recreance, but long before the setting of the Stormlight Archive[10], he was killed by Odium[6] and Honor was shattered.[1]
Abilities
As a Vessel, Tanavast originally held as much power as his peers.[13] At some point however he was weakened enough to allow Odium a chance to kill him. Like other Vessels, he had a Shardic future sight, but it was not as strong as that of Cultivation.[6]
Of the different forms of Investiture found on Roshar, ten are connected to Honor.[citation needed][disputed]
Due to his Shardic intent, his powers were mostly used for ensuring that people kept to their oaths and promises.[citation needed][disputed] This is evident in the way that Surgebinding depends on a strong Nahel Bond.
Worship
“He had another name, allowed to pass only the lips of ardents. Elithanathile. He Who Transforms. ”
—Shallan's thoughts[2]
On Roshar Tanavast was worshipped as The Almighty. He was called by 10 different names, with the last one being holiest and used only by ardents. According to scripture, The Almighty was cast out of the Tranquiline Halls after the Day of Recreance and thus now resides in the hearts of mankind.
Theories and Speculation
It is plausible that his death occurred on the Day of Recreance, leading the Knights Radiant to lose their connection to him and abandon their oaths.[disputed]
Notes
- ↑ a b Google+ Hangout
— Arcanum - 2012-04-17# - ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 7#
- ↑ a b Words of Radiance epilogue#
- ↑ General Twitter 2011
— Arcanum - 2011-03-21# - ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 46#
- ↑ a b c The Way of Kings chapter 75#
- ↑ Mistborn: Secret History part 3 chapter 2#
- ↑ Idaho Falls Signing
— Arcanum - 2015-11-28# - ↑ 17th Shard Forum Q&A
— Arcanum - 2012-09-26# - ↑ a b Words of Radiance chapter 70 epigraph#
- ↑ Shadows of Self Chicago signing
— Arcanum - 2015-10-12# - ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 89#
- ↑ 17th Shard Forum Q&A
— Arcanum - 2012-09-25#