Editing Lighteyes

{{culture
|related=[[Vorinism]]
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}{{update|book=sa3}}{{spoilers|book=sa3}}
A '''lighteyes''' is a person with lightly colored, bright eyes, such as blue, green, yellow, light grey, or violet.{{book ref|sa1|1}}{{book ref|sa1|5}} In the [[Vorin]] kingdoms of [[Alethkar]], [[Jah Keved]], and [[Kharbranth]], they form the nobility, ruling over the [[darkeyes]]. Lighteyes are ranked in ten different levels, in accordance with the dahn caste system.

== Overview ==
According to the [[Vorin]] religion, all lighteyes are born to rule and are superior to the [[darkeyes]], leading to a class system based on eye color. 

The defining characteristic of a lighteyes is not merely the actual color of their eyes, but that they have a light and distinguishable color. For example, although grey is not normally considered a bright color, having light grey eyes qualifies one as a lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|1}} Conversely, although green is normally seen as a light color, having deep, dark green eyes that look muddled and is hard to distinguish from brown or black in average light would qualify one as a [[darkeyes]].{{book ref|sa1|2}} 

A male lighteyes of notable rank is addressed by the title Brightlord. Similarly, Brightlady is used to address high-ranking females,{{book ref|sa2|14}} although the more common term of address is Brightness. Brightness can be used to address a lighteyed lady of any rank.

Sometimes when impotant lighteyes die, their corpses are soulcasted into stone statues, as opposed to [[darkeyes]] corpses, which are typically burned. It is unknown how common this practice is among lighteyes of lower dahn or among lighteyes outside of [[Alethkar]].{{cite}}

== Changing eye color ==
Permanently changing one's birth eye color is generally not possible. However, two exceedingly rare methods are currently known to change one's eye color.

It is a well-known legend within [[Vorin]] society that if a man wins a [[Shardblade]] on the battlefield, he will become a lighteyes, regardless of his previous station in life.{{book ref|sa1|16}} The exact color of the Shardbearer's eyes depends on the specific type of Blade they bonded to.{{wob ref|3255}} This would also be accompanied with a promotion to the fourth dahn for the Shardbearer. This legend, though a foundation of Vorin society, went untested for centuries, until [[Kaladin Stormblessed]] won a full set of [[Shardbearer|Shards]] and gifted them to his lieutenant, [[Moash]]. Upon receiving the Shards, Moash's eyes did indeed lighten, from a dark brown to a tan color.{{book ref|sa2|68}} This effect lasts only as long as the formerly darkeyed shardbearer keeps ownership of his shardblade, as Moash's eyes changed again upon losing his.

A second and even rarer method of becoming a lighteyes is to become either a [[Surgebinder]] or [[Knight Radiant]]. According to [[Skar]], [[Kaladin]]'s eyes changed while fighting to save [[Dalinar]] during the [[Battle of the Tower]], although it was only for a short moment, as other men still recognize him as a darkeyes during the fight.{{book ref|sa2|2}} During this battle, Kaladin only said up to the Second Ideal of the [[Immortal Words]] and did not recognize himself as a Knight Radiant. Later, during the [[Battle of Narak]], after Kaladin says the Third Ideal of the Immortal Words and recognizes himself as a true Knight Radiant, his eyes turn pale blue, lighter than any king.{{book ref|sa2|87}} They stay pale blue for several hours after using stormlight before returning to brown.

== Origins ==

It is speculated that the distinction between lighteyes and darkeyes stems from the [[Knights Radiant]]. The Knights Radiant all used [[Surgebinding]] and [[Shardbearer|Shards]], which granted them light-colored eyes even if they didn't have them at birth. Because the weapons and magic that the Radiants wielded were so superior, the belief that light colored eyes being superior to dark colored ones came to be. The bond between [[spren]] and humans is what actually causes the color change.{{wob ref|7729}}

[[Hoid]] thinks that he should be amused by the importance given to the color of one's eyes, but he isn't, since he has seen other arbitrary systems of governance; additionally, he recalls that there is a good reason why the belief in the superiority of lighteyes came to be.{{book ref|twok|epilogue}}

== Dahn ==
=== Dahn Rankings ===
{{theory}}
{| class=infobox
{{row| Dahn | People of the rank  |pre=!}}
{{row| 1st  | The King            }}
{{row| 2nd  | Highprinces, their direct heirs, and the King's direct heir. }}
{{row| 3rd  | ''Generals'', Highlords, and the non-inheriting children of 1st and 2nd dahn lighteyes. }}
{{row| 4th  | Battalionlords, Citylords, Shardbearers, and other mid-ranked nobles. }}
{{row| 5th  | ''Companylords'', along with lower-ranked nobles. }}
{{row| 6th  | ''Captainlords, along with the lowest-ranked nobles and landholders''.  }}
{{row| 7th  | Lower-ranking landless officers, ''higher-ranking (or very wealthy) landless lighteyes''. }}
{{row| 8th  | Soldiers, ''high-ranking (or moderately wealthy) landless lighteyes''. }}
{{row| 9th  | Landless lighteyes with some wealth, like merchants and master craftsmen. }}
{{row| 10th | "Tenners", essentially any lighteyes who has to work for a living. }}
|}
Anything italicized is speculated [https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/6s1gyf/no_spoilers_relationship_between_eyestatus_and/dlai1mv/  here].{{wob ref|4006}}

=== General Dahn Information ===
Dahn is the caste system for lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|8}} Its counterpart for [[darkeyes]] is the [[nahn]] system. 

Since lighteyes are nobility in the Vorin kingdoms, the dahn system is superior to the nahn system. Holding even the tenth and lowest dahn socially outranks the highest level of [[nahn]].{{book ref|sa2|2}} However, there are situations in which practical reality makes the social standing between two persons less relevant or even reversed. For an extreme example, after [[Kaladin]], a darkeyes, was promoted to captain, he was socially outranked by many lighteyed soldiers, yet still possessed higher military rank and authority than them.{{book ref|sa2|5}} A worker, such as a carriage driver, would treat a wealthy darkeyes as any other master, since their wages would be paid by the darkeyed passenger.{{book ref|sa2|63}}

Within the dahn system itself, there are ten different levels ranging from one to ten, with one being the highest and ten being the lowest. The highest levels of dahn implies immense power and authority while those at the lowest level of dahn are merely ordinary people. 

The first dahn consists of the king. The second dahn contains the highprinces. The third dahn is made up, at least in part, of the non-heir children of the king, the non-heir children of highprinces, and highlords{{wob ref|2782}}{{book ref|sa2|52}}. The fourth dahn includes lighteyes who hold the position of battalionlord in the army; battalionlords command a full battalion of a thousand men.{{book ref|sa1|73}} The seventh dahn includes lower ranking officers in the army who are landless and attached to a more powerful officer's retinue.{{book ref|sa1|27}}

People in the tenth and lowest level of dahn are colloquially known as "tenners" and are looked down upon as being barely above darkeyes.{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{book ref|sa2|2}}{{book ref|sa2|45}} Unlike high dahn lighteyes—who might make a living from their landed estates or by ruling over other men—or even high nahn darkeyes—who might be merchants or master craftsmen—tenners have to actually work for a living.{{book ref|sa2|45}}

=== Moving between ranks ===
It is difficult for a lighteyed person to raise their dahn, especially at the higher dahns.{{wob ref|2782}} At the lower dahns, one can buy themselves up a rank. Alternatively, one can be appointed to a position; a position such as a citylord conveys a certain rank and if the person does not currently have that rank, they will receive it along with the appointment.{{wob ref|2782}} A person can potentially jump up two or three dahns by receiving such an appointment.{{wob ref|2782}}

One can raise his dahn through two other, much more rare, methods. The first is through direct intervention by the king or a highprince.{{wob ref|2782}} The second is to become a Shardbearer; by doing so, one immediately raises his dahn to that of the fourth rank, if he is not already at or above this rank.{{book ref|sa2|66}}

A person can also be demoted in dahn if they perform poorly in a given role.{{wob ref|2782}} In particular, if an [[ardent]] leaves the ardentia, he will be demoted to the tenth dahn.{{book ref|sa1|45}}

=== Inheritance of dahn ===
The dahn of a lighteyed child is influenced by the dahn that his parents hold. Generally, the child's dahn will be equivalent to the highest dahn that either of his parents hold.{{wob ref|2782}} For example, a child from a union of a fifth dahn husband and sixth dahn wife would be fifth dahn. 

However, special rules apply to those of very high dahn or who hold certain special positions. In such a circumstance, the heir apparent will receive the highest parent's dahn and eventually succeed the parent's position while the non-heir children will slip one or two ranks down until they reach a "stable rank."{{wob ref|2782}} A stable rank is one in which the child will always inherit the rank of their parent; the third dahn is a stable rank, while the first and second are not.{{wob ref|2782}}

== Notable lighteyes ==

=== First dahn ===
* King [[Elhokar Kholin]], King of [[Alethkar]]
* King [[Gavilar Kholin]], King of [[Alethkar]]{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}
* Queen [[Jasnah Kholin]], Queen of [[Alethkar]] (Notable as she is not Queen by marriage, but instead ruling Queen, in defiance of [[Vorin]] tradition.{{book ref|sa3|end}}

=== Second dahn ===
* Navani Kholin, Dowager Queen of Alethkar{{disputed}}
* Queen [[Aesudan Kholin]], Queen of [[Alethkar]]{{book ref|sa1|1}}
* [[Highprince]] [[Dalinar Kholin]], [[Highprince of War]]
* [[Adolin Kholin]], Heir to the Kholin princedom and son of Dalinar Kholin
* Highprince [[Torol Sadeas]], [[Highprince of Information]]
* Highprince [[Aladar]]
* Highprince [[Bethab]]
* Highprince [[Hatham]]
* Highprince [[Roion]]
* Highprince [[Ruthar]]
* Highprince [[Sebarial]]
* Highprince [[Thanadal]]
* Highprince [[Vamah]]

=== Third dahn ===
* Highlord [[Meridas Amaram]], absendiar highmarshal of the Sadeas princedom{{book ref|sa1|44}}{{book ref|sa2|52}}
* [[Jakamav]], landlord and [[Shardbearer]] under Highprince Roion{{book ref|sa1|58}}{{book ref|sa2|26}}
* [[Renarin Kholin]], son of Highprince Dalinar Kholin

=== Fourth dahn ===
* [[Moash]], Lieutenant of the bridgemen and Shardbearer under Highprince Dalinar{{book ref|sa2|2}}{{book ref|sa2|66}}{{book ref|sa2|68}}
* [[Lin Davar]], Head of [[House Davar]] and Shallan's father{{book ref|sa2|52}}
* [[Nan Balat]], Shallan's brother{{book ref|sa2|52}}
* [[Kaladin Stormblessed]], Knight Radiant, Order of Windrunners (by virtue of Shardblade)
* [[Shallan Davar]], Knight Radiant, Order of Lightweavers (by virtue of Shardblade)
* [[Teft]], Knight Radiant, Order of Windrunners (by virtue of Shardblade)

=== Fifth dahn ===


=== Eighth dahn ===
* [[Jix]], Davar household guard{{book ref|sa2|45}}

=== Tenth dahn ===
* [[Rind]], Kholin head quartermaster{{book ref|sa2|2}}

== Notes ==
<references />
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[[category: Alethi|*]]