Editing User:Rasarr/Nale

<pre>
{{character
|image=Nale Endsheet.png
|abilities={{tag+|Cognitive Shadow}}, {{tag+|skybreaker}}, {{tag+|Shardbearer}}
|groups={{tag|Knights Radiant}} <small>([[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreaker]])</small>
|titles={{tag+|herald}}, Herald of Justice, Patron of the [[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreakers]], The Illuminator, The Judge
|aliases=Nalan, Nin, Nin-son-God, Darkness, Nakku
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{spoiler|sa4}}
</pre>
{{quote
|Without the law, there is nothing. It is all we have, the only sure thing in this world.
|Nale{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
}}

'''Nale''', also known as '''Nalan''', '''Nin''', or '''Nakku''', is one of the ten [[Herald]]s of [[The Almighty]] on [[Roshar]]. He's the Herald of Justice and the patron of the [[Order of Skybreakers]], as well as a Skybreaker himself.{{epigraph ref|sa2|43}}{{book ref|sa3|106}}

== Appearance and Personality ==
{{image|Herald of Justice.jpg|width=200px|side=left}}
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
{{quote
|Justice does not expire.
|Nale{{book ref|sa2|I|2}}
}}

Nale is dark-skinned, and often described as looking [[Makabak]]i, or more specifically [[Azish]]. The most notable aspect of his appearance is a crescent-shaped birthmark on his right cheek -- something unique to him among the Heralds.{{wob ref|8455}}{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} He's typically dressed in a uniform of an Azish constable -- a black coat with a double row of silver buttons and a stiff silver collar poking up from beneath, as well as gloves with long collars of their own.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa2|88}} His eyes are mentioned as looking glassy, unfeeling and cold.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa2.5|8}} [[Rosharan]] artwork typically portrays him as bald, and he does indeed shave his hair close to his scalp.{{file ref|Nale.jpg|Nale chapter capstone}}{{file ref|Relief.jpg|Nale relief}}{{book ref|sa4|47}}

Nale is obsessed with order and law, and will go to extreme lengths to ensure he doesn't break any laws of the land he's in. This is because he's lost his own sense of justice and morality, and as such, he believes that the only way for him to act correctly is to obey a code of conduct created by others.{{book ref|sa3|121}} He is, however, capable of bending the rules to his advantage, such as by appointing himself a lawman to enable him to kill, or pressuring local authorities to change the law.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa2.5|16}} This being said, Nale's still focused on obeying the rules, and will punish even his own underlings for breaking them, regardless of whether doing so is to his advantage.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} Perhaps because of this, [[Nightblood]] wouldn't consider him to be evil.{{wob ref|12567}}

In his actions, he seems utterly devoid of mercy, and will execute the maximum penalty avaiable to him without a shred of compassion or leniency, regardless of who his victim is.{{book ref|sa2.5|8}} He respects those who share his own blind obedience, and will target them as recruits for the [[Skybreakers]].{{book ref|sa2|88}} While understanding that people are fallible, he expects higher standards from those he chooses.{{wob ref|3850}} He thinks the world of [[Ishar]], and will do anything the man commands, to the point of self-delusion, in all but most dire of circumstances.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}}

Most of Nale's current-day behavior is the result of his experiences during the [[Desolation]]s. Back then, he was capable of emotions and compassion; in fact, he was highly aware that law was, by itself, inflexible and immoral, and that it fell on lawmakers to make sure that law protected the weak from the strong.{{book ref|sa4|47}} However, this empathy was tortured out of him on [[Braize]].{{book ref|sa3|121}} In his better moments, Nale is aware of what he's lost, and can be horrified by his own behavior, but his current coping patterns quickly reassert themselves.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}}{{book ref|sa3|90}}

He seems to have some problems correctly perceiving the passage of time, expressing surprise that food he'd left behind many years, if not decades prior had gone bad.{{book ref|sa3|106}} He is also unfazed by any wounds or pain; he takes an arrow to the face with little more than mild annoyance at being interrupted.{{book ref|sa4|47}}

== Attributes and Abilities ==
{{image|Herald Glyph Nalan.svg|side=right|width=150px|Nalan's [[glyph]]}}

=== Herald and Radiant ===
{{for|Herald#Abilities|a more in-depth description of general Heraldic powers}}

As a Herald of the Almighty, Nale is functionally immortal. He does not appear to age while on Roshar; and when he does die, he is transported to Braize for torturing. He can return to Roshar when he wishes to stop the pain, although this causes another Desolation. He also has access to an [[Honorblade]], and is in fact the only Herald to have recovered his after [[Aharietiam]].{{book ref|sa3|106}} The Honorblade makes him a [[Surgebinder]], granting him powers over the [[Surge]]s of [[Division]] and [[Gravitation]].{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa3|121}}

Apart from his powers as a Herald, Nale has formed a [[Nahel bond]] with a [[highspren]], making him a Skybreaker. He's the only Skybreaker in centuries to have reached the Fifth Ideal. His bond also gives him access to a living [[Shardblade]], giving him two Blades in total.{{book ref|sa3|90}}{{book ref|sa3|106}} His double bond -- with the Honorblade and the [[spren]] -- slightly enhances his powers.{{wob ref|5618}}

While he has access to Surgebinding during the entire [[Era of Solitude]], he seems to avoid using it in the presence of others, likely to keep a low profile.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} This changes after he joins the singers, and he seems to have no issues using Gravitation in combat.{{book ref|sa4|47}}

=== Lawman ===
{{quote
|The law cannot be moral, but '''you''' can be moral as you create laws. Ever must you protect the weakest, those most likely to be taken advantage of.
|Nale{{book ref|sa4|47}}
}}

Nale appears to be well-versed in Rosharan law and legal systems. He can seamlessly operate in various states, especially throughout Western Roshar, and use their laws to his advantage.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} Moreover, Nale appears to be the Heralds' expert in lawkeeping and lawmaking. In the ancient times, he was the one to teach Rosharans about establishing a fair and just legal code. Some of his rules are still in effect on Roshar, most notably the Right of Travel, which he prescribed to prevent the abuses of the weak.{{book ref|sa4|47}}

=== Resources ===
Nale is the head of the Order of Skybreakers, with many of its members sworn to follow him directly as their Third Ideal. This provides him with a small, but powerful fighting force willing to obey his every command. They seem to execute his commands unquestioningly, even when he turns against humanity.{{book ref|sa3|117}} Some of them are as high as the Fourth Ideal, while others are merely squires, though all seem well-trained.{{book ref|sa3|90}}

Apart from the Skybreakers, Nale seems to have vast resources and connections. He has access to various rare items and creatures: he can acquire a [[larkin]] without apparent difficulty, has a [[Regrowth]] [[fabrial]] able to bring people back from the dead, and was even in possession of [[Nightblood]] for a while, having gotten his hands on it through unknown means.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa2|88}} He keeps caches of food and supplies throughout the continent, though many of them are poorly-maintained.{{book ref|sa3|106}}

He seems well-connected in Western [[Roshar]]. He can track Lift over vast distances and easily get his hands on attire of local lawkeepers, as well as necessary paperwork for him to join them.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} He's also fostered good relationships with most local governments, enough so that they're willing to grant him authority after he reveals himself and the Skybreakers to them.{{book ref|sa3|92}} It's unknown how well he's embedded himself in the structures of Eastern Roshar, although he has at the very least acquired the authority to act as a lawkeeper in [[Alethkar]] from king [[Gavilar Kholin]].{{book ref|sa4|77}}

== History ==
=== The Desolations ===
{{quote
|There is no person we would welcome more eagerly into this pact than you. You are the single most honorable man I have ever had the privilege of opposing.
|[[Jezrien]] to Nale{{book ref|sa4|47}}
}}

Nale was born on [[Ashyn]], either before or during the great calamity that befell it and forced the human population to leave. Like most others who would eventually become [[Herald]]s, he travelled to [[Roshar]] to settle there.{{wob ref|11945}} Sometime afterwards, when the [[Desolation]]s began, Nale joined the [[Oathpact]], becoming a Herald of the [[Almighty]].{{book ref|sa1|prelude}} It appears that, at the time, he and [[Jezrien]] were enemies, though the precise nature of the confict between them is unknown. Eventually, Nale was proven right, while Jezrien turned out wrong. Impressed with Nale's integrity, Jezrien approached Nale about his participation in the Oathpact, to which Nale graciously agreed.{{book ref|sa4|47}}

When the [[Surgebinder]]s began appearing, Nale was initially reluctant to take them under his patronage, even though the nascent [[Skybreakers]] named him their master. Following some sort of the disturbance in the toparchy of [[Revv]], however, he agreed to do so, becoming the last Herald to formally accept his [[Knights Radiant]].{{epigraph ref|sa2|43}}

Like all other Heralds besides [[Taln]], in time Nale grew too exhausted to keep participating in the Oathpact. He and the others left their [[Honorblade]]s behind and abandoned the Oathpact in an event later known as [[Aharietiam]].{{book ref|sa1|prelude}} Unlike the others, however, Nale eventually recovered his Blade. He also ended up bonding a [[highspren]] and joining his own Radiant Order, becoming the only Herald to have done so.{{book ref|sa3|106}}{{wob ref|12600}}

=== Era of Solitude ===
==== Living in Hiding ====
At the end of the [[False Desolation]] and shortly before the [[Recreance]], Nale and Kalak were both present at the capture of [[Ba-Ado-Mishram]], and thus witnessed the mental damage done to the [[singer]]s.{{book ref|sa4|24}} While Kalak came to regret this event happening, Nale's opinion on it is unknown.{{epigraph ref|sa4|96}}

At some point, possibly after the [[Recreance]], Nale began working to prevent another Desolation from happening. Eventually, likely following the advice of [[Ishar]], he came to understand this as eliminating every nascent [[Surgebinder]] other than the prospective Skybreakers, whose bonds he had the capacity to permit and deny.{{book ref|sa3|106}} By the time of the reunification of [[Alethkar]], he was still doing it, forming a methodology that agreed with his own sentiments: he would track down Surgebinders who had committed some kind of a crime, no matter how minor, and execute them under the pretense of punishment.{{book ref|sa2|i|2}}

==== The Assassination of Gavilar Kholin ====
{{quote
|Tonight I found reason to have [Gavilar] killed, but it will take me months of planning to achieve the proper legality.
|Nale{{book ref|sa4|77}}
}}

At some point, Nale got in contact with the [[Alethi]] king [[Gavilar]], possibly through [[Kalak]] and his [[Sons of Honor]], which the king was a part of. While Nale participated in Gavilar's secret project, he didn't seem to have much patience for it. Regardless, he visited the man the night of his [[Assassination of Gavilar|assassination]].{{book ref|sa4|prologue}}

A few hours before the feast began, Nale stumbled upon [[Venli]] and [[Ulim]] skulking around the [[Kholinar Palace]], and immediately recognized the latter. Silencing the spren, he began questioning Venli about the number of returning [[voidspren]]; however, she managed to trick him into believing that it was his own actions that had prompted a new Return. Incensed, and thinking that Gavilar's project caused the voidspren to come back, Nale decided to try and prevent further catastrophe. He explained to Venli that there was a loophole in the treaty that would allow the listeners to attack the Alethi if they believed there was a conspiracy against them. He also pointed her towards [[Szeth]] and pardoned her for sneaking into off-limits section of the palace before leaving in a huff.{{book ref|sa4|77}}

During the feast, Nale, once more accompanied by [[Kalak]], met with Gavilar to discuss the king's progress. When [[Navani]] walked into the room to question Gavilar's absence from the feast, Nale took it as an opportunity to take his leave, dragging Kalak along with him, perhaps still furious with what Venli had told him.{{book ref|sa4|prologue}} The same night, the two of them briefly spoke with [[Elhokar Kholin]], then left the feasting hall and stumbled on [[Jasnah]], whom Nale treated rather coldly before moving on.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} 

{{image|Hug the Darkness.png|side=right|width=200px|[[Lift]] hugging Nale in the [[Everstorm]]}}
==== Hunting Surgebinders ====
Following the feast, Nale continued his trail of murder, killing [[Ym]] for a minor crime.{{book ref|sa2|i|2}} Afterwards, he focused his efforts on [[Lift]], tracking her down all the way to the royal palace of [[Azimir]]. While he managed to catch her, and fill out the proper paperwork to have her killed, [[Gawx]] died in the process and Lift managed to heal the boy. This led to Gawx being pronounced the new [[Prime Aqasix]] and pardoning Lift, which in turn forced Nale to relent, as he had no excuse to kill her anymore.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}

Nale briefly returned East for the [[Battle of Narak]], where he caught and revived recently-killed [[Szeth]]. He proceeded to recruit the [[Shin]] and give him [[Nightblood]], which he had acquired at an unknown point in the past.{{book ref|sa2|88}} Afterwards, he took Szeth with him back West on another hunt, this time to [[Yeddaw]], to track down yet another budding Surgebinder.{{book ref|sa2.5|15}} He successfully found [[Stump]], but before he could kill her, Lift confronted him just as the [[Everstorm]] was approaching. The combination of the storm and Lift's words managed to get through to Nale as he realized that his plan had failed, and that he had killed for nothing.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}}

=== True Desolation ===
==== Joining the Singers ====
Following the Everstorm, Nale had a minor breakdown, leaving for parts unknown for several weeks before coming back for Szeth, dropping him off at the Skybreaker training grounds, then leaving again to seek [[Ishar]]'s guidance.{{book ref|sa3|90}} Whatever Ishar had told him worked well enough to calm Nale down, enough so that he was back to his confident self when he returned months later.{{book ref|sa3|98}}

He took all the Skybreakers with him south, to [[Marat]]. There, he told them the truth of the Aharietiam and the origins of the Desolations.{{book ref|sa3|106}} Afterwards, they went further, to [[Thaylen City]], though only Nale and Szeth were present during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]]. As they watched, Nale informed Szeth that he intended for the Skybreakers to follow the [[singer]]s, as they were the original owners of Roshar.{{book ref|sa3|116}} However, he did not participate in the battle.{{book ref|sa3|120}}

Initially, Nale attempted to convince Szeth to do the same.{{book ref|sa3|117}} When the Shin chose to follow [[Dalinar]] instead, Nale had no hard feelings about it, and promised to return later to teach Szeth the [[Surge]] of [[Division]]. He then departed, though it's uncertain where to.{{book ref|sa3|121}}

==== The Emuli Frontline ====
{{quote
|How are you a Bondsmith? You should not exist, Blackthorn. Your cause is not righteous. You should be denied the true Surges of Honor.
|Nale to [[Dalinar]]{{book ref|sa4|47}}
}}

A year into the [[True Desolation]], Nale and his [[Skybreakers]] were sent to [[Emul]] to fight on the side of the [[Voidbringers]]. During one particular battle, he approached the army leader, [[Dalinar Kholin]], and tried to persuade him to submit to the law of the [[singer]]s; however, before he could go too far into his speech, [[Cord]] shot him in the face, to which he barely responded. After pulling the arrow out and healing his face, he descended to the deck of the floating platform the others were on.{{book ref|sa4|47}}

Nale approached Dalinar, incredulous that the man such as him would be made a [[Bondsmith]]. He tried to amend this and launched himself at Dalinar, but before he could attack, Dalinar, prompted by [[Stormfather]], used his abilities on the Herald, and saw a number of visions from Nale's memory. Starting from Nale abandoning the [[Oathpact]], they went back in time, showing Nale fighting dark forces while protecting a small child, Nale establishing the [[Vorin]] right of travel, Nale kneeling before a [[highspren]], and endless fighting he partook in. Last was the vision of Nale agreeing to join the Oathpact with [[Jezrien]].{{book ref|sa4|47}}

When the visions ended, Nale, shocked at what had happened, backed away from Dalinar, revealing a line connecting the two -- the manifestation of the [[Oathpact]]. Tearing the line, Nale quickly leaped out of the platform and fled, clearly terrified by Dalinar's feat.{{book ref|sa4|47}}

== Relationships ==
=== Other Heralds ===
{{quote
|You're worried about everything. (...) Shut up.
|Nale to [[Kalak]]{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}
}}

Nale greatly respects [[Ishar]] and his opinions, believing the Herald of Luck to be the only one who hasn't succumbed to madness. It was likely at Ishar's suggestion that Nale began his crusade against Surgebinders, and when the [[Everstorm]] comes, Nale goes to Ishar for comfort and advice.{{book ref|sa3|106}} His respect extends somewhat to the [[Bondsmith]]s, as he has extremely high standards for what makes one worthy of the bond -- standards Ishar meets, but Dalinar doesn't.{{book ref|sa4|47}}

By contrast, Nale respect for other Heralds seems to have eroded with time. Once, he considered fighting alongside [[Jezrien]] to be an honor; these days, however, he's been keeping tabs on the Herald of Kings, and considers him to be little more than a drooling idiot.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa4|47}} He and [[Kalak]] traveled together a couple of times, most notably during the capture of [[Ba-Ado-Mishram]] and the [[Assassination of Gavilar]].{{book ref|sa4|24}}{{book ref|sa4|prologue}} He has little patience for the man and his worries, and Kalak's perpetual paranoia and fear annoys him. He doesn't seem to keep in touch with the other Heralds; he doesn't care when Kalak mentions [[Shalash]], and never once speaks of [[Talenel]] despite the new Desolation.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}

=== Szeth ===
Nale is very impressed with Szeth, calling him one of the people most deserving of joining the [[Skybreaker]]s. He's been watching Szeth for a considerable period of time while the latter was [[Truthless]], having followed him since at least the [[Assassination of Gavilar]] Kholin.{{book ref|sa4|77}} He greatly respects Szeth's obedience to the [[Oathstone]], enough so to revive him from death and entrust him with [[Nightblood]].{{book ref|sa2|88}}

Even after recruiting Szeth, Nale seems to take a special interest in him above other candidates. He seems comfortable telling Szeth his life story and speaking to him in private about the true history of the world.{{book ref|sa3|106}}{{book ref|sa3|121}} He's also fairly indifferent and accepting of Szeth's opinions, despite them disagreeing with his own.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}} Even when Szeth decides to side with the people opposing [[singer]]s -- and, by extension, against Nale -- the Herald respects it and remains friendly, even promising to teach him further.{{book ref|sa3|121}}

=== Lift ===
Nale has been hunting [[Lift]] relentlessly for a while by the time she arrives in [[Azimir]] and attempts to rob the Bronze Palace, enough so for her to recognize him right away. She nicknames him Darkness, and is initially terrified of him, though when his plans to kill her fail, he departs easily enough.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}

Afterwards, Lift takes to hunting him herself, trying to stop him from killing more [[Surgebinder]]s, which eventually leads to the two having a confrontation in [[Yeddaw]]. Nale is initially rather glad that she came to be judged, and has every intention of killing her. However, she manages to talk him down and point out to him that the Desolation is starting again, which seems to temporarily return him to his senses. She even hugs him, although he departs shortly after.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}}

=== Ulim ===
{{quote
|We are not friends. You persist only because I cannot destroy spren.
|Nale to [[Ulim]]{{book ref|sa4|77}}
}}

Nale and Ulim are familiar with each other, and have interacted in the past enough so for Nale to recognize the [[voidspren]] on sight. Nale despises him; he brushes away Ulim's attempts at small talk and tell him straight-up that if he had the capacity to kill spren, Ulim would already be dead. In turn, despite being immune to anything Nale could throw at him, Ulim is terrified of him, and immediately falls silent when commanded. After realizing how badly time has ravaged his mind, Ulim notes that the Herald's condition is similar to that of the [[Fused]], and revels in Venli tricking him.{{book ref|sa4|77}}

== Culture ==
{{image|Nale.jpg|side=right|width=150px}}
{{quote
|Nin-son-God, Nale, Nakku, Nalan—this man had a hundred different names and was revered across all Roshar.
|[[Szeth]]{{book ref|sa3|98}}
}}

As a Herald, Nale is significant in a number of Rosharan cultures. In [[Vorinism]], he's called '''Nalan''', and is associated with the number 2 (or Nan), the [[Ten Essences|Essence]] of Vapor, and the attributes Just and Confident.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} People often swear by Nalan's hand, or say "Nalan send..." to express hope.{{book ref|sa2|44}}{{book ref|sa2|88}} More crudely, an expression "Nale's nuts" is sometimes used.{{book ref|sa4|7}} On the whole, however, he does not feature in Vorin sayings particularly often; certainly less so than [[Kalak]].

In [[Shinovar]], he's revered as '''Nin-son-God''', and believed to be the founder of humanity.{{book ref|sa3|98}} The [[Azish]] know him as '''Nakku the Judge'''.{{book ref|sa3|53}} He's also ascribed the title of the Illuminator, and is mentioned as having a hundred other names across the world, among them the Herald of Justice.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa3|98}}

== Notes ==
<references />
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