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Realistically, in my current situation, I am unlikely to find the time and drive to actually finish this project. So I have incorporated the work I have done so far and removed my claim tag.
(Realistically, in my current situation, I am unlikely to find the time and drive to actually finish this project. So I have incorporated the work I have done so far and removed my claim tag.) |
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The death of his wife, [[Evi]], changed everything. His overwhelming guilt led to Dalinar beginning to drink heavily, often ignoring his family or acting with outright hostility towards them, and doing only the most perfunctory of social functions.{{book ref|sa3|88}} Though he was somewhat aware of how horridly he acted, it seemed he was unable to temper himself, even after making a conscious effort.{{book ref|sa3|94}}{{book ref|sa3|105}} It wasn't until the death of his brother and a visit to the [[Nightwatcher]], where his memories of Evi and the events at the [[Rift]] were pruned by [[Cultivation]], that he managed to get past this.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
{{image|Dalinar book botanicaxu.jpg|side=left|width=200px|Holding ''[[The Way of Kings (in-world)|The Way of Kings]]''}}
==== The Bondsmith ====
}}
In the present day, Dalinar Kholin is a man defined by duty, striving to act in an honorable and righteous manner.{{book ref|sa3|122}} He is, however, keenly aware of his own failings in this regard, and his tendency towards the extreme. He seeks out causes that he can believe in and which he can dedicate himself to, such as the [[Alethi Codes of War]] or ''[[The Way of Kings (in-world)|The Way of Kings]]''.{{book ref|sa1|64}} He considers the latter in particular to be a particularly important part of his current self, as it was the book that began to heal him following his brother's death, and it
Dalinar considers himself wholly a soldier and general with no talent for back-room politicking.{{book ref|sa1|69}} He is unflinchingly honest and straightforward, preferring to speak plainly rather than engage in any delicate diplomatic dance.{{book ref|sa3|12}} He has a bad habit of trusting people, such as [[Torol Sadeas]] and [[Amaram]], based on prior association, to the point of ignoring even the most obvious alarm signs.{{book ref|sa3|69}}{{book ref|sa3|58}}
== Attributes and Abilities ==
{{image|Dalinar by Grant Hansen.jpg|The Blackthorn riding into battle|side=left|width=250px}}▼
Dalinar was raised in the Vorin religion; his [[Calling]] is to be a leader, and his chosen [[Glory]] is determination.{{book ref|sa1|18}} At some point in his life, he joined a lay devotary called the Order of [[Talenelat]].{{book ref|sa1|54}} However, over time his faith wavers, and his visions lead him to conclude that the [[Almighty]] is dead. This ends with his excommunication from the [[Vorin]] church.{{book ref|sa3|100}}
He has an excellent memory and can quote entire chapters of ''[[The Way of Kings (in-world)|The Way of Kings]]'' without pause.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Unlike most Vorin men, he has been taught how to write and read by [[Navani]].{{book ref|sa3|121}}
▲{{image|Dalinar by Grant Hansen.jpg|The Blackthorn riding into battle|side=left|width=250px}}
=== Combat ===
In his younger years, Dalinar Kholin has been considered one of the greatest warriors of the modern world, and though in the present day his reputation has faded somewhat, he is still incredibly dangerous.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Throughout his life, Dalinar has seen every aspect of war, from open-field combat to logistics and sieges.{{book ref|sa3|3}}{{book ref|sa3|11}} His only blank spot appears to be naval combat, as though they are not
For most of his life, Dalinar possessed a set of [[Shardplate]], as well as a [[Shardblade]] named [[Oathbringer (Shardblade)|Oathbringer]], with the latter coming into his hands after he killed highlord [[Tanalan's father|Tanalan]] in the first siege of the [[Rift]].{{book ref|sa3|11}} He was considered extremely skilled at using both.{{book ref|sa1|13}} This being said, near the end of the [[War of Reckoning]] he gave them up. Oathbringer was given to [[Torol Sadeas]], in exchange for all of his enslaved bridgemen, while the Plate was given to [[Renarin]] shortly afterward.{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{book ref|sa2|16}}
=== Leadership ===
Dalinar is the head of the Kholin household, and as such holds authority over all other members of his family. His nephew, [[Elhokar
He also commands the [[:Category: Kholin army|Kholin Army]], though, in battles, he often passes the command to his eldest son. The army is large and well-trained, although it takes significant losses in the [[Battle of the Tower]].{{book ref|sa2|2}} The [[Cobalt Guard]] and [[Bridge Four]], two units of honor guard dedicated to protecting the king and the Kholins, are also part of the army. He also once had a group of soldiers who accompanied him into battle, [[Dalinar's elites]], but they seem to have been dissolved by the [[War of Reckoning]], though some of their members still fight for him.
Dalinar’s presence is often regarded as incredibly powerful, perhaps even unconsciously so. At the feast before Gavilar’s assassination, Navani notes that Dalinar seems to attract his own cluster of lighteyes, likening the arrangement to planets orbiting around a star, at once hungry for and fearful of the fire.{{book ref|sa4|prologue}} When meeting with the
=== Visions ===
Dalinar has a [[Nahel bond]] with the [[Stormfather]], the personification of storms and the divine. This makes him a [[Knight Radiant]] of the [[Order of Bondsmiths]]. His [[Surge]]s are Tension and Adhesion. Adhesion allows him to bind objects together, and Tension grants the Surgebinder power over Soft Axial Connections, though what precisely this entails is yet to be revealed.
Like all Surgebinders, Dalinar can draw or breathe in [[Stormlight]],
He can also Connect to people - by touching them, he can acquire the ability to speak and understand their native language, though it wears off after a time.{{book ref|sa3|65}} This ability has other implications, but he is unable to pick up other people's abilities with them.{{wob ref|11424}}
Dalinar has other abilities, seemingly connected to the Stormfather's particular relation to [[Honor]]. He can summon [[Honor's Perpendicularity]], which provides a temporary way to move between Roshar and [[Shadesmar]], as well as a near-infinite amount of [[Stormlight]] while open.{{book ref|sa3|119}}{{book ref|sa4|5}} Outside of it, he can also refill [[sphere]]s with Stormlight and supercharge other [[Surgebinder]]s with it, although it's uncertain whether this is part of the standard Bondsmiths' toolset, or an ability unique to him.{{book ref|sa3|122}}{{book ref|sa4|3}}
== History ==
|Gavilar's last words{{book ref|sa3|105}}
}}
A year later, in {{rosharan date
{{sidequote
}}
At Gavilar's funeral, Elhokar swore revenge against the Parshendi on behalf of all the Alethi. Dalinar was pleased that this could be something to unite the Alethi people in spirit, finally. While he told Adolin to go swear the Vengeance Pact on behalf of the Kholin house, he wandered off to drink. He was on his way when he heard the words from ''The Way of Kings'' in the hallways. When he followed the voice, he found his niece [[Jasnah]] reading the book. Though he was still desperate for a drink, he sat down and requested that she continue. She read the book to him, start to finish. When she finished, she and Dalinar embraced, and she left.{{book ref|sa3|105}}
Adolin found Dalinar the moment after, to ask about the Kholin forces that they will send to the Shattered Plains. Dalinar decided then and there that he needed to be a better man. He told Adolin that he had been a poor father, but that he was so proud of his sons. Dalinar created a plan so that he could leave for the Shattered Plains separate from the other forces, and that a delay would not be considered unusual by anyone else.{{book ref|sa3|105}}
{{sidequote
{{image|Seeking Forgiveness by Jordi Rapture.jpg|side=left|width=200px|Dalinar visiting the [[Nightwatcher]]}}
On his separate way to the Shattered Plains, he visited the [[Nightwatcher]]. The Thrill was notably absent. As he approached, he again experienced visions of Rathalas burning, and its people screaming, more real than it had ever been since that night. More visions came of killing the Parshendi, of killing Elhokar and taking the throne for himself, invading other lands, and becoming emperor over all. He knew that this was his future. ▼
▲On his separate way to the Shattered Plains, he visited the [[Nightwatcher]]. The Thrill was notably absent. As he approached, he again experienced visions of Rathalas burning, and its people screaming, more real than it had ever been since that night. More visions came of killing the Parshendi, of killing Elhokar and taking the throne for himself, invading other lands, and becoming emperor over all. He knew that this was his future.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
Finally, the Nightwatcher came to him and asked what the Son of [[Honor]] and the Son of [[Odium]] wanted from her. He asked her whether he could ever be forgiven. The Nightwatcher grew aggravated, as she could not grant this request, but another [[Cultivation|being]] approached. A matronly woman with brown skin and a brown dress, calling the Nightwatcher ‘child', commanded Dalinar to attend her instead. ▼
▲Finally, the Nightwatcher came to him and asked what the Son of [[Honor]] and the Son of [[Odium]] wanted from her. He asked her whether he could ever be forgiven. The Nightwatcher grew aggravated, as she could not grant this request, but another [[Cultivation|being]] approached. A matronly woman with brown skin and a brown dress, calling the Nightwatcher ‘child', commanded Dalinar to attend her instead.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
Though at first, this woman seemed like she would reject him, telling him to seek out Honor instead, Dalinar insisted. She told him she would not change him, but she would prune him. The cost would be high. She warned him she would also take Evi. Dalinar agreed to her terms. ▼
▲Though at first, this woman seemed like she would reject him, telling him to seek out Honor instead, Dalinar insisted. She told him she would not change him, but she would prune him. The cost would be high. She warned him she would also take Evi. Dalinar agreed to her terms.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
Afterward, Dalinar found himself outside, unable to remember the specifics of his agreement. He could not fathom that he would ask for forgiveness, of all things, and found it silly in hindsight that he would come to the Nightwatcher. He assumed that he had asked for and been given the boon of peace. He resolved then and there to stop drinking, to stop moping. He decided at this moment to start following the [[Alethi Codes of War]] - he had failed to follow the Codes and it had cost his brother his life. He asked for a copy of ''The Way of Kings'' to be brought to him along the way to the Shattered Plains.▼
▲Afterward, Dalinar found himself outside, unable to remember the specifics of his agreement. He could not fathom that he would ask for forgiveness, of all things, and found it silly in hindsight that he would come to the Nightwatcher. He assumed that he had asked for and been given the boon of peace. He resolved then and there to stop drinking, to stop moping. He decided at this moment to start following the [[Alethi Codes of War]] - he had failed to follow the Codes and it had cost his brother his life. He asked for a copy of ''The Way of Kings'' to be brought to him along the way to the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|sa3|114}}
==== The War Against the Parshendi ====
{{image|Dalinar by Linnéa Sandberg.png|width=200px|Dalinar in uniform|side=right}}
He suggested to Elhokar that they withdraw from the Shattered Plains. Like Adolin, Elhokar was horrified at the suggestion and was alarmed at what his uncle was thinking. Dalinar changed tactic, stating that they had lingered on the Plains for far too long and that they needed a new strategy to defeat the Parshendi. He asked Elhokar to make him the [[Highprince of War]] so he might have the power to enforce changes in the other warcamps. Elhokar refused to give him the title unless Dalinar could prove that it was possible for the Highprinces to productively work together.{{book ref|sa1|18}}
Adolin told Dalinar that the girth strap on Elhokar's saddle was cut after all, but it wasn't clear whether it was an accident or not. They decided that Elhokar was being paranoid but they know they couldn't rule out his suspicions. Dalinar had a fit in front of his men for the first time, one where he met a pair of Knights Radiant, but refused to be ashamed. He claimed it was good for his men to actually see it for themselves instead of believing rumors. Almost right after this, Elhokar publicly announced that there was a plot on his life, and that based on the evidence of the cut girth strap, he was naming Sadeas to be the [[Highprince of Information]] to investigate the assassins. This allowed Sadeas as much power as Dalinar would have had as Highprince of War; it was a direct snub by Elhokar for refusing to take the attempt on his life seriously.{{book ref|sa1|22}}
Dalinar's first overtures of partnership with some of the other Highprinces were rejected. Adolin was upset at what just happened and suspects Sadeas will try something. He argued with Dalinar and told him that the visions were just nonsense. Dalinar instead went to listen to a reading of ''The Way of Kings'', and wondered if Adolin is right. The reading was interrupted by a chasmfiend sighting. For once, Dalinar agreed to go chase it, and Adolin succeeded in retrieving the gemheart. Dalinar looked east from their plateau to see a Parshendi wearing Shardplate.
Later he found out that eight of the Highprinces have refused to go on a joint assault with him, leaving him only Sadeas to partner with. Dalinar was disturbed by his failure in this, and at the changes in himself. He confided his feelings in [[Navani]], who had recently arrived at the Plains, and confessed that he was going to abdicate to Adolin. She disagreed and encouraged him to stay the course.{{book ref|sa1|28}}
He accepted this. Soon after, another highstorm passed, and he had a vision while Navani attended. In this vision, he met [[Nohadon]], and wondered why the author of a book promoting a way of peace said that now only the sword was needed. When he came back to himself, Navani proved his visions to be real when she recognized what Dalinar had been speaking during the visions was the [[Dawnchant]], a long-dead language that Dalinar couldn't have known.{{book ref|sa1|60}} Knowing that the visions were real bolstered Dalinar's confidence, and he knew for certain now that his task was true. He had to unite the princes and he knew he could trust Sadeas.
{{image|Fervent Prayer by Antti Hakosaari.jpg|width=200px|Navani praying for Dalinar while she waits for news from the battle|side=left}}
Dalinar and Sadeas set out on their joint expedition. They used Sadeas' method of crossing chasms, a point of contention between them because Dalinar thought they wasted too many lives. When they started fighting the Parshendi on a distant plateau, Sadeas pulled his troops and bridges out, leaving Dalinar, Adolin, and the whole Kholin army surrounded by the Parshendi, stranded with no way out. Adolin yelled that he had told Dalinar not to trust Sadeas and Dalinar agreed. They were fighting a losing battle, waiting until they died. Dalinar squared off against the Parshendi Shardbearer, but he was losing.
Things were looking hopeless for them when a single bridge crew, [[Bridge Four]], led by [[Kaladin]], returned and saved them. The bridge offered the army a way off of the plateau and Kaladin was able to fight off enough of the Parshendi to allow Dalinar, Adolin, and the remains of the Kholin army to escape.{{book ref|sa1|66}}{{book ref|sa1|67}}{{book ref|sa1|68}} Dalinar promised Kaladin that he would free him and his crew from Sadeas.{{book ref|sa1|68}} They all returned to the warcamp to confront Sadeas.
{{image|Teamfight by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=left|width=250px|[[Dalinar]] catching [[Szeth]]'s blade in the lastclap}}
==== The Assassin in White ====
[[Szeth]] came after Dalinar on the night of another highstorm. Dalinar, Adolin, and Kaladin went to fight him, but Szeth handled them with ease. Dalinar shouted that he would never let Szeth take Elhokar's life, but Szeth said he was here to kill Dalinar. Szeth swung his Blade down and Dalinar caught it in his hands, a maneuver known as the [[lastclap]], giving Kaladin enough time to tackle Szeth out of the palace.{{book ref|sa2|32}}
At a meeting with the other highprinces, Dalinar offered a place to [[Shallan Davar]], the young woman who was in a causal betrothal arrangement with his son, Adolin. She refused, explaining that she already had a place in [[Sebarial|Highprince Sebarial's]] warcamp. Dalinar and the other princes discussed the Assassin, but Dalinar dismissed their arguments, stating that the Assassin was essentially unstoppable. Therefore the best course of action would be to try and stop the reason for the war. Since the Parshendi were the ones who hired Szeth last time, Dalinar suggested going to the Parshendi to discuss terms of peace. Adolin had been receiving requests from the Parshendi in that regard already. Dalinar announced his plan to meet the Parshendi and either agree on peace or defeat them.{{book ref|sa2|38}}
With Kaladin's help, the fight was won. The king offered Adolin a boon, but Kaladin took the opportunity to challenge Amaram. Elhokar demanded Kaladin's life for the insult, but Dalinar defended him, stating that if Elhokar were to execute Kaladin, then he would make an enemy of Dalinar. Afterward, Dalinar reprimanded Kaladin and ordered him to accept the time in prison Elhokar compromised on. He blamed Kaladin for losing them their chance to move against Sadeas, but thanked him for saving his sons' lives.{{book ref|sa2|58}}
Dalinar visited Kaladin in prison, letting him know Elhokar would release him soon. He explained some of Elhokar's actions, including that of exiling
==== The Expedition Sets Off ====
The battle started in earnest, and the Parshendi's song began stirring up a storm. Dalinar heard a voice talking to him, and recognized it as the Almighty's voice. This was the first time he'd heard the voice in his waking hours, outside of visions.{{book ref|sa2|81}} Dalinar asked him who he was since the Almighty claimed he was dead, but the voice says he was not the Almighty, but something left behind of Him – a sliver of God. This voice, the Stormfather, told Dalinar he was sorry that Dalinar would die here, and that this was the end of the visions.{{book ref|sa2|82}}
Dalinar received word that Shallan found the entrance to Urithiru and ordered all troops to evacuate there immediately.{{book ref|sa2|85}}
{{image|A Radiant with No Shards by Jordi Rapture.jpg|Dalinar swearing his Oaths before the Stormfather|side=left|height=300px}}
==== Urithiru ====
Dalinar got everyone to the plateau where the gateway to Urithiru was. Shallan got the Oathgate to work and teleported everyone on the plateau to Urithiru. There, he went to the rooftop of the city's tower and tried to speak with the Stormfather again. The Stormfather answered, but didn't want to help Dalinar at all. The Stormfather was required by the Almighty to share the visions, but he was angry at humanity for killing spren in the past. Dalinar didn't give up and demanded a [[Nahel bond|bond]] with him. The Stormfather grudgingly acquiesced, though he had no hope for Dalinar's chances of success at defeating [[Odium]]. Dalinar was now a [[Bondsmith]], one who brought men together.{{book ref|sa2|89}}
}}
When he found [[Ialai Sadeas|Ialai]] in her chambers, with Amaram at her side, he set the blade on the floor and turned to leave. Ialai expressed her surprise that he was giving it to her unconditionally and Dalinar, wearily, told her that he was not the one who had killed her husband. Afterward, Amaram lectured Dalinar, calling him a hypocrite, and Dalinar stormed off to his chambers. When he reached his outer common room he found Taravangian sitting by the [[heatrial]] that Navani had installed there. The two of them sat together in silence for a while as Dalinar contemplated his failure to assemble a coalition. Taravangian broke the silence and they discussed the nature and origin of morality. Dalinar brought up the story of the [[
==== Visions Revisited ====
}}
Several days later, during the next highstorm, Dalinar had the Stormfather bring Fen into a vision with him. He chose the [[Dalinar's visions#Starfalls|Starfalls vision]] so she could see the Knights Radiant first-hand in their former glory.
At first, she was skeptical that it was more than a dream but Dalinar told her how he came to realize that they were real and she seemed to accept what he said. Dalinar told her that he had brought her into his vision because he wanted to talk to her in person and through letters and spanreeds. He praised her efforts at organizing the people of the village and asked her if she would turn her back on the rest of the world. She replied that her nation was suffering and that she had a hard time believing that the Almighty had chosen him, a tyrant and murderer, to lead the Knights Radiant.{{book ref|sa3|34}}
{{sidequote
|1=
|2=The Stormfather's warning for Dalinar{{book ref|sa3|38}}
|side=left|size=350px
{{sidequote
|Dalinar looked at it, baffled, then up at the old man. In Odium's eyes, he could see that violet-black fire. Deep, deep within. The figure with whom Dalinar spoke was not the god, it was merely a face, a mask.
Because if Dalinar had to confront the true force behind those smiling eyes, he would go mad.
|Dalinar on Odium{{book ref|sa3|57}}
{{sidequote
|I don’t want your life, son, I don’t want your city or your kingdom. If I’d ''wanted'' to conquer Thaylenah, I wouldn’t offer you a smiling face and promises of peace. You should know that much from my reputation.
|Dalinar to [[Kdralk]] after stabbing him in his chest.{{book ref|sa3|59}}
|side=left|size=350px
}}
{{sidequote
|1="You are not what I expected, Blackthorn," Noura said.
"And what did you expect?"
"An animal," she said frankly. "A half-man creature of war and blood."
Something about that struck him. An animal … Echoes of memories shuddered inside of him.
|2=Noura and Dalinar{{book ref|sa3|65}}
}}
{{image|Communion of Snacks by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=300px|Speaking with [[Lift]]}}
When Dalinar arrived in Azimir and emerged from the Oathgate control building he found himself surrounded by a contingent of armed and armored Azish soldiers. He declared that he was unarmed and handed over his first attack, a four-page essay written by Queen Fen arguing about the economic value of the Oathgates. While the [[vizier]]s and [[scion]]s were reading the essay Dalinar tried, and succeeded, to use Spiritual Adhesion to forge a [[Connection]] with a nearby servant and understand what the Azish were saying. The viziers noticed this and were impressed, but after further deliberations, they decided that Fen's essay was not persuasive enough. Upon hearing this Dalinar reached into his packet and gave the viziers Navani's six-page essay which contained schematics and details of many of the fabrials they had developed. As they were in the middle of reading Navani's essay Dalinar reached into his packet and retrieved the third and final essay, ''[[Verdict]]'', written by Jasnah. The viziers were extremely impressed by Jasnah's writing and it persuaded them to bring his arguments before the Prime and his council. They then led him to a waiting room for him to sit in while he waited for their decision. While Dalinar was pacing in the waiting room Lift arrived and ate his lunch. After a bizarre conversation with Lift, Noura returned to tell Dalinar what they had concluded. He said that while Jasnah's essay had been a work of art, in the end it was Navani's more sincere paper which had persuaded Azir to come to Urithiru and join the coalition. He told Dalinar that representatives from [[Emul]], [[Tashikk]], [[Yezier]], [[Alm]], [[Desh]], and [[Liafor]] would be joining them as well. As Dalinar was reentering the Oathgate building, Noura told him that he had expected Dalinar to be more of a savage than he was. Dalinar told him that he had changed from the man he once had been. This conversation triggered a wave of recovered memories to flood through Dalinar. The memories of Evi and what had happened at the [[Rift]] overwhelmed him, and when he arrived in Urithiru he stumbled and collapsed to the floor.{{book ref|sa3|65}}▼
▲When Dalinar arrived in Azimir and emerged from the Oathgate control building he found himself surrounded by a contingent of armed and armored Azish soldiers. He declared that he was unarmed and handed over his first attack, a four-page essay written by Queen Fen arguing about the economic value of the Oathgates. While the [[vizier]]s and [[scion]]s were reading the essay Dalinar tried, and succeeded, to use Spiritual Adhesion to forge a [[Connection]] with a nearby servant and understand what the Azish were saying. The viziers noticed this and were impressed, but after further deliberations, they decided that Fen's essay was not persuasive enough. Upon hearing this, Dalinar reached into his packet and gave the viziers Navani's six-page essay which contained schematics and details of many of the fabrials they had developed. As they were in the middle of reading Navani's essay Dalinar reached into his packet and retrieved the third and final essay, ''[[Verdict]]'', written by Jasnah. The viziers were extremely impressed by Jasnah's writing and it persuaded them to bring his arguments before the Prime and his council. They then led him to a waiting room for him to sit in while he waited for their decision. While Dalinar was pacing in the waiting room Lift arrived and ate his lunch. After a bizarre conversation with Lift, Noura returned to tell Dalinar what they had concluded. He said that while Jasnah's essay had been a work of art, in the end it was Navani's more sincere paper which had persuaded Azir to come to Urithiru and join the coalition. He told Dalinar that representatives from [[Emul]], [[Tashikk]], [[Yezier]], [[Alm]], [[Desh]], and [[Liafor]] would be joining them as well. As Dalinar was reentering the Oathgate building, Noura told him that he had expected Dalinar to be more of a savage than he was. Dalinar told him that he had changed from the man he once had been. This conversation triggered a wave of recovered memories to flood through Dalinar. The memories of Evi and what had happened at the [[Rift]] overwhelmed him, and when he arrived in Urithiru he stumbled and collapsed to the floor.{{book ref|sa3|65}}
{{image|Dalinar vs The Blackthorn.jpg|side=left|width=300px|Dalinar remembering what he did to [[Evi]] and [[Rathalas]]}}▼
==== Memories Recovered ====
|Dalinar reflecting on recovering his memories.{{book ref|sa3|86}}
}}
▲{{image|Dalinar vs The Blackthorn.jpg|side=left|width=300px|Dalinar remembering what he did to [[Evi]] and [[Rathalas]]}}
{{sidequote
{{sidequote
|It seemed that Dalinar had been four people in his life. The bloodlusty warrior, who killed wherever he was pointed, and the consequences could go to Damnation.
The general, who had feigned distinguished civility—when secretly, he'd longed to get back on the battlefield so he could shed more blood.
Third, the broken man. The one who paid for the actions of the youth.
Then finally, the fourth man: most false of them all. The man who had given up his memories so he could pretend to be something better.
|Dalinar reflecting on his past.{{book ref|sa3|100}}
{{sidequote
|If you become that first man again, it will stop hurting. In your youth, you did what needed to be done. You were stronger then.
Is this leadership? To cry each night? To shake and tremble? Those are the actions of a child, not a man.
Give me your pain.
|Odium speaking to Dalinar as he tried to escape the Thrill.{{book ref|sa3|100}}
{{sidequote
|Oh, Ruthar, you can't win this fight. Jasnah has thought about the topic far more than you have. It’s a familiar battleground to her—<br/>
<br/>Storms, that was it.
|Dalinar thinking about Ruthar's response to Jasnah{{book ref|sa3|107}}
|side=right|size=350px
}}
He found Taravangian sitting by the hearth outside his study and took him to the tactics meeting taking place up in the Gallery of Maps. When he arrived Aladar, who was leading the meeting, greeted Dalinar and asked him if he was feeling better. Dalinar replied that he had been meditating and started to ask Aladar about their plans for the war. He was interrupted by Fen who demanded to know why he had abandoned them. Dalinar first tried to explain that he had taken his excommunication from the Vorin church poorly, but then admitted that he had not done the right thing. This satisfied Fen and the others and the meeting proceeded, returning to their discussion of how to fortify Jah Keved. As they were discussing how to defend the land near the [[Horneater Peaks]] Dalinar noticed Navani entering the room and called for a break to consider what had been discussed.{{book ref|sa3|107}}
{{sidequote
|Blame me, Dalinar. It wasn't you! You saw red when you did those things! It was my fault. Accept that. You don’t have to hurt.
Let me have the pain, Dalinar, give it to me, and never feel guilty again.
|Odium to Dalinar{{book ref|sa3|118}}
After Adolin and Shallan's wedding, Dalinar returned to his rooms to continue writing his book. As had become usual, now that [[Bridge Thirteen]] had become Teft's [[squire]]s, Szeth sat outside Dalinar's door acting as his bodyguard. Oathbringer, his former Shardblade, hung on the wall in front of him after [[Rock]] had given it to him as repayment. Dalinar sat at his desk writing his book until Navani came in and gave him some help with his pronouns. Dalinar reflected that the men of Vorinism had gotten the worse deal when they had given the arts of scholarship to women and kept the arts of war and fighting for themselves instead. Navani asked him what the ardents thought about him having learned to read and Dalinar told her that since he was already excommunicated there was nothing else they could do to him. She told him that they might leave him, but Dalinar disagreed and told her that he thought that Kadash might start to change his mind. He told her that Kadash had been reading through old theological texts trying to find justification for modern Vorinism and, while he might not want to believe it, eventually he would have to admit that Dalinar had been right. Dalinar was happy to have entered a new world where he could read any book he wanted by himself and all of the possibilities it opened up for him. Dalinar looked up at the Shardblade hanging above him and wrote a title for his book of memoirs- [[Oathbringer (in-world)|Oathbringer, My Glory and My Shame]].{{book ref|sa3|122}}
==== Alliance with the Reshi ====
Six months after the battle in Thaylen City Dalinar met with [[Ral-na]], king of the residents of [[Relu-na]], and his son [[Talik]] to negotiate a treaty together so the coalition would have allies in the north in case the enemy began making moves in the region. He had [[Lopen]] speak to them first in order to reassure them about his intentions.{{book ref|sa3.5|3}}
{{image|Fourth Bridge by Esther Shrader.jpg|side=right|width=300px|With [[Navani]] aboard the ''[[Fourth Bridge]]''}}
==== Recruiting the Mink ====
After he approved of Kaladin's plan to test the ''[[Fourth Bridge]]'' by flying to [[Hearthstone]] to evacuate all of its residents along with the [[Dieno|Mink]] and his men, the Windrunners flew Dalinar and Navani out to meet the airship as it flew back from the [[Steamwater Ocean]].{{book ref|sa4|3}} After they arrived, Kaladin introduced Dalinar to his father, [[Lirin]]. Before he departed Kaladin warned Dalinar that he had fought a new type of Fused earlier in the day and that he thought they would soon return in greater numbers. Dalinar recharged Kaladin's Light and he flew off to alert the other Windrunners.{{book ref|sa4|3}}
After Kaladin left them Dalinar and Navani were discussing Dalinar's [[Bondsmith]] abilities when the Mink snuck up and interrupted them. Dalinar had a brief exchange with the Herdazian general about their past and Dalinar promised to use the ''Fourth Bridge'' to evacuate his troops from where they were hiding. Soon afterwards [[Lyn]] flew over to Dalinar and Navani to report that a large of Fused were heading their way.{{book ref|sa4|3}} During the ensuing battle Dalinar repeatedly summoned his perpendicularity for short periods of time giving the Radiants a strong advantage in the fight.{{book ref|sa4|5}} After the battle Dalinar had the Windrunners fly him and Navani back to the Oathgate at Narak so they could return to Urithiru, while the ''Fourth Bridge'' continued on its mission.{{book ref|sa4|9}}
After he arrived in Narak, Dalinar took a report on the situation in the Shattered Plains from the battalionlord in charge of the city. He instructed the officer to make it known that [[Ialai]] had killed herself and told him that they could begin a full occupation of the warcamps.{{book ref|sa4|10}}
==== Contest of Champions (1175) ====
== Relationships ==
{{update|book=sa3}}
=== Evi ===
{{quote
|I hate what this does. I see beauty in you, Dalinar Kholin. I see a great man struggling against a terrible one. And sometimes, you get this look in your eyes. A horrible, terrifying nothingness. Like you have become a creature with no heart, feasting upon sounds to fill that void, dragging pain spren in your wake. It haunts me, Dalinar.
== Notes ==
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[[Category: Viewpoint characters]]
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