Difference between revisions of "Summary:Words of Radiance"
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The crystals fine, will glow sublime, so sleep my loved one dear. |
The crystals fine, will glow sublime, so sleep my loved one dear. |
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And like a song, it wont be long, you sleep my loved one dear. |
And like a song, it wont be long, you sleep my loved one dear. |
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|The lullaby [[Lin Davar|Lin]] recites in the chapter ''Red Carpet, Once White'' |
|The lullaby [[Lin Davar|Lin]] recites in the chapter ''Red Carpet, Once White'' |
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Revision as of 13:12, 11 December 2014
This page contains a chapter by chapter summary of Words of Radiance. We hope this summary will make it easier to find specific areas of the book, as well as providing a quick plot refresher for anyone who doesn't want to take the time to reread the entire book.
Prologue: To Question
- Characters
- Jasnah Kholin (Point of view)
- Meridas Amaram
- Ash (Mentioned only)
- Gangnah
- Aesudan Kholin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Elhokar Kholin
- Gavilar Kholin
- Klade
- Liss
- Nale
- Nale's unknown companion
- Torol Sadeas
- Szeth-son-son-Vallano
- Talak
- Tearim
- Varnali
- Plot summary
- Six years ago
Jasnah, pleased to have extricated herself from the festivities above and about the signing of the treaty, hands the assassin Liss an envelope sealed with weevil-wax. She then proceeds to tell Liss only to watch. Where as Liss mocks that assassins are really hired only to watch. After making it clear that Jasnah only wants her brother's wife, Aesudan, watched she thinks about Liss's other name "the Weeper" and her secrets. Jasnah than proceeds to tell Liss that she will get one of her sister-in-laws attendees dismissed and that Liss need to get the job. After a short conversation about Liss's former slave, whom she sold because he was to good and creepy, Liss tells Jasnah why she likes her and Jasnah in turn tells Liss what she thinks about assassination and assassins. Jasnah reminds Liss of their first agreement, according to which Jasnah can buy any contract against her family out from Liss.
As Jasnah gets up to leave, she notices that her shadow is behaving oddly, something she noted before. Thinking of a reference in a book she wonders about being cursed. Jasnah starts to go back up to the feast, when the drums suddenly stop. Worrying about if Dalinar could have done something to offend the other party goers and thinking about how hard she worked to get this treaty. She hastens to the feast. In one of the hallways she overhears two men talking about a woman named Ash and sees an Azish man with a white birthmark or scar on his cheek and considers that she should have investigated further into them. Asking if the feast is over already and receiving a single word answer, she leaves the men behind feeling uncomfortable, under the Azish man's gaze.
Part One: Alight
Chapter 1: Santhid
To be perfectly frank, what has happened these last two months is upon my head. The death, destruction, loss, and pain are my burden. I should have seen it coming. And I should have stopped it. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Mentioned only
- Balat Davar his brothers and his betrothed
- Adolin Kholin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Navani Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Naladan
- Plot Summary
- Tanatashah 1173
The chapter opens with Shallan sketching Shadesmar aboard Tozbek's ship, The Wind's Pleasure, sailing south of Roshar. While sketching, she notices a pattern appear on her sketch. This marks the first time Pattern manifests in the physical realm, appearing as an embossed sequence of complex lines with sharp angles and repeated arrowhead shapes. The appearance of Pattern startles Shallan, causing her to drop her sketches which Yalb collects for her.
Shortly thereafter, a scout spotts something in the water which turns out to be a Santhid - a large, rare sea creature viewed by sailors as good luck and whose shell is the only thing anyone ever sees. Seeing an opportunity, Shallan decides she needs to sketch the first ever picture of a living Santhid. After much debate with Yalb and Tozbek, and after conversing with Jasnah about Shadesmar and Spren in some detail for the first time, the sailors finally agree to allow Shallan to be lowered over the side of the boat to get a look at the Santhid. Jasnah tells Shallan that she has spoken to Navani about the possibility of repairing the Soulcaster Shallan posses so that her brothers can give it back to the Ghostbloods. Shallan is also informed that she has been betrothed to Adolin Kholin, which she accepts willingly.
- Notable
- Pattern manifests in the physical realm for the first time.
- Shallan is betrothed to Adolin and gets the first sketch of a living Santhid
Chapter 2: Bridge Four
Our first clue was the Parshendi. Even weeks before they abandoned their pursuit of the gemhearts, their pattern of fighting changed. They lingered on the plateaus after battles, as if waiting for something. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Mentioned only
- Plot Summary
- Tanatashah 1173
Kaladin rides out the first highstorm since being freed in a small room attached to his mens' new barracks within Dalinar's war camp. Upon exiting the room he is greeting with cheers by his men who have shaving their beards in the riddens of the storm with Rock's razor. Kaladin contemplates the betrayals of both Sadeas and Amaram while speaking with Skar, Teft, and Moash about how to proceed training the newly freed bridgemen. There are some 1,000 men situated in 20 now empty buildings in Dalinar's camp; buildings recently emptied after the betrayal of Sadeas and the subsequent loss of soldiers. Kaladin decides they will find the most eager bridgemen and train them personally, sending them back to pass on their training to larger groups of bridgemen, all of whom have been given permission to leave as free men although the majority of them have not done so. Kaladin says his worst case scenario plan is to have all 1,000 men trained and able to leave the war camp as a cohesive band of mercenaries if it comes to that. Being named Captain by Dalinar, the highest rank Dalinar dared appoint a darkeyes. He plans to name Sigzil, Rock, Teft, Moash, and Skar lieutenants. Rock will be quartermaster with Lopen as his second, Teft will be in charge of training, Sigzil will be the clerk, and Moash, Skar, and Kaladin will be mainly in charge of guarding Dalinar, who they have mutually agreed after some discussion, is there best hope remaining free men.
Later, the men previously of Bridge Four visits a tattooist. The tattooist sets about covering the slave brands with tattoos of freedom, including some details of who freed them and when. First Hobber decides he wants a Bridge Four glyph added and after this decision, the rest demand the same. Not to indicate freedom from Bridge Four, but to embrace the unity they found there. Even those members of Bridge Four who were without slave brands opt to get the tattoo including Shen, most on their foreheads though Moash chooses to get it on his arm. Finally Kaladin sits for his tattoo but the ink will not take - his stormlight expelling it - even after banishing his stormlight until the tattoo is set the ink immediately melts away when he again sucks in stormlight.
After leaving, Kaladin and his men walk through the war camp noting the general mood. Kaladin decides the camp has an heir of dread to it following Sadeas' betrayal. The men receive Bridge Four salutes from a few people they pass, Kaladin wondering where they even learned the salute. The men visit the head quartermaster, Rind, to discuss uniforms for the bridgemen. Rind hands out what's left of the old Cobalt Guard uniforms and the men try them on, eventually coming to admire how they look in them. After some discussion with Kaladin, explaining to him that they all identify as Bridge Four despite being free, Kaladin requests that Rind commission new Bridge Four glyph patches for the uniforms.
- Notable
- The men of Bridge Four continue to identify as Bridge Four with pride
Chapter 3: Pattern
Soldiers reported being watched from afar by an unnerving number of Parshendi scouts. Then we noticed a new pattern of their penetrating close to the camps in the night and then quickly retreating. I can only surmise that our enemies were even then preparing their stratagem to end this war. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Mentioned only
- Plot Summary
Shallan sits in her cabin on the Wind’s Pleasure reading a book written by Jasnah about Vorinism and the Recreance and it’s effect on the documentation of history such as the existence of Shadesmar. While studying Pattern shows up again, this time on the cabin wall, vanishing when she looks directly at it. Shallan notes the similarity between Pattern and the symbol headed creatures she’d seen previously. She immediately attempts to sketch the pattern, drawing many creation spren, though she found it difficult to capture the precise pattern. When finished, the pattern seemed to leave the paper and move to the floor. Jasnah comes to Shallan’s room just as Shallan leaves to find her. Shallan catches a glimpse of what Jasnah explains to her is her own spren, just as she tells Shallan that the pattern is Shallan's spren, a Cryptic. Jasnah explains about the Knights Radiant and the Orders, explaining that their Soulcasting is a shared surge, but that their Orders are not the same, judging by their different spren. A lengthy discussion of sprens' nature and Jasnah's opinions of the Almighty and the Herald follows.
- Notable
Shallan's spren is a Cryptic
Chapter 4: Taker of Secrets
The next clue came on the walls. I did not ignore this sign, but neither did I grasp its full implications. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Dalinar Kholin (PoV)
- Kaladin
- Adolin Kholin
- Navani Kholin
- Rushu
- An unnamed Knight Radiant
- Mentioned only
- Plot summary
Dalinar is experiencing another vision. He describes how he is running through what he believes to be the Purelake along with about a dozen armed and armored men, though he notes that they are clad in ancient leather armor. At first he is unsure if they are running away from something or toward something until he notices a Fortress apparently made completely made out of Onyx. His group meets up with another one lead by a Radiant in deep red glowing Plate. Dalinar thus determines that this Vision takes place before the Requence. The Radiant informs them that Caeb thought he saw something and tells them to look around. When one of the men hears Dalinar mumbling to himself, as he describes what is happening, he tells Dalinar to look for a spren that isn't behaving the way it should. Since spren that where touched by Sja-anat are different. Dalinar repeats the word quietly hoping that Navani will record them, when he notices that the female Knight is talking apparently to nobody. As he looks around he sees a face of shadow with red eyes in the water. When he points this out to the others the Knight, after noting that this is Sja-anat's spy sends Kade to the checkpoint and tells the others to keep watching for the carrier. Dalinar chases after the spren while describing it, when it is suddenly joined by a six feet tall spren. As the second one dive into the rock Dalinar stumbles back. He gets pulled back further by one of the man as the ground starts to tremble. Dalinar watches as the spren, having somehow apparently animated the rock, starts to climb out of the rock with his new rockbody. The soldiers reconsigning it as a Thunderclast start yelling for Hammers.
- Notes
- In Dalinar's vision, the Knight Radiant seems to have a conversation with a person that is not present, implying that the Knights Radiant had a means of telecommunication.
- The vision shows how Thunderclasts were created.
Chapter 5: Ideals
The sign on the wall proposed a greater danger, even, than its deadline. To foresee the future is of the Voidbringers. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Torol Sadeas (Point of view)
- Eth
- General Khal
- Adolin Kholin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Gavilar Kholin
- Navani Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Leyten
- Lopen
- Mart
- Moash
- Rock
- Ialai Sadeas
- Shen
- Sigzil
- Skar
- Teft
- Teshav
- An unnamed member of the King's Guard
- Mentioned only
- Plot summary
Chapter 6: Terrible destruction
We had never considered that there might be Parshendi spies hiding among our slaves. This is something else I should have seen. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- Jasnah Kholin
- Pattern
- Yalb
- An unnamed new crew member of the Wind's Pleasure
- Mentioned Only
- Plot summary
Chapter 7: Open Flame
I was unprepared for the grief my loss brought - like an unexpected rain - breaking from a clear sky and crashing down upon me. Gavilar's death years ago was overwhelming, but this... this nearly crushed me. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- The unnamed new crew member
- Two companions of the new crew member
- Tozbek and his sailors (mentioned only)
- Plot summary
Chapter 8: Knives in the Back - Soldiers on the Field
I seek not to use my grief as an excuse, but it is an explanation. people act strangely soon after encountering an unexpected loss. Though Jasnah had been away for some time, her loss was unexpected. I, like many, assumed her to be immortal. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Mentioned Only
- General Khal
- Gavilar Kholin
- Roion
- Yenev
- Plot summary
- Notes
- The countdown starts - 62 days
Chapter 9: Walking the Grave
I wish to think had I not been under sorrow's thumb, I would have seen earlier the approaching dangers. Yet in all honesty, I#m not certian anything could have been done. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Mentioned only
- Plot summary
Chapter 10:Red Carpet, Once White
- Characters
- Shallan Davar (POV)
- Lin Davar
- Shallan's mother (mentioned only)
- Another man (mentioned only)
- Plot summary
6 Years ago
Shallan believing the world is ending and it being her fault is crying. As her father tries getting her to sleep he wipes some blood from her face and starts singing a lullaby. Shallan thinks her self to be a monster that kills and thus unworthy of the love and affection her father is giving her. In the room there are several corpses one of them being a woman in white, Shallan's mother. She didn't bleed very much but the other man did. As Shallan and her father pass the his save in the wall Shallan can see the light form the “monster” coming from inside of it. After the song ends her father leaves the bedroom closing the door on the corpses.
“Sleep now dear one, crimson sky will fall behind you.
Through rock and dread, through rock and dread, may be your dead, you will sleep my loved one dear. Now comes the storm, that you'll be warm, the wind may shake your dreams. The crystals fine, will glow sublime, so sleep my loved one dear. And like a song, it wont be long, you sleep my loved one dear.
”
—The lullaby Lin recites in the chapter Red Carpet, Once White
Chapter 11: An Illusion of Perception
But, understanably, we were focused on Sadeas. His betrayal was still fresh, and I saw its sings each day as I passed empty barracks and greving widows. We knew that Sadeas would not simply rest upon his slaughters in pride. More was coming. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
- Characters
- Plot summary
Chapter 12: Hero
Unfortunately, we fixated upon Sadeas's plotting so much that we did not take note of the changed patter of our enemies, the murderers of my husband, the true danger. I would like to know what wind brought about their sudden inexplicable transformation. —From the journal of Navani Kholin, Jesesach 1174
Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Meridas Amaram
- Drehy (mentioned only)
- Dalinar Kholin
- Lopen
- Rock
- Sigzil
- Teft
Plot summary
Sigzil finally gets the possibility to 'measure' Kaladin's abilities. Down in the chasms — while Teft and Drehy are working with twenty others to train them — Kaladin, Sigzil, Rock and Lopen are making experiments. Lopen is has to guard the location to avoid unbidden guests. They try to measure how long a rock which Kaladin infused with Stormlight and stuck it to the chasm wall stays stuck. Rock hints them at spren that pull the stone to the wall. Kaladin sees them, too, when looking close, but Sigzil doesn't.
Sigzil takes notes writing them down in glyphs. And he is confused. He says he would need a clock to orderly measure times and that he has no real references to compare. So they start testing other things, things, Kaladin can do in battle with his Stormlight. For example Infusing his spear and making it stuck on the spear of a foe or Infusing the ground causing others that step in to topple. For this experiments Lopen and Rock joined Sigzil as sparring partners. It's shown that Rock indeed knows how to fight though he still refuses to do so aside from this sparring for testing Kaladin's abilities.
Teft comes and sees the last part of the sparring. He asks Kaladin to release him from his task of training new recruits, but Kaladin refuses.
When Kaladin and his men leave the chasm he was told by another darkeyed soldier that a Brightlord just arrived at Dalinar's warcamp. But it's not only "a Brightlord". So Kaladin rushes to Dalinar's command complex to see this Brightlord with his own eyes and the soldier was right, it is Brightlord Amaram.
Interludes
Interlude I-1: Narak
Characters
Plot summary
Interlude I-2: Ym
Characters
Plot summary
Interlude I-3: Rysn
Characters
Plot summary
Interlude I-4: Last Legion
Characters
Part Two: Winds' Approach
Chapter 13: The Day's Masterpiece
Warform is worn for battle and reign, Claimed by the Gods, given to kill. Unknown, unseen, but vital to gain. Itcomes to those with the will.
—From the Listener Song of Listing, 15th stanza
Characters
- Shallan Davar
- Bluth
- Jasnah Kholin (mentioned only)
- Pattern
- Tag
- Tvlakv
Plot summary
Chapter 14: Ironstance
Mateform meek, for love to share, Given to life, it brings us joy. To find this form, one must care. True empathy one must employ.
—From the Listener Song of Listing, 5th stanza
Characters
- Adolin Kholin (Point of view)
- Salinor Eved
- Istow
- Navani Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
Mentioned only
Plot summary
Chapter 15: A Hand with the Tower
Workform worn for strength and care. Whispering spren breathe at your ear. Seek first this form, its mysteries to bear. Found here is freedom form fear.
—From the Listener Song of Listing, 19th stanza
Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- Bluth
- Pattern
- Tag
- Tvlakv
Plot summary
Chapter 16: Swordmaster
Nimbleform has a delicate touch. Gave the gods this form to many, Tho' once defied, by the goods they were crushed. This form craves precision and plenty.
—From the Listener Song of Listing, 27th stanza
Characters
- Kaladin
- Drehy
- Adolin Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Lopen
- Moash
- Shen
- Skar
- Syl
- Zahel
- The lead ardent
Mentioned only
Chapter 17: A Pattern
Dullform dread, with the mind most lost. The lowest, and one not bright. To find this form, one need banish the cost. It finds you and brings you to blight.
—From the Listener Song of Listing, final stanza
Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- Bluth
- Jasnah Kholin (Mentioned only)
- Pattern
- Tag
- Tvlakv
Chapter 18: Bruises
Scholarform shown for patience and thought. Beware its ambitions innate. Though study and diligence bring the reward, Loss of innocwnce may be one's fate
—From the Listener Song of Listing, 69th stanza
Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Adolin Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Lopen
- Rlain
- Syl
- Zahel
Mentioned only
Chapter 19: Safe Things
Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- Balat Davar (Mentioned only)
- Helaran Davar
- Lin Davar
- Two unnamed Davar maids
Five and a half years ago
Chapter 20: The Coldness of Clarity
Artform applied for beauty and hue. One years for the songs it creates. Most misunderstand by the artis it's true, Come the Spren to foundation's fate.
—From the Listener Song of Listing, 90th stanza
Characters
Chapter 21: Ashes
Mediationform made for peace, it's said. Form of teaching and consolation. When used by the gods, it became insted Form of lies and desolation.
—From the Listener Song of Listing, 33rd stanza
Characters
Chapter 22: Lights in the Storm
Stormform is said to cause A tempest of winds and showers, Beware its powers, beware its powers. Though its coming brings the gods their night, It obliges a bloodred spren. Beware its end, beware its end.
—From the Listener Song of Winds, 4th stanza
Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Bisig
- Idrin
- Adolin Kholin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Elhokar Kholin
- Navani Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Leyten
- Lopen
- Mart
- Moash
- Natam
- Punio
- Rlain
- Rock
- Skar
- Syl
Mentioned only
Chapter 23: Assassin
Nightform predicting what will be, The form of shadows, mind to foresee. As the gods did leave, the nightform ehispered. A new storm will come, someday to break. A new storm a new world to make. A new storm a new path to take, nightform listens.
—From the Listener Song of Secrets, 17th stanza
Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Idrin
- Adolin Kholin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Elhokar Kholin
- Navani Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Moash
- Syl
- An unnamed member of the King's Guard
Mentioned only
Chapter 24: Tyn
Decayform destroys the souls of dreams. A form of gods to avoid, it seems. Seek not its touch, nor beckon its screams, deny it. Watch where you walk, your toes to tread, O'er hill or rocky riverbed Hold dear the fears that fill your head, defy it.
—From the Listener Song of Secrets, 27th stanza
Characters
Chapter 25: Monsters
Smokeform for hiding and slipping between men. A form of power, like human Surges. Bring it 'round again. Though crafted of gods, It was by Unmade hand. Leaves its force to be but one of foe or friend.
—From the Listener Song of Secrets, 127th stanza
Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Meridas Amaram
- Jenet
- Adolin Kholin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Moash
- Natam
- Syl
Chapter 26: The Feather
They blame our people For the loss of that land. The city that comes once covered it Did range the eastern strand. The power made knnown in the tomes of our clan Our gods were not who shattered these plains.
—From the Listener Song of Wars, 55th stanza
Characters
- Adolin Kholin (Point of view)
- Eshonai
- Inkima (Mentioned only)
- Jakamav
- Dalinar Kholin (Mentioned only)
- Renarin Kholin
- Teft (Probably)
Chapter 27: Fabrications to Distract
Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- Jushu Davar
Mentioned only
Five years ago
Chapter 28: Boots
The berayl of spren has brought us here. They gave their Surges to human heirs, But not to those who know them most dear, before us. 'Tis no surprise we turned away Unto the gods we spent our days And to become their molding clay, they changed us.
—From the Listener Song of Secrets, 40th stanza
Characters
Chapter 29: Rule of Blood
Artform for colors beyond our ken; For its grand songs we yearn. We must attract creationspren; These songs suffice 'till we learn.
—From the Listener Song of Revision, 279th stanza
Characters
- Torol Sadeas (Point of view)
- Meridas Amaram
- Eranniv
- Hatham
- Adolin Kholin
- Ialai Sadeas
Mentioned only
Chapter 30: Nature Blushing
'Tis said it was warm in the land far away When Voidbringers entered our songs. We brought them home to stay And then those homes became their own, It happened gradually. And years ahead 'twil still be said 'tis how it has to be.
—From the Listener Song of Histories, 12th stanza
Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- Gaz
- Glurv (Mentioned only)
- Adolin Kholin (Mentinoned only)
- Macob
- Pattern
- Tyn
- Vathah
Chapter 31: The Stillness Before
Somkeform for hiding and slipping 'tween men. A form of power—like human Surges. Do we dare wear this form again? It spies. Crafted of gods, this form we fear. By Unmade touch its curse to bear, Formed from shadow—and death is near. It lies.
—From the Listener Song of Secrets, 51st stanza
Characters
Mentioned only
Chapter 32: The One Who Hates
The spren betrayed us, it's often felt. Our minds are too close to their realm That gives us our forms, but more is then Demanded by the smartest spren, We can't provide what the humans lend, Though broth are we, their meat is men.
—From the Listener Song of Spren, 9th stanza
Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Shallan Davar (Point of view))
- Beld
- Eth
- Hobber
- Adolin Kholin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Elhokar Kholin
- Navani Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Mart
- Moash
- Ralinor
- Stormfather
- Syl
- Szeth-son-son-Vallano
Chapter 33: Burdens
But it is not impossible to blend Their Surges to ours in the end. It has been promised and it can come. Or do we understand the sum? We question not if they can have us then, But if we dare to have them again.
—From the Listener Song of Spren, 10th stanza
Characters
- Kaladin (Point of view)
- Adolin Kholin (Point of view)
- Beld (Mentioned only)
- Eth
- Hobber
- Dalinar Kholin
- Elhokar Kholin
- Navani Kholin
- Renarin Kholin
- Mart
- Moash
- Szeth-son-son-Vallano
Chapter 34: Blossoms and Cake
Our gods were born splinters of a soul, Of one who seeks to take control, Destroys all lands that he beholds, with spite. They are his spren, his gift, his price. But the nightforms speak of future life, A challenged champion. A strife even he must requite.
—From the Listener Song of Secrets, final stanza
Characters
- Shallan Davar (Point of view)
- Gaz
- Jasnah Kholin (Mentioned only)
- Pattern
- Tyn
- Valam (Mentioned only)
- Vathah
Interludes
Interlude I-5: The Rider of Storms
Characters
Interlude I-6: Zahel
Characters
Interlude I-7: Taln
Characters
- Taln (Point of view)
- Bordin
- Dalinar Kholin
- Elhokar Kholin
- Wit (Mentioned only)
Interlude I-8: A Form of Power
Characters
Part Three: Deadly:
Chapter 35: The Multiplied Strain of Simultaneous Infusion
They also, when they had settled their rulings in nature of each bond's placement, called the name of it the Nahel bond, with regard to it's effect upon the souls of those caught in its grip; in this description, each was related to the bonds that drive Roshar itself, ten Surges, named in turn and two for each order; in this light, it can be seen that each order would by necessity share one Surge with each of its neighbors.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 8, page 6
Adolin
Navani
Chapter 36: A New Woman
And when they were spoken of by the common folk, the Releasers claimed to be misjudged because of the dreadful nature of their power; and when they dealt with others, always were they firm in their claim that other epithets, notably „Dustbringers,“ often heard in the common speech, were unacceptable substitutions, in particular for their similarity to the word „Voidbringers.“ They did also exercise anger in great prejudice regarding it, though to many who speak, there was little difference between there two assemblies.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 17, page 11
Shallan
Chapter 37: A Matter of Perspective
Now, as each order was thus matched to the nature and temperament of the Herald it named patron, there was none more archetypal of this than the Stonewards, who followed after Talenelat'Elin, Stonesinew, Herald of War: they thought it a point of virtue to exemplify resolve, strength, and dependability. Alas, they took less care for imprudent practice of their stubbornness, even in the face of proven error.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 13, page 1
Adolin
Chapter 38: The silent Storm
Now, as the Windrunners were thus engaged, arose the event which has hitherto been referenced: namely, that discovery of some wicked thing of eminence, though whether it be some rogueries among the Radiants' adherents or of some external origin, Avena would not suggest.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 38, page 6
Shallan
Chapter 39: Heterochromatic
Shallan
Four years ago
Chapter 40: Palona
That they responded immediately and with great consternation is undeniable, as these were primary among those who would forswear and abandon their oaths. The term Recreance was not then applied, but has since become a popular title by which this event is named.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 38, page 6
Shallan
Chapter 41: Scars
This act of great villainy went beyond the impudence which had hitherto been ascribed to the orders; as the fighting was particularly intense at this time, many attributed this act to a sense of inherent betrayal; and after they withdrew, about two thousand made assault upon them, destroying much of the membership; but this was only nine of the ten, as one said they would not abandon their arms and flee, but instead entertained great subterfuge at the expense of the other nine.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 38, page 20
Kaladin
Chapter 42: Mere vapors
But as for Ishi'Elin, his was the part most important at their inception; he readily understood the implications of Surges being granted to men, and caused organization to be thrust upon them; as having too great power, he let it be known that he would destroy each and every one, unless they agreed to be bound by precepts and laws.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 2, page 4
Shallan
Chapter 43: The Ghostbloods
And thus were the disturbances in the Revv toparchy quieted, when, upon their ceasing to prosecute their civil dissensions, Nalan'Elin betook himself to finally accept the Skybreakers who had named him their master, when initially he had spurned their advances and, in his own interests, refused to countenance that which he deemed a pursuit of vanity and annoyance; this was the last of the Heralds to admit to such patronage.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 5, page 17
Shallan
Chapter 44: One form of Justice
But as for the Bondsmiths, they had members only three, which number was not uncommon for them; nor did they seek to increase this order was in continual accompaniment of Urithiru and its thrones. Their spren was understood to be specific, and to persuade them to grow to the magnitude of the other orders was seen as seditious.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 16, page 14
Kaladin
Chapter 45: Middlefest
Shallan
Three and a half years ago
Chapter 46: Patriots
When Simol was informed of the arrival of the Edgedancers, a concealed consternation and terror, as is common in such cases, fell upon him; although they were not the most demanding of orders, their graceful, limber movements hid a deadliness that was, by this time, quite renowned; also, they were the most articulate and refined of the Radiants.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 20, page 12
Kaladin
Chapter 47: Feminine wiles
Yet, were the orders not disheartened by so great a defeat, for the Lightweavers provided spiritual sustenance; they were enticed by those glorious creations to venture on a second assault.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 21, page 10
Shallan
Chapter 48: No more weakness
Shallan
Three years ago
Chapter 49: Watching the world transform
These Lightweavers, by no coincidence, included many who pursude the arts; namly: writers, artists, musicians, painters, sculptors. Considering the order's general temperament, the tales of their strange and varied mnemonic abilities may have been embellished.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 21, page 10
Shallan
Chapter 50: Uncut gems
And now, if there was an uncut gem among the Radiance, it was the Willshapers; for though enterprising, they were erratic, and Invia wrote of them, “capricious, frustrating, unreliable,” as taking it for granted that others would agree; this may have been an intolerant view, as often Invia expressed, for this order was said to be most varied, inconsistent in temperament save for a general love of adventure, novelty, or oddity.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 7, page 1
Adolin
Chapter 51: Heirs
In short, if any presume Kazilah to be innocent, you must look at the facts and deny them in their entirety; to say that the Radiants were destitute of integrity for executing one of their own, one who had obviously fraternized with the unwholesome elements, indicates the most slothful of reasoning; for the enemy's baleful influence demanded vigilance on all occasions, of war and of peace.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 32, page 17
Adolin
Chapter 52: Into the Sky
Now, as the Truthwatchers were esoteric in nature, their order being formed entirely of those who never spoke or wrote of what they did, in this lies frustration for those who would see their exceeding secrecy from the outside; they were not naturally inclined to explanation; and in the case of Corberon's disagreements, their silence was not a sign of exceeding abundance of disdain, but rather and exceeding abundance of tact.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 11, page 6
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Chapter 53: Perfection
As to the other orders that were inferior in this visiting of the far realm of spren, the Elsecallers were prodigiously benevolent, allowing others as auxiliary to their visits and interactions; though they did never relinquish their place as prime liaisons with the great ones of the spren; and the Lightweavers and Willshapers both also had an affinity to the same, though neither were true masters of that realm.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 6, page 2
Adolin
Chapter 54: Veil's Lesson
There came also sixteen of the order of Windrunners, and with them a considerable number of squires, and finding in that place the Skybreakers dividing the innocent from the guilty, there ensued a great debate.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 28, page 3
Shallan
Chapter 55: The Rule of the Game
The considerable abilities of the Skybreakers for making such amounted to an almost divine skill, for which no specific Surge or spren grants capacity, but however the order came to such an aptitude, the fact of it was real and acknowledged even by their rivals.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 28, page 3
Kaladin
Chapter 56: Whitespine uncaged
Twenty-three cohorts followed behind, that come from the contributions of the King of Makabakam, for though the bond between man and spren was at times inexplicable, the ability for bonded spren to manifest in our world rather than their own grew stronger through the course of the oaths given.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 35, page 9
Kaladin
Adolin
Kaladin
Adolin
Dalinar
Adolin
Dalinar
Chapter 57: To Kill the Wind
Malchin was stymied, for though he was inferior to none in the arts of war, he was not suitable for the Lightweavers; he wished for his oaths to be elementary and straightforward, and yet their spren were liberal, as to our comprehension, in definitions pertaining to this matter; the process included speaking truths as an approach to a threshold of self-awareness that Malchin could never attain.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 12, page 12
Shallan
Kaladin
Chapter 58: Never Again
So Melishi retired to his tent, and resolved to destroy the Voidbringers upon the next day, but that night did present a different stratagem, related to the unique abilities of the Bondsmiths; and being hurried, he could make no specific account of his process; it was related to the very nature of the Heralds and their divine duties, an attribute the Bondsmiths alone could address.
—From Words of Radiance, chapter 30, page 18
Kaladin
Sadeas
Kaladin
Interludes
Interlude I-9: Lift
Interlude I-10: Szeth
Interlude I-11: New Rhythms
Eshonai
Part Four: The Approach:
Chapter 59: Fleet
I'll address this letter to my “old friend,” as I have no idea what name you're using currently.
Kaladin
Chapter 60: Veil Walks
Have you given up on the gemstone, now that it is dead? And do you no longer hide behind the name of your old master? I am told that in your current incarnation you've taken a name that references what you presume to be one of your virtues.
Shallan
Chapter 61: Obedience
Shallan
One and a half years ago
Chapter 62: The one who Killed Promises
This is, I suspect, a little like a skunk naming itself for its stench.
Kaladin
Chapter 63: A Burning World
Now, look what you've mede me say. You've always been able to bring out the most extreme in me old friend. And I do still name you a friend, for all that you weary me.
Shallan
Chapter 64: Treasures
Yes, I'm disappointed. Perpetually, as you put it
Kaladin
Shallan
Chapter 65 The one who Deserves it:
Shallan
One and a half years ago
Chapter 66: Stormblessings
Is not the destruction we have wrought enough? The worlds you now tread bear the touch and design of Adonalsium. Our interference so far has brought nothing but pain.
Kaladin
Chapter 67: Spit and Bile
My path has been chosen very deliberately. Yes, I agree with everything you have said about Rayse, including the severe danger he presents.
Dalinar
Chapter 68: Bridges
However, it seems to me that all things have been set up for a purpose, and if we—as infants—stumble through the workshop, we risk exacerbating, not preventing, a problem.
Kaladin
Chapter 69: Nothing
Rayse is captive. He cannot leave the system he now inhabits. His destructive potential is, therefore, inhibited.
Kaladin
Shallan
Chapter 70: From a Nightmare
Whether this was Tanavast's design or not, millennia have passed without Rayse taking the life of another of the sixteen. While I mourn for the great suffering Rayse has caused, I do not believe we could hope for a better outcome than this.
Kaladin
Shallan
Chapter 71: Vigil
He bears the weight of God's own divine hatred, separated from the virtues that gave it context. He is what we have made him to be, old friend. And that is what he, unfortunately, wished to become.
Kaladin
Chapter 72: Selfish Reasons
I suspect that he is more a force than an individual now, despite your insistence to the contrary. That force is contained, and an equilibrium reached.
Kaladin
Shallan
Chapter 73: A Thousand Sucrrying Creatures
Shallan
One year ago
Chapter 74: Striding the Storm
You, however, have never been a force of equilibrium. You tow chaos behind you like a corpse dragged by on leg through the snow. Please, hearken to my plea. Leave that place and join me in my oath of nonintervention.
Kaladin
Chapter 75: True Glory
The cosmere itself may depend upon our restraint.
Dalinar
Shallan
Interludes
Interlude I-12: Lhan
Interlude I-13: A Part to Play
Eshonai
Interlude I-14: Taravangian
Taravangian awakes on a ship with stiff muscles, but noting that he doesn't feel stupid, which he considers a good sign. He notes that his ship has moored on time, when his servants arrive. Maben brings him his morning meal, but is stopped by Mrall, one of the Kings testers. He wants Taravangian to take the test first since it is an important day and he want to know what to expect. Taravangian agrees with him and Mrall lets the testers approach. The three stormwardens give the King some paper on which some math-problems are put down with in figures and glyphs. Taravangian made these him self on one of his better day's and even though he knows he is not a complete idiot, he finds that he is only average on this day. After checking the papers the stomwardens judge: “He is fit to serve,” one proclaimed. “He may not change the Diagram, but he may interact outside of supervision, may change policy, and pass judgment.” Mrall after getting Taravangian's acceptance lets Maban bring him his breakfast. Taravangian considers that even though it always takes up one hour of every day the test is the best way for a man who wakes up every morning with a different level of intelligence. He contemplate that life can be tricky especially when the world might depend of him.
Part Five: Winds Alight
They will come you cannot stop their oaths look for those who survive when they should not that pattern will be your clue. —From the Diagram, Coda of the Northwest Bottom Corner: paragraph 3
Kaladin
Dalinar
Sadeas
Dalinar
Kaladin
Sadeas
Chapter 77: Trust
One danger in deploying such a potent weapon will be the potential encouragement of those exploring the Nahel bond. Care must be taken to avoid placing these subjects in situations of powerful stress unless you accept the consequences of their potential Investiture. —From the Diagram, Floorboard 27: paragraph 6
Shallan
Kaladin
Chapter 78: Contradictions
AhbuttheywereleftbehindItisobviousfromthenatureofthebond ButwherewherewhereSetoffObviousRealizationlikeapricity TheyarewiththeShinWemustfindoneCanwemakeaTruthless Canwecraftaweapon
—From the Diagram, Floorboard 17: paragraph 2, every second letter starting with the first
Shallan
Chapter 79: Toward the Center
Q: For what essential must we strive? A: The essential of preservation, to shelter a seed of humanity through coming storm. Q: What cost must we bear? A: The cost is irrelevant. Mankind must survive. Our burden is that of the species, and all other considerations are but dust by comparison. —From the Diagram, Catechism of the Back of the Flowered Painting: paragraph 3
Dalinar
Chapter 80: To Fight the Rain
You must become king. Of Everything. —From the Diagram, Tenets of Instruction, Back of the Footboard: paragraph 1
Shallan
Kaladin
Chapter 81: The Last Day
The Unmade are a deviation, a flair, a conundrum that may not be worth your time. You cannot help but think of them. They are fascinating. Many are mindless. Like the spren of human emotions, only much more nasty. I do believe a few can think however. —From the Diagram, Book of the 2nd Desk Drawer: paragraph 14
Dalinar
Kaladin
Adolin
Shallan
Dalinar
Chapter 82: For Glory Lit
There is one you will watch. though all of them have some relevance to precognition, Moelach is one of the most powerful in this regard. His touch seeps into a soul as it breaks apart form the body, creating manifestations powered by the spark of death itself. But no, this is a distraction. Deviation. Kingship. We must discuss the nature of Kingship. —From the Diagram, Book of the 2nd Desk Drawer: paragraph 15
Kaladin
Adolin
Dalinar
Kaladin
Chapter 83: Time's Illusion
Obviously they are fools The Desolation needs no usher It can and will sit where it wishes and the signs are obvious that the spren anticipate it doing so soon The Ancient of Stones must finally begin to crack It is a wonder that upon his will rested the prosperity and peace of a world for over four mellennia —From the Diagram, Book of the 2nd Ceiling Rotation: pattern 1
Shallan
Adolin
Dalinar
Kaladin
Chapter 84: The One who Saves
1118251011127124915121010114102151171121011121713 44831110715142541434109161491493412122541010125 1271015191011123412551152512157551112341011129151 21061534
—From the Diagram, Book of the 2nd Ceiling Rotation: pattern 15
Shallan
Adolin
Kaladin
Chapter 85: Swallowed by the Sky
But who is the wanderer, the wild piece, the one who makes no sense? I glimpse at his implications, and the world opens to me. I shy back. Impossible. Is it?. —From the Diagram, West Wall Psalm of Wonders: paragraph 8 (Note by Adrotagia: Could this refer to Mraize?)
Dalinar
Shallan
Dalinar
Adolin
Dalinar
Adolin
Chapter 86: Patterns of Light
One is almost certainly a traitor to the others. —From the Diagram, Book of the 2nd Ceiling Rotation: paragraph 27
Kaladin
Shallan
Dalinar
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Shallan
Kaladin
Chapter 87: The Riddens
Chaos in Alethkar is, of course, inevitable. Watch carefully, and do not let power in the kingdom solidify. The Blackthorn could become an ally or our greatest foe, depending on whether he takes the path of the or not. If he seems likely to sue for peace, assassinate him expeditiously. The risk of competition is too great. —From the Diagram, Writings upon the Bedstand Lamp: paragraph 4 (Adrotagia's 3rd translation from the original hieroglyphics)
Kaladin
Shallan
Chapter 88: The Man who owned the Winds
1173090605 1173090801 1173090901 1173091001 1173091004 1173100105 1173100205 1173100401 1173100603 1173100804
—From the Diagram, North Wall Coda, Windowsill region: paragraph 2 (This appears to be a sequence of dates, but their relevance is as yet unknown)
Shallan
Szeth
Chapter 89: The Four
TherehastobeananswerWhatistheanswerStopTheParshendi OneofthemYestheyarethemissingpiecePushfortheAlethitodestroy themountrightbeforethisoneobtaintheirpowerItweillformabridge
—From the Diagram, Floorboard 17: paragraph 2, every second letter starting with the second
Dalinar
Adolin
Dalinar
Epilogue: Art and Expectation
Endnote
Ars Arcanum
Notes