Difference between revisions of "Diagram (group)"

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The '''Diagram''' is the name of a covert group that is devoted to understanding and carrying out the instructions found in the [[Diagram (literature)]]. The Diagram is led by [[Taravangian]] and has members in hiding all over Roshar. The group is ruthless, willing to kill directly, or indirectly, as many as necessary to achieve its goals.
 
== Origin ==
King [[Taravangian]] of [[Kharbranth]] was once a confidant of King [[Gavilar]] of [[Alethkar]] and was aware of the latter's visions warning about the [[Everstorm]] and the [[True Desolation]]. Wanting to have the capacity to save Roshar from this, Taravangian went to the [[Nightwatcher]] to ask for the necessary compassion and acumen. His boon was to have both great compassion and great acumen, but his curse was to have these attributes change in level every day and to be inversely proportional to each other.{{book ref|sa3|122}} This means that there are days where Taravangian is very intelligent but callous, and days where he is compassionate but relatively stupid.
 
One day, Taravangian woke up at a level of intelligence so high that he was able to deduce andfrom predictcurrent ahappenings greatthe numberlikely future course of possibilitiesevents, and devise a plan to save peoplehumanity from the True Desolation. He scribbled these ideas and calculations all over his bedroom walls and furniture. His writings were later copied down into what is now known as the [[Diagram (literature)|Diagram]].{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
 
BeingNow far less intelligent than he was on that fateful day, Taravangian needed help in deciphering and interpreting his own writings,. andHe started collecting an inner circle of trusted people to share this task, as well as to implement plans based on these interpretations. This group named themselves the Diagram after the book.
 
== Known Members ==
===Leader===
*[[Taravangian]]: King of [[Kharbranth]] and [[Jah Keved]].
 
===Taravangian's Inner Circle===
*[[Adrotagia]]: A Kharbranthian scholar and childhood friend of Taravangian.
*[[Mrall]]: Taravangian's body guard.
*[[Malata]]: [[Dustbringer]].
 
===Silent Gatherers===
 
===Testing the King===
Knowing that his fluctuating intelligence and compassion could hinder his decision-making ability on certain days, Taravangian set up a system that will legally restrict some of his own rights depending on the result of a written test that he would take daily. This system is enforced by the [[King's Testers]] headed by [[Dukar]], and often assisted by other stormwardens who are also presumably members of the Diagram. [[Adrotagia]] and [[Mrall]] have also observed the king's testing, as well as his room maid [[Maben]]. The results of this test determine which activities Taravangian is allowed to perform for the day, like offering binding commentary on the Diagram, interacting with other people without supervision, changing governmental policy, and passing judgement in trials.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
 
The test consists of an increasingly difficult series of math problems, designed by Taravangian on a day of high intelligence and occasionally expanded upon as needed, with the king's abilities determined by how he performs. His decisions will be restricted for the day if he performs too badly (because he is too unintelligent), but also if he performs too well (because he is too uncompassionate).
One phenomenon predicted by the Diagram was the existence of Death Rattles, prophecies of the future uttered by the dying through the influence of [[Moelach]].
 
Taravangian instituted a program of collecting these Death Rattles from selected hospital patients (the terminally ill, the lowly, and the forgotten) who are slowly and intentionally bled to death solely for this purpose{{book ref|sa1|71}}. Those who participate in this operation are called the Silent Gatherers{{book ref|sa1|endnote}}. Their leader is [[Joshor]], and an ardent named [[Dova]] is also important in their research.
 
During the succesion battle in Jah Keved, Adrotagia reported to Taravagian that the number of Death Rattles was continuing to drop, down to two or less per day.{{book ref|sa2|I|14}} Later in [[Urithiru]], Adrotagia reports that Moelach has settled in the [[Horneater Peaks]]. Joshor is on his way there, hoping to reestablish access to the Death Rattles.{{book ref|sa3|107}}
 
===Search for Dustbringers===
 
===Takeover of Jah Kaved===
Taravangian had used Szeth to kill the King of [[Jah Keved]] and several Veden highprinces, creating a power vacuum and a succession crisis. The surviving Veden highprinces vied for the throne and were killed in a brutal civil war. When Taravangian went to [[Vedenar]] posing as a benevolent foreign king bringing aid to the war-torn city, as the Diagram instructed him to, he was made king of Jah Keved.{{book ref|sa2|I|14}}{{expand}} Taravangian had created a false geneology showing he had a legitimate claim to the Jah Keved throne, which would be conveniently discovered by his scribes after a week.
 
But Highprince [[Valam]] found out about this plot and chose to make Taravangian his heir outright. This unpredicted turn of events, along with the fact that the Diagram had predicted 6 factions fighting instead of 7 and Szeth's arrival to announce his fight with Kaladin, made Taravangian worry about the future accuracy of the Diagram.{{book ref|sa2|I|14}}
 
===Graves's Conspiracy===
[[Graves]] was an Alethi [[Shardbearer]] and a member of the Diagram. According to his interpretation of a part of the Diagram, they needed to ally themselves with Highprince [[Dalinar Kholin]], and that the way to do this was to make Dalinar king of Alethkar by assassinating [[King Elhokar]].{{book ref|sa2|87}}
 
HeGraves, along with [[Moash]], [[Danlan]], and [[Rill]],{{book ref|sa2|44}}{{book ref|sa2|46}} conspired together and attempted to stage an accident wherein Elhokar would fall to his death from a balcony. This plan failed when the king managed to hold on to part of a railing and was saved by his guards.{{book ref|sa2|23}}
 
Later on, they tried to recruit Kaladin to their side. Kaladin had been investigating the matter and discovered Moash's part in it, and so Graves attempted to convince him that Elhokar was a bad king who deserved to be replaced. Kaladin, who , did not report them to authorities but refused to assist Graves.{{book ref|sa2|46}} When the conspirators had another opportunity to assassinate the king, this time through direct physical assault, Kaladin had a change of heart and saved Elhokar from them.{{book ref|sa2|84}}
 
As they fled the Alethi warcamps, Graves wondered whether his interpretation had been wrong, or if he was simply too slow.{{book ref|sa2|87}} Fleeing across the Frostlands with Moash, [[Febrth]], and [[Fia]], he was attacked and killed by [[Fused]] using [[voidlight]], though Moash escapes.{{book ref|sa3|43}}
 
===Second Assassination Attempt on Dalinar===
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