Difference between revisions of "Dalinar Kholin"

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. When meeting with the high princes for a council on the Shattered Plains, Shallan likens him to a boulder as he stands, causing everyone to stop arguing and listen to what he has to say.

 

At the [[Battle of Narak]], the [[Stormfather]] informs Dalinar that he would receive no more new visions.{{book ref|sa2|89}} However, after becoming the Stormfather's bonded [[Knight Radiant]], Dalinar can replay the previous ones at will during [[highstorm]]s. He can even bring in other people to share the vision with him, as long as they are inside a highstorm at the time or they are physically touching him.{{book ref|sa3|56}}

 

As he gets closer to becoming a Bondsmith, Dalinar begins to be able to shape his visions and has had two vision-like experiences that the Stormfather disclaims any responsibility for.{{wob ref|14906}}{{book ref|sa2|89}}{{book ref|sa3|107}} The first happens just before he formally bonds the Stormfather and shows his childhood home, followed by an enveloping warmth.{{book ref|sa2|89}} The second happens after he flees the [[Thrill]] at [[Vedenar]] and shows [[Nohadon]] go shopping, followed by a [[thunderclast]] attack.{{book ref|sa3|103}}

 

{{image|I_am_Unity.jpg|Dalinar creating [[Honor's Perpendicularity]]|side=right|width=250px}}

 

Dalinar still didn't know what Gavilar meant by his last words, telling him to find the most important words that a man can say.{{book ref|sa1|15}}

 

Dalinar and Sadeas worked in tandem to strongarm another Highprince, [[Vamah]], into using the king's [[Soulcaster|Soulcasters]], ensuring that Vamah must depend on Elhokar's resources to continue in the war. Though Adolin was suspicious of Sadeas, who could be unkind at times, Dalinar maintained his belief that Sadeas held the good of Alethkar as his top priority as much as he did. It was situations like this that Dalinar knew that he could trust Sadeas in his goal of uniting the highprinces. Dalinar continued to try and use other means to convince - or manipulate - the other highprinces to follow Elhokar.{{expand|chapter 18 need more detail here}}

 

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}}

 

A year later, Dalinar was brought into a vision by Odium, in which he set the terms of their contest of champions: A willing champion for each side would be allowed to go to the top of Urithiru, unharmed by either side, and fight to the death. If Dalinar's champion won, Odium would return Alethkar and Herdaz to the coalition. If Odium's champion won, he would keep those two nations and Dalinar would serve him as a Fused. In either case, Odium would remain bound to the Rosharan system, but would keep the other lands he had won, and both leaders would be required to enforce the peace to the best of their ability. The deal might also lift some restriction on Odium preventing him from sending agents to the rest of the cosmere or provide him with an opportunity to dedicate the resources required to doing so once the war is over and he has secured a foothold on Roshar.{{book ref|sa4|112}} Additionally, at least some of the protections specified for Hoid in Dalinar's initial proposal seem to be in effect.{{book ref|sa4|epilogue}}

 

=== 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.

Dalinar often has a strained relationship with Evi, partially because their marriage was political. He does love her, but felt that she was too good for him. Evi hates the way Dalinar kills so many people without mercy, and they often get into fights which often leave Evi in tears. Dalinar tries to evade the topic of his killing whenever he can, but avoiding the argument just makes it worse. Evi cares deeply for Dalinar despite her dislike of violence, and burns prayers constantly for both him and those he slays.{{book ref|sa3|71}} When Dalinar is about to march on the [[Rathalas|Rift]] and destroy it, Evi sneaks into the city to try find a peaceful solution through diplomacy. Dalinar kills all the messengers that come out from the Rift, and thus doesn’t realize that Evi is in the city. After he burns the city alive, Evi along with it, he realizes what has happened and is racked with guilt and grief, and is haunted by both her screams and the screams of the Rifters, likely from the same effect that caused Szeth to hear voices.{{book ref|sa3|76}}{{wob ref|2671}} His grief drives him to visit the [[Nightwatcher]], and his curse is to forget Evi and everything about her. He completely forgets her for several years, unable to hear anyone speak her name or see any pictures of her.{{book ref|sa3|114}} Over time, he eventually gaining his memories of her back.{{book ref|sa3|76}}

 

Dalinar's relationship with his family is complicated. He idealizes his brother, and, as a younger man, was frequently willing to make sacrifices in Gavilar's favor. However, he also heavily envied him, mostly when it came to Gavilar's wife, [[Navani]], although such moments of envy were often accompanied by an intense sense of shame.{{book ref|sa3|26}}

 

{{image|Dalinar family BBQ Shapez reddit.jpg|Dalinar with Evi and his sons|side=right|width=300px}}

 

 

Though he neglected both of his sons at first, Dalinar soon begins to love Adolin dearly. Adolin has always been a born fighter, and as a young boy would participate in Dalniar’s meetings to learn, and Dalinar enjoyed having him around. Dalinar grooms Adolin as his eventual successor, drilling the Codes into him from his youth. They fight side by side on multiple occasions, and rely on each other. When Dalinar starts having visions from the Stormfather, Adolin initially doubts him, but soon believes his father and becomes one of his strong supporters.

 

Later, when Elhokar died, Dalinar wants Adolin to become the new king. Adolin refuses as he doesn't believe he is the right person to take the crown. His father could not understand this, and is furious when Adolin admits to killing Sadeas.{{book ref|sa3|122}} The publishing of the Blackthorn's memoir, including the admission of Dalinar's role in Evi's death, caused a further rift between Adolin and his father. Adolin still loves and respects his father but can not forgive him for killing his mother. The young highprince is slowly realizing he has a different moral code than his father.{{book ref|sa4|21}} Nevertheless, Adolin stays loyal and doesn't want to let his father down by failing the mission to the honorspren.{{book ref|sa4|34}}

 

{{quote

|And Renarin? Dalinar, you have two sons, in case you have forgotten. Do you even care about this child’s condition? Or is he nothing to you, now that he can’t become a soldier?

}}

 

From the start, Dalinar usually paid much less attention to Renarin than to Adolin, since because of Renarin’s condition he couldn’t ever be a good fighter.{{book ref|sa3|94}} Dalinar often suggests to Renarin that he become a scholar or an [[ardent]]. Later on, Dalinar grows more loving and supportive, and is encouraging to his son. Dalinar gives Renarin plate and blade, wanting him to be able to defend himself if the need arises. After Renarin becomes a Radiant, Dalinar learns to see his healing abilities as invaluable, and sees that Renarin is indeed strong, though in a different way than he had thought. Dalinar feels shame for his treatment of Renarin, and soon treats him with respect. {{book ref|Sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa3|44}}

 

When Renarin goes to the meetings of the scholars in Urithiru, Dalinar sometimes joins the meetings to show support for his son and to dispel the notion that he is acting unmasculine.{{book ref|sa3|44}} Dalinar and Renarin share a bond over the fact that both of them experience visions against their will. After he learns about what happened to his mother Renarin chooses to blame Odium for her death instead of Dalinar so he would not lose him as well.{{book ref|sa4|54}}

 

Dalinar grew highly protective of [[Elhokar]] following Gavilar's death, having sworn to himself that he would not let the boy come to harm.{{book ref|sa1|13}} Over time, however, his tendency to take control begins to take precedent. However non-deliberately, Dalinar starts to pull the kingdom out of Elhokar's hands. Though Dalinar isn't happy about it, he does little to stop himself once he realizes it, and often forces his will on his nephew.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa1|69}} He does see traces of Gavilar in Elhokar; this is, however, rare.{{book ref|sa2|56}}

 

Dalinar's relationship with [[Jasnah]] is perhaps the best among his relatives. The two bond together over ''The Way of Kings'', and respect each other's knowledge and opinions.{{book ref|sa3|105}} Dalinar considers Jasnah to be the most trustworthy person in his family, often wishing that she would come to the Shattered Plains with him.{{book ref|sa1|22}} Jasnah likewise is willing to aid her uncle, offering heartfelt advice when needed.{{book ref|sa3|56}} After their campaign in Emul, Dalinar asks Jasnah to write the under text of Oathbringer. She agrees, though she promises to hold nothing back.{{book ref|sa4|101}}