Difference between revisions of "Adolin Kholin"

He deeply cares about his family, and one of the few times Adolin admits to being frightened is seeing his father looking fragile and worn down.{{book ref|sa1|28}} Adolin even allows the four-on-one duel to continue when [[Relis Ruthar]] threatens to have [[Abrobadar]] "accidentally" kill [[Renarin]].{{book ref|sa2|56}} He is also quick to defend Renarin when [[Torol Sadeas|Sadeas]] insults his younger brother.{{book ref|sa1|15}} Adolin seems to have had a good relationship with his deceased mother as well, carrying a chain that once belonged to her for good luck during duels.{{book ref|sa2|14}}

He is impulsive, often having to be held back by Renarin or rebuked by his father.{{book ref|sa2|12}}{{book ref|sa1|15}} Sadeas even refers to him as a "firebrand".{{book ref|sa1|15}} This impulsiveness of his has led to him throwing Kaladin across the practice grounds while sparring,{{book ref|sa2|18}} accidentally allowing Relis Ruthar to set him up in a one-on-four duel{{book ref|sa2|53}} and contributed in some part to his snapping and murdering Sadeas.{{book ref|sa2|89}} His impulsive behavior is often also beneficial, as seen in his rescue of Notum{{book ref|sa4|25}} and how his offer to stand trial, gets the envoy into Lasting Integrity.{{book ref|sa4|36}}

He is shown to be very confident, charismatic and friendly, being on good terms with both [[lighteyes]] and [[darkeyes]].{{book ref|sa2|68}} While Adolin likes to be familiar with a large number of people, calling them friends and acquaintances, he prefers tois not be close with anymany of them.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Before he marries [[Shallan Davar]], he's also infamous for his numerous, short-lived courtships.{{book ref|sa1|22}} Adolin admits to Kaladin that while he knows how to get women, he is unsure of how to keep them.{{book ref|sa2|68}}

With the rise of the Radiants and the fall of Alethkar, the young highprince is struggling to find his place in the world. He feels that others are often better placed to meet the challenges and that without access to surgebinding he doesn't have much to contribute to the leading of the Alethi or the coalition.{{book ref|sa4|29}} His conversation with [[Azure]] in Shadesmar on royalty and duty{{book ref|sa3|101}} helps evaluate his own roles and skills. Later it leads him to decline the Alethi crown after Elhokar's death.{{book ref|sa3|122}} He continues to struggle when he takes on the mantle of highprince. His desire to prove himself makes him very determined to succeed in his diplomatic mission to the honorspren., as Hehe doesn't want to let his father down, and he is motivated by his desire to show he is still good for something.{{book ref|sa4|34}}

Later around 1175, Adolin started to visit and take care of Dalinar's Rhyshadium, [[Gallant]], as his father had less time for this.{{book ref|sa3|10}} Later it chose Adolin as his second rider.{{book ref|sa4|21}} Over time their bond deepened, and Gallant helped by carrying Maya on the expedition to shadesmarShadesmar.{{book ref|sa4|32}} When Adolin ran to save Notum, Gallant came running to his aid without being summoned.{{book ref|sa4|35}}

Adolin now knows [[Mayalaran]]'s name and can summon her in seven heartbeats rather than the typical ten heartbeats required of a dead Shardblade. He is even able to sense her resigned agreement at being loaned to another Shardbearer,{{book ref|sa3|120}} hinting at a stronger bond between a human and the bonded [[deadeye]] spren than usual. During his second trip in shadesmarShadesmar, Adolin develops his bond with Maya. They exercise every morning with a joinedjoint Katakata.{{book ref|sa4|29}} She also starts helping him take care of Gallant.{{book ref|sa4|22}} Later, when Adolin fought to defend Notum, sheMaya joined him and stood back to back with him.{{book ref|sa4|35}} Her waking up came to a culmination at the trial where she spoke for the first time, deciding the trial.{{book ref|sa4|94}}

|Adolin to his Shardblade, Maya {{book ref|sa2|14}}

Adolin's [[Calling]] is dueling and he frequently resorts to challenging other lighteyes to settle disputes. Since arriving at the [[Shattered Plains]], he has been unable to duel as much as he had previously due to his father's insistence that he follow the [[Alethi Codes of War]], which state that needless duels should be avoided during times of war so that commanding officers are not wounded.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Once Dalinar becomes [[Highprince of War]], he uses Adolin and his dueling as a key part in his plan to discipline the Highprinces by taking away their Shards in duels. {{book ref|sa2|5}}

Adolin has a series of traditions he performs before any duel he fights. While in the preparation room, which is used primarily for meditation, he talks to his unnamed Blade before continuing on to the staging room where his armorers help him into his Shardplate. [[Navani]] normally paints a glyphward for him, though by his final duel he has changed to having [[Shallan]] paint them for him. Finally, [[Renarin]] will check to make sure Adolin has eaten chicken at some point before the duel and that he has their mother's chain on his person. {{book ref|sa2|14}} Navani passes these off as superstitions, which Adolin denies. Before his final duel he forgot his mother's chain; this does seem to affect him psychologically, although by the time his armorers have finished, he seems mostly recovered. {{book ref|sa2|56}}

Adolin has employed various Shardblade Stances in his duels, though he relies most heavily on [[Windstance]] and diverse tactics. In the duel against [[Resi]], which is disguised as a friendly match, Adolin implements the defensive and offensive forms of Windstance, his style described as dancing.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Against [[Salinor Eved]] he switches to using [[Ironstance]] as well as employing elements of hand to hand combat for a rather brutal display, much to the ire of Highjudge [[Istow]]. {{book ref|sa2|14}} While fighting against [[Eranniv]], [[Torol Sadeas]] notes that Adolin is fighting far below his own capacity,{{book ref|sa2|29}} making it seem like a close fight. Against [[Elit Ruthar]], Adolin employs Windstance again, focusing on precision while implementing a tactic of exhausting Elit's plate of stormlight until it can no longer move. {{book ref|sa2|53}}

In the final duel against Elit, [[Relis Ruthar]], [[Abrobadar]] and [[Jakamav]] Adolin relies most heavily on Windstance, as it is the most effective against multiple opponents. At one point he backs himself up against a wall to protect his back. {{book ref|sa2|56}} Once [[Kaladin]] joins the duel, he remarks that two opponents actually seem like an even match for Adolin. {{book ref|sa2|57}} By the end of the duel, Adolin is pinned beneath Jakamav and holding him in a wrestling grip.

It can be argued that Adolin is actually the most skilled duelist on the Shattered Plains, given that he is both capable of winning a fight while hiding his true level of skill and being an even match against two men. Sadeas remarks that Adolin is growing into the Blackthorn, a man who conquered Alethkar with his skill and power, and that thought terrifies him. {{book ref|sa2|58}}

After a highstorm, glyphs mysteriously appeared in Dalinar's rooms; during the inspection that followed, Dalinar noted Adolin's dislike of Kaladin. {{book ref|sa2|4}} Before the meeting with his generals, Adolin asked Dalinar if Kaladin should be waiting outside. This made Kaladin wonder if Adolin knew or suspected something about his Radiant powers, and he came to the conclusion that the prince was very spoiled.{{book ref|sa2|5}} During the meeting, Adolin brought up the idea of forming a coalition to counteract whatever one Sadeas formed, which would probably divide the kingdom in two. Dalinar countered that Alethkar as a kingdom hadn't existed in centuries and what existed now was mockery. Following up on this idea, Kaladin mentioned taking away the shards of the other highprinces' Shardbearers. Adolin, who until now had been banned from dueling, was tasked with this challenge.{{book ref|sa2|5}}

Several weeks into his incarceration in Lasting Integrity, Adolin climbed to the top of the walls. For a moment he enjoyed the view of shadesmarShadesmar, before checking on the camp of the others. He could also see a large group of hundreds of deadeyes gathering on the nearby coast.The honorspren had taken some in but had no more space. Maya was with the other deadeyes, although they did allow Adolin to visit her each morning for their exercises. The highprince asked his [[Vaiu|jailer]] why the deadeyes came here, but no one knew.{{book ref|sa4|75}}

== Relationships ==

Through the machinations of Jasnah and Navani, the first steps towards a betrothal between Adolin and Shallan Davar are taken. Jasnah set it up as a way to help save House Davar for Shallan, as she would need powerful allies. Navani's involvement stems from Adolin having offended every lighteyed lady of rank in the warcamps.{{book ref|sa2|1}} Adolin was causally betrothed to Shallan, though the revelation that she was a Radiant made him wonder about the new dynamics of their relationship.{{book ref|sa2|89}} He still worried about this and was willing to let Shallan go when she showed interest in Kaladin.{{book ref|oathbringer|108}}{{book ref|oathbringer|121}}

As the war continued, Adolin started to worry about the mental state of his wife. He tells Kaladin that he wants to help her, but doesn't know how.{{book ref|sa4|12}} During the expedition to shadesmarShadesmar, he takes Shallan on a date to see a starspren, this seemed to draw her out more.{{book ref|sa4|34}} After the trial, they bond more about their shared experience of trying to revive a deadeye.{{book ref|sa4|115}}

Adolin is incredibly loyal to his father, though he doesn't always see eye-to-eye with Dalinar and is unafraid to voice his opinions.{{book ref|sa1|24}} Despite his opposing views he remains steadfastly obedient, listening to his father and following the [[Alethi Codes of War]]{{book ref|sa1|22}} even if he does not necessarily believe in them or wish to obey them. He shows an unwillingness to become the highprince when Dalinar considers stepping aside in favor of him, still intensely loyal to his father.{{book ref|sa1|52}} His skepticism surrounding the Codes eventually changes and Adolin begins to understand their purpose.

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 BlacktornBlackthorn'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}}

Adolin's relationship with Kaladin beginsgets withoff to a rocky start, but they eventually grow quite close. Their first interaction is atwhen theAdolin Battleasks ofKaladin theto Tower,relay whena message to another brightlord; though Kaladin yellsis atimpressed by how Adolin thatjust therescued Kholina troopscourtesan won'tfrom retreata withoutSadeas ''him''soldier, andhe Kaladin'srefuses troopsto won'tdo retreatas withoutasked theout Kholinof troops,general andscorn commandsfor him to retreatlighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|6846}} Although he does so once Kaladin runs to aid Dalinar in his fight against [[Eshonai]], he doesn't trust the bridgeman for a while longer.