Difference between revisions of "Adolin Kholin"

'''Adolin Kholin''' is a [[lighteyed]] [[Alethi]] prince and third in line to the throne of Alethkar.{{book ref|sa2|1}}. He is considered to be one of the best swordsmen in all of Alethkar.{{book ref|sa3|73}}. Adolin is the son of [[Dalinar Kholin]], the elder brother of [[Renarin Kholin]] and husband of [[Shallan Davar]]{{book ref|sa3|122}} who are members of the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa2|89}} He is the current [[Highprince]] of the [[Kholin princedom]].

Adolin's hair is mostly blond, with streaks of Alethi black running through it;{{book ref|sa1|15}} the blond color comes from [[Evi Kholin|his mother]] and is seen as a sign of his bloodline being impure by some Alethi.{{book ref|sa2|38}} His hair has been described as an unruly mop{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{book ref|sa2|4}} and a stylish mess.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Adolin prefers to remain clean-shaven, but he does grow a beard after throwing himself in jail in protest of Kaladin's imprisonment. His beard was also blond speckled with black.{{book ref|sa2|66}} His eyes are blue{{book ref|sa1|15}} and have an [[Wikipedia:Epicanthic fold|epicanthic fold]].{{wob ref|4079}}. He has been described as handsome on numerous occasions{{book ref|sa1|15}}{{book ref|sa1|46}}{{book ref|sa2|49}} and, as he is Alethi, it can be surmised that his skin is tan in color. However, because he is half-[[Riran]], his skin tone is lighter than his father's.{{wob ref|3932}} There is some inconsistency as to Adolin's height; he is described as both shorter{{book ref|sa1|15}} and the same height{{book ref|sa2|4}} as Dalinar. Shardplate adds a few inches to his height but still doesn't make him as tall as Kaladin.{{book ref|sa2|16}} He has a birthmark on the back of his left thigh.{{book ref|sa3|13}}

He isdeeply impulsivecares about his family, oftenand havingone toof bethe heldfew backtimes byAdolin Renarinadmits orto rebukedbeing frightened is byseeing his father looking fragile and worn down.{{book ref|sa2|12}}{{book ref|sa1|1528}} SadeasAdolin even refersallows the four-on-one duel to himcontinue aswhen a[[Relis Ruthar]] threatens to have [[Abrobadar]] "firebrandaccidentally" kill [[Renarin]].{{book ref|sa1sa2|1556}} ThisHe impulsivenessis ofalso his has ledquick to himdefend throwingRenarin Kaladinwhen across[[Torol theSadeas|Sadeas]] practiceinsults groundshis whileyounger sparring,brother.{{book ref|sa2sa1|1815}} accidentallyAdolin allowingseems Relisto Rutharhave tohad seta himgood uprelationship inwith ahis one-on-fourdeceased duel{{bookmother ref|sa2|53}}as andwell, contributedcarrying ina somechain partthat once belonged to hisher snappingfor andgood murderingluck Sadeasduring duels.{{book ref|sa2|8914}}

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}}

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 Shadesmar, Adolin develops his bond with Maya. They exercise every morning with a joint kata.{{book ref|sa4|29}} She also starts helping him take care of Gallant.{{book ref|sa4|22}} Later, when Adolin fought to defend Notum, Maya 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}}

As he moved through the Outer Market to the dueling grounds, he noticed the differences in behaviour, and attitude about their jobs, between the Kholin officers and those of other highprinces. Adolin found himself annoyed with the others, and was asking internally if they knew there was a war going on. He then had a revelation about why his father enforced the restrictions.{{clarify}}

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}}

Adolin supervised the workforce that was unloading goods at Urithiru. They used a huge room, four stories high, to become the new market placemarketplace. His wrist was still hurting from the [[Battle of Narak]]. He was summoned by his father when Sadeas' body was discovered.{{book ref|sa3|2}} Adolin kept quiet about his involvement and was put in charge of training the Alethi armies. Shortly after, he attended Dalinar's wedding.{{book ref|sa3|4}} Adolin was very disturbed when a second murder happened in exactly the same way as Sadeas' a few days later. Dalinar then put him in charge of the investigation of both murders.{{book ref|sa3|9}}

Kaladin flew the small expedition including Elhokar, Shallan and Adolin to [[Kholinar]]. Adolin supported Kaladin when he advised the king to approach the city with caution. The team landed outside the city and approached the city using lightwoven disguises. The Wall Guard was not letting anyone in, but the team used a moment of distraction to sneak in. Adolin led the team to his suggested hide outhideout: [[Yokska|his tailor]]'s house.{{book ref|sa3|61}} Adolin and Elhokar attended several parties to contact the remaining local lighteyes and gain the support of their private house guards. When Kaladin was infiltrating the Wall Guard, Adolin acted as his handler, signaling to Kaladin to continue undercover.{{book ref|sa3|73}} During the next highstorm, Adolin, Shallan, and Kaladin sheltered in a wine-house where they planned their next moves. Afterwards, Shallan and Adolin shared an intimate moment, and he got to browse through her sketchbook.{{book ref|sa3|77}}

Shallan and Adolin led the campaign to infiltrate the [[Sons of Honor]]. While Shallan pretended to be a merchant and let her selfherself be kidnapped by the Sons, Adolin headed a small group of soldiers to follow them and protect his wife.{{book ref|sa4|2}} They had arranged that Pattern would alert Adolin if Shallan needed help.{{book ref|sa4|4}} Adolin had to sneak into the warcamps to be able to spend time with Shallan. When the Sons of Honor replaced the sack over Shallan's head, Adolin led the soldiers to attack.{{book ref|sa4|5}}

He found Shallan at Ialai's hideout right when Shallan was taking her prisoner. Shallan removed his illusion and they discussed what happened. Adolin hoped Ialai's armies would now stand down. Adolin frowned and Shallan asked if he was thinking about killing Ialai. He answered that perhaps they should not go down that road. They agreed to quickly search the hideout, when they heard commotion outside and found the highprincess dead.{{book ref|sa4|7}}

After delivering their prisoners, Adolin and Shallan rode a carriage from the warcamps to the oathgateOathgate at Narak. Adolin tried to sooth Shallan's worries about Dalinar's response to Ialai's death. They talked about Shallan having secrets, and how Adolin had the patience to let her tell them when she's ready. When Veil took over, He sat further away from her. She tells that Ialai was murdered, but denies doing it herself. When suggesting it would not be so bad if she had, Adolin reacted with horror. A bit later, Shallan tells Adolin about the [[Sons of Honor]] and their relation to the [[Ghostbloods]].{{Book ref|sa4|9}}

{{sidequote|You don't have to smile. You don't have to talk. But if you're going to to be miserable, you might as well do it with friends.|Adolin to Kaladin{{book ref|sa4|12}}

Adolin and Shallan decided to only take a few attendants each, to keep the expedition small.{{book ref|sa4|20}} When he was getting ready, Adolin had trouble deciding what to wear. Shallan teased him about it and gave him an hour to meet the others. Adolin quickly decided and used the time to stop by Kaladin and call him Alethkar's most eligible bachelor. Adolin then reassured Kaladin that it was okay to step away from the front line, and take the time he needed.When leaving, Syl advised to be careful as the Honorsprenhonorspren could be hard to persuade with logic if they feel something is right or not.{{book ref|sa4|21}}

After the stop, Adolin left the tower and met the expedition at the Oathgate for the [[Shattered Plains]]. He oversaw the workers packing the last of his armor and weapons on [[Gallant]], who would serve him on the trip. Adolin had to talk to the Ryshadium and give him some fruit[[palafruit]] before Gallant allowed the workers to load him. When [[Godeke]] asked how many swords Adolin needed, he explained you couldn't have enough as different situations required different swords. He then proceeded to show off every sword he had. After Godeke hiked off, [[Zu (Roshar)|Zu]] joked that Adolin almost liked not being able to use a Shardblade, and showed off hers.{{book ref|sa4|21}}

When the party arrived in Shadesmar, nobody panicked as they had practiced this before. They found themselves on a huge pillar with steps spiraling down around it to "sea" level. Adolin surveyed the group, and stared a bit too long at [[Arshqqam]]'s [[mistspren]], who actedreacted offended. Shallan pointed him to the downward ramp where the highprince found Maya. He took her hand and guided her to the others to be introduced. Shallan watch over the deadeye, while he checked Gallant and repacked his luggage, as his Shardplate had not made the transfer. When they started moving, he talked with Shallan about his actions regarding Maya. The rest of the hike, the highprince used to get to know the expedition members. With Godeke, he spoke about theology and how recent events effected the various religious attitudes. Finally they reached the bottom where a barge was waiting for them and the party boarded it for the two week sailing to [[Nameless]]. When Shallan opened her trunk, Adolin noticed the looked shocked, but she told him it was just some spilled paint. He then went to brush down Gallant and noticed Maya watching him. She wanted to help, so he showed her how to, to the surprise of the nearby peakspren.{{book ref|sa4|22}}

After the voyage, land was sighted by the watch to the relieverelief of Adolin and Gallant. Adolin decided to send disguised lightweavers with disguises into town first while the rest of the humans stayed in hiding. He was surprised that Shallan was hungover as she could have healed using stormlight the night before. While waiting, the highprince and Godeke looked at their dwindling stormlight reserves and planned to trade it for supplies at the town. Adolin then went to check on Maya and he wondered if she would join him in a new kata, not the usual morning ritual one. He started it and after two tries she joined and performed it perfectly. When the others returned, [[Ua'pam]] expressed surprise and asked how Adolin had trained her. Not believing the prince's denial that he had not trained her., Thethe spren said deadeyes where lost forever, to which Adolin added that perhaps eternal was not as definitive as the spren thought.{{book ref|sa4|29}}

When the scouts came telling the town was savesafe, Adolin and the others headed out. He took Maya into town, while he continued to worry about the mission and how to convince the honorspren. They wandered over the market, and suddenly Adolin came out of his brooding when he noticed Maya had stopped and was staring at a deadeye. It was a Cryptic standing near a shop. The shopowner told Adolin his business partner had left ten years ago and he had found her as deadeye only last year. He accused Adolin that killing spren is what humans did, to the highprince's horror.{{book ref|sa4|29}} Then Godeke came to alert Adolin they had found a human caravan just outside town. They went to check it out, and found an unwelcoming caravan with people looking Tukari. On approach the people looked shed in shadows, and they were sendsent away in broken Alethi. On return to their barge, Adolin noticed a familiar figure standing nearby: Notum the honorspren captain of his last trip through Shadesmar.{{book ref|sa4|30}}

Adolin went on to greet Notum, and discovered the honorspren had been punished and exiled him for the help he had rendered the Radiants in their earlier voyage. When Adolin told him of his mission, Notum was shocked and tried to discourage him as he deemed it a futile effort. Notum explained you didn't normalize relations with a thief, and the humans had stolen Syl. Adolin countered it was her free choice, and if they cared so much about her they should perhaps have listened to her. Maya reacted to this with a growl. While he looked at Maya, Notum predicted that the envoy would be turned away instantly when reaching Lasting Integrity because of what humans did to the spren. The highprince countered that they had done nothing to them and it was thousands of years ago, to which Notum remarked that was not even a lifetime for many spren. Notum asked Adolin if they had managed to save the bondsmith. He couldn't lie and so admitted it was the bondsmith who had saved them.{{book ref|sa4|30}}

Several weeks onto the road, Adolin and Zu looked back from an outcropping towards the Tukari caravan that had been following them at a distance of a few hours. The followers had not turned away at the last crossroads, to Adolin's frustration. Zu suggested to attack them using their last stormlight as it was running out anyway, but Adolin did not like that. At the same time, Notum's patrol was a bit ahead of Adolin's group. Back at the camp he inspected the breaking up, and set the caravan moving before going to Shallan. He told Veil about his worries that the honorspren would not even receive them or take their letters. They and Radiant discussed various alternatives, each worse thenthan the last. He feared the arguments from the letters were the ones the honorspren were expecting and prepared for. He then realized they had had thousands of years and so must be prepared for any argument he could possibly make. He asked for Shallan, but Radiant said she needed rest. When Adolin said he has been worried about Shallan for some time now, Radiant told him something was going on with her. Veil explained some of the coping mechanisms of Shallan and that his wive worried Adolin would leave her if he'd found out about her secrets. The highprince was insistent he didn't care what Shallan had done and he was there for her.{{book ref|sa4|32}}

Later around a campfire, Adolin, the radiantsRadiants, and their spren discussed the plans for approaching the honorspren. The Stump disliked them all, though she and her spren agreed the letters would do little good. She added they couldn't guilt the spren into agreeing, to which Godeke concurred. Adolin decided to work on the ideas some more, and Arshqqam suggested to consider appealing to their honor. After they had breakfast Adolin asked the Three out for a walk, as they had hardly spent any time together. Just out of camp, Notum met them on his mount and bade them farewell as he could not approach Lasting Integrity any closer. While they continued, Adolin asked Veil if she had any luck bringing Shallan out, but she hadn't. They walked onwards, and Adolin noticed Shallan in there. He expressed his worries and that he would never leave her. When Shallan said she was weak, he countered that she was strong enough to save her brothers. At the end of a ridge they reached a beautiful view and Shallan noticed a [[starspren]] above. This brought out Shallan who needed to sketch it. They then talked about their relationship and love for each other. It led to Adolin telling an embarrassing anecdote from one of his first girlfriends who wanted to see him wield his sword. They ended their conversation with Dalinar, and how Adolin struggled with his fathersfather's expectations of him.{{book ref|sa4|34}}

In the aftermath of the fight, Notum was dumbfounded why humans would attack spren. When Adolin said they would need to take the hoorsprenhonorspren to Lasting Integrity, he declined as was exiled. The highprince was not accepting that, despite what it would do for their reception. They left the scene to continue their journey, and Shallan came over to check on the highprince. He told her it had felt good to have been able to do something useful for once. After they met up with their spren, Notum asked Adolin how he had trained Maya to fight with him like that. He answered he hadn't trained her and it was her choice to help, which Notum didn't believe. Back at the camp they had a break to pack up their belongings, before proceeding.{{book ref|sa4|36}}

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}}

The ampitheateramphitheater was packed with honorspren, when Adolin arrived for his trial. He noticed Shallan and Pattern in the audience and then reached the HigheHigh Judge, Kelek told him to stand on the podium tilluntil the show was done and they could execute him. An honorspren objected saying they would imprison him, not execute him. Sekeir opened the trial by stating that since none denied the [[Recreance]] happened, the spren only had to prove it was wise to stay away from humans. Adolin clarified he agreed to be tried for himself and that the spren where acting dishonorably by ignoring the current humans for something in the past. The first witness against the highprince was Amuna who cared for the deadeyes in Lasting Integrity. She argued the humans would turn all spren into new deadeyes, and all their wars showed they lusted for blood and slaughter. She asked what would happen if Dalinar were to kill the Stormfather, adding that no one knows but they feared what might happen. Adolin could only counter that it was the stormfatherStormfather's own choice to accept the bond.{{book ref|sa4|87}}

To Adolin's shock, the second witness was Blended, as to allow the other spren to weigh in as well. She lived during the Recreance and argued men willwould always betray their bonds. Moreover, it was unnatural for spren and men to bond as humans were not from Roshar. When she suggested joining the enemy, Adolin countered that odium was evil. In the end, she asked Adolin whether he could promise absolutely that no men would ever kill a spren again. He hadcould to declinenot, and she closed her argument with saying no bond meant no betrayal.{{book ref|sa4|87}}

|side=left|size=350px}}

|side=right|size=350px}}

|Maya during the trial by the honorspren{{book ref|sa4|94}}}}

This shocked the audience, and it became silent. Adolin could pull free and went to support Maya. Sekeir asked what Adolin did to heher, and in response Maya pointed at Sekeir, screeched and shouted repeatedly: "You. Cannot. Have. My. SACRIFICE!" At Adolin's nudging, Maya revealed the Radiant and spren decided together to sever their bonds. This revelation made all the honorspren leave until only Blended remained. The highprince accused her of playing both sides, which she conceded. She added it was her suggestion to have Maya be the witness, to see if Adolin was right that they were friends. She concluded a bond between them existed, although Adolin is no radiant. When Adolin says the spren have no longer an excuse to refuse bonds, Blended countered that she was very worried that thousands of spren rather died than continue. When asked, Maya told they didn't know they would die. Then Blended left, saying lot of things needed to be reconsidered. Adolin stood up and when he left in search for Shallan, he felt Maya was not as insensate as before.{{book ref|sa4|94}}

Sometime later, Adolin was in the little chamber he shared with Shallan. Maya, Pattern and Shallan's first spren [[Testament]] were also present. They discussed how the deadeyes were looking better. His wivewife thanked him for his support and was sorry for all her secrets. He then watched as Shallan got out her [[Seon]], [[Ala]], and contacted [[Mraize]]. She told him she was leaving the Ghostbloods, and thanked him for the seon. Mraize warned her for the costs, but she ignored it and gave him a message from Wit. After the conversation, Adolin reassured Shallan they could handle it.{{book ref|sa4|115}}

== 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}}

* AdolinBrandon has somesaid levelthat of interest in menAdolin and wouldShallan could be comfortable being in a poly triad with Kaladin, andindicating Shallanthat he may have some level of interest in men, however this is not explored in the text.{{wob ref|13025}}

* Adolin is the best swordsman Brandon has written, with the exception of Lan Mandragoran.{{wob ref|13617}} This does not count immortals like manythe Heralds or [[Vasher]], since they have an unfair amount of experience.{{wob ref|14110}}