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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}} His skepticism surrounding the Codes eventually changes and Adolin begins to understand their purpose. He grows to become a better leader as a result and at the same time, he grows further away from the people he once considered to be friends.{{book ref|sa1|58}}
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
Adolin has a strong sense of right and wrong, instilled in him by his mother.{{wob ref|2102}} In his first encounter with Kaladin, he saves a prostitute from being beaten by one of Sadeas's officers.{{book ref|sa1|46}} He also throws himself in jail as a show of solidarity with Kaladin.{{book ref|sa2|66}}
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
Adolin is observant, which has led to him being suspicious of those he does not trust. He absolutely does not trust Sadeas, even when his father asks him to, and is eventually proven right at the [[Battle of the Tower]].{{book ref|sa1|65}} He is suspicious of Kaladin for a long time, being the only one to notice that the arm Szeth cut with his [[Honorblade]] miraculously healed itself.{{book ref|sa2|33}} He is the first person outside of [[Bridge Four]] to believe Kaladin's claims about [[Amaram]], stating that he always felt the man was hiding something.{{book ref|sa2|66}}
He doesn't seem to be particularly religious, something Dalinar points out.{{book ref|sa1|24}}
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
Adolin is also a very caring friend to those around him. He sees it when his friends need support, and he is always there for them. An example is when he takes Kaladin out when the Windrunner is depressed after his retirement. During the conversation, Adolin explained how he was looking for ways to help Kaladin and Shallan with their mental struggles.{{book ref|sa4|12}}
{{for|Gallant}}
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
=== Shardbearer ===
Adolin is proficient with Blade commands, a set of mental commands that allow him to keep the Blade summoned even after letting go of it.{{book ref|sa2|35}} This allows him to perform such feats as using his Blade as a foothold on a sheer surface.{{book ref|sa2|26}} After Szeth's first attempt on Dalinar's life, he practices being able to throw his Shardblade into a target.{{book ref|sa2|35}} This appears to be a rather extraordinary feat given [[Hrdalm]]'s amazement upon being saved by the technique.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
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
=== Dueling ===
{{quote
|This might be our last fight together [...] I appreciate what you've done for me. I know you'd do it for anyone who held you, but I still appreciate it.
|Adolin to his Shardblade, Maya
}}
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.
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.
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]].
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.
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.
=== Tactician ===
==== Disarming the Shardbearers ====
After a highstorm, glyphs mysteriously appeared in Dalinar's rooms; during the inspection that followed, Dalinar noted Adolin's dislike of Kaladin.
Before his duel against [[Salinor Eved]], Adolin went through his pre-dueling rituals. Alone in the meditation room, he talked with his Shardblade, where he confided that he wasn't as confident as he made it out to everyone else and thanked the Shardblade for all it had done for him. After Renarin made sure everything was in place, he headed out while Navani burned a prayer for Adolin. Adolin revealed he was worried about how late Jasnah was and the possibility of not meeting Shallan. He also mentioned that he was the one who had broken off the relationship with Danlan, citing that it had not been his fault and that she had said some things to her friends that had turned him off from their courting.{{book ref|sa2|14}}
}}
Before the duel, Adolin went through his rituals, burning the prayer Shallan had written for him and praying himself. Navani expressed her worry, particularly over the terms that the duel would end with surrender rather than breaking the Shardplate. When Renarin checked that Adolin had followed his routine, they discovered that Adolin's mother's chain was missing. This momentarily threw Adolin off balance, though he started to recover as they put on his Plate. When his opponents entered the ring, there were four of them rather than the two that Adolin had assumed. Instead of forfeiting, Adolin signaled for the duel to commence. He recognized the three Shardbearers Relis had brought with him: [[Elit Ruthar|Elit]], [[Abrobadar]] and [[Jakamav]].{{book ref|sa2|56}}
Adolin attacked, trying to minimize any attempt they had to assess and respond. He did alright for a while but eventually became overwhelmed. When he attempted to yield, the Shardbearers stopped him, and Highjudge Istow didn't, or had chosen not to, hear him. Adolin realized that if he left the duel alive he'd be doing so as a cripple. Renarin joined the duel with just his Shardblade; Adolin tried to convince him to leave, but Renarin refused. Relis told him that so long as Adolin did not surrender or make his cousin end the duel, Abrobadar would not hurt Renarin; if Adolin did attempt any of those things, Renarin would die.{{book ref|sa2|56}}
{{image|The
Kaladin joined the duel as well, keeping the duel still at a disadvantage. He got to Adolin, and the two formed a plan: Kaladin would keep one distracted and keep an eye on Renarin if he could while Adolin took on the other two. Adolin told him that they needed to be prepared if their opponents used Renarin as leverage against them. Two-on-one actually seemed to be an even match for Adolin. Adolin managed to break Elit's breastplate, incapacitating him, and Kaladin forced him to surrender. When Elit surrendered, Abrobadar abandoned Renarin and joined Relis and Jakamav in fighting Adolin. When Kaladin ran to help, Relis and Jakamav abandoned Adolin to take out Kaladin. Adolin used the opportunity this provided to defeat Abrobadar and then jumped on Jakamav from behind. His plate ran out of stormlight and locked, and they both tumbled to the ground.{{book ref|sa2|57}}
}}
Adolin went on to greet Notum, and discovered the honorspren had 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}}
{{image|Starspren Connor Chamberlain.jpg|side=
==== Caravanning to Lasting Integrity ====
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 than 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}}
▲{{image|Starspren Connor Chamberlain.jpg|side=right|width=300px|watching the [[starspren]] with [[Shallan]]}}
Later around a campfire, Adolin, the Radiants, 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 father's expectations of him.{{book ref|sa4|34}}
{{image|Adolin fighting with Maya by Egilde Art.jpeg|side=right|height=300px|Fighting the [[Tukar]]i with [[Maya]]}}
When they returned to the caravan, Adolin sought out Gallant and commented how nice it must be not to worry about politics or relations. [[Malli]] brought Maya over and Adolin helped her on the Ryshadium. They started marching and he mulled over his problems, but got nowhere. Just after midday, Felt came to tell him the Tukari had stopped following and turned southwards. They looked with spyglasses from a rise and when Adolin was returning to the front of the caravan he suddenly realized the Tukari hadn't been following the envoy but had been following Notum all this time. He ran back to the outcropping, had another look, and ordered the others to follow him as fast as they could. The highprince started running towards the Tukari. Soon Gallant came galloping after him, and he jumped into the saddle as soon as he was able to.{{book ref|sa4|35}}
|Never underestimate the worth of being willing to hold. Your. GROUND.
|Adolin's thought during the fight to defend Notum.{{book ref|sa4|35}}
|side=left|size=
}}
When the group approached the fortress of Lasting Integrity they were met by three honorspren. They asked Adolin if he was Adolin Kholin, which he confirmed. He stated their purpose, but was told the fortress was not accepting any visitors, and that they should leave. When Adolin offered the letters from the monarchs, one of the spren took them and shredded them on the spot. They refused to read them as there existed no argument that could change their mind. When Adolin persisted, the spren just repeated that they needed to leave and that they rejected any offers or bonds. Desperate, Adolin made a last plea, offering to face judgment. He told that if the spren wished to condemn the current humans for what their ancestors did, they would have to prove it. The spren were baffled but agreed to a trial and let Adolin, Shallan, Maya and Pattern into the city.{{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
Afterwards, it was time for his next tutor session on honorspren law and trial procedure. For weeks, Adolin had been getting instruction from the inkspren [[Blended]]. She informed him the trial would commence in three days, and that he was not ready for it. They discussed that the law was too complex for him to learn in the allotted time, and so the honorspren would use the procedures against him. Blended suggested his best change would be to ask for a trial by witness, a format that is simple although weighted against him. Adolin agreed as any alternative required more skill in the law than he had. She warned him that his sense of honor might not be that of the honorspren. After the session Blended let Adolin to one of the officials but stopped halfway as she noticed a disturbance at the gates. The high judge, they had been waiting for, had arrived and he was human.{{book ref|sa4|78}}
Shallan told him his insecurities about his place were good for him. She made jokes that he was getting three betrotheds instead of one and he told her he only wanted her which she said she could do with some help from him.{{book ref|oathbringer|121}} They marry soon after.{{book ref|sa3|122}}
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
=== Family ===
|Adolin{{book ref|sa4|12}}
}}
Adolin continues to watch out for Kaladin's mental health in Urithiru, dragging him out to socialize,{{book ref|sa4|12}}
=== Mayalaran ===
* Adolin's name is derived from Alethi words ''adoda'' (light) and ''lin'' (suffix meaning "born unto").{{book ref|sa3|49}}
* Were they to exist on Roshar, he'd prefer onion rings over french fries.{{wob ref|13901}}
*
* Adolin is the best swordsman Brandon has written, with the exception of Lan Mandragoran.{{wob ref|13617}} This does not count immortals like the Heralds or [[Vasher]], since they have an unfair amount of experience.{{wob ref|14110}}
* Adolin is a better dancer than Shallan or Kaladin.{{wob ref|14873}}
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