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Difference between revisions of "Battle of Thaylen Field"

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(→‎History: fixed a very small typo in ¶8)
(→‎History: Added a background section, it is put on every wikipedia page for major battles, and I also feel it is very important to understand the background of a battle to fully understand it. I feel this page doesn't do the best at establishing the background.)
 
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|image=Thaylen City.jpg
  
|image=Thaylen City.jpg
 
|participants=[[Dalinar]], [[Adolin]], [[Kaladin]], [[Shallan Davar]], [[Szeth]], [[Nightblood]], [[Lift]], [[Renarin]], [[Jasnah]], [[Teft]], [[Rock]], [[Amaram]], [[Odium]], The [[Fused]], [[Nergaoul]], [[Yelig-nar]]
  
|participants=[[Dalinar]], [[Adolin]], [[Kaladin]], [[Shallan Davar]], [[Szeth]], [[Nightblood]], [[Lift]], [[Renarin]], [[Jasnah]], [[Teft]], [[Rock]], [[Amaram]], [[Odium]], The [[Fused]], [[Nergaoul]], [[Yelig-nar]]
−
|date={{Rosharan date|1174|2|10}}{{ref|name=timeline}}
 +
|date={{Rosharan date|1174|2|10|5}}{{ref|name=timeline}}
 
|city=Thaylen City
  
|city=Thaylen City
 
|world=Roshar
  
|world=Roshar
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|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
  
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
 
}}
  
}}
  +
{{update|sa4}}
−
The '''Battle of Thaylen Field''' is one of the major engagements in the [[True Desolation]].
  
  +
The '''Battle of Thaylen Field''' is one of the first major engagements in the [[True Desolation]]. It's fought between the human armies, led by [[Dalinar Kholin]], and the [[Voidbringer]]s, mainly [[Fused]], under direct command of [[Odium]].{{book ref|sa3|115}}
   
 
== History ==
  
== History ==
  +
=== Background ===
⚫
Several thousand [[Singer]]s arrived at the shores of [[Thaylen City]] under the protection of an [[Everstorm]] spawned by [[Odium]] in order to mask their invasion.{{book ref|sa3|115}} Due to the perception that sailing during a storm is impossible, the human defenders of the city are caught unaware. Furthermore, because of the timely manipulation of [[Taravangian]]{{book ref|sa3|111}}, the Thaylen people and a portion of Sadeas' Alethi army, under [[Meridas Amaram]], are the only fighting forces left in the city. The Everstorm covering the advance of the enemy stalls over the city instead of continuing on{{book ref|sa3|115}}, something never seen before.
  
  +
After the [[Battle of Narak]] in {{Rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}}, the Alethi discovered and inhabited the lost city of Urithiru, right as the True Desolation began. This gave them access to Oathgates, therefore giving them potential links to the various Dawncities across Roshar. However, they were incapable of using the Oathgates without first activating them on the opposite side, thus they did not receive an immediate strategic benefit. This motivated them to try and ally with nations that contained Oathgates, due to the strategic value they possess, as they allowed for travel to major Rosharan cities far faster than could be done by foot.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa3|28}}
   
  +
A major nation that they attempted to negotiate with was [[Thaylenah]], whose capital, Thaylen City, possessed the Thalath Oathgate. The leader of Thaylenah, Queen [[Fen Rnamdi]], was suspicious of the Alethi forces and didn't want to give them free access into the center of their capital city.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa3|28}} She eventually came to agree to join the coalition, and allowed them access to her Oathgate, therefore giving them the ability to quickly travel to and mobilize in Thaylenah.{{book ref|sa3|50}}{{book ref|sa3|59}}
⚫
The souls of approximately 10,000 enemy spren gather outside the [[Thaylen City]] [[Oathgate]] in [[Shadesmar]].{{book ref|sa3|112}} Due to the stalled Everstorm, the Voidbringer souls are able to pass into the [[Physical Realm]]; among them were [[Fused]], ancients who didn't have bodies. This allowed some of them to inhabit the stone in the ground, ripping themselves free to become [[Thunderclast]]s. In addition, clad in a body made of golden carapace and clutching a regal scepter, Odium himself stepped onto the shore to personally lead the battle.{{book ref|sa3|115}}
  
   
  +
Shortly before the battle, [[Taravangian]], who was working for [[Odium]], manipulated the government in order to motivate them to send off a large portion of the city's defense force, greatly reducing their military prowess and defensive capabilities. This left them reliant upon military aide from the Alethi in order to protect themselves from the Fused offensive.{{book ref|sa3|111}}
−
Even with such might backing them, some of the [[Fused]] expressed doubt over their chances of victory. The Thunderclasts were a powerful weapon, but the army of recently freed Parshmen had little training, had never experienced true battle before and many did not want to fight at all.{{book ref|sa3|115}} Amaram's forces had taken up the defense of the city and the seasoned veterans of the [[Shattered Plains]] demonstrated their combat readiness with their maneuvering. Although faced with horrors, the battle was believed to be winnable or even favorable to the humans. The Ancient Singers did not believe their barely trained forces could stand against the battle-hardened humans and that their army would ultimately break. Odium, however, explained that he had not brought the Singers to fight, but to watch his true army fight.
  
   
  +
After intel arose concerning a Fused offensive on Thaylen City, the Alethi forces moved in to protect their allies and the strategic advantage they possessed via their control of the Thaylen Oathgate. They were further motivated by the threat that the Fused would pose to the human resistance if they managed to take control of the Oathgate.
⚫
In the form of blood red mist, occasionally manifesting into images of combat, the [[Unmade]] [[Nergaoul]] took to the battlefield and filled Sadeas' troops with the [[Thrill]], imbuing them with bloodlust and the urge to fight above all else. It was then that the voidspren that had come through the Oathgate into the physical realm seized new hosts. Odium had figured out a way in which he could bond voidspren to humans, something that had never happened in previous desolations. The Alethi army, 10,000 men strong, turned glowing red eyes upon their own forces. Lead by Amaram, who had cut a deal with Odium, the Alethi army began to assault Thaylen City.{{book ref|sa3|115}} A massive Thunderclast breached the wall and broke apart the Thaylen gem reserve. It scattered the riches of Thaylen City in the form of dun gemstones throughout the city and onto the plain of battle. Among these gems was a large ruby called the "[[King's Drop]]"{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} {{book ref|sa3|116}}, which was of particular interest to the enemy.
  
   
  +
=== Preparations ===
⚫
Taking his copy of [[The Way of Kings]] under his arm and unwilling to bow before the enemy, [[Dalinar]] went alone to meet the enemy.{{book ref|sa3|116}} Despite the departure of the [[Azish]], [[Lift]] had snuck back to the city, unwilling to abandon Dalinar. She asks him how she can help. Though Dalinar was unsure of the particular importance of the King's Drop, he had seen how eagerly the enemy protected it. So, Dalinar orders Lift to pursue and retrieve the gem.{{book ref|sa3|117}} [[Szeth]], who hovers above the city along with [[Nale]] chooses to swear the Third Ideal of the [[Skybreaker]]s opting to put his faith in a man who will do what is right: Dalinar. Szeth descends upon the battlefield with [[Nightblood]] unsheathed and brings fury to the enemy in order to aid Lift in accomplishing her task. {{book ref|sa3|117}}{{book ref|sa3|118}}
  
  +
{{image|Taking Stock by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=200px|Human and singer forces facing off}}
   
  ⚫
Several thousand [[Singer]]s arrived at the shores of [[Thaylen City]] under the protection of an [[Everstorm]], spawned by [[Odium]] to mask their invasion and hasten their ships.{{book ref|sa3|115}} As sailing during a storm was considered impossible, the human defenders of the city were caught unaware; furthermore, due to Taravangian's manipulations,{{book ref|sa3|111}} much of the city's defense force had departed it shortly before, leaving only the [[Thaylen]]s and a portion of Alethi army under [[Meridas Amaram]]. The Everstorm covering the advance of the enemy stalled over the city instead of continuing on,{{book ref|sa3|115}} something never seen before.{{book ref|sa3|115}}
−
[[File:I am Unity.jpg|thumb|left|200px|<center><small>by [[Coppermind:Artists/Wanda Sonnemann|Wanda Sonnemann]]</small></center>"I am Unity."]]Odium and Dalinar meet along with several Fused including [[Venli]]. Odium explains that he had been grooming Dalinar for years and reveals that he himself is to be Odium's Champion. Dalinar falls to his knees as the Thrill and the pain of his past actions bombard him. He is broken and alone and Odium offers him an escape of that pain if he will just give in. {{book ref|sa3|118}} Dalinar instead manages to overcome the pressure and accept and bear his pain, refusing to become Odium's Champion. He rises to his feet and reaches his hands to either side. In one hand he grips the [[Cognitive Realm]], in the other the [[Spiritual Realm]]. Venli whispers to him asking "What are you?" He brings his hands together exclaiming, "I am Unity."{{book ref|sa3|119}} All three realms, physical, cognitive, and spiritual are united in an outpouring of [[gloryspren]] and [[Stormlight]], infusing every gem in the city and forming a [[Perpendicularity]] that [[Adolin]], [[Shallan]], and [[Kaladin]] use to return to the Physical Realm and join the fight.
  
   
  ⚫
At the same time, the souls of approximately ten thousand [[singer]]s gathered outside the [[Thaylen City]] [[Oathgate]] in [[Shadesmar]].{{book ref|sa3|112}} Due to the stalled Everstorm, the Voidbringer souls were able to pass into the [[Physical Realm]], with two going into the ground and ripping themselves free to become [[thunderclast]]s. In addition, clad in a body made of golden carapace and clutching a regal scepter, Odium himself stepped onto the shore to personally lead the battle.{{book ref|sa3|115}}
−
Shallan, using [[Lightweaving]], creates an entire army to distract their assailants, even managing to give them substance.{{book ref|sa3|120}} Jasnah shows off her prowess with her [[Soulcasting]] abilities, and decides not to kill [[Renarin]], who is revealed to have bonded a corrupted spren, instead embracing him. Renarin, who had seen his death at Jasnah's hands as a vision, realizes that his visions are not set in stone and that there is hope for humanity.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
  
   
  +
Even with such might backing them, some of the [[Fused]] expressed doubt over their chances of victory, largely due to the inexperience of their army of freed [[Parshmen]], many of whom did not want to fight at all.{{book ref|sa3|115}} With Amaram's forces being veterans of the [[Shattered Plains]] campaigns, the battle was believed to be winnable or even favorable to the humans. Odium, however, had different plans.
−
Amaram tries to attack Dalinar but is rebuffed by Kaladin.{{book ref|sa3|119}} He then chooses to bond [[Yelig-nar]] by swallowing a gem that the [[Unmade]] was contained in, growing grotesque carapace under his [[Shardplate]] and access to all ten [[Surge]]s.{{book ref|sa3|120}} While Kaladin handles Amaram and keeps the Fused too occupied to attack him, Dalinar makes his way into the center of the red mists that make up Nergaoul. In the sky, Szeth, with the help of Lift, has finally acquired the King's Drop, but is followed by a number of flying Fused. Unable to escape them, he and Lift devise a strategy to fool them. With the help of Shallan, they allow the Fused to recapture what they believe to be the gemstone; in reality it is merely a cut rock with one of Shallan's illusions over it.{{book ref|sa3|120}} Szeth sees Dalinar within the mists and knows he cannot withstand it. Lift takes the gemstone and enters the mists after Dalinar.
 
   
  +
{{image|Lift and Szeth by Damako Art.jpg|[[Lift]] and [[Szeth]] on the battlefield|side=left|width=250px}}
⚫
Adolin, with the help of his [[shardblade]] [[Mayalaran]] and Thaylen highguard [[Hrdalm]], engages a Thunderclast near the city's Oathgate.{{book ref|sa3|120}} Adolin scores several blows, managing to cut off the feet of the rock beast, but ultimately sustains too many injuries to fight effectively. Fortunately, Renarin then arrives with healing and his own blade. Adolin lends Hrdalm his shardblade and the Thaylen goes to battle the Thunderclast beside Renarin. Eventually, the two of them manage to bring down the beast, reducing it to inanimate stone. Renarin then makes for the Oathgate, only to see it guarded by a dozen flying Fused.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
 
   
  +
=== Nergaoul arrives ===
−
[[File:Thrill.png|Dalinar confronts Nergaoul, by [[Coppermind:Artists/Ashley_Coad|Ashley Coad]]|thumb|right|300px]] In [[Urithiru]] a surprise attack aimed at distracting the Alethi from sending reinforcements has been underway. [[Teft]] finally bonds an [[honorspren]] and swears his ideal, becoming a full Radiant, and uses his new powers to activate the Oathgate. In Thaylen city the light of the activated gate momentarily scatters the Fused, and 2000 Kholin troops along with [[Bridge Four]] pour from the Oathgate to join the battle with Teft at their head.{{book ref|sa3|120}} Back at the ships the Singers arrived upon, [[Venli]] finally makes a decision and bonds a [[lightspren]], which takes her previously bonded voidspren captive.{{book ref|sa3|120}} She finds that she can change her eye color at will now and can fool Odium. She remains with the Singers and begins to tell them the truth about those who came before, the [[Listener]]s.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
  
  ⚫
In the form of blood red mist, occasionally manifesting into images of combat, the [[Unmade]] [[Nergaoul]] took to the battlefield and filled Sadeas troops with the [[Thrill]], imbuing them with bloodlust and the urge to fight above all else. It was then that the voidspren that had come through the Oathgate into the physical realm seized new hosts, possessing humans as they could normally do to singers; something that had never happened in previous desolations. With this, the Alethi army turned against the city they were supposed to protect.{{book ref|sa3|115}}
   
  +
At the same time, Odium ordered one of the thunderclasts, [[Yushah]], to assault the [[Thaylen Gemstone Reserve]] to deny the enemy the [[King's Drop]], a [[perfect gemstone]] capable of capturing an [[Unmade]]. Yushah breached the wall and broke apart the entire building, scattering all the gemstones onto the battlefield.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}}{{book ref|sa3|116}}
−
Lift reaches Dalinar and delivers the King's Drop, a perfect gemstone, the only vessel capable of capturing one of the Unmade. Dalinar embraces the thrill. All his years under its influence allow him to understand it like no other, and he uses this understanding to draw in and ultimately capture Nergaoul. The Thrill is sealed inside the gem, and the soldiers of Sadeas' army return to normal, either fleeing or collapsing in place. Kaladin is almost killed by Amaram after he runs out of Stormlight, but is saved by [[Rock]], who kills Amaram with two shots from a Shardbow. The Fused and Singers retreat, while Kholin forces and the [[Windrunners]] sweep the city of the last invaders. The day is won.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  
  +
  ⚫
Taking his copy of ''[[The Way of Kings (in-world)|The Way of Kings]]'' under his arm, [[Dalinar Kholin]] went alone to meet the enemy.{{book ref|sa3|116}} Before the [[Azish]] forces left the city, sailing to [[Vtlar Cove]] to wait out the storm, [[Lift]] attacked her [[Vono|guard]] and snuck back to the city, since she was unwilling to abandon the others. When she reached Dalinar he instructed her to track down and recover the King's Drop from the Fused who had taken it.{{book ref|sa3|117}} At the same time, [[Szeth]], hovering above the city along with [[Nale]], chose to swear the Third Ideal of the [[Skybreaker]]s, picking Dalinar as the ideal to follow. With this, he joined the battle, unsheathing [[Nightblood]] to bring its full might onto the enemy and aid Lift.{{book ref|sa3|117}}{{book ref|sa3|118}}
  +
{{image|Dalinar Perpendicularity.png|side=right|height=300px|Dalinar summoning [[Honor's Perpendicularity]]}}
  +
  +
=== Unity ===
  +
Despite the powerful combatants involved on the human side, Odium's forces were winning. Odium and Dalinar met in the midsts of the battlefield, with [[Venli]] observing as Dalinar challenged Odium to the contest of champions to have a chance at saving the city. Odium agreed, then explained how he had been grooming Dalinar for years to become Odium's own champion.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
  +
  +
With this, Odium unleashed the full might of the Thrill upon Dalinar, bombarding him with pain of his past actions and promising reprieve if Dalinar gives in.{{book ref|sa3|118}} Dalinar, however, refuses, accepting the responsibility instead. With this, he managed to attain the next [[Bondsmith]] ideal, declaring "I am Unity" and summoning [[Honor's Perpendicularity]].{{book ref|sa3|119}} All three realms, physical, cognitive, and spiritual were united in an outpouring of [[gloryspren]] and [[Stormlight]], infusing every gem in the city and forming a passage to [[Shadesmar]]. His allies trapped there -- [[Adolin]], [[Shallan]], and [[Kaladin]] -- use to return to the Physical Realm and join the fight. By contrast, seeing Dalinar's feat, Odium fled, leaving his armies to fend for themselves.{{book ref|sa3|119}}
  +
  +
{{image|Radiant by Petar Penev.jpg|[[Shallan]]'s illusory army|side=left|width=200px}}
  +
  +
=== The tide turns ===
  +
Shallan, using [[Illumination|Lightweaving]], created an illusory army to distract the Sadeas forces, even managing to give the phantoms some substance. Meanwhile, [[Jasnah]] used the near-infinite Stormlight to annihilate the enemy forces with [[Surgebinding]], while [[Renarin]], having revealed his [[Glys|corrupted spren]], rushed to join the fight.{{book ref|sa3|119}}
  +
  +
In the center, with Dalinar no longer a possible ally, the sphere containing [[Yelig-Nar]] went to Amaram, who attacked Dalinar, only to be rebuffed by Kaladin.{{book ref|sa3|119}} Amaram then chose to bond [[Yelig-nar]] by swallowing a gem, growing grotesque carapace under his [[Shardplate]] and gaining access to all ten [[Surge]]s.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
  +
With Kaladin handling all threats to Dalinar, the latter made his way into the center of the red mists that made up Nergaoul. In the sky, Szeth, with the help of Lift, had finally acquired the King's Drop, but was immediately tailed by numerous flying [[Fused]]. Unable to escape them, he and Lift devised a strategy to fool them, and, with Shallan's help, created a fake King's Drop, which they then allowed the Fused to "steal" back. With the perfect gemstone thus secured, Lift entered the mist to bring it to Dalinar.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
  ⚫
Meanwhile, Adolin, with the help of his [[Shardblade]] [[Mayalaran]] and Thaylen highguard [[Hrdalm]], engaged [[Kai-garnis]], the other thunderclast, near the city's [[Oathgate]].{{book ref|sa3|120}} Though Adolin managed to seriously wound the creature, he eventually sustained too many injuries to fight effectively. It's then that Renarin arrived with healing and his own Blade. He and Hrdalm, the latter armed with Mayalaran, finally managed to bring the beast down, reducing it to inanimate stone. Renarin then made for the Oathgate, only to see it guarded by a dozen flying Fused.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
  +
=== Confronting the Thrill ===
  +
{{image|Thrill.png|Dalinar confronts Nergaoul|side=right|width=300px}}
  +
  +
Over in [[Urithiru]], a surprise attack aimed at distracting the Alethi from sending reinforcements had been underway until [[Teft]] managed to speak his Third Ideal and manifest a [[Shardblade]], allowing him to open the Oathgate to Thaylen City and bring in much-needed reinforcements. There, the light of the activated gate momentarily scattered the Fused giving the new arrivals an advantage of surprise.{{book ref|sa3|120}} At the same time, back at the ships the singers had arrived upon, [[Venli]] bonded [[Timbre]], becoming the first singer [[Surgebinder]].{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
  +
Within Nergaoul's mists, Lift reached Dalinar and delivered the King's Drop. Embracing the Thrill, Dalinar lured Nergaoul in, and used the Drop to trap him, removing him from the battlefield. With this, the soldiers of Sadeas' army returned to normal, either fleeing or collapsing in place.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
  +
Outside, Kaladin's battle with Amaram was still underway. He's almost killed after he runs out of Stormlight, but is saved by [[Rock]], who killed Amaram with two shots from a Shardbow. With their last major fighter gone, [[Odium]]'s army retreated, while Kholin forces and the [[Windrunners]] swept the city of the last invaders. The day was won.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
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|title=History of [[Roshar]]
  
|title=History of [[Roshar]]
 
|prev=[[Siege of Kholinar]]
  
|prev=[[Siege of Kholinar]]
  +
|next='''Emuli Offensive'''</br>'''Occupation of Urithiru'''
−
|next='''unknown'''
  
 
}}
  
}}
 
<references><!-- chapters
  
<references><!-- chapters
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{{partial}}
  
{{partial}}
 
{{Stormlight}}
  
{{Stormlight}}
  +
[[es:Batalla de la Explanada Thayleña]]

Latest revision as of 15:38, 28 August 2023

Battle of Thaylen Field
Part of the True Desolation
Thaylen City.jpg
by Isaac Stewart
Date Nanishah 1174[1]
Participants Dalinar, Adolin, Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Szeth, Nightblood, Lift, Renarin, Jasnah, Teft, Rock, Amaram, Odium, The Fused, Nergaoul, Yelig-nar
City Thaylen City
World Roshar
Universe Cosmere
This page or section needs to be updated with new information for Rhythm of War!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

The Battle of Thaylen Field is one of the first major engagements in the True Desolation. It's fought between the human armies, led by Dalinar Kholin, and the Voidbringers, mainly Fused, under direct command of Odium.[2]

History[edit]

Background[edit]

After the Battle of Narak in Ishishach 1173, the Alethi discovered and inhabited the lost city of Urithiru, right as the True Desolation began. This gave them access to Oathgates, therefore giving them potential links to the various Dawncities across Roshar. However, they were incapable of using the Oathgates without first activating them on the opposite side, thus they did not receive an immediate strategic benefit. This motivated them to try and ally with nations that contained Oathgates, due to the strategic value they possess, as they allowed for travel to major Rosharan cities far faster than could be done by foot.[3][4]

A major nation that they attempted to negotiate with was Thaylenah, whose capital, Thaylen City, possessed the Thalath Oathgate. The leader of Thaylenah, Queen Fen Rnamdi, was suspicious of the Alethi forces and didn't want to give them free access into the center of their capital city.[3][4] She eventually came to agree to join the coalition, and allowed them access to her Oathgate, therefore giving them the ability to quickly travel to and mobilize in Thaylenah.[5][6]

Shortly before the battle, Taravangian, who was working for Odium, manipulated the government in order to motivate them to send off a large portion of the city's defense force, greatly reducing their military prowess and defensive capabilities. This left them reliant upon military aide from the Alethi in order to protect themselves from the Fused offensive.[7]

After intel arose concerning a Fused offensive on Thaylen City, the Alethi forces moved in to protect their allies and the strategic advantage they possessed via their control of the Thaylen Oathgate. They were further motivated by the threat that the Fused would pose to the human resistance if they managed to take control of the Oathgate.

Preparations[edit]

by Marie Seeberger
Human and singer forces facing off

Several thousand Singers arrived at the shores of Thaylen City under the protection of an Everstorm, spawned by Odium to mask their invasion and hasten their ships.[2] As sailing during a storm was considered impossible, the human defenders of the city were caught unaware; furthermore, due to Taravangian's manipulations,[7] much of the city's defense force had departed it shortly before, leaving only the Thaylens and a portion of Alethi army under Meridas Amaram. The Everstorm covering the advance of the enemy stalled over the city instead of continuing on,[2] something never seen before.[2]

At the same time, the souls of approximately ten thousand singers gathered outside the Thaylen City Oathgate in Shadesmar.[8] Due to the stalled Everstorm, the Voidbringer souls were able to pass into the Physical Realm, with two going into the ground and ripping themselves free to become thunderclasts. In addition, clad in a body made of golden carapace and clutching a regal scepter, Odium himself stepped onto the shore to personally lead the battle.[2]

Even with such might backing them, some of the Fused expressed doubt over their chances of victory, largely due to the inexperience of their army of freed Parshmen, many of whom did not want to fight at all.[2] With Amaram's forces being veterans of the Shattered Plains campaigns, the battle was believed to be winnable or even favorable to the humans. Odium, however, had different plans.

by Damako Art
Lift and Szeth on the battlefield

Nergaoul arrives[edit]

In the form of blood red mist, occasionally manifesting into images of combat, the Unmade Nergaoul took to the battlefield and filled Sadeas troops with the Thrill, imbuing them with bloodlust and the urge to fight above all else. It was then that the voidspren that had come through the Oathgate into the physical realm seized new hosts, possessing humans as they could normally do to singers; something that had never happened in previous desolations. With this, the Alethi army turned against the city they were supposed to protect.[2]

At the same time, Odium ordered one of the thunderclasts, Yushah, to assault the Thaylen Gemstone Reserve to deny the enemy the King's Drop, a perfect gemstone capable of capturing an Unmade. Yushah breached the wall and broke apart the entire building, scattering all the gemstones onto the battlefield.[9][10]

Taking his copy of The Way of Kings under his arm, Dalinar Kholin went alone to meet the enemy.[10] Before the Azish forces left the city, sailing to Vtlar Cove to wait out the storm, Lift attacked her guard and snuck back to the city, since she was unwilling to abandon the others. When she reached Dalinar he instructed her to track down and recover the King's Drop from the Fused who had taken it.[11] At the same time, Szeth, hovering above the city along with Nale, chose to swear the Third Ideal of the Skybreakers, picking Dalinar as the ideal to follow. With this, he joined the battle, unsheathing Nightblood to bring its full might onto the enemy and aid Lift.[11][12]

by Rixt Heerschop
Dalinar summoning Honor's Perpendicularity

Unity[edit]

Despite the powerful combatants involved on the human side, Odium's forces were winning. Odium and Dalinar met in the midsts of the battlefield, with Venli observing as Dalinar challenged Odium to the contest of champions to have a chance at saving the city. Odium agreed, then explained how he had been grooming Dalinar for years to become Odium's own champion.[12]

With this, Odium unleashed the full might of the Thrill upon Dalinar, bombarding him with pain of his past actions and promising reprieve if Dalinar gives in.[12] Dalinar, however, refuses, accepting the responsibility instead. With this, he managed to attain the next Bondsmith ideal, declaring "I am Unity" and summoning Honor's Perpendicularity.[13] All three realms, physical, cognitive, and spiritual were united in an outpouring of gloryspren and Stormlight, infusing every gem in the city and forming a passage to Shadesmar. His allies trapped there -- Adolin, Shallan, and Kaladin -- use to return to the Physical Realm and join the fight. By contrast, seeing Dalinar's feat, Odium fled, leaving his armies to fend for themselves.[13]

by Petar Penev
Shallan's illusory army

The tide turns[edit]

Shallan, using Lightweaving, created an illusory army to distract the Sadeas forces, even managing to give the phantoms some substance. Meanwhile, Jasnah used the near-infinite Stormlight to annihilate the enemy forces with Surgebinding, while Renarin, having revealed his corrupted spren, rushed to join the fight.[13]

In the center, with Dalinar no longer a possible ally, the sphere containing Yelig-Nar went to Amaram, who attacked Dalinar, only to be rebuffed by Kaladin.[13] Amaram then chose to bond Yelig-nar by swallowing a gem, growing grotesque carapace under his Shardplate and gaining access to all ten Surges.[14]

With Kaladin handling all threats to Dalinar, the latter made his way into the center of the red mists that made up Nergaoul. In the sky, Szeth, with the help of Lift, had finally acquired the King's Drop, but was immediately tailed by numerous flying Fused. Unable to escape them, he and Lift devised a strategy to fool them, and, with Shallan's help, created a fake King's Drop, which they then allowed the Fused to "steal" back. With the perfect gemstone thus secured, Lift entered the mist to bring it to Dalinar.[14]

Meanwhile, Adolin, with the help of his Shardblade Mayalaran and Thaylen highguard Hrdalm, engaged Kai-garnis, the other thunderclast, near the city's Oathgate.[14] Though Adolin managed to seriously wound the creature, he eventually sustained too many injuries to fight effectively. It's then that Renarin arrived with healing and his own Blade. He and Hrdalm, the latter armed with Mayalaran, finally managed to bring the beast down, reducing it to inanimate stone. Renarin then made for the Oathgate, only to see it guarded by a dozen flying Fused.[14]

Confronting the Thrill[edit]

by Ashley Coad
Dalinar confronts Nergaoul

Over in Urithiru, a surprise attack aimed at distracting the Alethi from sending reinforcements had been underway until Teft managed to speak his Third Ideal and manifest a Shardblade, allowing him to open the Oathgate to Thaylen City and bring in much-needed reinforcements. There, the light of the activated gate momentarily scattered the Fused giving the new arrivals an advantage of surprise.[14] At the same time, back at the ships the singers had arrived upon, Venli bonded Timbre, becoming the first singer Surgebinder.[14]

Within Nergaoul's mists, Lift reached Dalinar and delivered the King's Drop. Embracing the Thrill, Dalinar lured Nergaoul in, and used the Drop to trap him, removing him from the battlefield. With this, the soldiers of Sadeas' army returned to normal, either fleeing or collapsing in place.[14]

Outside, Kaladin's battle with Amaram was still underway. He's almost killed after he runs out of Stormlight, but is saved by Rock, who killed Amaram with two shots from a Shardbow. With their last major fighter gone, Odium's army retreated, while Kholin forces and the Windrunners swept the city of the last invaders. The day was won.[14]

Notes[edit]

History of Roshar
Siege of Kholinar Battle of Thaylen Field Emuli Offensive
Occupation of Urithiru
  1. ↑ Oathbringer's Timeline
    — Brandon's website - 2017-10-27#
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g Oathbringer chapter 115#
  3. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 12#
  4. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 28#
  5. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 50#
  6. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 59#
  7. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 111#
  8. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 112#
  9. ↑ Oathbringer interlude I-13#
  10. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 116#
  11. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 117#
  12. ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 118#
  13. ↑ a b c d Oathbringer chapter 119#
  14. ↑ a b c d e f g h Oathbringer chapter 120#
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