Bridge crew
| Bridge crew | |
|---|---|
| World of Origin | Roshar |
The bridge crews, crewed by men known as the bridgemen, were originally an expendable workforce used for hard labor and cannon fodder. They later become an infantry battalion, but retain the name "bridge crews" as their official unit name.
Under Highprince Torol Sadeas, the bridge crews carry large, heavy bridges in order to allow his soldiers to cross the chasms of the Shattered Plains.[1] The bridgemen consist mainly of slaves, deserters, thieves, foreigners, and some men who joined because they had nowhere else to go.[2] The bridgemen were treated as expendable and incurred heavy casualties with every bridge run.
The bridge crews are later transferred to the control of Highprince Dalinar Kholin, where they become a battalion of soldiers in Kholin's army. In this capacity, they are commanded by Captain Kaladin Stormblessed, with Bridge Four as its premier unit and headquarters.
Under Highprince Sadeas
Origins
The unique geography of the Shattered Plains required the armies to cross many chasms to reach the battlefields. Brightlord Torol Sadeas employed a large number of bridgemen to transport his army's temporary bridges. The bridgemen were also used as cannon fodder for the Parshendi bowmen.[3]
The bridgemen were split into 40 bridge crews, each carrying one bridge.[4] Each bridge crew was comprised of approximately 35-40 men.[1] The most notable crew was Bridge Four first because it had the highest casualty rate,[5] later because they became their champions.[6] Kaladin was their bridgeleader.
Organization
Gaz was the bridge sergeant, reporting directly to Brightlord Lamaril[7] and later technically to Brightlord Matal, although his wife Brightness Hashal was the one who typically issued orders to them.[8] Within each bridge crew, the men appointed their own bridge leader, but they lacked an overall command structure or allegiance to anything except their own self-preservation.
Under Highprince Kholin
After Kaladin saves Highprince Dalinar Kholin's life, Highprince Kholin repays him by securing the release of the entire bridge crew unit from Highprince Sadeas. He does this by giving his Shardblade Oathbringer to Highprince Sadeas for the bridge crews' freedom.[9]
Following this, Highprince Kholin offers money and freedom to every member of the bridge crews, if they wanted it; alternatively, the bridge crews are offered the opportunity to join Kholin's army as soldiers.[10] Very few bridgemen take Kholin's offer of freedom, and Kholin is left with a full thousand-man battalion.
Organization
After the bridge crews are freed by Kholin, they all immediately recognize Kaladin as their leader.[10] Highprince Kholin formalizes this by appointing Kaladin as their commander and appointing him to the rank of captain.
Captain Kaladin re-organizes the bridge crews into twenty platoons of fifty men each, with each platoon named from Bridge One to Bridge Twenty, in memory of their previous life.[4]
Bridge Four, Kaladin's original unit, is their premier unit as well as headquarters. Initially, it is their only active unit, with the other 19 crews being trained.
Members
Bridge Four (Headquarters)
- Captain Kaladin Stormblessed, Battalion Commander[4]
Lieutenant Moash, defected from Bridge Four[4]- Lieutenant Skar[4]
- Lieutenant Sigzil, Battalion Clerk[4]
- Lieutenant Teft, Battalion Training Commander[4]
- Lieutenant Rock, Battalion Quartermaster[4]
Bridge Seventeen
Bridge Eighteen
- Sergeant Vet, Bridge Commander[12]
Notes
- ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 6#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 30#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 32#
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Words of Radiance chapter 2#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 9#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 64#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 17#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 43#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 69#
- ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 73#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 41#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 46#