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{{magic
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'''Dalinar's visions''' are short episodes [[Dalinar]] experiences during [[highstorm]]s.
 
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|image=Choose a Side.jpg
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|related=[[Stormfather]], [[Honor]], [[Order of Bondsmiths]]
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|world=Roshar
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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
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|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
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}}{{update|book=sa3}}
  ⚫
'''Dalinar's visions''' were short [[visions|episodes]] [[Dalinar]], and previously [[Gavilar]],{{wob ref|3316}}{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} experienced during [[highstorm]]s.
   
 
== Highstorms and visions ==
  
== Highstorms and visions ==
−
After he began listen to readings from [[The Way of Kings (in-world)|''The Way of Kings'']] Dalinar begun experiencing strange episodes during each highstorm. He feels the visions as real.{{book ref|sa1|19}} During these visions Dalinar has to be tied to the chair because he raves and thrashes about.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Watching him is unnerving and [[Renarin]] tells him that he speaks gibberish during the visions.{{book ref|sa1|52}} Though Dalinar thinks that the visions might have been sent from the [[Almighty]] he wavers and feels uncertain about them. Talking to the [[ardent]]s doesn't bring any solution. Dalinar has to make a decision and he does so when he decides to abdicate his position as Highprince in favor of [[Adolin]].{{book ref|sa1|28}} In an argument about this topic Renarin suggests that they try to prove whether the visions are fabrications or contain any real references, and they decide to ask Navani to write the visions down.{{book ref|sa1|52}} This leads to the discovery by Navani that Dalinar doesn't speak gibberish during his visions: during the first vision she witnesses, he speaks the Dawnchant. They consider this proof that the visions are real, as the Dawnchant is a real, ancient, but extinct language on Roshar; one which Dalinar would have had no prior knowledge of if his mind were fabricating the visions.{{book ref|sa1|60}} As a side effect, Navani is sure that this could help to translate an old book called [[Analectics]].
 +
After he began listening to readings from [[The Way of Kings (in-world)|''The Way of Kings'']] Dalinar began experiencing strange episodes during each highstorm. As each stormwall hit, Dalinar suddenly felt as though he had been transported to another place. The people he interacted with did not see him, but someone else in his place. The visions felt real to him, as he could feel pain. The visions often depicted places he had never been to, nor heard of, or were places he knew that were referred to by ancient names. He also saw the fabled [[Knights Radiant]] alive and in action. He surmised that the visions were from previous [[Desolation]]s during the [[Shadowdays]].{{book ref|sa1|19}} Dalinar could not summon his [[Shardblade]] in a vision.
  +
  +
At first, Dalinar suffered these visions feeling he was going mad. Dalinar eventually volunteered to be tied to a chair, because he raved and thrashed about.{{book ref|sa1|18}} Watching him was unnerving, and [[Renarin]] told him that he spoke gibberish during the visions.{{book ref|sa1|52}} Though Dalinar thought that the visions might have been sent from the [[Almighty]], he wavered and felt uncertain about them. He spoke to the [[ardent]]s, but received no solution. Feeling he was losing his mind, Dalinar decided to abdicate his position as Highprince in favor of [[Adolin]].{{book ref|sa1|28}} In an argument about this topic, Renarin suggested that they try to prove whether the visions were fabrications or contained any real references. They decided to ask [[Navani]] to document the visions.{{book ref|sa1|52}}
  +
  +
This decision led to the discovery by Navani that Dalinar did not speak gibberish during his visions. During the first vision she witnessed, he spoke the [[Dawnchant]]. They considered this proof that the visions were real. The Dawnchant was a real extinct language on [[Roshar]], but there were no known translation keys for modern scholars to study it. Since Dalinar would have had no prior knowledge of the Dawnchant they came to the conclusion that his mind could not be fabricating the visions.{{book ref|sa1|60}} As a side effect, Navani was sure that this discovery would help to translate an old book called [[Analectics]].
  +
  +
=== The Stormfather's Role ===
  +
After settling in [[Urithiru]], the [[Stormfather]] revealed that Dalinar is able to control and choose who experiences the visions. Dalinar was able to bring other people into the visions with him, and he used this ability to make initial contact with rulers to help build the alliance between the nations.{{book ref|sa3|28}} Each time he entered a vision it would play out a little differently. Once, Odium came to him in a vision. After this, they deemed the visions too dangerous to use and only went in another time to bring in Venli and try to make a pact with the Voidbringers. [[Odium]] interrupted this meeting, however.
  +
  +
The Stormfather imagined a place for Dalinar to discuss plans with him. The sky is deep black and the ground endless white stone. Items and even people made of smoke rise from the floor and slowly dissipate. This place represents how the Stormfather imagines cognitive ideas dying when no longer in use by cognitive beings.{{book ref|sa3|34}}
   
 
== The visions predicate ==
  
== The visions predicate ==
−
All these visions share the challenge given by an unknown voice.
+
All of the visions shared the challenge given by an unknown voice:
   
  +
{{quote
−
{{quote|You must unite them, the strange, booming words had told him. You must prepare. Build of your people a fortress of strength and peace, a wall to resist the winds. Cease squabbling and unite. The Everstorm comes.|Dalinar's memory from one of the visions{{book ref|sa1|12}}}}
 +
|You must unite them, the strange, booming words had told him. You must prepare. Build of your people a fortress of strength and peace, a wall to resist the winds. Cease squabbling and unite. The Everstorm comes.
  +
|Dalinar's memory from one of the visions{{book ref|sa1|12}}
  +
}}
   
−
From the visions and this shared statement Dalinar draws the conclusion that he has to unite [[Alethkar]]'s [[highprince]]s because only then will mankind have a chance to withstand the coming events.
+
From the visions shared statement Dalinar drew the conclusion that he had to unite [[Alethkar]]'s [[highprince]]s because only then would mankind have a chance to withstand the coming events. The visions led Dalinar to the decision to attempt to refound the Knights Radiant.
   
−
== Mentioned and recorded visions ==
+
== Mentioned and recorded visions ==
  ⚫
=== Starfalls ===
−
One vision is mentioned{{book ref|sa1|12}} and four described in [[The Way of Kings]], and one in [[Words of Radiance]].
  
  +
{{quote
  +
|This is important. Do not let strife consume you. Be strong. Act with honor, and honor will aid you.
  +
|The Almighty at the end of the Starfalls vision{{book ref|sa3|34}}
  +
}}
  ⚫
During this vision Dalinar found himself in the role of a man, [[Heb]], who lived with his wife and daughter, presumably during the advent of a Desolation in the year 337 of the Eighth Epoch. Heb and his daughter were attacked by [[Midnight Essence]]s, but managed to reach Heb's house unharmed. Two more of these beasts followed, and after Heb (Dalinar) fought them off with a metal fire poker, Heb took his wife and daughter and fled from the house. A short time later they were surrounded by Midnight Essences. When he and his family thought all was lost, two Knights Radiant arrived. One, a [[Windrunner]], immediately began to fight the beasts, while the second, a [[Stoneward]] used a [[Regrowth]] fabrial to heal Heb and his family before joining her companion in fighting the Midnight Essences. Feeling good again after the healing, Heb joined the fight, and the three of them fought off the Midnight Essences. The [[Starfalls Windrunner|male Knight Radiant]] asked Heb about his strange fighting stances and invited him to come to [[Urithiru]], where the Knights Radiant were centered, because everybody who could fight was needed.{{book ref|sa1|19}} Dalinar asks questions of the [[Starfalls Stoneward|female Knight Radiant]] as well.
   
  +
This was Dalinar's twelfth vision.{{book ref|sa1|19}}
⚫
; Starfalls
  
⚫
During this vision Dalinar finds himself in the role of a man, [[Heb]], who lives with his wife and daughter, presumably during the advent of a [[Desolation]]. Heb and his daughter are attacked by [[Midnight Essence]]s but manage to reach Heb's house unharmed. Two more of these beasts follow, and after Heb (Dalinar) fights them off, Heb takes his wife and daughter and flees from the house, only to run into other Midnight Essences. When he and his family think all is lost, two Knights Radiant come. One immediately begins to fight the beasts while the second uses "Regrowth" to heal Heb and his family before joining her companion in fighting the Midnight Essences. Feeling good again after the healing, Heb joins the fight and the three of them fight off the Midnight Essences. The male Knight Radiant, [[Harkaylain]], asks Heb about his strange fighting stances and invites him to come to [[Urithiru]], where the Knights Radiant are centered: because everybody who could fight is needed.{{book ref|sa1|19}}
  
   
  +
He revisits this vision when meeting with Queen [[Fen Rnamdi]], and he instructs the [[Stormfather]] to let Fen experience it as he did so that they can discuss it after.{{book ref|sa3|34}}{{expand}}
−
Dalinar mentions that this is his twelfth vision.
  
   
−
; A Highway to the Sun
 +
=== A Highway to the Sun ===
−
Dalinar is in the role of a soldier (named Leef) at [[Feverstone Keep]], and there witnesses when the Orders of the Windrunners and the Stonewards abandoning their [[Shardplate]] and [[Shardblade]]s, and leave the people. Though Dalinar tries to get an explanation for their abandonment from the leaving former Knights Radiant, he gets none. The voice tells him that "this event will go down in history" and Dalinar assumes that he just saw the [[Day of Recreance]].{{book ref|sa1|52}}
 +
Dalinar was in the role of a soldier named [[Leef]], at a fortress called [[Feverstone Keep]]. He witnessed the Orders of the [[Windrunners]] and the [[Stonewards]] abandoning their [[Shardplate]] and [[Shardblade]]s, forsaking their duty to the people of Roshar. Though Dalinar tried to get an explanation for their abandonment from the leaving former Knights Radiant, he received none. The voice told him that "this event will go down in history" and Dalinar assumed that he just saw the [[Day of Recreance]].{{book ref|sa1|52}}
   
  +
Dalinar revisits the keep when meeting [[Yanagawn]] and showing [[Navani]] and [[Jasnah]] the vision.{{book ref|sa3|56}} After the conversation with Gawx, Dalinar is returned to the vision to first meet [[Odium]]'s golden avatar, and then [[Lift]] appears.{{book ref|sa3|57}}{{expand}}
⚫
; That Which We Cannot Have
  
⚫
In this vision Dalinar is shown the aftermath of a Desolation. His role is as a man named Karm, an advisor to a king, probably [[Nohadon]] himself. This king wavers over what to do with the [[Surgebinding|Surgebinders]], and how they could be made to act more honorably. Though this king is younger than Dalinar had imagined Nohadon to be, and refused the idea of writing a book as absurd, Dalinar is sure that he was right about him being Nohadon. Eventually this man decides to unite the people so that they can stand better against future Desolations.{{book ref|sa1|60}}
  
   
  ⚫
=== That Which We Cannot Have ===
⚫
; In the Top Room
  
  ⚫
In this vision Dalinar was shown the aftermath of a Desolation. His role was as a man named [[Karm]], an adviser to a king, probably [[Nohadon]] himself. Nohadon was saddened over the vast destruction caused by a recent [[Desolation]], noting that the kingdoms of [[Tarma]] and [[Eiliz]] were likely to fall from the loss of population; Dalinar concurred, realizing he's never heard of either. The king also wavered over what to do with the [[Surgebinding|Surgebinders]], and how they could be made to act more honorably. Though this king was younger than Dalinar had imagined Nohadon to be, and refused the idea of writing a book as absurd, Dalinar was sure that he was right about him being Nohadon. The king mentioned that all of his scribes were killed after [[Yelig-nar]] broke into his chancery. Eventually this man decided to unite the people so that they could stand better against future Desolations.{{book ref|sa1|60}}
⚫
This is the last vision recorded in [[The Way of Kings]]. Dalinar finds himself in a place that he recognizes as the place of his very first vision. A man stands beside him, showing him what might happen in the future—though the man admits that [[Cultivation]] is better in seeing the future than he. Then, finally, Dalinar realizes that this voice, this man, has never actually heard him, explaining why he never answered Dalinar's questions.
 
−
This man then tells Dalinar that he is God, the Almighty and that [[Odium]] has killed him.{{book ref|sa1|75}}
  
   
  +
Dalinar was going to revisit this vision when the Stormfather tells him he can share the visions with anyone.{{book ref|sa3|28}} He intentionally revisits to meet with [[Venli]] until the vision is destroyed by [[Odium]].{{book ref|sa3|109}}{{expand}}
−
; The Lake Fortress
  
   
  ⚫
=== In the Top Room ===
⚫
In [[Words of Radiance]], Dalinar has a vision in which he sees himself as a soldier, marching with several other soldiers through a shallow body of water that he believes to be the [[Purelake]]. They're heading towards a massive fortress, which is not known to exist in the Purelake in modern times, when an evil spren animates a massive piece of stone, which rips itself free of the lakebed to attack them: a [[Thunderclast]].
  
  ⚫
This is the first vision that Dalinar experienced, but he later has trouble remembering it. He later sees it again after the [[Battle of the Tower]]. In this vision, a man stands beside Dalinar, showing him what might happen in the future, though the man admits that [[Cultivation]] is better at seeing the future than he. Then, finally, Dalinar realized that this voice, this man, has never actually heard him, explaining why he never answered Dalinar's questions. This man told Dalinar that he is the Almighty and that [[Odium]] had killed him.{{book ref|sa1|75}}
   
−
== Oddities during the visions ==
+
=== Taker of Secrets ===
  +
{{for|Sja-anat|the [[Unmade]] known as "Taker of Secrets"}}
−
Though Dalinar feels the visions as real, he always remembers who he really is. His actions and thoughts are his own, though he can interact with his environment.
 
  ⚫
After the Battle of the Tower, Dalinar had a vision in which he saw himself as a soldier, marching with several other soldiers through a shallow body of water that he believed to be the [[Purelake]]. They were heading towards a massive fortress, which was not known to exist in the Purelake in modern times, and looking for a spren acting unusual. They mention that [[Sja-anat]] made spren act odd. Dalinar saw a spren with red eyes, followed shortly by another, larger spren which animated a massive piece of stone, which ripped itself free of the lakebed to attack them. The soldiers mentioned that the beast was a [[Thunderclast]].{{book ref|sa2|4}}{{expand}}
   
  +
=== Broken People ===
−
Dalinar cannot summon his Shardblade in a vision.
  
  +
Dalinar first had this vision back when he thought the visions were simple nightmares. After sending Queen [[Fen Rnamdi|Fen]] into the starfalls vision, Dalinar returns to this vision. He fights a ragged group of enemy soldiers and after the battle ends he meets a [[Stoneward]] and sees him use the Surge of [[Cohesion]] before pulling [[Navani]] and [[Jasnah]] into the vision, and the Stormfather confirms that it is a vision of the [[Last Desolation]].{{book ref|sa3|38}} Later, on her request, Dalinar sends Queen Fen into this vision alone before she decided whether to visit Urithiru.{{book ref|sa3|50}} {{expand}}
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
Line 42: Line 66:
 
{{partial}}
  
{{partial}}
 
{{Stormlight}}
  
{{Stormlight}}
−
[[category: Events and Eras]]
 +
[[category: possessive articles]]
  +
[[es:Visiones de Dalinar]]

Latest revision as of 03:45, 16 August 2023

Dalinar's visions
Choose a Side.jpg
by AnnDR
Related to Stormfather, Honor, Order of Bondsmiths
World of Origin Roshar
Universe Cosmere
This page or section needs to be updated with new information for Oathbringer!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

Dalinar's visions were short episodes Dalinar, and previously Gavilar,[1][2] experienced during highstorms.

Highstorms and visions[edit]

After he began listening to readings from The Way of Kings Dalinar began experiencing strange episodes during each highstorm. As each stormwall hit, Dalinar suddenly felt as though he had been transported to another place. The people he interacted with did not see him, but someone else in his place. The visions felt real to him, as he could feel pain. The visions often depicted places he had never been to, nor heard of, or were places he knew that were referred to by ancient names. He also saw the fabled Knights Radiant alive and in action. He surmised that the visions were from previous Desolations during the Shadowdays.[3] Dalinar could not summon his Shardblade in a vision.

At first, Dalinar suffered these visions feeling he was going mad. Dalinar eventually volunteered to be tied to a chair, because he raved and thrashed about.[4] Watching him was unnerving, and Renarin told him that he spoke gibberish during the visions.[5] Though Dalinar thought that the visions might have been sent from the Almighty, he wavered and felt uncertain about them. He spoke to the ardents, but received no solution. Feeling he was losing his mind, Dalinar decided to abdicate his position as Highprince in favor of Adolin.[6] In an argument about this topic, Renarin suggested that they try to prove whether the visions were fabrications or contained any real references. They decided to ask Navani to document the visions.[5]

This decision led to the discovery by Navani that Dalinar did not speak gibberish during his visions. During the first vision she witnessed, he spoke the Dawnchant. They considered this proof that the visions were real. The Dawnchant was a real extinct language on Roshar, but there were no known translation keys for modern scholars to study it. Since Dalinar would have had no prior knowledge of the Dawnchant they came to the conclusion that his mind could not be fabricating the visions.[7] As a side effect, Navani was sure that this discovery would help to translate an old book called Analectics.

The Stormfather's Role[edit]

After settling in Urithiru, the Stormfather revealed that Dalinar is able to control and choose who experiences the visions. Dalinar was able to bring other people into the visions with him, and he used this ability to make initial contact with rulers to help build the alliance between the nations.[8] Each time he entered a vision it would play out a little differently. Once, Odium came to him in a vision. After this, they deemed the visions too dangerous to use and only went in another time to bring in Venli and try to make a pact with the Voidbringers. Odium interrupted this meeting, however.

The Stormfather imagined a place for Dalinar to discuss plans with him. The sky is deep black and the ground endless white stone. Items and even people made of smoke rise from the floor and slowly dissipate. This place represents how the Stormfather imagines cognitive ideas dying when no longer in use by cognitive beings.[9]

The visions predicate[edit]

All of the visions shared the challenge given by an unknown voice:

“You must unite them, the strange, booming words had told him. You must prepare. Build of your people a fortress of strength and peace, a wall to resist the winds. Cease squabbling and unite. The Everstorm comes. ”

—Dalinar's memory from one of the visions[10]

From the visions shared statement Dalinar drew the conclusion that he had to unite Alethkar's highprinces because only then would mankind have a chance to withstand the coming events. The visions led Dalinar to the decision to attempt to refound the Knights Radiant.

Mentioned and recorded visions[edit]

Starfalls[edit]

“This is important. Do not let strife consume you. Be strong. Act with honor, and honor will aid you. ”

—The Almighty at the end of the Starfalls vision[9]

During this vision Dalinar found himself in the role of a man, Heb, who lived with his wife and daughter, presumably during the advent of a Desolation in the year 337 of the Eighth Epoch. Heb and his daughter were attacked by Midnight Essences, but managed to reach Heb's house unharmed. Two more of these beasts followed, and after Heb (Dalinar) fought them off with a metal fire poker, Heb took his wife and daughter and fled from the house. A short time later they were surrounded by Midnight Essences. When he and his family thought all was lost, two Knights Radiant arrived. One, a Windrunner, immediately began to fight the beasts, while the second, a Stoneward used a Regrowth fabrial to heal Heb and his family before joining her companion in fighting the Midnight Essences. Feeling good again after the healing, Heb joined the fight, and the three of them fought off the Midnight Essences. The male Knight Radiant asked Heb about his strange fighting stances and invited him to come to Urithiru, where the Knights Radiant were centered, because everybody who could fight was needed.[3] Dalinar asks questions of the female Knight Radiant as well.

This was Dalinar's twelfth vision.[3]

He revisits this vision when meeting with Queen Fen Rnamdi, and he instructs the Stormfather to let Fen experience it as he did so that they can discuss it after.[9][expand]

A Highway to the Sun[edit]

Dalinar was in the role of a soldier named Leef, at a fortress called Feverstone Keep. He witnessed the Orders of the Windrunners and the Stonewards abandoning their Shardplate and Shardblades, forsaking their duty to the people of Roshar. Though Dalinar tried to get an explanation for their abandonment from the leaving former Knights Radiant, he received none. The voice told him that "this event will go down in history" and Dalinar assumed that he just saw the Day of Recreance.[5]

Dalinar revisits the keep when meeting Yanagawn and showing Navani and Jasnah the vision.[11] After the conversation with Gawx, Dalinar is returned to the vision to first meet Odium's golden avatar, and then Lift appears.[12][expand]

That Which We Cannot Have[edit]

In this vision Dalinar was shown the aftermath of a Desolation. His role was as a man named Karm, an adviser to a king, probably Nohadon himself. Nohadon was saddened over the vast destruction caused by a recent Desolation, noting that the kingdoms of Tarma and Eiliz were likely to fall from the loss of population; Dalinar concurred, realizing he's never heard of either. The king also wavered over what to do with the Surgebinders, and how they could be made to act more honorably. Though this king was younger than Dalinar had imagined Nohadon to be, and refused the idea of writing a book as absurd, Dalinar was sure that he was right about him being Nohadon. The king mentioned that all of his scribes were killed after Yelig-nar broke into his chancery. Eventually this man decided to unite the people so that they could stand better against future Desolations.[7]

Dalinar was going to revisit this vision when the Stormfather tells him he can share the visions with anyone.[8] He intentionally revisits to meet with Venli until the vision is destroyed by Odium.[13][expand]

In the Top Room[edit]

This is the first vision that Dalinar experienced, but he later has trouble remembering it. He later sees it again after the Battle of the Tower. In this vision, a man stands beside Dalinar, showing him what might happen in the future, though the man admits that Cultivation is better at seeing the future than he. Then, finally, Dalinar realized that this voice, this man, has never actually heard him, explaining why he never answered Dalinar's questions. This man told Dalinar that he is the Almighty and that Odium had killed him.[14]

Taker of Secrets[edit]

For the Unmade known as "Taker of Secrets", see Sja-anat.

After the Battle of the Tower, Dalinar had a vision in which he saw himself as a soldier, marching with several other soldiers through a shallow body of water that he believed to be the Purelake. They were heading towards a massive fortress, which was not known to exist in the Purelake in modern times, and looking for a spren acting unusual. They mention that Sja-anat made spren act odd. Dalinar saw a spren with red eyes, followed shortly by another, larger spren which animated a massive piece of stone, which ripped itself free of the lakebed to attack them. The soldiers mentioned that the beast was a Thunderclast.[15][expand]

Broken People[edit]

Dalinar first had this vision back when he thought the visions were simple nightmares. After sending Queen Fen into the starfalls vision, Dalinar returns to this vision. He fights a ragged group of enemy soldiers and after the battle ends he meets a Stoneward and sees him use the Surge of Cohesion before pulling Navani and Jasnah into the vision, and the Stormfather confirms that it is a vision of the Last Desolation.[16] Later, on her request, Dalinar sends Queen Fen into this vision alone before she decided whether to visit Urithiru.[17] [expand]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ Leipzig Book Fair
    — Arcanum - 2017-03-24#
  2. ↑ Words of Radiance interlude I-14#
  3. ↑ a b c The Way of Kings chapter 19#
  4. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 18#
  5. ↑ a b c The Way of Kings chapter 52#
  6. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 28#
  7. ↑ a b The Way of Kings chapter 60#
  8. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 28#
  9. ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 34#
  10. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 12#
  11. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 56#
  12. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 57#
  13. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 109#
  14. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 75#
  15. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 4#
  16. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 38#
  17. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 50#
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