Difference between revisions of "Dalinar Kholin"

|children=[[Adolin]], [[Renarin]], [[Shallan Davar]] (Daughter-in-law)

|relatives=[[Jasnah]], [[Elhokar]], [[Gavinor]], [[Kaves]], [[House Davar]]

|booksfirst appeared=[[The StormlightWay of ArchiveKings]]

'''Dalinar Kholin''', also known as the '''Blackthorn''', is an [[Alethi]] member of the [[Order of Bondsmiths]], bonded to the [[Stormfather]]. He is the King of [[Urithiru]] and the de facto leader of the reformed [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa2|89}}. He is the younger brother of [[Gavilar Kholin]], and uncle of [[Elhokar Kholin|Elhokar]] and the current Queen of Alethkar, [[Jasnah Kholin]]. He is currently married to Brightness [[Navani Kholin]], Gavilar's widow. He has two sons, [[Adolin Kholin|Adolin]] and [[Renarin Kholin|Renarin]], from [[Evi]], his first wife. Before he renounced the title, letting Adolin take over in his place, Dalinar was the [[highprince]] of the [[Kholin princedom]].

Dalinar is an aging, but powerfully-built man in his fifties, with a warrior's face which he keeps clean-shaven.{{book ref|sa3|107}} He has black hair that is gray in the temples, and blue eyes.{{book ref|sa1|12}} He is often described as the opposite of handsome, with numerous bruises and an "unfortunate" face. His nose was broken at some point during his youth, and it has been crooked ever since.{{book ref|sa2|38}} He has numerous old scars on his chest and arms, a remnant of hundreds of battles fought, to the extent where doctors are worried about his ability to use his sword arm.{{book ref|sa2|83}} When he ownsacquired Shardplate, he chooseschose to wearleave it asunpainted, anwhich unpaintedgave it a slate grey color,. withoutHe also removed any unnecessary decoration or adornment from his plate.{{book ref|sa1|12}} He wears a sapphire signet ring with his house's glyphpair on it.{{book ref|sa1|26}}

In the present day, Dalinar Kholin is a man defined by duty, striving to act in an honorable and righteous manner.{{book ref|sa3|122}} He is, however, keenly aware of his own failings in this regard, and his tendency towards the extreme. He seeks out causes that he can believe in and which he can dedicate himself to, such as the [[Alethi Codes of War]] or ''[[The Way of Kings (in-world)|The Way of Kings]]''.{{book ref|sa1|64}} He considers the latter in particular to be a particularly important part of his current self, as it was the book that began to heal him following his brother's death, and it's is this book he constantly refers to for advice.{{book ref|sa3|105}}{{book ref|sa3|115}}

Dalinar considers himself wholly a soldier and general with no talent for back-room politicking.{{book ref|sa1|69}} He also does not believe himself to be an intelligent man, and openly admits to his own foolishness.{{epigraph ref|sa3|24}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|30}} He is unflinchingly honest and straightforward, preferring to speak plainly rather than engage in any delicate diplomatic dance.{{book ref|sa3|12}} He has a bad habit of trusting people, such as [[Torol Sadeas]] and [[Amaram]], based on prior association, to the point of ignoring even the most obvious alarm signs.{{book ref|sa3|69}}{{book ref|sa3|58}}

Dalinar cares little for social propriety, considering the opinions of others to be wholly irrelevant to himself so long as they don't actually impede his actions.{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{book ref|sa3|67}} He doesn'tFurthermore, however,he dealbegan wellto withcompletely notshirk beingthe ingender control;norms of society as he findsgrew, learning how to read and write; and defending Renarin from mockery for his own failure to live up to the ideanorms expected of eventshim, importantand giving him solidarity.{{book ref|sa3|122}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|4}}{{book ref|sa3|44}} He also was, after a while, comfortable with marrying Navani due to their mutual love, despite what Vorin tradition dictated about marrying one's brother's widow.{{cite}} He is fully aware that people see him beingas impossiblea godless heretic for himthis, toamong influenceother distressingthings, but doesn't care and hassticks aby badhis habitchoices ofand goingbeliefs. overHe regularis chainalso aware of commandhow tohis claimbreaking powerof forthe himselfrules enforced upon him by the system makes people feel threatened, but he continues regardless.{{bookepigraph ref|sa3|651}}{{bookepigraph ref|sa3|43}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|27}}

In his younger years, Dalinar Kholin has been considered one of the greatest warriors of the modern world, and though in the present day his reputation has faded somewhat, he is still incredibly dangerous.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Throughout his life, Dalinar has seen every aspect of war, from open-field combat to logistics and sieges.{{book ref|sa3|3}}{{book ref|sa3|11}} His only blank spot appears to be naval combat, as though they are not land-lockedlandlocked, the [[Alethi]] do not typically war on sea.{{book ref|sa3|107}}

Dalinar is the head of the Kholin household, and as such holds authority over all other members of his family. His nephew, [[Elhokar Kholin]], isand Elhokar’s son [[Gavinor]] anare exceptionexceptions, as Elhokarthey isare in the royal line and thus above and outside Dalinar's authority. The Kholin family is made up of his sons [[Adolin Kholin|Adolin]] and [[Renarin Kholin|Renarin]], his sister-in-law-turned-wife [[Navani Kholin|Navani]], and his niece [[Jasnah Kholin|Jasnah]]. Besides these members Dalinar has a large extended family, but it is unknown how much authority he has over them.{{book ref|SA3|67}} As the Kholin highprince, Dalinar owns all of the land belonging to the Kholinhis princedom.

Like all Surgebinders, Dalinar can draw or breathe in [[Stormlight]], which gives him superhuman strength, speed, and healing capabilities. As a [[Bondsmith]], Dalinar can bind inanimate objects, allowing him to restore broken things from pieces to their original shape. The ability seems to manifest as Dalinar hearing the broken pieces talk to him, though it's uncertain whether this happens every time.{{book ref|sa3|59}}

Dalinar was born in about {{Rosharan date|1120}},{{wob ref|5569}}, the second son to the Kholin princedom in Alethkar. His mother died when he was young and he was primarily raised by a parshman nurse.{{wob ref|11297}}{{book ref|sa1|26}} Dalinar got along better with his grandparents than his father, who died at some point prior to 1141.{{wob ref|15942}} In his youth, Dalinar deeply respected his elder brother [[Gavilar Kholin|Gavilar]], and although envious of him at times,{{book ref|sa1|18}} he followsfollowed his brother into a war to unite Alethkar under the Kholin banner. Dalinar tried women’s food as a boy, but he found it distastefully sweet. Sometime during his youth, Dalinar visited [[Sela Tales]] and the [[Purelake]].{{book ref|sa1|22}}

In his youth, Dalinar had feelings for [[Navani]], but he realized that Gavilar was also interested in her. For Gavilar's sake, he stepsstepped aside. Later, Navani admitted to having an interest in Dalinar during this time, but since Gavilar was the one who chased her, she chose to accept his proposal.

AfterThe fiveday morebefore Dalinar’s wedding Sadeas organised a feast in his name, Dalinar would remember this feast with fondness.{{book ref|sa2|2}} Sometime later, five years after his fight with Kalanor, the war had officially ended, butalthough the fighting hadn't.didn’t, and Evi wasgot pregnant with their first child,. butEven though the couple loved eachother, their relationship was strained by Dalinar's willingness to kill and Evi's horror at it. Gavilar received a demand from [[Rathalas]], telling Dalinar to return the Blade to their heir. Though Gavilar was upset that Dalinar didn't deal with the Tanalan heir, Evi was happy to find out that Dalinar had spared the Tanalan boy so many years ago. Dalinar was happy both to have pleased Evi and also at the news of a Rift rebellion, for if they were going to rebel, he would have the opportunity to fight.{{book ref|sa3|36}}

The Thrill didn't let Dalinar sleep until the assault on the city of Rathalas. A group of messengers from the city came out with a flag of truce, but Dalinar ordered them shot dead before they cancould approach the camp. Dalinar ordered the attack to take place at night. With the oil that he had ordered Soulcast, Dalinar, Sadeas, and their combined forces began to burn Rathalas. Only when much of the Rift is up in flames did Dalinar order his forces in. All the while Dalinar made a genuine attempt to hold the Thrill at bay, knowing that enjoying this act of revenge would take away the last sliver of decency he had left.

A year later, in {{rosharan date/sa|year=1167}}, the Parshendi signed a formal treaty with Alethkar in the Alethi capital of [[Kholinar]]. Within hours of signing the treaty, the Parshendi sent [[Szeth]], the Assassin in White, to assassinate Gavilar. While the Alethi king was assassinated in the middle of the feast, Dalinar was in a drunken stupor, completely unaware and unable to help.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}{{book ref|sa1|15}} Even after this time, Dalinar was still struggling with his alcoholism, though he hadn't lost his temper with his sons since the time that Renarin reached out.{{book ref|sa3|105}} He would go to great lengths to find alcohol despite the best efforts of those around him.{{book ref|sa4|prologue}} Gavilar's last words were written beside his body, addressed to Dalinar, saying that he must find the most important words a man can say. Dalinar recognized the quote from ''The Way of Kings''.{{book ref|sa3|105}}

At Gavilar's funeral, Elhokar swore revenge against the Parshendi on behalf of all the Alethi. Dalinar was pleased that this could be something to unite the Alethi people in spirit, finally. While he told Adolin to go swear the Vengeance Pact on behalf of the Kholin house, he wandered off to drink. He was on his way when he heard the words from ''The Way of Kings'' in the hallways. When he followed the voice, he found his niece [[Jasnah]] reading the book. Though he was still desperate for a drink, he sat down and requested that she continue. She read the book to him, start to finish. When she finished, she and Dalinar embraced, and she left.{{book ref|sa3|105}}

Adolin found Dalinar the moment after, to ask about the Kholin forces that they will send to the Shattered Plains. Dalinar decided then and there that he needed to be a better man. He told Adolin that he had been a poor father, but that he was so proud of his sons. Dalinar created a plan so that he could leave for the Shattered Plains separate from the other forces, and that a delay would not be considered unusual by anyone else.{{book ref|sa3|105}}

|1=<span{{small style='font-variant: small-caps'>|In doing this, I provide for him a weapon. Dangerous, very dangerous. Yet, all things must be cultivated. What I take from you will grow back eventually. This is part of the cost.

That includes the thorns.</span>}}

==== Dalinar Reaches Out ====

He suggested to Elhokar that they withdraw from the Shattered Plains. Like Adolin, Elhokar was horrified at the suggestion and was alarmed at what his uncle was thinking. Dalinar changed tactic, stating that they had lingered on the Plains for far too long and that they needed a new strategy to defeat the Parshendi. He asked Elhokar to make him the [[Highprince of War]] so he might have the power to enforce changes in the other warcamps. Elhokar refused to give him the title unless Dalinar could prove that it was possible for the Highprinces to productively work together.{{book ref|sa1|18}}

Adolin told Dalinar that the girth strap on Elhokar's saddle was cut after all, but it wasn't clear whether it was an accident or not. They decided that Elhokar was being paranoid but they know they couldn't rule out his suspicions. Dalinar had a fit in front of his men for the first time, one where he met a pair of Knights Radiant, but refused to be ashamed. He claimed it was good for his men to actually see it for themselves instead of believing rumors. Almost right after this, Elhokar publicly announced that there was a plot on his life, and that based on the evidence of the cut girth strap, he was naming Sadeas to be the [[Highprince of Information]] to investigate the assassins. This allowed Sadeas as much power as Dalinar would have had as Highprince of War; it was a direct snub by Elhokar for refusing to take the attempt on his life seriously.{{book ref|sa1|22}}

Later he found out that eight of the Highprinces have refused to go on a joint assault with him, leaving him only Sadeas to partner with. Dalinar was disturbed by his failure in this, and at the changes in himself. He confided his feelings in [[Navani]], who had recently arrived at the Plains, and confessed that he was going to abdicate to Adolin. She disagreed and encouraged him to stay the course.{{book ref|sa1|28}}

Dalinar and Sadeas set out on their joint expedition. They used Sadeas' method of crossing chasms, a point of contention between them because Dalinar thought they wasted too many lives. When they started fighting the Parshendi on a distant plateau, Sadeas pulled his troops and bridges out, leaving Dalinar, Adolin, and the whole Kholin army surrounded by the Parshendi, stranded with no way out. Adolin yelled that he had told Dalinar not to trust Sadeas and Dalinar agreed. They were fighting a losing battle, waiting until they died. Dalinar squared off against the Parshendi Shardbearer, but he was losing.

[[Szeth]] came after Dalinar on the night of another highstorm. Dalinar, Adolin, and Kaladin went to fight him, but Szeth handled them with ease. Dalinar shouted that he would never let Szeth take Elhokar's life, but Szeth said he was here to kill Dalinar. Szeth swung his Blade down and Dalinar caught it in his hands, a maneuver known as the [[lastclap]], giving Kaladin enough time to tackle Szeth out of the palace.{{book ref|sa2|32}}

Dalinar visited Kaladin in prison, letting him know Elhokar would release him soon. He explained some of Elhokar's actions, including that of exiling [[Roshone|Brightlord [[Roshone]] - not aware that Roshone was responsible for the death of Kaladin's brother, [[Tien]]. Dalinar told Kaladin that though his feelings were not misplaced, the only way he was going to change things was by being a leader beyond reproach.{{book ref|sa2|62}}

Dalinar received word that Shallan found the entrance to Urithiru and ordered all troops to evacuate there immediately.{{book ref|sa2|85}} Before he could follow, Szeth appeared. Dalinar tried to convince Szeth to leave but quickly realized that Szeth was not in his right mind. They began fighting, but as before, Szeth was too much for him. Roion tried to help Dalinar but was quickly killed. Szeth used the [[Surge]] of [[Gravitation]] to send Dalinar shooting up into the sky, ensuring his death by letting him fall from a great height. Dalinar was rescued from this fall at the last second by Kaladin, who used his new powers as a [[Windrunner]] to lower Dalinar safely back to the ground.{{book ref|sa2|85}}{{book ref|sa2|86}} Dalinar knew that Kaladin was what he has been looking for all this time.

He went back to Kaladin, Shallan, and Renarin, the other Radiants that he knew of. He warned them that the Everstorm was coming, and that it would change the [[parshmen]] into those red-eyed Parshendi they knew were [[Voidbringers]]. His task nowwas isthen to try and save as many people as possible for when that happenshappened.{{book ref|sa2|89}}

{{image|FirstTrue KissLove by MarieArtur SeebergerMosca.jpg|side=right|width=250px|Dalinar andmarrying [[Navani]]'s firstin kissfront of the [[Stormfather]]}}

Dalinar wanted to spar to work through these plans, but no ardent was willing to spar with him. Dalinar’s ardents were being pushed to a decision between loyalty to the Almighty, or to Dalinar the known heretic. Instead of one of his ardents, Dalinar ordered [[Aratin]], one of [[General Khal]]’s sons, to spar with him in a wrestling match, which he lost. As the match finished, Navani arrived with word that the [[Iri]]ali queen wanted to speak earlier than scheduled.{{book ref|sa3|2416}}

|Dalinar remembering Evi.{{book ref|sa3|24}}

Afterward, having retired to a smaller room with Navani, Taravangian, and some others, they received Azir's response to his plea which Teshav read aloud. The Azish said that they had decided to seal off the Oathgate until they could destroy it. They explained that a magical portal into the middle of their city was too large a danger to allow to stand. They said that they would maintain trade relations with Alethkar but asked that Dalinar stop asking them to open the Oathgate.{{book ref|sa3|28}}

When he found [[Ialai Sadeas|Ialai]] in her chambers, with Amaram at her side, he set the blade on the floor and turned to leave. Ialai expressed her surprise that he was giving it to her unconditionally and Dalinar, wearily, told her that he was not the one who had killed her husband. Afterward, Amaram lectured Dalinar, calling him a hypocrite, and Dalinar stormed off to his chambers. When he reached his outer common room he found Taravangian sitting by the [[heatrial]] that Navani had installed there. The two of them sat together in silence for a while as Dalinar contemplated his failure to assemble a coalition. Taravangian broke the silence and they discussed the nature and origin of morality. Dalinar brought up the story of the [[The_Way_of_Kings_The Way of Kings (in-world)#Hogman.27s_murder's murder|Hogman's Murder]] from ''the Way of Kings'' and they discussed what they would have done if they had been the judge in the story. Taravangian said that he would kill all four men as that would be the best for society, but Dalinar did not think it was so clear cut.{{book ref|sa3|28}}

Several days later, during the next highstorm, Dalinar had the Stormfather bring Fen into a vision with him. He chose the [[Dalinar's visions#Starfalls|Starfalls vision]] so she could see the Knights Radiant first-hand in their former glory. He had the Stormfather insert Fen into the story in the place of [[Heb]], whose role Dalinar had played in his first run-through of the vision, and he took the place of the female Knight who came to help the villagers. Dalinar entered the vision flying through the air having been Lashed there by his Windrunner companion. Before they reached the village Dalinar tried to question the other Knight about the nature of Shardplate but was unsuccessful. When he reached the ground, he retraced his footsteps and found Fen in the center of the village leading an organized resistance against the [[Midnight Essence]]. She recognized Dalinar and the Stormfather slowed the vision for them so they could talk.{{book ref|sa3|34}}

Dalinar, thinking strategically, tried to get Odium to divulge his plans. Dalinar asked Odium why he could not just leave them Roshar alone and leavedepart Roshar. Odium asked him if he was serious and [[Intention|Intended]] to truly release him from his bonds and set him free. He told Dalinar that if that were to happen he would begin by killing [[Cultivation]] and destroying the remnants of Honor, after which he would significantly alter their realm. Dalinar asked Odium if he would accept a challenge of champions, but Odium declined, saying that he did not need to take the risk since he knew that Dalinar would free him. Dalinar told Odium that now that he had seen him, he was no longer afraid of him. Odium smiled and let Dalinar glimpse a fraction of what he truly was. After it ended Dalinar found himself lying on the ground, completely overwhelmed, with Odium standing over him. It was then that Dalinar realized that the man he was speaking to was a mere mask of Odium's true infinite being. He knew that if Odium's true power were to be unleashed upon Roshar the entire planet would be destroyed in an instant. Odium sensed something nearby and told Dalinar that they would meet again. After Odium left Lift appeared and told Dalinar that she would convince Gawx to go to Urithiru.{{book ref|sa3|57}}

|Dalinar to [[Kdralk]] after stabbing him in his chest.{{book ref|sa3|59}}

Fen excused herself, saying that she had to meet with her council. While Dalinar waited, he decided to provoke a fight to show that he did not intend to conquer the city. He started asking [[Kdralk]] questions about the city's defenses, triggering the lad's ire. Dalinar asked him to fight him in a duel with longswords and alternating advantage with Kdralk going first. Dalinar dodged the boy's sword for the duration of the fight until he allowed him to strike him in the chest. Dalinar pulled out the sword and let his Stormlight heal him. The boy told Dalinar that it was his turn to take the sword, but Dalinar declined to fight him, saying that he had already been bloodied. He told Kdralk that if he had been trying to conquer his city he would not be walking around exchanging pleasantries, he would bring an army. To Dalinar's surprise he suddenly felt a rush of shame. He realized that this bullying method of getting his way was the way of the Blackthorn, not the Bondsmith. He walked away to be alone with his thoughts, leaving behind an awed crowd. As he was walking, he heard a voice in his head, the same one he heard in his visions that always told him "''Unite Them''". He soon realized that this was different,; he was hearing hundreds of voices speaking to him together. He realized that he was hearing the spren of the shattered temple and its desire to be whole again. He started gathering the stones of the temple and usingused his Surgebinding to fuse them back together.{{book ref|sa3|59}}

After Dalinar had finished fixing the front wall of the temple, he asked a nearby scribe to write to Urithiru telling Renarin to come. By the time Fen had returned, Kdralk and the other soldiers had started gathering the broken stones so Dalinar could fuse them back together, and healed people were streaming out of the field hospital. Dalinar explained to her that they needed her help since if they were alone, they could not win. He told Fen that he needed her strengths to complement his own. Dalinar convinced her to join him and his coalition in Urithiru, and she gave him advice on how he could convince the Azish to join his side.{{book ref|sa3|59}}

Dalinar decided to give Jezrien's Honorblade, which he had hidden away, to Bridge Four so they could practice their Surgebinding while their captain was away. While he was retrieving it, he had a conversation with the Stormfather about the Heralds and their current situations. The Stormfather told Dalinar that he was not like an ordinary Bondsmith. He had the powers thatof Ishar, Binder of Gods, before he became the Herald of Luck. He told Dalinar that there were only three Bondsmith spren but did not say who they were. Dalinar then took the Blade to Bridge Four and gave it to them with instructions that they use it to continue their training.{{book ref|sa3|64}}

Dalinar then went to his rooms, where Navani and Fen prepared him for his visit to Azimir. Fen gave him a packet of papers which she, Navani, and Jasnah had written as well as a spanreed to communicate with the tower, and Navani handed him a box containing his lunch. As he was walking to the Oathgate, he used [[Adhesion]] to break up a fight between some of Sadeas' and Aladar's soldiers. Dalinar realized that Sadeas's soldiers were getting worse and resolved to come up with a solution to their continued disobedience and brawling. He decided that as a temporary measure he could have them work in Thaylen City repairing the damage the Everstorm had wrought to keep them busy and out of trouble. Jasnah then transported him through the Oathgate, which Lift had unlocked for him, to Azimir.{{book ref|sa3|64}}

|Odium speaking to Dalinar as he tried to escape the Thrill.{{book ref|sa3|100}}{{disputed|It is not clear who exactly was speaking to Dalinar}}

Odium stumbled back in surprise as he heard what Dalinar had said. Dalinar shouted at Odium that ''he'' had been the one to kill the people of Rathalas, not Odium. He said that while Odium had been there with him it had been ''his'' choice that caused Evi to die. He said that he accepted responsibility for what he had done and that Odium could not take it away from him. As Dalinar shouted at Odium he noticed that gloryspren were gathering around him and circling him in the air. Odium asked Dalinar what he hoped to gain by doing this. Dalinar replied that if he pretended that he had not done the things he had done it would mean that he could not grow to become a better person. Dalinar felt a familiar warm calming litelight within him and he heard the words ''Unite Them'' echoing in his head. Dalinar said that a journey cannot be a journey if it does not have a beginning. A thunderclap sounded in his head and he felt the Stormfather return to him, surprised and frightened by what was happening. Dalinar then swore the Third [[Immortal Words|Ideal]] of the [[Bondsmith]]s:{{book ref|sa3|119}}

After Adolin and Shallan's wedding, Dalinar returned to his rooms to continue writing his book. As had become usual, now that [[Bridge Thirteen]] had become Teft's [[squire]]s, Szeth sat outside Dalinar's door acting as his bodyguard. Oathbringer, his former Shardblade, hung on the wall in front of him after [[Rock]] had given it to him as repayment. Dalinar sat at his desk writing his book until Navani came in and gave him some help with his pronouns. Dalinar reflected that the men of Vorinism had gotten the worse deal when they had given the arts of scholarship to women and kept the arts of war and fighting for themselves instead. Navani asked him what the ardents thought about him having learned to read and Dalinar told her that since he was already excommunicated there was nothing else they could do to him. She told him that they might leave him, but Dalinar disagreed and told her that he thought that Kadash might start to change his mind. He told her that Kadash had been reading through old theological texts trying to find justification for modern Vorinism and, while he might not want to believe it, eventually he would have to admit that Dalinar had been right. Dalinar was happy to have entered a new world where he could read any book he wanted by himself and all of the possibilities it opened up for him. Dalinar looked up at the Shardblade hanging above him and wrote a title for his book of memoirs- [[Oathbringer (in-world)|Oathbringer, My Glory and My Shame]].{{book ref|sa3|122}}

==== The War Continues =(1175 - ) ===

Dalinar's relationship with his family is complicated. He idealizes his brother, and, as a younger man, was frequently willing to make sacrifices in Gavilar's favor. However, he also heavily envied him, mostly when it came to Gavilar's wife, [[Navani]], although such moments of envy were often accompanied by an intense sense of shame.{{book ref|sa3|26}} His own marriage was significantly worse, as he and [[Evi]] had little in common, and even after years together, Dalinar still pined for Navani.{{book ref|sa3|36}} While Dalinar did his duty in marrying Evi and fathering children with her, he could not make himself fall in love with her, which he somewhat regretted.{{book ref|sa3|26}} The cultural barrier between the two would lead to a number of misunderstandings, and while Dalinar sometimes let Evi have her way, he often did so out of frustration rather than genuine affection.{{book ref|sa3|66}}

Dalinar is one of Brandon's oldest characters. He appeared in Brandon's first book, written when he was fifteen; there, he was named '''Jared'''. Like Dalinar, Jared was a younger brother to a well-liked king who was eventually assassinated; unlike Dalinar, Jared takes over the reins of the kingdom and takes his time to mold his nephew into a proper ruler, as the proto-[[Elhokar]] character (alongside proto-[[Jasnah]]) is initially kidnapped by the same assassins.{{bws ref|its-here-2|It's Here|post|pre|date=2010-8-31}} While the story itself was canned, Brandon took Jared with him further, into ''[[Dragonsteel Prime|Dragonsteel]]'', where he participated in the [[Shattered Plains]] plot that would eventually be moved to ''[[The Stormlight Archive]]''.{{wob ref|8838}}

The next known incarnation of Dalinar is '''Dalenar''', in [[The Way of Kings Prime|''The Way of Kings'' Prime]]. Like Jared before him, Dalenar loses his older brother to assassins, although it seems he doesn't become the next king himself. Dalenar has three sons: Sheneres, Aredor (who would eventually become [[Adolin]]), and [[Renarin]], with Sheneres dying at the start of the book while trying to protect the king.{{book ref|wok'|1}} At the end of the ''Way of Kings'' Prime, Dalenar is forced to kill Elhokar for the greater good (after Elhokar had started a civil war and executed Aredor); Brandon eventually took that out, having decided that Dalenar trying to help his nephew would make the plot more interesting.{{wob ref|11552}}