Difference between revisions of "Dalinar Kholin"

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

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}}

As an extension of this, like his brother, he has a tendency to treat people, even those he loves, like tools.{{wob ref|12619}} He tends to believe that he knows what is best for people, and through this, can get rather commanding and controlling. An example of this controlling nature can be seen in how he forces Kaladin to retire as a soldier as he felt that it was best for him given his increasing trauma, refusing to take no for an answer.{{book ref|sa4|10}} Or in how he demanded that Renarin not take part in fighting off a [[chasmfiend]] when a hunt went wrong, and was driven to a screaming fury when he refused.{{book ref|sa1|13}} It can also be seen in how he believes that some people, such as various Alethi Highprinces, need to be forced into doing what is right, that they cannot be trusted to make their own decisions.{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{book ref|sa4|50}}

Dalinar is the head of the Kholin household, and as such holds authority over all other members of his family. His nephew, [[Elhokar]], isand anElhokar’s exceptionson [[Gavinor]] are exceptions, 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]] and [[Renarin]], his sister-in-law-turned-wife [[Navani]], and his niece [[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.

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.

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}}