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Difference between revisions of "Dalinar Kholin"
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He doesn't, however, deal well with not being in control; he finds the idea of events important to him being impossible for him to influence distressing, and has a bad habit of going over regular chain of command to claim power for himself.{{book ref|sa3|65}}{{book ref|sa3|4}}
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}}
His complete opposition to the concept of democracy is likely a reflection of this controlling nature of his, his distrust of other people to make the right decisions or get things done, and in his views on what the role of a leader is in society.{{wob ref|11298}}{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{book ref|sa4|50}} This nature of his can be found rooted in the Way of Kings, that which he uses as a foundation of his morality and worldview.{{book ref|sa1|12}}{{book ref|sa3|105}}{{book ref|sa3|115}} It teaches that a monarch, or any ruler, provides stability and strength to his people, that he and his orders are the firm foundation upon which society stands.{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{book ref|sa2|38}}
Another aspect of his controlling nature arises from his interpretation of his behavior as the Blackthorn to be rooted in a lack of control, which led him to try to overcompensate through always being in control. He does this as he fears returning to the person that he used to be.{{wob ref|11298}}▼
▲Another aspect of his controlling nature arises from his interpretation of his behavior as the Blackthorn
He follows the Alethi Codes of War with an ardent zeal, due to a variety of reasons; he does not believe that one gains from following the codes, but that it stops oneself from becoming that which they loathe; he also feels a deep guilt for not following them on the night of Gavilar's assassination, and blames his death on himself.{{book ref|sa1|66}} These codes have deeply influence the way that he leads, such as his belief that a leader should never order his followers to do anything that he would not himself do.{{book ref|sa1|65}} His belief in the inherent goodness of the Codes was enough that, once he became the Highprince of War, he attempted to enforce the Codes on all warcamps on the Shattered Plains.{{book ref|sa1|69}}
He deeply values human life, far more than anything else. This growing value of human life in his heart led to his taste for battle waning away, with his thirst being redirected into a love for [[greatshell]] hunts.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Due to this belief in the intrinsic value of human life, he traded Oathbringer for a group of darkeyed slaves, and considered it to be a bargain.{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{wob ref|1109}} The value that he ascribes to human life, even to that of darkeyed slaves, has led him to refuse to use bridge crews in his army during the War of Reckoning.{{book ref|sa1|6}} It also leads to the safety of others being one of the first things to cross his mind when danger arises, even before his own well-being.{{book ref|sa1|13}} Despite enjoying the hunt, he feels a great melancholy whenever killing larger and more majestic animals such as chasmfiends, and he believes that there is an intrinsic connection between a man and the beasts he hunts.{{book ref|sa1|15}}
He is willing to sacrifice his own life for what he deems as a worthy cause, such as protecting Elhokar Kholin, the only thing he has left of his brother, from being crushed by a chasmfiend in a hunt gone wrong.{{book ref|sa1|13}}
He is a very practical man that dislikes fancy outfits of lace and silk, much preferring more practical uniform and armour.{{book ref|sa1|15}} He finds such outfits to look like ridiculous costumes on others, and laments at their popularity in the modern day. He also finds that Plate looks better on others as well.{{book ref|sa1|15}} His desire for practicality over substance has also left him to choose grey Shardplate over Shardplate painted flashy colours.{{book ref|sa1|13}}
== Attributes and Abilities ==
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