40,275
edits
m (Surgebinding->Surgebinder) |
m (tweaks) |
||
}}{{exemplary}}
{{quote
| Dalinar to Elhokar{{book ref|sa2|5}}
}}
'''Dalinar Kholin''' (<small>Alethi pronunciation:</small> [[Wikipedia:Help:IPA|[ˈdal·ɪn·ar xoˈlɪn]]] [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia: Pronunciation_respelling_key|'''''<small>DAL</small>'''-in-ar kho-'''<small>LIN</small>''''']]) is a [[lighteyes|lighteyed]] [[Alethi]] man, a [[highprince]] in the nation of [[Alethkar]]. He is known as the Blackthorn for his great prowess as a warrior and general; he is the [[Highprince of War]]. He is the younger brother of the late King [[Gavilar]], and the uncle of King [[Elhokar Kholin]] and [[Jasnah Kholin]]. Brightness [[Navani Kholin]] is Gavilar's widow, and Dalinar is in a romantic relationship with her. His sons are [[Adolin Kholin]] and [[Renarin Kholin]]. He is a member of the [[Order of Bondsmiths]] and is the de facto leader of the newly reformed [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa2|89}}
== Appearance and Personality ==
Dalinar is an aging but powerfully built man in his fifties, with a warrior's face. He has black hair that is grey in the temples.{{book ref|sa1|52}} When he owns Shardplate, he chooses to wear it in its original slate grey color, without any unnecessary decoration or adornment.{{book ref|sa1|12}} His former Shardblade is [[Oathbringer]]. He rides a [[Ryshadium]] horse named [[Gallant]].
Dalinar considers himself wholly a soldier and general with no talent for back-room politicking.{{book ref|sa1|69}} After [[Gavilar Kholin|Gavilar's]] assassination, Dalinar blames himself{{book ref|sa1|12}}{{book ref|sa1|15}} and since then has worked to protect Alethkar and Gavilar's son [[Elhokar Kholin|Elhokar]]{{book ref|sa1|13}} in hope of earning some kind of redemption.
== History ==
=== Early Life and Adulthood (1123 – 1167) ===
Dalinar is born in about {{date/sa|year=1123}}, second son to the Kholin princedom in Alethkar. In his youth, Dalinar deeply respects his elder brother [[Gavilar Kholin|Gavilar]], although he is also envious of him at times.{{book ref|sa1|18}}
Dalinar desires a woman named [[Navani]], but he realizes that Gavilar is also interested in her. For his
[[Gavilar]], and their friend, [[Torol Sadeas]], seek to unite the scattered princedoms and have a true kingdom once more. Each highprince ruled over their lands individually, and conflicts between the princedoms were common. This strife between the warring highprinces had lasted for centuries. Dalinar and Sadeas follow
==== Gavilar's Change and the Discovery of the Parshendi ====
In the years after the reunification of Alethkar, Gavilar begins to lose his thirst for battle. He starts reading a book called [[The Way of Kings (in-world)|''The Way of Kings'']], trying to convince Dalinar and his other highprinces to be peaceful and to follow the [[Alethi Codes of War]]. {{book ref|sa1|18}} Like the other highprinces, Dalinar resists his
In {{date/sa|year=1166}}, Dalinar and Gavilar set out on their expedition. In an unmapped forest south of the [[Shattered Plains]], Dalinar meets a [[Parshendi]] patrol. At first disbelieving what he thought were simple [[parshmen]] acting individually, in a civilized society, Dalinar quickly accepts that the Parshendi were intelligent and organized, unlike their parshmen cousins. Dalinar brings Gavilar to meet them, and within days the Alethi and Parshendi are communicating well.{{book ref|sa1|28}} A year later, the Parshendi sign a formal treaty with Alethkar in the Alethi capitol of [[Kholinar]].
=== War of Reckoning (1167 – 1173) ===
==== Gavilar's Death ====
[[File: Dalinar_the_Blackthorn.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Dalinar fights a chasmfiend during a hunt]]
Within hours of the treaty signing, the Parshendi send [[Szeth]], the Assassin in White, to assassinate Gavilar. When the Alethi king is assassinated in the middle of the feast, Dalinar is in a drunken stupor, completely unaware and unable to help.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}{{book ref|sa1|15}}
Dalinar also begins to adhere to the same [[Alethi Codes of War]] that Gavilar had tried to convince the others to follow.{{book ref|sa1|15}} Had Dalinar been following the first of the Codes, “Readiness”, he would never have been drunk, and therefore would have been sober enough to try and aid his brother against the assassin. After
==== The War Against the Parshendi ====
At first, Dalinar throws himself into the fighting against the Parshendi with abandon, his guilt driving him. But as his grief faded, so did his thirst for battle and war. Dalinar and the Kholin warcamp follow the Codes when no other Alethi highprince would. He studies the words of [[Nohadon]], the author of ''The Way of Kings'', convinced that he must now become an example to Alethkar and lead them towards peace and honor.
At the same time, Dalinar begins having fits during every [[highstorm]]. During these fits, Dalinar loses awareness of his surroundings, experiencing visions of the past as though he were living them himself. The visions seem to be from the Almighty,{{book ref|sa1|12}} leading Dalinar to believe that God was telling him to unite the Alethi highprinces. In most of these visions, the [[Knights Radiant]] are present. This loss of awareness is frightening by itself, but seeing the Radiants as heroes is disturbing to Dalinar and his family. The Kholins keep Dalinar separate from others during highstorms, not willing to let others see him during these fits.
Men begin to speak of Dalinar the same way
==== The War Changes ====
The battle against the Parshendi was the first time Dalinar lost the [[Thrill]].{{book ref|sa1|26}} This loss of the Thrill during battle causes Dalinar to question why he is fighting this war, and whether alternative methods of settling the Alethi dispute with the Parshendi would yield better results. The highprinces would view
Dalinar is deeply frustrated by the war at the Shattered Plains, as the
Adolin wonders at this, and Dalinar explains that it is important to lift up Elhokar and support him in even the small ways. Even the little victories will help Elhokar feel more like a king and raising his confidence and reputation would actually make him a better king. Adolin is impressed at this logic, but is quickly appalled when Dalinar then confides his wish for the Alethi to be back in Alethkar. Adolin is shocked and upset at this suggestion, even when Dalinar shares his concern about the state of affairs back in their home since
A chasmfiend surprises them on top of the plateau, Dalinar saves Elhokar from being killed by it. It is a reminder of
Dalinar still
==== Dalinar Reaches Out ====
Dalinar and Sadeas work in tandem to strongarm another highprince, [[Vamah]], into using the
Dalinar promises Renarin that he will give him a set of [[Shardplate]] as soon as he has one to spare.
He suggests to Elhokar that they withdraw from the Shattered Plains. Like Adolin, Elhokar is horrified at the suggestion and is alarmed at what his uncle is thinking. Dalinar changes tack, stating that they have lingered on the Plains for far too long and that they need a new strategy to defeat the Parshendi. He asks Elhokar to make him the [[Highprince of War]] so he might have the power to enforce changes in the other warcamps. Elhokar refuses to give him the title unless Dalinar can prove that
Adolin tells Dalinar that the girth strap on
Later he finds out that eight of the highprinces have refused to go on a joint assault with him, only leaving Sadeas to partner with. Dalinar is disturbed by his failure in this, and at the changes in himself. He confides his feelings in [[Navani]], who has recently arrived at the Plains, and confesses that he is going to abdicate to Adolin. She disagrees and encourages him to stay the course.{{book ref|sa1|28}}
He accepts this. Soon after, another highstorm passes, and he has a vision while Navani attends. In this vision, he meets [[Nohadon]], and wonders why the author of a book promoting a way of peace says that now only the sword is needed. When he comes back to himself, Navani proves his visions to be real when she recognizes what Dalinar has been speaking during the visions is the [[Dawnchant]], a long dead language that Dalinar
==== Battle of the Tower ====
{{for|Battle of the Tower}}
Dalinar and Sadeas set out on their joint expedition. They use
Things are looking hopeless for them when a single bridge crew, [[Bridge Four]] led by [[Kaladin]], returns and saves them. The bridge offers the army a way off of the plateau and Kaladin is able to fight off enough of the Parshendi enough to allow Dalinar, Adolin, and the remains of the Kholin army to escape.{{book ref|sa1|66}}{{book ref|sa1|67}}{{book ref|sa1|68}} Dalinar promises Kaladin that
When Sadeas refuses to sell the bridgemen to Dalinar, Dalinar offers his Shardblade, [[Oathbringer]], in payment instead. Sadeas accepts.{{book ref|sa1|69}} Dalinar appoints Kaladin as the captain of all the bridgemen who will be trained as soldiers to replenish the Kholin army.{{book ref|sa1|73}} Bridge Four is appointed as the honor guard for Dalinar and his family. Dalinar also gives Kaladin his cloak, to mark him as a Kholin soldier and even part of his family.{{book ref|sa1|73}} Dalinar also gives his son [[Renarin]] his Shardplate.{{book ref|sa1|69}} By relinquishing both of his Shards, Dalinar keeps his promises to Kaladin and Renarin, proving himself an honorable man.
Dalinar realizes that the assassination attempt on Elhokar was a fabrication and he confronts his nephew. The king admits cutting his own girth strap, but he maintains that he had nothing to do with the weakened gemstones in his Shardplate.{{book ref|sa1|69}} Dalinar emphasizes his loyalty to his nephew by attacking and then not killing Elhokar, stating his love for him and his desire to protect him. Dalinar unequivocally orders Elhokar to name him the [[Highprince of War]] and Elhokar agrees to do it. Dalinar also informs Elhokar that he is now in a relationship with [[Navani]],
In the next highstorm, Dalinar experiences another vision in which he realizes that the Almighty, who had spoken to him in his visions has all this time been unable to hear what Dalinar was saying.{{book ref|sa1|75}} Dalinar realizes that he had misinterpreted the visions and that the Almighty had not been calling him to specifically unite Alethkar or specifically to trust Sadeas. The
=== Refounding of the Knights Radiant (1173 - ) ===
==== The Start ====
Dalinar plans, in his capacity as [[Highprince of War]], to unify Alethkar and refound the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa2|4}} Navani has begun staying with him while he has his visions so she can record them and translate what Dalinar says. After such a vision, Dalinar goes to bed, and when he awakes the next morning, he finds glyphs scratched onto his wall: ''Sixty-two days. Death follows.''
Kaladin, as
Dalinar brings together a small group composed of Navani, Elhokar, Adolin, Renarin, Kaladin, and his top general, [[General Khal|Khal]] and
The next thing he announces is that he intends to disarm the highprinces (making them more malleable) by having Adolin begin dueling. He had previously forbidden Adolin from dueling, as it goes against the Codes for an officer to duel during wartime, but this time Adolin would be duelling for
Lastly, when prompted on his endgame, Dalinar states his intention to refound the [[Knights Radiant|Radiants]]. He
In this meeting, though not everyone agrees with him, Dalinar commands the respect of the room. Kaladin notes that he is acting like a king even when [[Elhokar]] is present.{{book ref|sa2|5}}
==== Dalinar Tries Again ====
The first highprince Dalinar approaches is [[Aladar]]. He approaches Aladar in person while Adolin leads the Kholin troops into battle to help
After another highstorm and vision from the Almighty, Kaladin speaks to Dalinar. He tells Dalinar about what happened to him in
Almost right after, someone tries to assassinate Elhokar. Dalinar and Kaladin discuss it, namely that the attempt was extremely clumsy and was done by someone with a Shardblade. Dalinar re-states his trust in Kaladin, and warns him that there will be more assassination attempts, and something worse – the [[Everstorm]].{{book ref|sa2|23}}
==== The Assassin in White ====
[[Szeth]] comes after Dalinar on the night of another highstorm. Dalinar, Adolin, and Kaladin go to fight him. Szeth handles them with ease. Dalinar shouts that he will never let Szeth take
At a meeting with the other highprinces, Dalinar offers a place to [[Shallan Davar]], the young woman who is in a causal betrothal arrangement with his son, Adolin. She refuses, explaining that she already has a place in [[Sebarial|Highprince
==== Preparing for the Storm ====
Though Dalinar
As part of his preparations, Dalinar publicly announces that he is refounding the [[Knights Radiant]] and places Brightlord [[Amaram]] at their head.{{book ref|sa2|55}}
That night, Adolin is to fight a duel against multiple opponents to try and win more Shards. At the arena, there are four combatants for Adolin to fight instead of the implied two. Dalinar is close to going in to back Adolin up, but he has no Plate or Blade to use. Renarin jumps into the fight armed with only a Blade and no Plate. Dalinar shouts at the crowd, asking someone to help his sons, but no one answers, including Amaram. Kaladin walks in and joins the fight to help Adolin and Renarin.{{book ref|sa2|56}}
With
Dalinar visits Kaladin in prison, letting him know Elhokar will release him soon. He explains some of
==== The Expedition Sets Off ====
With only days to go before the Everstorm comes as predicted by the glyphs on his walls, Dalinar is trying to gather as many allies as possible for the excursion into the Plains. He goes to speak with some highprinces at a party, but at the party he finds someone has been spreading around papers which are accounts of his visions, with the purpose of humiliating and discrediting him. They are
Afterwards he speaks with Wit. Wit tells him that he is a tyrant, though he
The expedition gets started. Dalinar visits an injured Kaladin, previously missing down in the chasms of the Shattered Plains. During their conversation, Dalinar thinks he sees something about Kaladin, and he wonders if Kaladin is the one
As it turns out, Dalinar had devised a test to see if Amaram was who Kaladin claimed he was. Dalinar knew Amaram had lied to him.
==== The Battle at Stormseat ====
{{for|Battle of Narak}}
The expedition sets off, and Dalinar has three supporters: [[Roion]], [[Sebarial]], and [[Aladar]]. Dalinar speaks with them, stating his trust in them. The four armies set out just as the Weeping begins.
On the way, Shallan has co-opted the scribes and mapmakers, with
A Parshendi surrenders to the Alethi armies, one named [[Rlain]], previously known as Shen, who had worked in [[Bridge Four]]. Rlain had disappeared a while back, but admits now that he was a Parshendi spy. Rlain tells Dalinar that the Parshendi are no more, and have been replaced with their ancient gods. Dalinar promises to help, and asks Rlain to speak to Shallan and give her the directions to the Parshendi city.{{book ref|sa2|79}} They march and by the day of the
On the next day, Dalinar and his soldiers see Parshendi on the plateau next to them, lined up with glowing red eyes. Dalinar tells Shallan to find the way to Urithiru at all costs, as that is their only hope of retreat if things go wrong. He gives Roion, Aladar, and Sebarial their orders, bolstering them as needed.
The battle starts in earnest, and the
Dalinar receives word that Shallan has found the entrance to Urithiru and orders all troops to evacuate there immediately.{{book ref|sa2|85}} Before he can follow, Szeth appears. Dalinar tries to convince Szeth to leave, but quickly realizes that Szeth is not in his right mind. They begin fighting, but as before, Szeth is too much for him. Roion tries to help Dalinar, but is quickly killed. Using his powers over gravity, Szeth sends Dalinar shooting up into the sky, ensuring his death by letting him fall from a great height. He is rescued at the last second by Kaladin, who uses his new powers as a [[Windrunner]] to lower Dalinar safely back to the ground.{{book ref|sa2|85}}{{book ref|sa2|86}} Dalinar knows now that Kaladin is what he has been looking for all this time.
Dalinar gets everyone to the plateau where the gateway to Urithiru is. Shallan gets the Oathgate to work and teleports everyone on the plateau to Urithiru. There, he goes to the rooftop of the
He goes back to Kaladin, Shallan, and Renarin, the other Radiants that he knows of. He warns them that the Everstorm is coming, and it will change the [[parshmen]] into those red-eyed Parshendi they know are [[Voidbringers]]. His task now is try and save as many people as possible for when that happens.{{book ref|sa2|89}}
== Attributes and Abilities ==
Dalinar's Calling is to be a leader, and his chosen Glory is determination.{{book ref|sa1|18}} His devotary is the Order of [[Talenelat]].{{book ref|sa1|54}}
=== [[House Kholin]] ===
Dalinar is the head of the Kholin household. His nephew, [[Elhokar Kholin]], is an exception, as Elhokar is 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 [[Navani Kholin|Navani]], and his niece [[Jasnah Kholin|Jasnah]]. As highprince of the Kholin princedom, Dalinar owns all of the land belonging to the Kholin princedom.
=== [[:Category: Kholin army|Kholin Army]] ===
Dalinar is also the head of the Kholin army. Though he is the commander of the whole Kholin army, he often gives leadership over battles and other aspects to his son, [[Adolin Kholin|Adolin]].
Within the Kholin army is the [[Cobalt Guard]], the honor guard of the members of the Kholin house.
=== [[Dalinar's visions|Visions]] ===
Since Dalinar began reading [[The Way of Kings (in-world)|''The Way of Kings'']], he has experienced [[Dalinar's visions|visions]] during every [[highstorm]]. These visions feel real to him.{{book ref|sa1|19}} He experiences these visions as himself, but seems to take on a role of a real person - other people in the visions see him as someone else, not as an outsider. In every vision, Dalinar hears a voice speaking to him, a voice he believes to be the [[Honor|Almighty]]. This voice speaks cryptically, not answering Dalinar's questions, and commanding him to "unite them". This is probably because the visions function more as pre-recorded experiences than interactable activities.
At the [[Battle of Narak]], the [[Stormfather]] told Dalinar he would receive no more visions,{{book ref|sa2|89}} but it is uncertain whether that is still true since Dalinar [[Nahel bond|bonded]] the Stormfather.
=== [[Surgebinding]] ===
Dalinar has a [[Nahel bond]] with the [[Stormfather]], the spren of the Almighty, and the personification of storms and the divine. His Surges are Tension and Adhesion. Adhesion allows the Surgebinder to bind objects together, and Tension grants the Surgebinder power over Soft Axial Connections.
Like all Surgebinders, Dalinar can draw or breathe in [[Stormlight]], which gives him superhuman strength, speed, and healing capabilities. The specific abilities of [[Order of Bondsmiths|Bondsmiths]] are unknown at this time.
=== [[Shardbearer|Shardwielding]] (formerly) ===
Before giving them up, Dalinar possessed a set of Shardplate and a Shardblade named [[Oathbringer]]. He is considered extremely skilled at using them.{{book ref|sa1|13}}
== Quotes ==
{{quote
| Dalinar to Navani about their relationship{{book ref|sa1|69}}
}}
{{quote
| Dalinar to Sadeas after the Battle of the Tower{{book ref|sa1|69}}
}}
{{quote
| Dalinar to Kaladin{{book ref|sa1|69}}
}}
{{quote
| Dalinar to Elhokar{{book ref|sa1|69}}
}}
{{quote
| Dalinar's first Oath as Bondsmith{{book ref|sa2|89}}
}}
== Trivia ==
* Dalinar was originally from the first book that Brandon wrote when he was fifteen, where he was named Jared.{{bws ref|its-here-2|It's Here|post|pre|date=2010-8-31}} Brandon used him in other books, such as the unpublished ''[[Dragonsteel Prime|Dragonsteel]]'', before eventually using him in ''[[The Stormlight Archive]]''.{{qa ref|1067|21}} Brandon has said that he didn't get the character "right" until he re-wrote ''[[The Way of Kings]]'' from scratch after [[The Way of Kings Prime|''The Way of Kings'' Prime]].{{ref|name=we}}
* Dalinar was originally named Dalenar in [[The Way of Kings Prime|''The Way of Kings'' Prime]]{{book ref|wok'|1}}
* Dalinar originally had three sons in [[The Way of Kings Prime|''The Way of Kings'' Prime]]: Sheneres, Aredor and Renarin. Sheneres died while trying to protect his uncle.{{book ref|wok'|1}}
== See Also ==
* [[Dalinar's visions]]
* [[Highprince of War]]
* [[Order of Bondsmiths]]
{{qa ref|1067|21|Will Hoid be reappearing in Words of Radiance?|date=2013-09-24}}
{{url ref
{{url ref|name=we|url=http://www.writingexcuses.com/2012/06/10/writing-excuses-7-24-project-in-depth-way-of-kings/|text=Projects in Depth: The Way of Kings|site=[[Writing Excuses]]|date=2012-06-10}}▼
|name=we
▲
|text=Projects in Depth: The Way of Kings|site=[[Writing Excuses]]
|date=2012-06-10
}}
</references>
|