Diagram (group)
| Diagram (group) | |
|---|---|
| World of Origin | Roshar |
The Diagram is the name of a covert group that is devoted to understanding and carrying out the instructions found in the Diagram (literature). The Diagram is led by Taravangian and has members in hiding all over Roshar. The group is ruthless, willing to kill directly, or indirectly, as many as necessary to achieve its goals.
Origin
Known Members
Leader
- Taravangian: King of Kharbranth and Jah Keved.
Taravangian's Inner Circle
- Dukar: The head of Taravangian's Testers.
- Adrotagia: A Kharbranthian scholar and childhood friend of Taravangian.
- Mrall: Taravangian's body guard.
- Malata: Dustbringer.
Silent Gatherers
Graves's Conspiracy
- Graves: A lighteyed Alethi Shardbearer.
- Moash: A former member of Bridge Four.
- Febrth: A Thaylen man with Horneater red hair.
- Fia: Not specifically mentioned as a Diagram member, but in Graves's party.
Lesser Diagram Members
- Danlan Morakotha: A lighteyed Alethi scribe.
- Maben: Taravangian's maid.
Activities
Testing the King
Several Diagram members are responsible for administering a binding daily intelligence test to King Taravangian. The results of this test determine his ability to serve as king, offer binding commentary on the Diagram, interact outside of supervision, change governmental policy, and pass judgement in trials.[1] Dukar is the head of the King's Testers, often assisted by other stormwardens, presumably also members of the Diagram. Adrotagia and Mrall have also observed the King's Testing, and his room maid Maben has also been present.
The test consists of an increasingly difficult series of math problems, with the King's abilities determined by how he performs. His decisions will be restricted for the day if he performs too badly (because he is too unintelligent), but also if he performs too well (because he is too uncompassionate). At one point in Oathbringer, Taravangian cheats his test by claiming to be unable to solve the next problem, when he is really able to.[2]
Adrotagia has used the data from Taravangian's test scores to show that his intellegence varies according to a statistical normal curve. From her calculations, she believes that another day of brilliance would be unlikely to occur more than once in two thousand years.[1]
Interpretation of Diagram
The senior members of the Diagram, including Taravangian himself, spend much of their time interpreting the Diagram and coming up with strategies to implement it. Because much of the original Diagram was written opaque ways, including codes, diagrams, poetry, and made-up languages, it is often unclear exactly what to do.
The Silent Gatherers and the Collection of Death Rattles
One phenomenon predicted by the Diagram was the existence of Death Rattles, prophecies of the future pronounced upon the time of death under the influence of Moelach. Taravangian instituted a program of collecting these death rattles from selected hospital patients (the terminally ill, the lowly, and the forgotten) who are slowly and intentionally bled to death solely for this purpose[3]. Those who participate in this operation are called the Silent Gatherers[4]. Their leader is Joshor.
See Death Rattle for the list of confirmed Death Rattles.
Search for Radiants
Assassination of Leaders
Takeover of Jah Kaved
Taravangian controlled Szeth and used him to murder other kings, thus destabilizing the power structure on Roshar. One such example is Taravangian's use of Szeth to kill the King of Jah Keved, creating a power vacuum and succession war. Every Veden Highprince vied for the throne and was killed in the brutal war. When Taravangian went to Jah Keved posing as a benevolent foreign king, and bringing aid to the war-torn city, as the Diagram instructed him to, he was made King.[5][expand]