Editors
253
edits
Difference between revisions of "Elhokar Kholin"
Move some general charaterization out of the history, to allow adding more historical details.
LadyLameness (talk | contribs) (Thought this might be helpful to clarify. Please do with this as you wish. :)) |
(Move some general charaterization out of the history, to allow adding more historical details.) |
||
|
Elhokar is Alethi, with tan skin and epicanthic folds over green eyes.{{wob ref|11453}}{{ref|group=fn|name=eyes|text=In ''The Way of Kings'' Elhokar is described as having yellow eyes. For ''Words of Radiance'' however Brandon changes them to green, so that they would match the color of Gavilar's to emphasize the family resemblance between father and son.}} He keeps himself clean-shaven. His face is considered very handsome, with full lips, a broad forehead, and a firm chin. He bears some resemblance to his father, though Elhokar has fewer scars than [[Gavilar]] did.{{book ref|sa1|12}}
Elhokar is deeply paranoid, fearing assassins every since his father was killed by one, and thus wears his [[Shardplate]] far more often than other Shardbearers.{{book ref|sa1|58}} Due to Elhokar's youth and paranoia his ability to rule was questioned by those under his rule and he maintained a weakened authority over the ten Highprinces. He also has a strong complex about being compared to his father. He vacillates between extremely spoiled, demanding respect for the sheer fact of being a king, and fearful, keenly aware that he does not measure up as a ruler.{{book ref|sa2|80}} He lacks the spine or accomplishments to stand up to [[Dalinar]] when the latter starts to take more and more power, and the highprinces often talk around him, with Elhokar himself serving more as a unifying figurehead than a true leader.{{book ref|sa2|38}} He has a habit of surrounding himself with sycophants and people intent on using him for their own purposes.{{book ref|sa2|62}}{{book ref|sa3|84}} Perhaps related to that, he seems to have very low self-esteem. Furthermore, his paranoia was furthered by his ability to see strange creatures (almost certainly [[cryptic|Cryptics]]) in mirrors.{{book ref|sa1|58}}
While Elhokar is by no means an exceptional leader, he does have some potential, albeit deeply-buried. Despite his own uncertainty in his ability to rule, he's capable of making decisive action and manages to control the [[Highprince]]s, if just barely. He displays a certain sense for politics, and can display startling insight into the minds of others.{{book ref|sa2|56}} Over time, he comes to acknowledge his own flaws and take steps to rectify them, starting by trying to learn by example from [[Kaladin]] and becoming more selfless.{{book ref|sa3|12}} He's also a devoted husband and father, and though he can't spend much time with his family, he cares for them dearly.{{book ref|sa3|84}}
{{image|Elokhar by Grant Hansen.jpg|width=200px|side=right}}
===War of Reckoning===
After the assassination of Gavilar, Elhokar vows to avenge his father by waging war against the Parshendi, who claimed responsibility for the king's death. He makes the highprinces swear to the [[Vengeance Pact]] to help him in his conquest, thereby managing to keep his kingdom together for now.
Several years after the start of the war, in {{Rosharan date|1173}}, Elhokar lead an expedition including Dalinar, Sadeas, Adolin, Renarin and many other lighteyes and a thousand soldiers on to the shattered plains for a greatshell hunt. When they close on the hunting grounds, the king galloped of in his shardplate to a rock formation with a good vantage. Dalinar was forced to chase after him. At the summit, they discussed Elhokar's fear of assassination. When the huntmaster placed the bait one plateau over, the Chasmfiend climbed onto the viewing plateau.{{book ref|sa1|12}} Elhokar lead the assault on the creature together with Dalinar. He went to distract the beast so the others could fight it. Suddenly his saddle girth broke, and Elhokar fell to the ground. Dalinar urged him to get away from the fight, but Elhokar charged the Chasmfiend instead. In the skirmish, the king got knocked of his feet by the beast. Only the timely arrival of Dalinar, who caught the beast's claw, saved his life. Glory spren appeared when Elhokar held the captured gemheart up.{{book ref|sa1|13}}
| |||