General Khal

General Khal
Family Spouse Teshav Children Halam, Aratin, Meleran
Abilities	Shardbearer
Profession	General in Kholin army
Groups	Kholin army
Nationality	Alethi
Homeworld	Roshar
Universe	Cosmere

This page or section contains spoilers for Oathbringer!

This information has the ability to potentially ruin elements of the plot for the reader. Proceed with caution if you have not read this book.

General Khal is the highest ranking general in the Kholin army.

Personality and Appearance

General Khal has yellow eyes and stands with a straight back. He is bald and and appears limber. Khal is a cautious man, and has his doubts about the strength of the Alethi Throne. As a veteran of combat, he has an understanding of how conflict and terrible situations can unite men. A seasoned commander, Khal is experienced in matters of war and advises Dalinar on a variety of other issues as well. General Khal's dahn is uncertain at present, but as a Shardbearer he is at least of the fourth dahn.

History

Early Life

Nothing is known of General Khal's early life, or how he ascended to his current rank. At some point during his life, Khal married a woman named Teshav who gave birth to three boys: Halam, Aratin, and Meleran. He served as a general in Kholin army during the War of Reckoning on the Shattered Plains. General Khal was in charge of all of the patrols of the Alethi territory in the Shattered Plains. It is uncertain whether or not he participated in the Battle of the Tower, but afterwards he was the seniormost commander remaining in all of Dalinar's army. As a result, Khal's patrol responsibilities were given to Kaladin Stormblessed and Khal moved on to more pressing duties.

Head of the Kholin Army

For the rest of the war, General Khal served as one of Dalinar's most trusted advisors. He and his wife attended Dalinar's meeting with King Elhokar Kholin, where they plotted their plan to discredit Highprince Torol Sadeas and remove him from power. Khal counseled against directly opposing the other highprinces, believing they had enough strength to ignore the authority of the the Throne. He also worried that the highprinces would refuse the dueling challenges and that Adolin might lose the fights. Khal felt that the plan was too chaotic and had too many ways it could possibly fail. Despite Khal's urging, Dalinar went ahead with his plan.

As Dalinar settled into his role as Highprince of War he moved away from directly commanding armies, choosing rather to send his elder son, Adolin Kholin to lead them, with the aid of General Khal. After the attempt on Dalinar's life by the Assassin in White, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Khal guarded the room in which the highprinces met to discuss the attack. He wore Adolin's Shardplate and had command of a strike force that was prepared to enter the meeting room at any moment to dispatch the assassin.

As the war dragged on Khal continued to advise Dalinar in matters of both war and politics, including during Adolin's meeting with a Parshendi Shardbearer, Eshonai. When Adolin successfully dueled four Shardbearers at once with the help of Renarin Kholin and Kaladin, General Khal received both Plate and a Blade. As a Shardbearer, Khal was able to join the ranks of the nobility and so he attended the feast at which it became clear that Sadeas had leaked copies of Dalinar's visions.

Expedition to Narak

When Dalinar chose to lead a war party onto the Plains themselves, General Khal accompanied him. As the number of skirmishes with the Parshendi increased, General Khal predicted that they were attempting to draw the armies off-course. When Dalinar realized that the Parshendi were now Voidbringers and attacked them in the Battle of Narak, General Khal helped him lead the armies from the command tent. He lent his Shards to his son, now a captain, to bolster the troops fighting on Roion's front. Khal helped to direct the armies to the Oathgate when the armies evacuated to Urithiru.

In Urithiru

He is wounded in the battle but keeps it secret until the retreat is complete, and is on leave until he recuperates.

Kaladin asks Khal to allow Bridge Four to screen any new recruits as possible Radiant squires.

He is present while they await news from the Siege of Kholinar, and is spotted discussing tactics with Aladar.

He is present preparing for the Battle of Thaylen Field, discussing a potential union of his son Halam with the princess of Yezier. Just prior to the battle itself Dalinar hears him shouting for runners for more troops from Urithiru. After going back to Urithiru to collect more troops with his son, a surprise attach hits Urithiru and delays their return to Thaylen City. They eventually return with Bridge Four, Renarin attempts to catch the general up.

Attributes and Abilities

General Khal's most obvious feature is likely his Shards. As a full Shardbearer, Khal's effectiveness on the battlefield is unmatched by any common soldier and when using his Shards he is nigh unstoppable in combat. While General Khal's skill with a blade is unmentioned, he is likely a master, as he is chosen to lead the strike team that guards the highprinces during their meeting.

However, his greatest contribution to the battlefield may in fact be his experience as a general. Dalinar trusts him as he trusts no other commander, knowing that he will be able to advise Adolin in any situation that could arise. Khal is always at the center of the command tent, moving troops around and discussing the most effective strategy with Dalinar. In Dalinar's absence, he often leaves General Khal alone in charge of the armies.

Notes

This page is complete!

This page contains all the knowledge we have on the subject at this time.
Windrunner (talk) 15:05, 27 June 2016 (MST)