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Difference between revisions of "The Way of Kings (in-world)"
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{{for|The Way of Kings|the book by Brandon Sanderson|pre=This is for the in-universe text by [[Nohadon]]}}
'''''The Way of Kings''''' is a book of parables and stories written by king [[Nohadon]] on [[Roshar]]. Using [[Alethi]] [[glyph]]s, the title of the book is written with symbols for "pathway" and "king."{{book ref|sa3|111}}
It was read by [[Gavilar Kholin]] in the years prior to his death. [[Dalinar Kholin]] began listening to it after his brother's funeral.
== Historicity ==
{{quote▼
}}▼
The book was written by [[Nohadon]], an ancient king who lived and reigned after one of the [[Desolation]]s. As is revealed by Dalinar's visions, he wrote the book after he had already risen to power. Thus, while it does exemplify the virtues of a ruler, it is meant to act as an allegory rather than a method by which to inspire others.{{book ref|sa1|60}}
It's uncertain how many of the events the book describes are real, and how many are purely metaphorical. In another vision, Nohadon asserts that he did make the journey that forms the basis for the stories; however, the factuality of the individual parables is disputable.{{book ref|sa3|103}} In addition, it's possible that some details have been lost or altered over the ages.{{wob ref|7930}}
▲{{quote
▲| I've grown fond of [metaphors]. You might say I wrote an entire book about them.
▲| [[Nohadon]] on his own work{{book ref|sa3|103}}
▲}}
== Influence ==
At around five millennia old, ''The Way of Kings'' is one of the oldest known texts to have survived to the present day.{{wob ref|7930}} Unlike most other literature and documents from that era, which were preserved only in [[Dawnchant]] and thus, until recently, impossible to read, ''The Way of Kings'' was continuously translated, ensuring its survival in the public consciousness.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}} A major force behind this were the [[Vanrial]], an order of artists dedicated to preserving ancient texts and songs.{{book ref|sa1|45}}
Though [[Surgebinding]] predates [[Nohadon]], the ancient [[Knights Radiant]] were heavily influenced by ''The Way of Kings''. It's suggested that their [[Immortal Words|Ideals]] were based off the book.{{book ref|sa1|52}} In particular, it appears as though the [[Order of Bondsmiths]] owns much to its teachings, as the very first lines suggest their Third Ideal.{{book ref|
This book had enormous impact on both [[Gavilar Kholin]] and, later, [[Dalinar Kholin]]. After having it read to them several times, they become more and more honorable, which is a large contrast to typical modern [[Alethi]] behavior. Interestingly, both began to receive [[Almighty]]'s visions through the [[Stormfather]] after they began to listen to ''The Way of Kings''.{{book ref|sa1|12}}
|There is honor in loss, if that loss brings learning.
|{{book ref|sa1|60}}
}}
== Trivia ==
* Brandon Sanderson's
* The book is known off-world, although it has not found its way to [[Scadrial]].{{wob ref|6865}}
* Brandon has briefly considered writing the entirety of ''The Way of Kings''. He eventually decided not to, stating it would be too much work for too little pay-off, and that he'd rather leave himself leeway to create new passages as necessary.{{wob ref|8997}}{{wob ref|11862}}
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