Difference between revisions of "Darkeyes"

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|related=[[Vorinism]]
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}{{update|book=sa3}}
AOn the planet of [[Roshar]], a '''darkeyes''' is a person with dark colored eyes, such as brown or black. In the [[Vorin]] kingdoms of [[Alethkar]], [[Jah Keved]], and [[Kharbranth]], they are the peasantrycommoners, considered inferior to the [[lighteyes]]. Darkeyes are ranked in ten different levels, in accordance with the nahn caste system.
 
== Overview ==
It is a well-known legend within [[Vorin]] society that if a man wins a [[Shardblade]] on the battlefield, he will become a lighteyes, regardless of his previous station in life.{{book ref|sa1|16}} This would also be accompanied with a promotion to the fourth dahn for the Shardbearer. This legend, though a foundation of Vorin society, went untested for centuries, until [[Kaladin Stormblessed]] won a full set of [[Shardbearer|Shards]] and gifted them to his lieutenant, [[Moash]]. After bonding the shards, Moash's eyes lightened from a dark brown to a light tan.{{book ref|sa2|68}} It is unknown if this effect is permanent or only temporary while the holder is in possession of his Shards.
 
A second and even rarer method of becoming a lighteyes is to become either a [[Surgebinder]] or [[Knight Radiant]]. According to [[Skar]], [[Kaladin]]'s eyes changed while fighting to save [[Dalinar]] during the [[Battle of the Tower]], although it was only for a short moment, as other men still recognize him as a darkeyes during the fight.{{book ref|sa2|2}} During this battle, Kaladin only said up to the Second Ideal of the [[Immortal Words]] and did not recognize himself as a Knight Radiant. Later, during the [[Battle of Narak]], after Kaladin says the Third Ideal of the Immortal Words and recognizes himself as a true Knight Radiant, his eyes permanently turn pale blue, lighter than any king.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
 
== Origins ==
Nahn is the caste system for darkeyes.{{book ref|sa1|8}} Its counterpart for [[lighteyes]] is the [[dahn]] system.
 
Since darkeyes are peasantscommoners in the Vorin kingdoms, the nahn system is inferior to the dahn system. Holding any level of nahn would be socially inferior to the lowest level of [[dahn]].{{book ref|sa2|2}} However, there are situations in which practical reality makes the social standing between two persons less relevant or even reversed. For example, after [[Kaladin]], a darkeyes, was promoted to captain, he was socially outranked by many lighteyed soldiers, yet still possessed higher military rank and authority than them.{{book ref|sa2|5}} A worker, such as a carriage driver, would treat a wealthy darkeyes as any other master, since their wages would be paid by the darkeyed passenger.{{book ref|sa2|63}}
 
Within the nahn system itself, there are ten different levels ranging from one to ten, with one being the highest and ten being the lowest. Those at the highest levels of nahn enjoyed relative comfort and wealth while those at the lowest level of nahn would be serfs restricted from being able to freely travel. Finally, those of the tenth nahn are slaves and can be bought and sold by others.{{wob ref|13069}}
 
At the first and most prestigious nahn, one is even worthy of marrying into a lighteyed family.{{book ref|sa1|12}} At the second nahn, one could also potentially marry into a lighteyed family.{{book ref|sa1|25}} These two nahns are confirmed to be full citizens with the right of travel.{{book ref|sa1|10}}
There are some protections built into the system of nahn to prevent abuse by lighteyes.
 
The first is the the right of travel, which is assumed to be included with most nahns. To not possess that right would imply that one or one's ancestors had committed some wrongdoing.{{wob ref|2782}} The right of travel allows a darkeyed person to leave a town being ruled poorly by the citylord.{{wob ref|2782}} If the town experiences a substantial loss of persons, the citylord may be stripped of his position and be demoted in dahn.{{wob ref|2782}}
 
The second known protection is exemption from military conscription for those who are of sufficient nahn and provide an essential function to a town.{{book ref|sa1|44}} It is known that a second nahn surgeon and his only apprentice, also of second nahn, are exempt from military conscription.{{book ref|sa1|44}}
 
== Notes ==
<references />
{{partial}}
{{wob ref|date=2014-06-10|2782|Does military service raise one's nahn/dahn?|event=The Way of Kings Re-Read Interview}}
</references>
{{complete}}
{{Stormlight}}
[[category: Alethi|*]]
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