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|The Heralds, they were honorable. Perhaps not as divine, but I may even like them more, to know they were once just normal men and women.
}}
The '''Heralds''' are servants of [[the Almighty]] worshipped across the whole of [[Roshar]]. There are ten of them, with each associated with one of the [[Ten Essences]] and one of the ten orders of the [[Knights Radiant]]. They are known by different names in different cultures -- in [[Azir]], they are known as the '''Kadasixes''',{{book ref|sa2|I|9}} and in [[Vorin]] countries, the suffix "'Elin" is often appended to their names, presumably as
== History ==
=== Becoming Heralds ===
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Most of the Heralds were born on [[Ashyn]], with [[Shalash]] as possibly the only
Prior to the first [[Desolation]], most of them held various positions of importance -- scholars, generals, priests, and kings. After the [[Fused]] began to return, Honor formed the [[Oathpact]], granting the newly-made Heralds a connection to him and, through it, their supernatural abilities.{{book ref|sa3|38}} How people were chosen to become Heralds is uncertain; it's possible that it has something to do with the [[Proving Day]].{{book ref|sa1|5}}
=== The Desolations ===
{{image|Ending the Oathpact by Katie Payne.jpg|The Heralds abandon the [[Oathpact]] after the [[Last Desolation]]|side=right|height=250px}}
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From there on, the Heralds were stuck in the cycle of Desolations. At the end of each one, they would travel to [[Braize]], their presence there preventing the [[voidspren]] and the Fused from returning to Roshar. They would attempt to hide, but eventually, Odium's forces would track them down and begin torturing them until one of the Heralds broke. At this point, the Heralds would be returned to Roshar and resurrected to push Odium's forces back.{{book ref|sa3|38}}
At some point, the [[spren]] began mimicking their abilities, creating the first [[Surgebinder]]s.{{book ref|sa2|87}} The Heralds found that surprising, but had no compunctions against using the Surgebinders in battle.{{book ref|sa3|47}} [[Ishar]] imposed structure upon them, creating the [[Knights Radiant]], and each Herald took patronage over the Order that matched their Surges.{{epigraph ref|sa2|42}} The last to do so was [[Nale]], who initially rejected the [[Skybreakers]] even when they called him their master.{{epigraph ref|sa2|43}}
Eventually, the pattern of continuous resurrections and torture led to the Heralds growing increasingly stressed and psychologically damaged, making
=== Era of Solitude ===
{{quote
|What a gift you gave them! Time to recover, for once, between Desolations. Time to progress. They never had a chance before. But this time … yes, maybe they do.
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}}
For the next four and a half thousand years, Taln remained on Braize, being tortured by the voidspren to make him break and allow them to return.{{book ref|sa3|119}} At the same time, the nine living Heralds went on to live among the people of Roshar, hiding their true nature. The only one to recover his [[Honorblade]] was [[Nale]], who also remained in touch with the [[Order of Skybreakers]], eventually joining them and becoming their leader.{{book ref|sa3|106}}
Over time, the mental state of the Heralds deteriorated
=== True Desolation ===
{{quote
|The burdens of nine become mine. Why must I carry the madness of them all? Oh, Almighty, release me.
|A [[death rattle]] collected by the [[Diagram (group)|Diagram]].{{epigraph ref|sa1|54}} It's possible it refers to Taln.
}}
Sometime around the year 1173, Taln was finally
When [[Dalinar Kholin]] sought to bring Tukar into his alliance, Ishar refused him, claiming that instead, it was Dalinar's forces who should bow down to him, and give [[Urithiru]] over to him, which was met with no answer.{{book ref|sa3|24}} At the same time, Shalash was searching for Taln, aware that, if the Desolation has returned, so had he. She was eventually pointed on the right track by [[Mraize]].{{book ref|sa3|i|8}}
== Abilities ==
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=== Resurrection ===
The Heralds are [[
This ability to resurrect makes the Heralds essentially immortal.
On the other hand, their nature as cognitive shadows ties the Heralds to Roshar -- while they can travel between Roshar and Braize, they cannot leave the greater [[Rosharan system]].{{wob ref|1537}}
=== Surgebinding ===
Each Herald wields an [[Honorblade]], a sword similar in function to a [[Shardblade]], albeit far more powerful.{{book ref|
[[Spren]] would later copy the Heralds' [[Surgebinding]], thus creating the [[Knights Radiant]], with each order matching the powers of one of the Heralds.{{book ref|sa2|87}} The Radiants have some powers that the Heralds lack -- for example, the Heralds did not have [[squire]]s.{{wob ref|3958}} However, unlike the Knights, the Heralds were powered directly by [[Honor]], and had access to raw levels of Investiture that no Radiant could possibly match.{{wob ref|1572}}{{wob ref|10331}} Additionally, they didn't need to draw Stormlight from gems, which implies they could get it directly from their bond with Honor.{{wob ref|2549}} This ability appears to be inherent to the Heralds and not tied to their Honorblades as it is not replicable by other users. How this manifests after Honor's death and Splintering is unknown.
=== Other ===
Apart from the Surges, Heralds get a number of other advantages, although what precisely they are is uncertain.{{wob ref|3623}}{{wob ref|6898}} It's possible that those include superhuman speed and reflexes.{{book ref|sa2|88}} However, they are also said to have no innate powers, suggesting that whatever they can do is the result of either their connection to Honor or their own experience.{{wob ref|1050}} Although not all the Heralds were originally soldiers, they have mastered their fighting skills throughout the ages, and are now capable of fighting multiple Shardbearers with ease. Moreover, each Herald had their own field of expertise, such as leadership, medicine or smithing, and the knowledge of how to teach those skills to others.{{book ref|sa3|47}} Heralds are able to
Heralds are able to share pain with each other through their bond, but it is unknown if they can do this outside of Braize.{{book ref|sa3|38}} They are also able to sense when another Herald has permanently died, which can cause them enough shock to render them temporally unconscious.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
Some Heralds are more [[Cosmere]]-aware than others.{{wob ref|11756}} A few of them are aware of [[AonDor]], but only on a conceptual level.{{wob ref|12021}}▼
▲Some Heralds are more [[
== Heralds of the Almighty ==
=== Jezrien ===
{{for|Jezrien}}
Known as the Herald of Kings in the East, Kadasix of Kings in [[Azir]] and the Prime Kadasix in [[Emul]].{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa1|i|7}} At some point prior to becoming a Herald, he ruled as a king.{{book ref|
:''Surges'': [[Adhesion]], [[Gravitation]]
:''Other names'': Jezerezeh'Elin ([[Vorinism]]), Yaysi ([[Iri]] and [[Rira (country)|Rira]]){{book ref|sa3|26}}, Yaezir ([[Azir]]){{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
=== Nale ===
{{for|Nale}}
The Herald of Justice.{{book ref|sa2|88}} He is associated with the number Nan (2), the essence Vapor, and the attributes Just and Confident. He is patron of the [[Order of Skybreakers]]. Unlike the other Heralds who abandoned the Oathpact, he eventually recovered his [[Honorblade]].{{book ref|sa3|106}} While he was the last to accept his own Order, he was also the only Herald to join it.{{epigraph ref|sa2|43}}{{wob ref|8426}}
:''Surges'': [[Gravitation]], [[Division]]
:''Other names'': Nalan'Elin (Vorinism), Nin-son-God ([[Shinovar]]), Nakku the Judge ([[Makabak]]){{book ref|sa2.5|19}}
:''Status'': alive;
=== Chanarach ===
{{for|Chanarach}}
Associated with the number Chach (3), the essence Spark, and the attributes Brave and Obedient. She is patron of the [[Order of Dustbringers]].
=== Vedel ===
{{for|Vedel}}
Associated with the number Vev (4), the essence Lucentia (Light), and the attributes Loving and Healing. She is patron of the [[Order of Edgedancers]].
:''Surges'': Abrasion, [[Progression]]
:''Other names'': Vedeledev'Elin (Vorinism)
:''Status'': alive, current location unknown.
=== Pailiah ===
{{for|Pailiah}}
Associated with the number Palah (5), the essence pulp, and the attributes Learned and Giving. She is patron of the [[Order of Truthwatchers]].
:''Surges'': Progression, [[Illumination]]
:''Other names'': Pali (nickname)
:''Status'': alive; last seen in [[Kharbranth]], in the [[Palanaeum]].{{book ref|sa1|33}}{{wob ref|4419}}
=== Shalash ===
{{for|Shalash}}
Known as the Herald of Beauty or Lady of Dreams.{{book ref|sa2|30}}{{book ref|sa1|i|7}} Daughter of Jezrien. She is associated with the number Shash (6), the essence Blood, and the attributes Creativity and Honesty. She is patron of the [[Order of Lightweavers]]. For the past several centuries, she has been tracking down and destroying any depictions of herself she could find.{{book ref|sa3|117}}
:''Surges'': Illumination, [[Transformation]]
:''Other names'': Epan ([[Emul]]), Ash (nickname), Shush-daughter-God ([[Shinovar]])
:''Status'': alive;
=== Battar ===
{{for|Battar}}
Associated with the number Betab (7), the essence Tallow, and the attributes Wisdom and Care. She is patron of the [[Order of Elsecallers]].
:''Surges'': Transformation, [[Transportation]]
:''Other names'': Battah'Elin (Vorinism)
:''Status'': alive;
=== Kalak ===
{{for|Kalak}}
Associated with the number Kak (8), the essence Foil, and the attributes Resolute and Builder. He is patron of the [[Order of Willshapers]].
:''Surges'': Transportation, [[Cohesion]]
:''Other names'': Kelek'Elin (Vorinism), Kellai (Iri and Rira){{book ref|sa3|36}}, Restares{{book ref|sa4|78}}
:''Status'': alive; in [[Lasting Integrity]].
=== Talenel ===
{{for|Talenel}}
:''Surges'': Cohesion, [[Tension]]
:''Other names'': Talenelat'Elin (Vorinism), Taln (nickname)
:''Status'': alive;
=== Ishar ===
{{for|Ishar}}
Known as the Herald of Luck, and, earlier, the Binder of Gods.{{book ref|sa3|64}} Associated with the number Ishi (10), the essence Sinew, and the attributes Pious and Guiding. He is patron of the [[Order of Bondsmiths]].
== Official depictions ==
Unlike most other characters, the Heralds have official depictions of them in the [[Stormlight Archive]]. Those are said to be in-universe artwork, and as such, they're not entirely accurate.{{wob ref|10772}} Four of them can be found at the beginning and end of ''[[Oathbringer]]'', while four more
<gallery caption="Illustrations" mode=packed heights=300px>
Ishar Endsheet.jpg | <center><small>by [[Dan dos Santos]]</small></center> [[Ishar]]
Taln Endsheet.jpg | <center><small>by [[Donato Giancola]]</small></center> [[Talenel]]
Chanarach Endsheet.png | <center><small>by {{a|Karla Ortiz}}</small></center> [[Chanarach]]
Nale Endsheet.png | <center><small>by {{a|Karla Ortiz}}</small></center> [[Nale]]
Kalak Endsheet.png | <center><small>by {{a|Magali Villeneuve}}</small></center> [[Kalak]]
Pailiah Endsheet.png | <center><small>by {{a|Magali Villeneuve}}</small></center> [[Pailiah]]
</gallery>
* In ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', the Heralds reincarnated by taking the body of a Rosharan, similar to the [[Fused]], but this is no longer how they return.{{wob ref|12029}}
* Also in ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', the Heralds were capable of sensing the location of the Honorblades, although that ability appears to have been dropped when the story changed into its current form.{{wob ref|11609}}
* The portraits of the Heralds used in chapter arches each have their own title in [[Dragonsteel Entertainment]]'s files:{{wob ref|14097}}
{{columns|
** [[Jezrien]], the King
** [[Nale]], the Judge
** [[Chanarach]], the Guard
** [[Vedel]], the Healer
** [[Pailiah]], the Scholar
** [[Shalash]], the Artist
** [[Battar]], the Counselor
** [[Kalak]], the Maker
** [[Talenel]], the Soldier
** [[Ishar]], the Priest
** The final chapter arch is known as the Jester and is associated not with a Herald, but with [[Wit]]
}}
== Notes ==
{{Stormlight}}
[[Category: Heralds| ]]
[[category: list articles]]
[[category:Cognitive Shadows]]
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