Difference between revisions of "Kaladin"
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|parents=[[Lirin]], [[Hesina]]
|siblings=[[Tien]], [[Oroden]]
|born=Late {{Rosharan date|1153}}{{wob ref|10572}}
|abilities={{tag+|windrunner}}, {{tag+|Shardbearer}}
|bonded=[[Sylphrena]]
|titles=Highmarshall, Captain of the [[Bridgemen]], Knight Radiant
|aliases=Kaladin Stormblessed, Bridgeboy
|profession=Soldier, bridgeman <small>(formerly)</small>, bodyguard <small>(formerly)</small>, {{cat tag|Medical professionals|apprentice surgeon}} <small>(formerly)</small>
|groups={{tag|Knights Radiant}} <small>([[Order of Windrunners|Windrunners]])</small>, {{tag|Bridge Four}}, {{tag+|army|Kholin}}, {{tag+|army|Amaram's}} <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag+|army|Sadeas}} <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag+|Kaladin's squad}} <small>(formerly)</small>, [[Takers]] <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag|Kholinar Wall Guard}} <small>(formerly)</small>
|birthplace=Hearthstone
|residence=Urithiru
|nation=Alethkar
|world=Roshar
Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, Kaladin is driven to protect others. Utilizing his skills as a surgeon, he attempts to save as many lives as possible. As a soldier, he rescued thousands of soldiers during the [[Battle of the Tower]], liberated a thousand bridgemen, and defended Dalinar Kholin and King [[Elhokar Kholin]] from numerous assassins.
He has bonded with the [[honorspren]] [[Sylphrena]], more commonly known as Syl. This bond allows him to discover his powers as a [[Surgebinder]] and destiny as a member of the Knights Radiant, an order which has been defunct ever since the [[Day of Recreance]]. Kaladin, along with
After the re-founding of the Knights Radiant, Kaladin helped the expansion of the Knights Radiant by taking on Bridge Four as squires, with most of them eventually becoming Knights themselves.
=== Appearance ===
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
Kaladin is
=== Personality ===
Ever since childhood, Kaladin has had a strong protective instinct, which only grows once he begins discovering and swearing the [[Immortal Words]]. He uses his medical skills to save people, first as an apprentice surgeon and later as a battlefield medic. As a youth, he joins the army so he can look after his younger brother, Tien.{{book ref|sa1|44}} As a squadleader in Amaram's army, he recruits the youngest members with the least training to his squad so that he can train and protect them{{book ref|sa1|47}} As captain of Dalinar's personal guard, he protects Dalinar and [[Elhokar Kholin|the king]] from assassins on multiple occasions.
Kaladin shows a deep sense of loss when those under his protection die and has a tendency toward depression in various forms. By the time he joins Bridge Four, he has lost so many people that he has fallen into a deep depression. He thinks himself cursed because he always survives when others do not.{{book ref|sa1|2}} At his lowest
Kaladin is deeply conflicted about killing, finding it philosophically hard to justify and the notion that one must kill in order to protect ironic and paradoxical. Although he is a soldier, he has been trained as a surgeon, whose highest calling is to save all lives. Additionally, as a member of the [[Order of Windrunners]], he lives by the [[Immortal Words|Ideals]] of his order, to which protecting life is central. It is further irony that Kaladin's powers of killing appear to be at their strongest when he is actively protecting something or someone. This paradox has plagued Kaladin and [[Syl]], who have both been unable to explain why killing is justified if the protection of life matters.
Kaladin also displays several classic symptoms of clinical depression
Kaladin draws a black and white distinction between lighteyes and darkeyes, harboring a deep resentment and distrust for virtually all [[lighteyes]], fueled by the betrayals of people like [[Roshone]], [[Amaram]], and [[Katarotam]]. Ironically, Kaladin himself is noted to have many lighteyed qualities. Many characters remark that Kaladin has the bearing of a lighteyes—meaning a leader or noble, since the term "lighteyes" encompasses these qualities in the Alethi language—and others have noted that "Kaladin" sounds like a lighteyed name, rather than a darkeyed name. Further, when Kaladin comes into his true power as a [[Knight Radiant]], he becomes lighteyed. Kaladin despises these qualities in himself, because they make him more similar to lighteyes.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
Due to his recent struggles, Kaladin shows hostility and resentment, although at times his wit, sarcasm, and intelligence show through. He appears to have got his sense of humor from his mother and is constantly questioning the world around him.
== Attributes and Abilities ==
The next highstorm, Kaladin had a dream in which the Stormfather visited him. The Stormfather said that Kaladin would soon betray Syl, thereby killing her. When he woke up, Syl told him that something was wrong, and that [[Odium|The One Who Hates]] was coming. Kaladin, trusting Syl's word, entered Dalinar's room and warned the of the impending danger. Dalinar trusted Kaladin's instincts, so he retrieved the king and they all fled from the palace. Hobber and Beld scouted ahead, while Moash and Elinor stayed by Elhokar. As they ran, they came to a dark hallway with the spheres drained and a large cut in the wall. Szeth appeared from the darkness shortly after. Kaladin, Dalinar, and Adolin fought Szeth, while Renarin and other Bridge Four members escorted the king out of the palace. Eventually, Adolin was defeated and Kaladin's arm was severed by Szeth's [[Honorblade]]. This left Dalinar to fend for himself. As Dalinar fought Szeth, Kaladin arrived and pushed both him and Szeth through the hole in wall, and they tumbled to the ground.{{book ref|sa2|32}} As they fell to the ground, Kaladin consumed Stormlight from Szeth's reserves, which allowed him to heal himself from the fall. Szeth was shocked at Kaladin's survival, and denied the return of the Knights Radiant. He fled after he saw Kaladin heal his arm, and Kaladin collapes from exhaustion.{{book ref|sa2|33}}
Kaladin soon woke up and reentered the palace, searching for any dead or injured. He found Dalinar and the others resting and tending to any wounded. Dalinar expressed his surprise at Kaladin's survival, and Kaladin lied, saying he lived due to Szeth's abilities. Kaladin left to search for his men, and found Beld's dead body, along with Hobber, who had lost his legs from Szeth's blade. Upon seeing he could barely defend against a Shardbearer, Kaladin visited Zahel and asked if he could train under him.{{book ref|sa2|33}}{{book ref|sa2|i|6}}
====Training Continues====
One night, Kaladin strolled along the Shattered Plains, looking for the place at which he met Wit, months before. Upon reaching the desired location, Kaladin stepped off the edge, plummeting into the chasm. After sucking in Stormlight to assist with the landing, he took off in a jog and practiced Lashing himself to the walls of the chasm. After some time, he was able to do so without stumbling, and was soon able to repeatadly Lash himself quicker and more accurately. He threw caution aside and Lashed himself upward, towards the sky, and experienced true freedom and triumph for the first time after Tien's death. Soon, he was hurtling past chasms and plataues at incredible speeds. Kaladin Lashed himself higher and higher, before reluctantly returning to the ground, fearing he would run out of Stormlight. He conversed with Syl for a moment, before he retured to the warcamps. But rather than returning to Dalinar's camp, he traveled to Sadeas', realizing he could kill Amaram right then and there. Syl pleaded for him not to and reminded Kaladin of the experience he just had. Intent on not tainting the memory, Kaladin returned to Dalinar's camp. Upon returning, he encountered Shen, who said he needed to leave, and gave Kaladin his real name: Rlain. He then departed.{{book ref|sa2|52}}
Adolin was guarded under Kaladin on the day he was supposed to meet with Shallan. As the pair made their way to the carriage, Kaladin realized the driver was none other than Wit. As the carriage moved along, Kaladin spoke with Wit, who revealed he knew about Kaladin's abilities. When they arrived at Sebarial's camp, Shallan hugged Wit, to everyone's surprise. Kaladin accompanied the couple to a menagerie in the Outer Market. On the way there, he rode in the carriage with Adolin and Shallan, as he was suspicious of her. Upon their arrival at the menagerie, Kaladin realized Wit was gone, replaced with one of Adolin's servants. Kaladin talked with Syl and walked with Adolin and Shallan as they observed the animals. Soon, Dalinar arrived, accompanied by Amaram, who was wearing a strange cloak. Dalinar then announced that the Knights
{{image|The Impossible Odds by Randy Vargas.jpg|side=left|height=350px|The duel}}
During Adolin's duel against [[Relis Ruthar]], [[Elit Ruthar]], [[Abrobadar]], and [[Jakamav]], Kaladin guarded Dalinar and Elhokar while they watched the duel. After seeing Renarin enter the arena and quickly fall to the ground, Kaladin proclaimed honor dead, and asked Dalinar to take care of his men if things went poorly, before jumping into the arena to help Adolin.{{book ref|sa2|56}}
As he entered the arena, Syl promised this would be different than when Kaladin defended Amaram. Relis ignored Kaladin at first, but quickly realized his opponents' skill. Kaladin regrouped with Adolin and told him to focus on breaking their opponents Shardplate. Adolin requested Kaladin watch out for Renarin, who was very vulnerable. Kaladin drew Relis' attention while Adolin fought Elit and Jakamav. Relis dueled Kaladin for a short time, but then returned to fight Adolin. Kaladin used a lashing-enhanced kick to knock Relis down, breaking his own legs in process, though he was able to heal them using Stormlight. Kaladin noticed that he cracked some of Relis' shards with his kick. Adolin's own armor was mostly cracked, though he managed to land a strong blow on Elit's chest plate, cracking it and slowing Elit greatly, giving Kaladin the chance to force Elit to
The remaining three opponents gathered to battle Adolin, while Renarin sat alone in the sand. Kaladin demanded Elit give him his helm, who complied, and used it as a armored gauntlet, then continued to help Adolin. Relis and Jakamav both tried to attack Kaladin, but he was able to dodge their Shardblades or block them with the helm, until he ran out of Stormlight. At this point, Kaladin realized that he had been feeding it to the Plate in order to keep it from shattering. Kaladin eventually was backed against a wall, until Adolin appeared and grappled Jakamav to the ground. Kaladin noticed that Abrobadar had been defeated by Adolin as well. Relis, the last man standing, rushed toward Renarin, who was vulnerable. Kaladin followed, and yelled for Renarin to yield, however Renarin only dismissed his Blade, and did nothing more. Relis raised his Blade toward Renarin, but ended up swinging it at Kaladin, who then caught it in a [[lastclap]]. Relis heard the scream that came from Kaladin holding a Shardblade, and ran from the arena, forfeiting the duel. Jakamav demanded for Adolin to fight him as he was held down. Rather than actually fighting, Kaladin placed his knife in a crack in Jakamav's plate, and told him to yield. Jakamav yielded and Adolin was declared the victor. Adolin laughed joyously at the spoils he won and asked Kaladin to help him remove his drained armor.{{book ref|sa2|57}}
==== In the Chasms ====
Kaladin joined Dalinar, Adolin, and Shallan on a scouting expedition across the Shattered Plains. As they crossed the plateaus, Kaladin noticed Syl's absence, and his inability to consume Stormlight. Dalinar talked with Kaladin regarding Renarin's inclusion in Bridge Four and how it was affecting him. Then, Kaladin talked to Adolin about a potential attack from Szeth, and how they would defend against him. Eventually, they reached the final scouting plateau, one that has a dead chasmfiend on top. As Adolin, Shallan and Dalinar stood on the mechanical bridge, Kaladin realized a bit too late about the incoming danger. He ran towards the bridge and so did Adolin upon seeing his distress. While the prince was able to reach Dalinar and save him, a carpenter from Sadeas' camp pulled an emergency lever, which caused the bridge to collapse and sent Kaladin and Shallan to plummet into the chasms.{{book ref|sa2|68}} As they fall, Kaladin managed to suck in a small amount of Stormlight, saving his life. Shallan did the same, though neither recongnized the other as Radiant. They wandered the chasms for a while, and begin to argue. Soon, they heard a large scraping noise: a chasmfiend.{{book ref|sa2|69}} Shallan began to lure the chasmfiend toward them, so she could get a sketch of a live one, much to Kaladin's dismay. Eventually, they left and continued back towards the warcamps. They bantered for a bit, Kaladin assuming Shallan's life was easy and pampered. Shallan responded saying that [[Lin Davar|her father]] was abusive, and that her life was far from easy. Syl had failed to
Soon, they heard a chasmfiend again, and they hid in a small fissure to escape it. The chasmfiend swiped at them, but was unable to hit them. Kaladin planned to fight it, but Shallan, desperate for a way to escape, gave him her Shardblade to fight with.{{book ref|sa2|71}} Kaladin jumped out of the fissure and they both distracted the chasmfiend, Shallan with Lightweavings and Kaladin with a Shardblade. The chasmfiend managed to bite Kaladin in the leg, severely weakening him, though as it came for another attack, Kaladin stabbed it in the roof of it's mouth with the Shardblade, finally killing it. As the highstorm approached, the pair grew gloomy at their imminent death. Kaladin realized they could use Shallan's Blade to cut a cubby out of the chasm wall, which would provide them protection from the storm. Shallan climbed upon the chasmfiend's back and started cutting handholds upward towards the water line. Finally, she finished, and started helping Kaladin climb up, as his leg was weakened. Kaladin barely reached the cubby as the stormwall hit.{{book ref|sa2|72}} Kaladin received a vision from the Stormfather, in which he was told he had betrayed Syl, killing her.{{book ref|sa2|74}} When the storm ended, the pair found their way back to the warcamps, with Bridge Four there to meet them. Dalinar soon came, and Kaladin saluted him, despite his leg. Dalinar tells everyone to meet the needs of Kaladin, as he was a hero for bringing back Shallan.{{book ref|sa2|75}}
After his return from the chasms, Kaladin stayed at the warcamps to heal, as Syl had disappeared. He went to the starting plateau to see Bridge Four off on the expedition to the center of the Shattered Plains. Dalinar noticed Kaladin, and asked Amaram, who was nearby, to come speak with him. Dalinar confronts Amaram about the rumors about him. Amaram confessed as Dalinar placed his Shardblade at Amaram's throat. Dalinar told him to take off his Radiant cloak, and lets him go, despite Kaladin's protest. Kaladin thanked Dalinar, and left to go rest.{{book ref|sa2|76}}
With the Weeping underway, Kaladin felt the darkness return. Moash visited him and went over the plan to assassinate Elhokar.{{book ref|sa2|77}} Kaladin walked through the empty camp, and tried to put his losses behind him. When he returned to his barracks, he found Elhokar there, and they conversed about Elhokar's confidence as king. Elhokar mentioned that Kaladin felt special, and that the shadows that haunted him vanished when he was near. He apologized for imprisoning Kaladin, then left.{{book ref|sa2|80}} Later, Kaladin walked throught the lighteyes' sparring grounds, and talked to Zahel. He asked about Wit, and tried practicing with a spear
When Kaladin returned to the palace, he found no guards, worrying him further. When he entered the king's room, he found Elhokar lying on a couch, unmoving. Kaladin realized quickly after that the king was drunk, not incapacitated. He said that assassins were coming and that they needed to leave. As they do, one of Graves' men appeared and stabbed Elhokar in the side, before Kaladin stabbed the man with his spear. As they fled, Moash and Graves appeared, both in Shardplate.{{book ref|sa2|82}} Kaladin argued with Moash about what was right, and Moash readied himself to fight.{{book ref|sa2|83}} Moash attacked Kaladin, and Kaladin fell to the ground. Graves and Moash attempted to make it look like Szeth attacked, and Kaladin heard an argument between Syl and the Stormfather. Kaladin stood, though with great difficulty, and placed himself in front of Elhokar. He then said the third ideal of the Windrunners, at Syl's direction.
==== Assault on the Royal Palace ====
When readying for the assault, Elhokar gave Kaladin the duty to save the Queen and the heir. While the other with the troops storm the palace, Kaladin, Shallan, Skar, and Drehy used their Radiant powers to engage and distract the Fused. They seized the Sunwalk and the eastern gallery, using Shallan's illusions to fake their death, and meet the others in the palace.{{book ref|sa3|83}} Kaladin joined Elhokar to lead a force, including Noro's squad, up the stairs to the royal chambers. They found the queen, who has lost her mind and joined the enemy. Kaladin searched the room and Syl found little [[Gavinor]] surrounded by red spren. Using his Sylblade Kaladin cut one of the spren, and scared
=== Trip through Shadesmar (1174) ===
{{image|Sad Man and His Honorspren by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=350px|In [[Shadesmar]] with [[Syl]]}}
When
The next morning, Kaladin woke up on the ship. The captain, [[Ico]], took him to the hold to get the special device that could make water for the humans. He then talked with Syl, about the ship and why she was wearing a disguise. Shallan and Kaladin discussed spren and the weird ship.{{book ref|sa3|99}} When arriving in Celebrant, the group split up; Kaladin went with Adolin and Syl to change money and buy supplies. Kaladin got distracted by a stall selling paintings, including a painting from the [[Court of Gods]] seemingly depicting a figure with nine shadows. The group soon discovered that the city was under control of the Fused. They narrowly escaped when Syl surrendered herself to a ship of honorspren.{{book ref|sa3|102}}
==== Evacuating Hearthstone ====
A few months into
Kaladin walked to where his mother was waiting and greeted his brother [[Oroden]], who called him "Gagadin". His mother inquired after [[Lyn]], and Syl replied she had broken up with Kal. His mother and Syl talk about him as he wouldn't talk about personal issues. He moved to the shed where his mother had hidden the Herdazian general. He found several guards but the general had sneaked off, so Kal asked the guards to pass the message with an invitation from Dalinar. Moving on, he was approached by his father who reprimanded him for not approaching covertly enough. The Windrunner cut the fight short and told his father to start packing. Knowing his parents would not leave the people of the town, he had brought an [[Fourth Bridge|airship]] to evacuate them all.{{book ref|sa4|2}}
== Relationships ==
{{image|Kal Syl.jpg|side=right|width=180px}}▼
=== Adolin Kholin ===▼
=== Sylphrena ===▼
{{image|Shardplateconcept.jpg|side=right|width=180px|Bodyguarding Adolin}}▼
[[Sylphrena]], known as Syl, is the [[honorspren]] that Kaladin has [[Nahel bond|bonded]]. Syl is Kaladin's constant companion and perhaps his best friend. In addition to providing Kaladin with companionship and guidance, Kaladin's bond with Syl is what allows him access to his [[Surgebinder]] abilities and to become a member of the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa1|57}} Syl is also a living weapon and is able to manifest herself as a [[Shardblade]].{{book ref|sa2|86}} Syl's existence, the Knights Radiant, and Kaladin are linked together. When Kaladin doesn't live up to [[Immortal Words|the oaths]] that he has made as a Knight Radiant, Syl slowly loses intelligence and is eventually "killed."{{book ref|sa2|74}} When Kaladin reaffirms his oaths, he is able to revive Syl,{{book ref|sa2|84}} although it is implied that there is a way for Kaladin to more permanently kill Syl.▼
Kaladin first sees Adolin saving a darkeyed prostitute who is being harassed by some lighteyed officers. Despite this Kaladin, due to his past interactions with lighteyes, marks it up as an act.{{book ref|sa1|46}} Their relationship sours even more when they next meet face-to-face, with Kaladin seeing Adolin as spoiled and arrogant and Adolin disliking Kaladin's condescending attitude and willingness to order those clearly above him in rank. Their interactions manifest in glares and taunts with each only tolerating the other out of necessity.{{book ref|sa1|68}}▼
Initially, Syl is attracted to Kaladin because of his urge to save others.{{cite}} In this initial stage, she behaves much like a normal [[windspren]], having no sentience.{{book ref|sa1|2}} As her bond with Kaladin grows, she gains intelligence, progressing from child-like naivety to understanding complex concepts.{{book ref|sa1|14}} She also begins to remember parts of her past; for example, she remembers her own name (and her nickname) when Kaladin asks her if she has a name.{{book ref|sa1|6}} She also gains the ability to manifest herself into different forms, initially as things like a ribbon of light, a leaf, and a young woman, and eventually into a Shardblade.{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa2|86}}▼
This changes when Kaladin, at a suicidal disadvantage, aids Adolin in a battle against four other Shardbearers. After the duel, while the king offers a boon to Adolin, Kaladin unknowingly embarrasses Elhokar by demanding a Right of Challenge to face Amaram in the arena, resulting in his incarceration.{{book ref|sa2|57}} This only further convinces Kaladin that lighteyes can't be trusted. Upon being freed, however, he discovers that Adolin had demanded to be locked up in the same prison, and had refused to be released until Kaladin was pardoned. When questioned why, the prince only says that it wasn't right after Kaladin had saved his life. Adolin then offers Kaladin one of the newly won sets of Shards, though the former bridgeman refuses both, stating that the artifacts had killed too many of his friends for him to want anything to do with them. Confused, the prince instead gives the set to Moash at Kaladin's recommendation.{{book ref|sa2|66}} From there the two become good friends, although their friendship is stressed due to their mutual attraction to Shallan Davar.{{book ref|sa2|76}}{{book ref|sa2|77}}{{book ref|sa3|77}} After a while, Shallan and Adolin confess their love to each other and Kaladin gives up on her for good.{{book ref|sa3|121}}▼
Kaladin shares with Syl his regrets of not being able to save those closest to him, and when he is at first unable to swear his Fourth Ideal, Syl is very supportive of him.{{book ref|sa3|118}} Because she wants to understand Kaladin better, she goes to [[Dalinar]] and asks him to Connect her to Kaladin so she can feel what he feels;{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} he doesn't do exactly what she was expecting, but in remembering her [[Relador|former Knight]] Syl does begin to feel grief and other shades of sorrow that help her understand Kaladin's depression.{{book ref|sa4|63}}▼
Throughout their relationship, Adolin notices Kaladin's numerous depressive spirals and helps to break him of them, subtly or not, by forcing Kaladin to spend time around friends and not be alone with his thoughts. Adolin's support of Kaladin is highlighted after Kaladin is relieved of duty as Highmarshal, resulting in Kaladin's depression worsening, and Adolin insists he accompany him to winehouses and various outings.{{book ref|sa4|12}}▼
===
Kaladin's younger brother, due to the difference in nahn between his family and the rest of the town Kaladin had no real friends growing up and instead would spend time with Tien. As a result the two of them became extremely close with Tien being the only one who could cheer Kaladin up when he became depressed, especially during the Weeping. He is also very protective of his brother as shown when he effortlessly ignored his fathers pleas and threw away his chance at training in Kharbranth. In the end Tien's death scarred him to the point where he spent the whole next year practicing with the spear to escape his pain, to the point where it nearly killed him even. Years later, Kaladin still feels remorse because of his inability to help Tien. He forces himself to relive his grief every time someone close to him is killed. This causes him to develop a serious case of depression, to the point that he actually jumps off of the Radiant City, Urithiru.▼
{{image|Shallan and Kaladin in the chasms.jpg|side=right|width=180px|Hiding with Shallan in the chasms}}
Later, when Kaladin and Shallan are both stranded in the chasms of the [[Shattered Plains]], they grow to respect and admire one another. During this time, they reveal some of their personal history and secrets to each other, including the fact that Shallan has a Shardblade.{{book ref|sa2|74}} Although unsure of their own natures as members of the Knights Radiant, this incident causes them to suspect each other of being more than meets the eye. As time passes, the two of them grow closer together, with Shallan admitting that Veil is attracted to him.{{book ref|sa3|121}} In the end, however, she chooses Adolin instead. When Syl asks how Kaladin feels about this, he claims that she lifted his burdens a bit and reminded him of Tien (possibly since they were both Lighweavers), but that he never actually loved her.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
▲=== Adolin Kholin ===
▲{{image|Kal Syl.jpg|side=right|width=180px}}
▲{{image|Shardplateconcept.jpg|side=right|width=180px|Bodyguarding Adolin}}
▲=== Sylphrena ===
▲Kaladin first sees Adolin saving a darkeyed prostitute who is being harassed by some lighteyed officers. Despite this Kaladin, due to his past interactions with lighteyes, marks it up as an act.{{book ref|sa1|46}} Their relationship sours even more when they next meet face-to-face, with Kaladin seeing Adolin as spoiled and arrogant and Adolin disliking Kaladin's condescending attitude and willingness to order those clearly above him in rank. Their interactions manifest in glares and taunts with each only tolerating the other out of necessity.{{book ref|sa1|68}}
▲[[Sylphrena]], known as Syl, is the [[honorspren]] that Kaladin has [[Nahel bond|bonded]]. Syl is Kaladin's constant companion and perhaps his best friend. In addition to providing Kaladin with companionship and guidance, Kaladin's bond with Syl is what allows him access to his [[Surgebinder]] abilities and to become a member of the [[Knights Radiant]].{{book ref|sa1|57}} Syl is also a living weapon and is able to manifest herself as a [[Shardblade]].{{book ref|sa2|86}} Syl's existence, the Knights Radiant, and Kaladin are linked together. When Kaladin doesn't live up to [[Immortal Words|the oaths]] that he has made as a Knight Radiant, Syl slowly loses intelligence and is eventually "killed."{{book ref|sa2|74}} When Kaladin reaffirms his oaths, he is able to revive Syl,{{book ref|sa2|84}} although it is implied that there is a way for Kaladin to more permanently kill Syl.
▲This changes when Kaladin, at a suicidal disadvantage, aids Adolin in a battle against four other Shardbearers. After the duel, while the king offers a boon to Adolin, Kaladin unknowingly embarrasses Elhokar by demanding a Right of Challenge to face Amaram in the arena, resulting in his incarceration.{{book ref|sa2|57}} This only further convinces Kaladin that lighteyes can't be trusted. Upon being freed, however, he discovers that Adolin had demanded to be locked up in the same prison, and had refused to be released until Kaladin was pardoned. When questioned why, the prince only says that it wasn't right after Kaladin had saved his life. Adolin then offers Kaladin one of the newly won sets of Shards, though the former bridgeman refuses both, stating that the artifacts had killed too many of his friends for him to want anything to do with them. Confused, the prince instead gives the set to Moash at Kaladin's recommendation.{{book ref|sa2|66}} From there the two become good friends, although their friendship is stressed due to their mutual attraction to Shallan Davar.{{book ref|sa2|76}}{{book ref|sa2|77}}{{book ref|sa3|77}} After a while, Shallan and Adolin confess their love to each other and Kaladin gives up on her for good.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
▲Initially, Syl is attracted to Kaladin because of his urge to save others.{{cite}} In this initial stage, she behaves much like a normal [[windspren]], having no sentience.{{book ref|sa1|2}} As her bond with Kaladin grows, she gains intelligence, progressing from child-like naivety to understanding complex concepts.{{book ref|sa1|14}} She also begins to remember parts of her past; for example, she remembers her own name (and her nickname) when Kaladin asks her if she has a name.{{book ref|sa1|6}} She also gains the ability to manifest herself into different forms, initially as things like a ribbon of light, a leaf, and a young woman, and eventually into a Shardblade.{{book ref|sa1|2}}{{book ref|sa2|86}}
▲Throughout their relationship, Adolin notices Kaladin's numerous depressive spirals and helps to break him of them, subtly or not, by forcing Kaladin to spend time around friends and not be alone with his thoughts. Adolin's support of Kaladin is highlighted after Kaladin is relieved of duty as Highmarshal, resulting in Kaladin's depression worsening, and Adolin insists he accompany him to winehouses and various outings.{{book ref|sa4|12}}
▲Kaladin shares with Syl his regrets of not being able to save those closest to him, and when he is at first unable to swear his Fourth Ideal, Syl is very supportive of him.{{book ref|sa3|118}} Because she wants to understand Kaladin better, she goes to [[Dalinar]] and asks him to Connect her to Kaladin so she can feel what he feels;{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} he doesn't do exactly what she was expecting, but in remembering her [[Relador|former Knight]] Syl does begin to feel grief and other shades of sorrow that help her understand Kaladin's depression.{{book ref|sa4|63}}
▲Kaladin's younger brother, due to the difference in nahn between his family and the rest of the town Kaladin had no real friends growing up and instead would spend time with Tien. As a result the two of them became extremely close with Tien being the only one who could cheer Kaladin up when he became depressed, especially during the Weeping. He is also very protective of his brother as shown when he effortlessly ignored his fathers pleas and threw away his chance at training in Kharbranth. In the end Tien's death scarred him to the point where he spent the whole next year practicing with the spear to escape his pain, to the point where it nearly killed him even. Years later, Kaladin still feels remorse because of his inability to help Tien. He forces himself to relive his grief every time someone close to him is killed. This causes him to develop a serious case of depression, to the point that he actually jumps off of the Radiant City, Urithiru.
=== Wit ===
Wit and Kaladin's relationship is strange but positive; they've only met and had serious conversations a few times but each time Wit has taken the effort to give Kaladin some needed emotional support and reinforcement, thus far by telling him a story that goads Kaladin into some sort of growth (despite Wit's protests that the stories have no inherent meaning and anything Kaladin gets out of them is entirely up to Kaladin).{{book ref|sa1|57}}{{book ref|sa2|59}}{{book ref|sa4|80}} Wit generally spares Kaladin his barbs and mockery, and treats him more kindly than most. Kaladin seems to enjoy the encounters with him and even asked for a story in when they meet in his nightmare, something Wit says people almost never do.{{book ref|sa4|80}}
== Development ==
Kaladin's precursor in the [[Stormlight Archive]] was '''Merin''', a character Brandon came up with in the year 2000. In the original draft for ''The Way of Kings'', ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', Merin wins a [[Shardblade]] after defending [[Elhokar]] on the field of battle. Much like Kaladin, Merin is of low social rank (it's unclear if the concept of eye color denoting social status was already present). As such, there are people who don't wish to him to have the Shards; however, at the insistence of Dalenar (proto-[[Dalinar]]), Merin is made a Shardbearer and adopted into [[House Kholin]].{{wob ref|4650}}
However, Brandon was very dissatisfied with Merin's character, feeling as though there was nothing interesting to him after he accepted the Shardblade. As such, he set out to add more personality to him. The surgeon backstory came first, followed by the personal tragedy of losing a family member and the decision to have Merin deny the Shardblades, with all consequences thereof. Finally, Brandon decided to give the character depression to round him out. Overall, it took about eight years for Merin to evolve.{{wob ref|5344}} The [[Shattered Plains]] plot, originally of ''[[Dragonsteel
Merin's name was up for change for a while at this point, as it sounded too much like [[wikipedia:Perrin Aybara|Perrin]]. Moreover, this new character felt too different to be still called Merin, and Brandon wanted this new protagonist to have a new, more mythic-sounding name; thus, Kaladin was born.{{wob ref|10099}}{{wob ref|10237}}
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