Difference between revisions of "Lighteyes"

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{{culture
|image=Dalinar family BBQ Shapez reddit.jpg
|related=[[Vorinism]]
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{update|sa3|sa4}}
A '''lighteyes''' is a person with lightly colored, bright eyes, such as blue, green, yellow, light grey, or violet.{{book ref|sa1|1}}{{book ref|sa1|5}} In the [[Vorin]] kingdoms of [[Alethkar]], [[Jah Keved]], and [[Kharbranth]], they form the nobility, ruling over the [[darkeyes]]. Lighteyes are ranked in ten different levels, in accordance with the dahn caste system.
 
A male lighteyes of notable rank is addressed by the title Brightlord. Similarly, Brightlady is used to address high-ranking females,{{book ref|sa2|14}} although the more common term of address is Brightness. Brightness can be used to address a lighteyed lady of any rank.
 
Sometimes when important lighteyes die, their corpses are Soulcast into stone or metal statues.{{book ref|sa2|2}} This practice sometimes extends to wealthy [[darkeyes]] as well, but darkeyes corpses are typically burned instead.{{book ref|sa1|27}} Conversely, the method of final disposition of the corpses of lighteyes of lower dahn is unknown. This practice is observed in both [[Alethkar]] and [[Jah Keved]],{{book ref|sa3|105}}{{book ref|sa3|29}} despite the rarity of Soulcasters even in nations as powerful as Jah Keved,{{book ref|sa1|33}} and likely extends to other Vorin nations.
== Changing eyecolor ==
 
== Changing eyecoloreye color ==
Permanently changing one's birth eye color is generally not possible. However, two exceedingly rare methods are currently known to change one's eye color.
 
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}} ThisEven if his eye color didn't physically change, he would alsostill be accompaniedpromoted withto fourth dahn by virtue of being a promotionShardbearer.{{book toref|sa2|66}} theThe fourthexact dahncolor forof the Shardbearer's eyes depends on the specific type of Blade they bonded to.{{wob ref|3255}} This legend, though a foundation of Vorin society, went untested for centuries, until [[KaladinAdolin StormblessedKholin]] won a full set of [[Shardbearer|Shards]] and gifted them to the former bridgeman [[Kaladin Stormblessed]]. Kaladin, remembering the event in which his friends were killed, stepped aside and commanded his lieutenant, [[Moash]], to take the Shards. Upon receiving the Shards, Moash's eyes did indeed lighten, from a dark brown to a tan color.{{book ref|sa2|68}} ItThis iseffect unknownlasts ifonly thisas effectlong isas permanentthe orformerly onlydarkeyed temporaryShardbearer whilekeeps theownership holderof ishis inShardblade, possessionas ofMoash's hiseyes Shardschanged again upon losing his.
 
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}} They stay pale blue for several hours after summoning [[Syl]] before returning to brown, and Kaladin has to summon Syl several times a day to keep his eye blue.{{book ref|sa3|73}} The longer a person is a Radiant, the longer it takes for their eyes to turn back.{{book ref|sa4|25}}{{book ref|sa4|91}}
 
Lighteyes can temporarily be darkened using eyedrops. There is not currently a way to artificially lighten dark eye colors.{{book ref|sa2|28}}
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 ==
 
It is speculated that the distinction between lighteyes and darkeyes this stems from the [[Knights Radiant]]. The Knights Radiant all used [[Surgebinding]] and [[Shardbearer|Shards]], which granted them light-colored eyes even if they didn't have them at birth. Because the weapons and magic that the Radiants wielded were so superior, the belief that light colored eyes being superior to dark colored ones came to be. The bond between [[spren]] and humans is what actually causes the color change.{{wob ref|7729}}
 
[[Hoid]] thinks that he should be amused by the importimportance given to the color of one's eyes, but he isn't, since he has seen other arbitrary systems of governance; additionally, he recalls that there is a good reason why the belief in the superiority of lighteyes came to be.{{book ref|twok|epilogue}}
 
== Dahn ==
=== Dahn Rankings ===
{{theory}}
{| class=infobox
{{row| Dahn | People of the rank |pre=!}}
{{row| 1st | The Reigning monarch }}
{{row| 2nd | Highprinces, their direct heirs, and the Monarch’s direct heir. }}
{{row| 3rd | ''Generals'', Highlords, and the non-inheriting children of 1st and 2nd dahn lighteyes. }}
{{row| 4th | Battalionlords and/or Shardbearers}}
{{row| 5th | ''Companylords''}}
{{row| 6th | ''Captainlords'' and any landed lighteyes}}
{{row| 7th | Lower-ranking landless officers, ''higher-ranking (or very wealthy) landless lighteyes''. }}
{{row| 8th | Soldiers, ''high-ranking (or moderately wealthy) landless lighteyes''. }}
{{row| 9th | Landless lighteyes with some wealth, like merchants and master craftsmen. }}
{{row| 10th | "Tenners", essentially any lighteyes who has to work for a living. }}
|}
Anything italicized is speculated [https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/6s1gyf/no_spoilers_relationship_between_eyestatus_and/dlai1mv/ here].{{wob ref|4006}}
 
The position of ''Citylord'', may span multiple dahn, including fourth, fifth, and sixth.{{book ref|sa3|58}}{{wob ref|4006}} The dahn of the appointed citylord may be based on the size and significance of a settlement.
 
=== General Dahn Information ===
Dahn is the caste system for lighteyes.{{book ref|sa1|8}} Its counterpart for [[darkeyes]] is the [[nahn]] system.
 
Since lighteyes are nobility in the Vorin kingdoms, the dahn system is superior to the nahn system. Holding even the tenth and lowest dahn socially outranks the highest level of [[nahn]].{{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 an extreme 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 dahn system itself, there are ten different levels ranging from one to ten, with one being the highest and ten being the lowest. The highest levels of dahn implies immense power and authority while those at the lowest level of dahn are merely ordinary people.
 
The first dahn consists of the king. During the period when Alethkar was a powerful nation but not unified, the ten ruling highprinces were only second dahn. Rulers of smaller nations like Kharbranth, Bavland or Silnasen would accept the role of second dahn to avoid antagonizing the Alethi, though the rulers of Jah Keved and Thaylen had enough clout to consider their rulers to be first dahn, and a nation like Herdaz wouldn't generally care if they upset the Alethi{{wob ref|4006}}. The second dahn contains the highprinces. The third dahn is made up, at least in part, byof the non-heir children of the king, the non-heir children of highprinces, and highlords{{qawob ref|1068|13|Tor.com The Way of Kings Re-read Interview with Brandon Sanderson|date=Jun 10th, 20142782}}{{book ref|sa2|52}}. The fourth dahn includes lighteyes who hold the position of battalionlord in the army; battalionlords command a full battalion of a thousand men.{{book ref|sa1|73}} The seventh dahn includes lower ranking officers in the army who are landless and attached to a more powerful officer's retinue.{{book ref|sa1|27}}
 
ThePeople in the tenth and lowest level of dahn wereare colloquially known as "tenners" and wereare looked down upon as being barely above darkeyes.{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{book ref|sa2|2}}{{book ref|sa2|45}} Unlike high dahn lighteyes—who might make a living from their landed estates or by ruling over other men—or even high nahn darkeyes—who might be merchants or master craftsmen—tenners hadhave to actually work for a living.{{book ref|sa2|45}}
 
=== Moving between ranks ===
It is difficult for a lighteyed person to raise their dahn, especially at the higher dahns.{{qawob ref|1068|132782}} At the lower dahns, one couldcan buy themselves up a rank. Alternatively, one couldcan be appointed to a position; a position such as a citylord conveys a certain rank and if the person does not currently have that rank, they will receive it along with the appointment.{{qawob ref|1068|132782}} A person couldcan potentially jump up two or three dahns by receiving such an appointment.{{qawob ref|1068|132782}}
 
One couldcan raise his dahn through two other, much more rare, methods. The first wasis through direct intervention by the king or a highprince.{{qawob ref|1068|132782}} The second wasis to become a Shardbearer; by doing so, one immediately raisedraises his dahn to that of the fourth rank, if he wasis not already at or above this rank.{{book ref|sa2|66}}
 
A person can also be demoted in dahn if they perform poorly in a given role.{{qawob ref|1068|132782}} In particular, if an [[ardent]] leaves the ardentia, he will be demoted to the tenth dahn.{{book ref|sa1|45}}
 
=== Inheritance of dahn ===
The dahn of a lighteyed child is influenced by the dahn that his parents hold. Generally, the child's dahn will be equivalent to the highest dahn that either of his parents hold.{{qawob ref|1068|132782}} For example, a child from a union of a fifth dahn husband and sixth dahn wife would be fifth dahn.
 
However, special rules apply to those of very high dahn or who hold certain special positions. In such a circumstance, the heir apparent will receive the highest parent's dahn and eventually succeed the parent's position while the non-heir children will slip one or two ranks down until they reach a "stable rank."{{qawob ref|1068|132782}} A stable rank is one in which the child will always inherit the rank of their parent; the third dahn is a stable rank, while the first and second are not.{{qawob ref|1068|132782}}
 
== Notable lighteyes ==
 
=== First dahn ===
* King [[ElhokarDalinar Kholin]], King of [[AlethkarUrithiru]].{{book ref|dawnshard|1}}
* Queen [[Jasnah Kholin]], Queen of [[Alethkar]] (A ruler in her own right instead of marriage, in defiance of [[Vorin]] tradition).{{book ref|sa3|122}}
* King [[Gavilar Kholin]], former King of [[Alethkar]].{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}
* King [[Elhokar Kholin]], former King of Alethkar.
* King [[Hanavanar]], former King of [[Jah Keved]].{{book ref|sa1|29}}{{wob ref|4006}}
* King [[Valam]], former King of Jah Keved{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{wob ref|4006}}
* King [[Taravangian]], former King of Jah Keved, and [[Kharbranth]].{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{wob ref|4006}}
* Queen [[Fen Rnamdi]], Queen of [[Thaylenah]].{{book ref|sa3|12}}{{wob ref|4006}}
 
=== Second dahn ===
=== Alethkar ===
* [[Highprince]] [[Dalinar Kholin]], Highprince of [[Kholin princedom|Kholin]] and [[Highprince of War]]
* Queen [[Navani Kholin]], Queen of Urithiru.{{book ref|Dawnshard|1}}{{wob ref|2782}}{{wob ref|4006}}
* [[Adolin Kholin]], Heir to the Kholin princedom and son of Dalinar Kholin
* Queen [[Aesudan Kholin]], Queen of Alethkar.{{book ref|sa1|1}}
* Highprince [[Torol Sadeas]], Highprince of [[Sadeas princedom]] and [[Highprince of Information]]
* Prince [[Gavinor Kholin]], heir to Alethkar.{{book ref|sa3|122}}
* Highprince [[Aladar]]
* Highprince [[BethabAdolin Kholin]].{{book ref|sa3|122}}
* Highprincess [[Shallan Davar]]{{wob ref|2782}}
* Highprince [[Hatham]]
* Prince [[AdolinRenarin Kholin]], Heir to the [[Kholin princedom and son of Dalinar Kholin]].
* Highprince [[Roion]]
* Highprince [[RutharAladar]], [[Highprince of Information]].
* Highprince [[SebarialBethab]].
* Highprince [[ThanadalHatham]], [[Highprince of Works]].
* Highprince [[VamahTurinad Sebarial]], [[Highprince of Commerce]].
* Highprince [[AladarRelis Ruthar]].
 
=== Jah Keved ===
* [[Abrial]]
* [[Boriar]]
* [[Evinor]]
* [[Jal Mala]]
* [[Valam]]
* [[Urian]]
 
=== Third dahn ===
* Highlord [[Meridas AmaramJakamav]], absendiarlandlord highmarshaland of[[Shardbearer]] theunder SadeasHighprince princedomRoion.{{book ref|sa1|4458}}{{book ref|sa2|5226}}
* [[Jakamav]], landlord and [[Shardbearer]] under Highprince Roion{{book ref|sa1|58}}{{book ref|sa2|26}}
* [[Renarin Kholin]], son of Highprince Dalinar Kholin
 
=== Fourth dahn ===
* [[Moash]], Lieutenant of the bridgemen and Shardbearer under Highprince Dalinar.{{book ref|sa2|2}}{{book ref|sa2|66}}{{book ref|sa2|68}}
* [[Lin Davar]], Head of [[House Davar]] and Shallan's father.{{book ref|sa2|52}}
* [[Balat Davar]], Shallan's brother.{{book ref|sa2|52}}
* [[Helaran Davar]], Shallan's brother. (by virtue of Shardblade)
* [[Kaladin Stormblessed]], Knight Radiant, Order of Windrunners. (by virtue of Shardblade)
* [[Teft]], Knight Radiant, Order of Windrunners. (by virtue of Shardblade)
 
=== FifthEighth dahn ===
* [[Shallan DavarJix]], Davar household guard{{book ref|sa2|5245}}
 
=== Tenth dahn ===
== Notes ==
<references />
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[[es:Ojos claros]]
 
[[category: Alethi|*]]