Lighteyes
| Lighteyes | |
|---|---|
| Related to | Alethkar |
| World of Origin | Roshar |
A lighteyes is a person with lightly colored, bright eyes, such as blue, green, yellow, light grey, or violet.[1][2] In the Vorin kingdoms of Alethkar, Jah Keved, and Kharbranth, they form the nobility, ruling over the darkeyes. A male lighteyes of notable rank is addressed by the title Brightlord. Similarly, Brightlady is used to address high-ranking females,[3] although the more common term of address is Brightness. Brightness can be used to address a lighteyed lady of any rank.
The defining characteristic of a lighteyes is not merely the actual color of their eyes, but that they have a light and distinguishable color. For example, although grey is not normally considered a bright color, having light grey eyes qualifies one as a lighteyes.[1] Conversely, although green is normally seen as a light color, having deep, dark green eyes that looks muddled and is hard to distinguish from brown or black in average light would qualify one as a darkeyes.[4]
According to the Vorin religion, all lighteyes are born to rule and are superior to the darkeyes. Additionally, Lighteyes themselves are classified according to the dahn caste system, a ten level hierarchy indicating one's social position. The first through third dahns are occupied by the King, Highprinces, Highlords, and other members of the high nobility, while the tenth dahn consists mostly of normal people who work for a living.
Becoming a lighteyes
Permanently changing one's birth eye color is generally not possible. However, 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.[5] This legend, though a foundation of Vorin society, went untested for centuries, until Kaladin Stormblessed won a full set of Shards and gifted them to his lieutenant, Moash. Upon receiving the Shards, Moash's eyes did indeed lighten, from a dark brown to a tan color.[6]
Kaladin's eyes change during his fight to save Dalinar, although they changed back afterwards.[7]
Hoid thinks that he should be amused by the import put in the color of the eyes, however he reflects that there is a good reason for this.[8]
It is speculated that the reason why lighteyes are revered and thought to be destined to rule is because of the Knights Radiant. Since the Knights Radiant were all using Surgebinding and Shards, they all had light eyes even if they didn't have them at birth. This in turn created the idea that lighteyes were superior to the darkeyes.