Difference between revisions of "Nale"

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Nale is obsessed with order and law, and will go to extreme lengths to ensure he doesn't break any laws of the land he's in. This is because he's lost his own sense of justice and morality, and as such, he believes that the only way for him to act correctly is to obey a code of conduct created by others.{{book ref|sa3|121}} He is, however, capable of bending the rules to his advantage, such as by appointing himself a lawman to enable him to kill, or pressuring local authorities to change the law.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa2.5|16}}
 
This being said, Nale's still obsessed with obeying the rules, and will punish even his own underlings for breaking the law, even if doing so is to his advantage.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} He thinks the world of [[Ishar]], and will do anything the man commands, to the point of self-delusion in all but most dire of circumstances.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}} In his actions, he seems utterly devoid of mercy, and will kill whoever breaks the law without a shred of compassion, even if they aren't his targets.{{book ref|sa2.5|8}} He respects those who share his own blind obedience, and will target them as recruits for the [[Skybreakers]].{{book ref|sa2|88}} While willing to respect that people are fallible, he expects higher standards from those he chooses.{{wob ref|3850}}
 
Most of Nale's current-day behavior is a result of his experiences during the [[Desolation]]s. Back then, he was capable of emotions and compassion; however, this was tortured out of him on [[Braize]].{{book ref|sa3|121}} In his better moments, Nale is aware of what he's lost, and can be horrified by his own behavior, but his current coping patterns quickly reassert themselves.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}}{{book ref|sa3|90}}
As a [[Herald]] of the [[Almighty]], Nale is functionally immortal. He does not appear to age while on [[Roshar]]; and when he does die, he is transported to [[Braize]], where he can return to when he wishes, though this comes with the risk of releasing another [[Desolation]]. He also has access to an [[Honorblade]], and is in fact the only Herald to have recovered his after the [[Aharietiam]].{{book ref|sa3|106}} The Honorblade makes him a [[Surgebinder]], granting him powers over the [[Surge]]s of [[Division]] and [[Gravitation]].{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa3|121}}
 
Apart from his powers as a Herald, Nale has formed a [[Nahel bond]] with a [[highspren]], making him a [[Skybreaker]]. He's the only Skybreaker in centuries to have reached the Fifth Ideal, and has access to a living [[Shardblade]], giving him two Blades in total.{{book ref|sa3|90}}{{book ref|sa3|106}} It's unknown if his double bond -- with the Honorblade and the [[spren]] -- enhances his Surgebinding abilities in any way. However, he does have some sort of "hack" that lets him acquire [[Stormlight]] where other characters cannot, though it might be due to his nature as a Herald.{{wob ref|3398}}
 
While he has the power, until the [[True Desolation]], he seems to avoid using it in the presence of others, likely to keep a low profile.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
 
=== Resources ===
Nale is the head of the Order of Skybreakers, with many of its memebers sworn to follow him directly by their Third Ideal. This provides him with a small, but powerful fighting force willing to obey his every command. They seem to follow him unquestioningly, even when he turns against humanity.{{book ref|sa3|117}} Some of them are as high as the Fourth Ideal, while others are merely squires, though all seem rather well-trained.{{book ref|sa3|90}}
 
Apart from the Skybreakers, Nale seems to have vast resources and connections. He has access to various rare items and creatures: he can acquire a [[larkin]] without apparent difficulty, has a [[Regrowth]] [[fabrial]] able to bring people back from the dead, and was even in possession of [[Nightblood]] for a while, having gotten his hands on it by means unknown.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}{{book ref|sa2|88}} He keeps caches of food and supplies throughout the continent, though many of them are poorly-maintained.{{book ref|sa3|106}}
 
== Relationships ==
; Jezrien
He has apparently kept in some contact with the [[Jezrien|old king]], as he seems to mention his current state to the viziers of [[Azir]].{{book ref|sa2|I|9}}
 
=== Other Heralds ===
; Skybreakers
Nale greatly respects [[Ishar]] and his opinions, believing the Herald of Luck to be the only one who hasn't succumbed to madness. It was likely at Ishar's suggestion that Nale began his crusade against Surgebinders, and when the [[Everstorm]] comes, Nale goes to Ishar for comfort and advice.{{book ref|sa3|106}}
Like [[Shalash]] Nale has a number of minions to help him in tracking down his quarries, however unlike her these appear to be genuine surgebinders which are being trained to become [[Skybreakers]]. They wear uniforms similar to his but of a lesser quality. He goes to great lengths to explain his motives to them, ensuring that one of them understands he should have only acted within the confines of the law with relation to [[Gawx]].{{book ref|sa2|I|9}}
 
By contrast, Nale doesn't seem to respect the other Heralds very much. He has been keeping tabs on [[Jezrien]], and considers him to be little more than a drooling idiot in the recent years.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} It's also likely that he's met with [[Kalak]] on the night of [[Gavilar]]'s assassination, suggesting that the two keep in touch; however, he has little patience for him and his worries.{{book ref|sa2|prologue}}
These trainees are disciplined, capable of taking care for a [[Larkin]] well, know how to keep a "dark" perimeter around [[Lift]] at all times{{book ref|sa2|I|9}} and are trusted with their own investigations into the surgebinder Nale was seeking in [[Yeddaw]].{{book ref|Edgedancer|9}} They have also been showing possessing their own [[Shardblade|shardblades]]{{book ref|sa2|I|9}} and using the surge of [[Surgebinding#Gravitation|Gravitation]] to quickly track down [[Arclo|their suspect]]{{book ref|Edgedancer|16}}, suggesting they have formed a [[Nahel bond]], though they were not skilled enough to survive their encounter.{{book ref|Edgedancer|18}}
 
;=== Szeth ===
Nale mentionsseems thathighly [[Szeth]]impressed iswith perhapsSzeth, thecalling mosthim deservingone of anythe menpeople whomost haddeserving everof joinedjoining the [[Order of SkybreakersSkybreaker]]s. He's isapparently deeplybeen impressedwatching by his adherence to his Oath and had watched him on his pathSzeth for at least a considerable partperiod of his time aswhile the latter was [[Truthless]]., Heand isgreatly impressedrespects enoughhis by himobedience to notthe onlyOath, enough so to revive him from death but alsoand entrust him with [[Nightblood]] and the judgment of the [[Shin]] and the [[Stone Shamanism|Stone Shamans]].{{book ref|sa2|88}}
 
Even later, Nale seems to take a special interest in Szeth beyond that of other candidates. He seems comfortable telling Szeth his life story and speaking to him in private about the true history of the world.{{book ref|sa3|106}}{{book ref|sa3|121}} He's also fairly indifferent and accepting of Szeth's opinions, even when they disagree with his own.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}} Even when Szeth decides to side with the people opposing [[singer]]s -- and, by extension, Nale -- the Herald respects it and remains friendly, even promising to teach him further.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
When Szeth openly challenges and questions Nale during their meeting in [[Yeddaw]] Nale was shown to be indifferent to his attitude besides pointing out it would lead Szeth to inactivity, which may mean he has a higher opinion of him compared to the other skybreakers.{{book ref|Edgedancer|9}}
 
=== Lift ===
Nale has been hunting [[Lift]] relentlessly for a while by the time she arrives in [[Azimir]] and attempts to rob the Bronze Palace, enough so for her to recognize him right away. She nicknames him Darkness, and is initially terrified of him, though when his plans to kill her fail, he departs easily enough.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}}
 
Afterwards, Lift takes to hunting him herself, trying to stop him from killing more [[Surgebinder]]s, which eventually leads to the two having a confrontation in [[Yeddaw]]. Nale is initially rather glad that she came to be judged, and has every intention of killing her. Eventually, however, she manages to talk him down and point out to him that the Desolation is starting again, which seems to temporarily return him to his senses. She even manages to hug him, although he departs shortly after.{{book ref|sa2.5|19}}
 
== Culture ==
As a Herald, Nale is significant in a number of Rosharan cultures. In [[Vorinism]], he's called Nalan, and is associated with the number 2 (or Nan), the [[Ten Essences|Essence]] of Vapor, and the attributes Just and Confident.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}} People often swear by Nalan's hand, or say "Nalan send..." to express hope.{{book ref|sa2|44}}{{book ref|sa2|88}}
 
In [[Shinovar]], he's revered as Nin-son-God, and believed to be the founder of humanity.{{book ref|sa3|98}} The [[Azish]] know him as Nakku the Judge.{{book ref|sa3|53}} He's also ascribed the title of the Illuminator, and is mentioned as having a hundred other names and titles across the world, among them the Herald of Justice.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa3|98}}
 
== Trivia ==
* [[Nightblood]] wouldn't consider Nale to be evil.{{wob ref|12567}}
* Nale's birthmark is something unique to him, at least among the Heralds.{{wob ref|8455}}
 
== Notes ==
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