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Difference between revisions of "Nergaoul"

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{{character
  
{{character
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|image=Thrill.png
 +
|image=Kings drop by Paintweaver.png
 
|abilities={{tag+|Splinter}} of [[Odium]]
  
|abilities={{tag+|Splinter}} of [[Odium]]
  +
|aliases=The Thrill{{book ref|sa4|i|2}}
 
|groups={{tag|Unmade}}
  
|groups={{tag|Unmade}}
 
|species=Spren
  
|species=Spren
 
|world=Roshar
  
|world=Roshar
 
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
  
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
  +
|first appeared=[[Oathbringer]]
−
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
  
  +
}}
−
}}{{spoilers|book=sa3}}
  
  +
{{quote
⚫
'''Nergaoul''' is the [[Unmade]] involved with the [[Thrill]].{{reddit ref|fantasy|3va8fw|cxnga0u|text=Nergaoul and the Thrill|date=December 3rd, 2015}} He{{book ref|sa3|100}} has been described as an "ancient, evil spren".{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
  
  +
|The Thrill didn't hate. Though some spren could make decisions, others were like animals—primal, driven by a single overpowering directive. Live. Burn. Laugh. Or in this case, '''fight'''.
  +
|[[Dalinar]] when trapping Nergaoul.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
}}
  ⚫
'''Nergaoul''' is one of the nine [[Unmade]] on [[Roshar]]. In modern times Nergaoul is known as the '''Thrill'''.{{reddit ref|fantasy|3va8fw|cxnga0u|text=Nergaoul and the Thrill|date=December 3rd, 2015}} He{{book ref|sa3|100}} has been described as an "ancient, evil spren",{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} although he isn’t intelligent enough to make decisions.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
   
 
==Appearance and Nature==
  
==Appearance and Nature==
  +
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
−
| Something came surging out. Something primeval, something Venli had felt but never truly known. Red mist. Ephemeral, like a shadow you see on a dark day and mistake for something real. Charging red horses, angry and galloping. The forms of men, killing and dying, shedding blood and reveling in it. Bones piled atop one another, making a hill upon which men struggled.
 +
|Something came surging out. Something primeval, something Venli had felt but never truly known. Red mist. Ephemeral, like a shadow you see on a dark day and mistake for something real. Charging red horses, angry and galloping. The forms of men, killing and dying, shedding blood and reveling in it. Bones piled atop one another, making a hill upon which men struggled.
   
 
The red mist climbed up from the surging waves, rolling out onto an empty section of rock, northward along the rim of the water. It brought to her a lust for the battlefield. A beautiful focus, a Thrill for the fight.
  
The red mist climbed up from the surging waves, rolling out onto an empty section of rock, northward along the rim of the water. It brought to her a lust for the battlefield. A beautiful focus, a Thrill for the fight.
−
| [[Venli]] witnessing the arrival of Nergaoul in Thaylen City{{book ref|sa3|115}}
 +
|[[Venli]] witnessing the arrival of Nergaoul in Thaylen City{{book ref|sa3|115}}
 
}}
  
}}
 
When visible in the Physical Realm, Nergaoul appears in the form of red mist. The mist would often form images of battle, of soldiers fighting and dying, among other things.{{book ref|sa3|75}}{{book ref|sa3|115}} However, Nergaoul can affect people even without being in this visible state, and his influence can be felt in an area big enough to span nations.
  
When visible in the Physical Realm, Nergaoul appears in the form of red mist. The mist would often form images of battle, of soldiers fighting and dying, among other things.{{book ref|sa3|75}}{{book ref|sa3|115}} However, Nergaoul can affect people even without being in this visible state, and his influence can be felt in an area big enough to span nations.
   
 
In [[Shadesmar]], he appears as a large dark mass of living red light.{{book ref|sa3|115}}
  
In [[Shadesmar]], he appears as a large dark mass of living red light.{{book ref|sa3|115}}
  +
  +
[[Sja-anat]] describes Nergaoul as practically mindless, more like an emotion spren.{{book ref|sa4|i|2}}
  +
  +
{{image|Thrill.png|side=left|width=400px}}
   
 
===The Thrill===
  
===The Thrill===
−
The ''' Thrill''' is the term used to describe the effect of Nergaoul's presence on people. It manifests as a strong competitive urge accompanied by increased focus and the ability to ignore things like pain or moral concerns that might otherwise distract from the goal of victory. This effect can be felt during any competition, whether violent or non-violent, although it is much more keen during battle{{book ref|sa1|12}}, where it has been described as a sense of bloodlust{{book ref|sa3|115}} and an enjoyment and longing for war.{{book ref|sa1|28}} It is a phenomenon experienced by many on Roshar, most of whom are not aware of its Unmade origin.
 +
The ''' Thrill''' is the term used to describe the effect of Nergaoul's presence on people. It manifests as a strong competitive urge accompanied by increased focus and the ability to ignore things like pain or moral concerns that might otherwise distract from the goal of victory. This effect can be felt during any competition, whether violent or non-violent, although it is much more keen during battle,{{book ref|sa1|12}} where it has been described as a sense of bloodlust{{book ref|sa3|115}} and an enjoyment and longing for war.{{book ref|sa1|28}} It is a phenomenon experienced by many on Roshar, most of whom are not aware of its Unmade origin.
   
 
The Thrill is thought to generally grow stronger the closer someone is to Nergaoul's location.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} Regardless of its strength, given enough willpower, it is still possible for someone sensing the Thrill to reject it, or let go of it even when it is already in effect.{{book ref|sa3|26}}
  
The Thrill is thought to generally grow stronger the closer someone is to Nergaoul's location.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} Regardless of its strength, given enough willpower, it is still possible for someone sensing the Thrill to reject it, or let go of it even when it is already in effect.{{book ref|sa3|26}}
   
 
It appears that those who've experienced the Thrill could somehow sense when someone else is embracing it, as [[Adolin]] was able to sense it in [[Eshonai]]{{book ref|sa2|84}} and [[Dalinar]] in [[Kalanor]].{{book ref|sa3|26}}
  
It appears that those who've experienced the Thrill could somehow sense when someone else is embracing it, as [[Adolin]] was able to sense it in [[Eshonai]]{{book ref|sa2|84}} and [[Dalinar]] in [[Kalanor]].{{book ref|sa3|26}}
  +
  +
{{image|Dalinar and the Thrill.jpg|side=right|height=300px|[[Dalinar]] engulfed in the Thrill}}
   
 
===Unmade===
  
===Unmade===
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Hessi describes Nergaoul as one of the less self-aware Unmade, noting how the Thrill affects both Voidbringers and humans indiscriminately.{{book ref|sa3|99}} From Nergaoul's interaction with Dalinar during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], his comprehension does seem lacking. However, he also seems to possess some level of sentience, as he showed a desire to please Dalinar and exulted in his praise.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  
Hessi describes Nergaoul as one of the less self-aware Unmade, noting how the Thrill affects both Voidbringers and humans indiscriminately.{{book ref|sa3|99}} From Nergaoul's interaction with Dalinar during the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], his comprehension does seem lacking. However, he also seems to possess some level of sentience, as he showed a desire to please Dalinar and exulted in his praise.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
   
−
It is known that being very close to something tied to [[Honor]] reduces the effects of the Thrill.{{wob ref|3541}} For example, [[Kaladin Stormblessed]], a [[Knight Radiant]] is immune to it{{wob ref|10378}}. During plateau raids, Dalinar often notices the Thrill, but loses it suddenly, possibly due to the moves he was making that lead to his becoming a Radiant{{cite}}. This is likely due to Honor's Investiture interfering with Odium's Investiture.
 +
It is known that being very close to something tied to [[Honor]] reduces the effects of the Thrill.{{wob ref|3541}} For example, [[Kaladin Stormblessed]], a [[Knight Radiant]] is immune to it.{{wob ref|10378}} During plateau raids, Dalinar often notices the Thrill, but loses it suddenly, possibly due to the moves he was making that lead to his becoming a Radiant.{{wob ref|135}} This is likely due to Honor's Investiture interfering with Odium's Investiture. Unlike Kaladin, however, Dalinar's path to Radiance did not make him entirely immune to the Thrill, even after swearing several oaths.{{book ref|sa3|100}}
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
−
According to [[Hessi]]'s Mythica, the signs of Nergaoul's presence, namely the battle rage and the red mist, have been known since ancient times.{{book ref|sa3|100}} She believed Nergaoul to still be active on modern Roshar due to Alethi descriptions of the Thrill.
 +
{{image|Dalinar and the Thrill by Gar leyva.jpg|side=left|width=300px}}According to [[Hessi]]'s Mythica, the signs of Nergaoul's presence, namely the battle rage and the red mist, have been known since ancient times.{{book ref|sa3|100}} She believed Nergaoul to still be active on modern Roshar due to Alethi descriptions of the Thrill.
   
 
===In Alethkar===
  
===In Alethkar===
Line 48: Line 60:
   
 
===In Jah Keved===
  
===In Jah Keved===
−
Nergaoul moved towards [[Jah Keved]] while the country was recovering from a series of assassinations that killed [[Hanavanar|King Hanavanar]] and many Veden Highprinces. It is believed that the Unmade's presence greatly worsened the civil war that broke out due to the succession crisis, causing much destruction until the war ended with [[Valam]]'s victory.
 +
Nergaoul moved towards [[Jah Keved]] while the country was recovering from a series of assassinations that killed King [[Hanavanar]] and many Veden Highprinces. It is believed that the Unmade's presence greatly worsened the civil war that broke out due to the succession crisis, causing much destruction until the war ended with [[Valam]]'s victory.
   
−
King [[Taravangian]] of [[Kharbranth]], the one ultimately responsible for the assassinations, and who shortly succeeded Valam and obtained Jah Keved as his second kingdom, had been studying the various Unmade and noticed Nergaoul's influence in the civil war, but decided to focus his efforts on the Unmade called [[Moelach]] instead.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
 +
King [[Taravangian]] of [[Kharbranth]], the one ultimately responsible for the assassinations, and who shortly succeeded [[Valam]] and obtained Jah Keved as his second kingdom, had been studying the various Unmade and noticed Nergaoul's influence in the civil war, but decided to focus his efforts on the Unmade called [[Moelach]] instead.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
  +
  +
{{image|Dalinar by ToastSamurai.png|width=300px|side=right|[[Dalinar]] confronting Nergaoul at [[Thaylen City]]}}
   
 
===In Thaylenah===
  
===In Thaylenah===
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
−
| Thank you for giving me strength when I needed it. Now, old friend, it is time to rest.
 +
|Thank you for giving me strength when I needed it. Now, old friend, it is time to rest.
−
| Dalinar to Nergaoul (who he knows as the Thrill), right before trapping the Unmade{{book ref|sa3|120}}
 +
|Dalinar to Nergaoul (who he knows as the Thrill), right before trapping the Unmade{{book ref|sa3|120}}
 
}}
  
}}
−
During the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], [[Odium]] used Nergaoul to control [[Sadeas]]'s soldiers and attack [[Thaylen City]].{{book ref|sa3|115}} He also used the Thrill to attempt to turn Dalinar to his side and become his champion.{{book ref|sa3|117}}
 +
During the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], [[Odium]] used Nergaoul to control the [[Sadeas princedom|Sadeas]] soldiers and attack [[Thaylen City]].{{book ref|sa3|115}} He also used the Thrill to attempt to turn Dalinar to his side and become his champion.{{book ref|sa3|117}}
  +
  ⚫
After [[Szeth]] and [[Lift]] obtained the [[perfect gemstone]] called [[King's Drop]], Lift handed it to Dalinar, who then managed to trap Nergaoul inside the gemstone. He did this by embracing the Thrill one last time while lifting King's Drop above his head, coaxing the Unmade into it. This freed the Sadeas army from Odium's influence, thereby ending the battle.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
   
  +
After the battle, Dalinar gave Nergaoul's gemstone prison to Navani for study.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
⚫
After [[Szeth]] and [[Lift]] obtained the [[perfect gemstone]] called [[King's Drop]], Lift handed it to Dalinar, who then managed to trap Nergaoul inside the gemstone. He did this by embracing the Thrill one last time while lifting King's Drop above his head, coaxing the Unmade into it.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  
   
  +
===Imprisonment===
−
This freed the Sadeas army from Odium's influence, thereby ending the battle.
  
  +
According to [[Navani]], sometime in the year following the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], Nergaoul's gemstone prison was locked it in an aluminum box and sunk deep in the ocean.{{book ref|sa4|16}}{{wob ref|14613}} It is more secure than it seems and was the most inaccessible thing they could do to keep him out of the enemies hands.{{wob ref|14279}} Since Nergaoul's imprisonment, [[Dalinar]] has started loathing the sights and smells of war. He has lost the will to kill.{{book ref|sa4|98}}
   
 
== Trivia ==
  
== Trivia ==
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{{complete}}
  
{{complete}}
 
{{Stormlight}}
  
{{Stormlight}}
  +
[[es:Nergaoul]]

Latest revision as of 19:11, 3 April 2024

Nergaoul
Kings drop by Paintweaver.png
by paintweaver
Abilities Splinter of Odium
Aliases The Thrill[1]
Groups Unmade
Species Spren
Homeworld Roshar
Universe Cosmere
First Appeared Oathbringer

“The Thrill didn't hate. Though some spren could make decisions, others were like animals—primal, driven by a single overpowering directive. Live. Burn. Laugh. Or in this case, fight. ”

—Dalinar when trapping Nergaoul.[2]

Nergaoul is one of the nine Unmade on Roshar. In modern times Nergaoul is known as the Thrill.[3] He[4] has been described as an "ancient, evil spren",[5] although he isn’t intelligent enough to make decisions.[2]

Appearance and Nature[edit]

For more images, see /Gallery.

“Something came surging out. Something primeval, something Venli had felt but never truly known. Red mist. Ephemeral, like a shadow you see on a dark day and mistake for something real. Charging red horses, angry and galloping. The forms of men, killing and dying, shedding blood and reveling in it. Bones piled atop one another, making a hill upon which men struggled.

The red mist climbed up from the surging waves, rolling out onto an empty section of rock, northward along the rim of the water. It brought to her a lust for the battlefield. A beautiful focus, a Thrill for the fight.

”

—Venli witnessing the arrival of Nergaoul in Thaylen City[6]

When visible in the Physical Realm, Nergaoul appears in the form of red mist. The mist would often form images of battle, of soldiers fighting and dying, among other things.[7][6] However, Nergaoul can affect people even without being in this visible state, and his influence can be felt in an area big enough to span nations.

In Shadesmar, he appears as a large dark mass of living red light.[6]

Sja-anat describes Nergaoul as practically mindless, more like an emotion spren.[1]

by Ashley Coad

The Thrill[edit]

The Thrill is the term used to describe the effect of Nergaoul's presence on people. It manifests as a strong competitive urge accompanied by increased focus and the ability to ignore things like pain or moral concerns that might otherwise distract from the goal of victory. This effect can be felt during any competition, whether violent or non-violent, although it is much more keen during battle,[8] where it has been described as a sense of bloodlust[6] and an enjoyment and longing for war.[9] It is a phenomenon experienced by many on Roshar, most of whom are not aware of its Unmade origin.

The Thrill is thought to generally grow stronger the closer someone is to Nergaoul's location.[5] Regardless of its strength, given enough willpower, it is still possible for someone sensing the Thrill to reject it, or let go of it even when it is already in effect.[10]

It appears that those who've experienced the Thrill could somehow sense when someone else is embracing it, as Adolin was able to sense it in Eshonai[11] and Dalinar in Kalanor.[10]

by Petar Penev
Dalinar engulfed in the Thrill

Unmade[edit]

As a spren of Odium, Nergaoul contains part of Odium's Investiture. Perhaps due to this, Odium can more easily control anyone embracing the Thrill.[6] Odium can send Nergaoul wherever he wished, and also increase the strength of the Thrill for anyone he chooses, as he does to Dalinar while trying to make him his champion.[12]

Hessi describes Nergaoul as one of the less self-aware Unmade, noting how the Thrill affects both Voidbringers and humans indiscriminately.[13] From Nergaoul's interaction with Dalinar during the Battle of Thaylen Field, his comprehension does seem lacking. However, he also seems to possess some level of sentience, as he showed a desire to please Dalinar and exulted in his praise.[2]

It is known that being very close to something tied to Honor reduces the effects of the Thrill.[14] For example, Kaladin Stormblessed, a Knight Radiant is immune to it.[15] During plateau raids, Dalinar often notices the Thrill, but loses it suddenly, possibly due to the moves he was making that lead to his becoming a Radiant.[16] This is likely due to Honor's Investiture interfering with Odium's Investiture. Unlike Kaladin, however, Dalinar's path to Radiance did not make him entirely immune to the Thrill, even after swearing several oaths.[4]

History[edit]

by Gar_leyva

According to Hessi's Mythica, the signs of Nergaoul's presence, namely the battle rage and the red mist, have been known since ancient times.[4] She believed Nergaoul to still be active on modern Roshar due to Alethi descriptions of the Thrill.

In Alethkar[edit]

Most Alethi soldiers, lighteyed or not, felt the Thrill to some degree. Most notably, it was used heavily and quite effectively by the Alethi general and highprince Dalinar Kholin back when he fought battles for his brother Gavilar, who wanted to unify Alethkar under his own rule. Dalinar's Thrill-driven ferocity in combat earned him a great reputation within Alethkar and infamy elsewhere. People started calling him the Blackthorn after the Thrill helped him endure getting pierced by several black arrows during a failed assassination attempt.[17]

Getting help from an Unmade came at a cost. At one point, the Thrill caused Dalinar to almost attack Gavilar after a battle.[10] Later on, succumbing to a vengeful rage stoked by the Thrill, he ordered the slaughter of everyone in the rebelling city of Rathalas, which led to the death of his own wife Evi.[18]

Dalinar eventually recovered from this tragedy when his memories of Evi were taken away by Cultivation[19] and he resumed fighting in battles, this time against those responsible for Gavilar's assassination. He continued to use the Thrill throughout most of the War of Reckoning until he found himself more and more repulsed by the idea of senseless killing. Dalinar came to realize that there was something wrong about the Thrill.[20]

Other notable Alethi who embraced the Thrill at some point in their lives were Dalinar's son Adolin, the Highprince Kalanor, and the Highprince Torol Sadeas.

In Jah Keved[edit]

Nergaoul moved towards Jah Keved while the country was recovering from a series of assassinations that killed King Hanavanar and many Veden Highprinces. It is believed that the Unmade's presence greatly worsened the civil war that broke out due to the succession crisis, causing much destruction until the war ended with Valam's victory.

King Taravangian of Kharbranth, the one ultimately responsible for the assassinations, and who shortly succeeded Valam and obtained Jah Keved as his second kingdom, had been studying the various Unmade and noticed Nergaoul's influence in the civil war, but decided to focus his efforts on the Unmade called Moelach instead.[5]

by ToastSamurai
Dalinar confronting Nergaoul at Thaylen City

In Thaylenah[edit]

“Thank you for giving me strength when I needed it. Now, old friend, it is time to rest. ”

—Dalinar to Nergaoul (who he knows as the Thrill), right before trapping the Unmade[2]

During the Battle of Thaylen Field, Odium used Nergaoul to control the Sadeas soldiers and attack Thaylen City.[6] He also used the Thrill to attempt to turn Dalinar to his side and become his champion.[12]

After Szeth and Lift obtained the perfect gemstone called King's Drop, Lift handed it to Dalinar, who then managed to trap Nergaoul inside the gemstone. He did this by embracing the Thrill one last time while lifting King's Drop above his head, coaxing the Unmade into it. This freed the Sadeas army from Odium's influence, thereby ending the battle.[2]

After the battle, Dalinar gave Nergaoul's gemstone prison to Navani for study.[21]

Imprisonment[edit]

According to Navani, sometime in the year following the Battle of Thaylen Field, Nergaoul's gemstone prison was locked it in an aluminum box and sunk deep in the ocean.[22][23] It is more secure than it seems and was the most inaccessible thing they could do to keep him out of the enemies hands.[24] Since Nergaoul's imprisonment, Dalinar has started loathing the sights and smells of war. He has lost the will to kill.[25]

Trivia[edit]

  • The names of all Unmade have origins in real-life mythology. "Nergaoul" is probably derived from Nergal, the Mesopotamian god of war and the underworld.[26]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ a b Rhythm of War interlude I-2#
  2. ↑ a b c d e Oathbringer chapter 120#
  3. ↑ Nergaoul and the Thrill
    — Reddit - December 3rd, 2015#
  4. ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 100#
  5. ↑ a b c Words of Radiance interlude I-14#
  6. ↑ a b c d e f Oathbringer chapter 115#
  7. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 75#
  8. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 12#
  9. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 28#
  10. ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 26#
  11. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 84#
  12. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 117#
  13. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 99#
  14. ↑ /r/books AMA 2015
    — Arcanum - 2015-07-07#
  15. ↑ SpoCon 2013
    — Arcanum - 2013-07-10#
  16. ↑ JordanCon 2016
    — Arcanum - 2016-04-23#
  17. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 3#
  18. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 76#
  19. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 114#
  20. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 16#
  21. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 121#
  22. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 16#
  23. ↑ Shardcast Interview
    — Arcanum - 2021-01-23#
  24. ↑ Rhythm of War Preview Q&As
    — Arcanum - 2020-10-26#
  25. ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 98#
  26. ↑ Unmade Name Linguistic Origins
    — 17th Shard #
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