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Difference between revisions of "Nergaoul"

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'''Nergaoul''' is an [[Unmade]] involved with the [[Thrill]].{{reddit ref|fantasy|3va8fw|cxnga0u|text=Nergaoul and the Thrill|date=December 3rd, 2015}} It is described as an "ancient, evil spren" in [[Taravangian]]'s internal monologue.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
 +
'''Nergaoul''' is the [[Unmade]] involved with the [[Thrill]].{{reddit ref|fantasy|3va8fw|cxnga0u|text=Nergaoul and the Thrill|date=December 3rd, 2015}} It is described as an "ancient, evil spren" in [[Taravangian]]'s internal monologue.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
   
 
==Appearance and Behavior==
  
==Appearance and Behavior==
  +
{{quote
⚫
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.
  
  +
| 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.
  +
| During the start of the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]]{{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.
  +
  +
In [[Shadesmar]], he appears as a large dark mass of living red light.{{book ref|sa3|115}}
   
 
===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 morality that might 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}} It is a phenomenon experienced by many on Roshar, most of whom aren't 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 morality 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}} 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}} It could affect anyone from both sides of a battle{{book ref|sa3|99}}, though someone feeling its urge may choose to refuse its embrace.
 +
The Thrill is thought to generally grow stronger the closer someone is to Nergaoul's location.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} It could affect soldiers from both sides of a battle, whether voidish or mortal{{book ref|sa3|99}}, though someone feeling its urge may choose to refuse its embrace.
   
−
[[Odium]], being the source of Nergaoul's Investiture, can more easily control anyone embracing the Thrill.
 +
[[Odium]] can more easily control anyone embracing the Thrill. This might be due to the nature of Nergaoul's Investiture being from Odium himself.
  +
  +
It is known that being very close to something tied to [[Honor]] reduces the effects of the Thrill.{{wob ref|3541|/r/books AMA 2015|date=2015/03/12}} For example, [[Kaladin Stormblessed]] is immune to the Thrill{{wob ref|10378|SpoCon 2013|date=2013/07/10}}, likely due to his bond to an [[honorspren]].
   
 
==History==
  
==History==
−
According to [[Hessi]]'s Mythica, the signs of Nergaoul's presence, namely the Thrill and the red mist, have been known since ancient times.{{book ref|sa3|100}}
 +
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===
  ⚫
The Thrill caused Alethkar to become a more warlike nation. Most Alethi soldiers, lighteyed or not, felt the Thrill to some degree. Most notably, it was used heavily and quite effectively by [[Dalinar Kholin]] when he fought battles for his brother [[Gavilar Kholin|Gavilar]], who wanted to unify Alethkar under his rule. Dalinar's Thrill-driven ferocity in combat earned him a great reputation. People started calling him '''the Blackthorn''' after he was seen walking with several black arrows sticking into him after a failed assassination attempt; the Thrill helped him bear the pain.{{book ref|sa3|3}}
  +
  +
Being under the influence of an Unmade had not always been positive for Dalinar, however. At one point, the Thrill consumed him to the point that he wanted to keep fighting even after winning a battle and almost attacked Gavilar.{{book ref|sa3|26}} Later on, surrendering himself 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]].{{book ref|sa3|76}}
  +
  ⚫
This tragedy broke Dalinar's spirit. Later he journeyed to the [[Valley]] to seek a boon of "forgiveness" from the [[Nightwatcher]], who did not know what to make of this request. [[Cultivation]] intervened and took all the memories of Evi away from Dalinar's mind, allowing him to recover.{{book ref|sa3|114}} Dalinar would still use the Thrill throughout most of the [[War of Reckoning]] until he found himself more and more repulsed by the idea of senseless killing (possibly influenced by his growing Nahel bond). Later on, without knowing its origins, Dalinar concluded that there was something wrong about the Thrill.{{book ref|sa3|16}}
  +
  +
Other notable Alethi who embraced the Thrill at some point in their lives were Dalinar's son [[Adolin]] and the Highprince [[Torol Sadeas]].
   
−
===Dalinar===
 +
===In Jah Keved===
  ⚫
While [[Jah Keved]] was recovering from a series of assassinations that killed off most of the nation's Highprinces, Nergaoul moved towards that country. 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 [[Valam]] became victorious.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
⚫
The Thrill caused Alethkar to be a more warlike nation. Most Alethi soldiers, lighteyed or not, felt the Thrill. It was embraced heavily by [[Dalinar Kholin]] while fighting battles for his brother [[Gavilar Kholin|Gavilar]], who wanted to unify Alethkar under his rule. At one point, the Thrill consumed Dalinar to the point that he wanted to keep fighting even after winning a battle and almost attacked Gavilar.{{book ref|sa3|26}} Later on, surrendering himself to a blind rage stoked by the Thrill, he orders the slaughter of everyone in a city, which led to the death of his own wife [[Evi]].{{book ref|sa3|76}}
  
   
  +
[[Taravangian]], who succeeded Valam as king of Jah Keved, had been studying the Unmade and noticed Nergaoul's influence in the civil war, but decided to focus his efforts on the Unmade called [[Moelach]] instead.
⚫
This tragedy broke Dalinar's spirit. Later he journeyed to the [[Valley]] to seek help from the [[Nightwatcher]], but [[Cultivation]] herself intervened and took all the memories of Evi away from Dalinar's mind, allowing him to recover.{{book ref|sa3|114}} Dalinar would still use the Thrill throughout most of the [[War of Reckoning]] until he found himself more and more repulsed by the idea of senseless killing. Later on, without knowing its origins, Dalinar concluded that there was something wrong about the Thrill.{{book ref|sa3|16}}
  
   
−
===Jah Keved===
 +
===In Thaylenah===
  ⚫
During the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], [[Odium]] used Nergaoul to control [[Sadeas]]'s soldiers and attack [[Thaylen City]].{{book ref|sa3|115}} With the help of [[Szeth]] and [[Lift]], Dalinar Kholin managed to coax Nergaoul into [[King's Drop]], trapping the Unmade inside the perfect gemstone similar to the way [[spren]] are caught. He did this by embracing the Thrill one last time while holding King's Drop.
⚫
Later on, Nergaoul moved to [[Jah Keved]], which was recovering from a series of assassinations that killed off most of the nation's Highprinces. It is believed that the Unmade's presence worsened the civil war that resulted, causing much destruction until [[Valam]] became victorious.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
  
   
  +
The defeat of Nergaoul was ended the battle, as Sadeas's soldiers were freed from Odium's influence.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
−
===Capture===
  
⚫
During the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], [[Odium]] used Nergaoul to control [[Sadeas]]'s soldiers and attack [[Thaylen City]].{{book ref|sa3|115}} Later on, with the help of [[Szeth]] and [[Lift]], Dalinar Kholin manages to coax Nergaoul into a perfectly cut ruby gemstone, trapping it the same way [[spren]] are caught. This ends the battle, as Sadeas's soldiers are freed from Odium's influence.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
 
<references />
  
<references />
−
{{stub}}
 +
{{partial}}
 
{{Stormlight}}
  
{{Stormlight}}
  +
[[category: magic]]

Revision as of 14:59, 2 August 2018

Nergaoul
Groups Unmade
Species Spren
Homeworld Roshar
This page or section contains spoilers for Oathbringer!
This information has the ability to potentially ruin elements of the plot for the reader. Proceed with caution if you have not read this book.
This page or section needs to be updated with new information for Oathbringer!
Be aware that in its current state, it may not include all additional content yet.

Nergaoul is the Unmade involved with the Thrill.[1] It is described as an "ancient, evil spren" in Taravangian's internal monologue.[2]

Appearance and Behavior

“ 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.

”

— During the start of the Battle of Thaylen Field[3]

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.[4][3] 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.[3]

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 morality 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.[5] 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.[2] It could affect soldiers from both sides of a battle, whether voidish or mortal[6], though someone feeling its urge may choose to refuse its embrace.

Odium can more easily control anyone embracing the Thrill. This might be due to the nature of Nergaoul's Investiture being from Odium himself.

It is known that being very close to something tied to Honor reduces the effects of the Thrill.[7] For example, Kaladin Stormblessed is immune to the Thrill[8], likely due to his bond to an honorspren.

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.[9] She believed Nergaoul to still be active on modern Roshar due to Alethi descriptions of the Thrill.

In Alethkar

The Thrill caused Alethkar to become a more warlike nation. Most Alethi soldiers, lighteyed or not, felt the Thrill to some degree. Most notably, it was used heavily and quite effectively by Dalinar Kholin when he fought battles for his brother Gavilar, who wanted to unify Alethkar under his rule. Dalinar's Thrill-driven ferocity in combat earned him a great reputation. People started calling him the Blackthorn after he was seen walking with several black arrows sticking into him after a failed assassination attempt; the Thrill helped him bear the pain.[10]

Being under the influence of an Unmade had not always been positive for Dalinar, however. At one point, the Thrill consumed him to the point that he wanted to keep fighting even after winning a battle and almost attacked Gavilar.[11] Later on, surrendering himself 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.[12]

This tragedy broke Dalinar's spirit. Later he journeyed to the Valley to seek a boon of "forgiveness" from the Nightwatcher, who did not know what to make of this request. Cultivation intervened and took all the memories of Evi away from Dalinar's mind, allowing him to recover.[13] Dalinar would still use the Thrill throughout most of the War of Reckoning until he found himself more and more repulsed by the idea of senseless killing (possibly influenced by his growing Nahel bond). Later on, without knowing its origins, Dalinar concluded that there was something wrong about the Thrill.[14]

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

In Jah Keved

While Jah Keved was recovering from a series of assassinations that killed off most of the nation's Highprinces, Nergaoul moved towards that country. 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 Valam became victorious.[2]

Taravangian, who succeeded Valam as king of Jah Keved, had been studying the Unmade and noticed Nergaoul's influence in the civil war, but decided to focus his efforts on the Unmade called Moelach instead.

In Thaylenah

During the Battle of Thaylen Field, Odium used Nergaoul to control Sadeas's soldiers and attack Thaylen City.[3] With the help of Szeth and Lift, Dalinar Kholin managed to coax Nergaoul into King's Drop, trapping the Unmade inside the perfect gemstone similar to the way spren are caught. He did this by embracing the Thrill one last time while holding King's Drop.

The defeat of Nergaoul was ended the battle, as Sadeas's soldiers were freed from Odium's influence.[15]

Notes

  1. ↑ Nergaoul and the Thrill
    — Reddit - December 3rd, 2015#
  2. ↑ a b c Words of Radiance interlude I-14#
  3. ↑ a b c d Oathbringer chapter 115#
  4. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 75#
  5. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 12#
  6. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 99#
  7. ↑ /r/books AMA 2015
    — Arcanum - 2015-07-07#
  8. ↑ SpoCon 2013
    — Arcanum - 2013-07-10#
  9. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 100#
  10. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 3#
  11. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 26#
  12. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 76#
  13. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 114#
  14. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 16#
  15. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 120#
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