Pailiah | |
---|---|
Abilities | Cognitive Shadow, Shardbearer (formerly) |
Titles | Herald of the Almighty, Patron of the Truthwatchers |
Aliases | Pali |
Homeworld | Roshar |
Universe | Cosmere |
Pailiah is one of the ten Heralds of the Almighty on Roshar. Her nickname is Pali (Alethi pronounciation: [ˈpæli] PA-li[1]). She's the patron of the Order of Truthwatchers.[2]
Like most other Heralds, Pailiah abandoned the Oathpact at the end of the Aharietiam.[3] Her current whereabouts are uncertain. It's highly possible she's posing as an ardent from the Devotary of Insight, serving in the Kharbranthian Palanaeum, although she does not belong to Taravangian's inner circle of advisors.[4][5][6] If so, Shallan may have crossed paths with her while studying under Jasnah.[7]
Abilities
The cultural references to Pailiah imply that she might've been a scholar of some kind prior to becoming a Herald. As a Herald, she's a Cognitive Shadow, and every time she dies, she travels to Braize. There, she's tortured until she or one of the other Heralds break, returning them to life on Roshar.[8] While alive, she's ageless, making her effectively immortal so long as she avoids conflict.[9]
Back when Pailiah wielded her Honorblade, she would have the ability to use the Surges of Illumination, allowing her to create illusions of light and sound, and Progression, letting her grow plants and heal herself and others. She would also have the ability to breathe in Stormlight, compounding her self-healing power. However, she has abandoned her Blade at the Aharietiam, losing her access to Stormlight and Surgebinding.[3] Whether she has any supernatural abilities other than longevity in the present day is uncertain.
Culture
In the Vorin culture, Pailiah is associated with number 5 (Palah), the essence Pulp, and the attributes of Learned and Giving.[10] The grand library in Kharbranth, Palanaeum, is named after her.[11]
Pailiah features in several Rosharan idioms, such as "Pali's mind" and "Pailiah knew...", referencing her nature as Learned.[12][13] There are temples to her in major cities on Roshar, like Kholinar and Thaylen.[14][15]
Notes
- ↑ Words of Radiance signing Chicago
— Arcanum - 2014-03-22# - ↑ General Reddit 2014
— Arcanum - 2014-03-10# - ↑ a b Prelude to the Stormlight Archive#
- ↑ General Signed Books 2017
— Arcanum - 2017-04-10# - ↑ Skyward Pre-Release AMA
— Arcanum - 2018-10-31# - ↑ Skyward release party
— Arcanum - 2018-11-06# - ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 33#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 38#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 119#
- ↑ Oathbringer Ars Arcanum#
- ↑ Steelheart signing Seattle
— Arcanum - 2013-10-14# - ↑ Words of Radiance interlude I-14#
- ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 14#
- ↑ Map of Kholinar
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 117#