Difference between revisions of "Rlain"

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'''Rlain''' is a [[listener]] and member of [[Bridge Four]],{{book ref|sa1|46}}, {{nosnippet|as well as the second-ever Enlightened Truthwatcher.{{wob ref|15146}} }} He is sent by the listeners to the [[warcamp|warcamps]] to spy on the [[Alethi]] and is given the name "Shen" while running bridges with Bridge Four. He reveals himself after discovering that [[Eshonai]] and the other listeners have transformed into [[stormform]], and he later takes a place as a soldier in Bridge Four's new incarnation as a military unit. {{nosnippet|In recognition of his heroism during the occupation of Urithiru, he is offered a bond by the mistspren Tumi, who names him Bridger of Minds.{{book ref|sa4|111}} }}
 
== Appearance and Personality ==
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Rlain stayed with Bridge Four as they moved into Urithiru along with much of the Alethi army. He continued training and working with them, but the gulf between him and the other soldiers persisted. When he was on duty and guarding Dalinar, other [[Kholin princedom|Kholin]] soldiers viewed him with active suspicion.{{book ref|sa3|9}}. Most members of Bridge Four often forgot his presence and effectively ignored him, acculturated to treating parshmen as invisible. When they did acknowledge him, many made an effort to make him feel included and appreciated, but this warmth was too often spoiled by demonstrations of ignorance and unconscious prejudice, like [[Yake]] and [[Drehy]] expecting him to have insight into the enemy's plans, [[Eth]] casually using slurs in his presence, and many feeling relief that Rlain was unable to breathe in Stormlight, imagining it might turn him into a monster. He was not given encouragement as the other bridgemen gained Windrunner abilities, unlike the humans with the same problem, and he became envious the newcomers to Bridge Four who were quickly able to become squires and assimilate with the group.{{book ref|sa3|55}} Despite his frustrations, Rlain appreciated that most of Bridge Four made an effort to extend kindness and understanding, and made it clear their affection for him was genuine. Rock and Renarin were particularly consistent in their outreach and their friendship.{{book ref|sa3|37}}{{book ref|sa3|46}}
 
Alongside those external problems, he continued to deal with his grief over the genocide of the listeners. After the mass transformation into stormform, the casualties from the [[War of Reckoning]], and the transformation of the survivors into hosts for the Fused, Rlain believed he was the last of his people, which weighed heavily on him.{{book ref|sa3|55}} After one particularly difficult day, Kaladin engaged Rlain in conversation, inviting him to explain his feelings, so he and Bridge Four could help shoulder his burdens. Rlain resolved to try.{{book ref|sa3|55}}
As Rlain's bridgeleader within Bridge Four, Kaladin readily accepts him into the crew, names him "Shen," and refuses to allow the other bridgemen to mistreat him. However, Kaladin maintains some private reservations, refusing to arm him or train him in the spear. In the desperate days in Sadeas' crews, Kaladin is also forced to prioritize his people's lives over Rlain's wellbeing, and he creates armor from listener carapace and bones for himself, and then the entire bridge crew of 27, despite knowing how it will distress Rlain.
 
Rlain continues to serve under Kaladin after the bridge crews are transformed into a military unit for the Kholin army. Kaladin defends Rlain's right to a Bridge Four tattoo and its signifiers of freedom, but he persists in his reluctance to allow him a spear, to Rlain's deep disappointment.{{book ref|sa1|46}}. This gnaws at Kaladin's conscience, as in his experience, he had not tolerated being a well-treated slave. Weeks later, Kaladin eventually overcomes his reservations and presents a spear to Rlain, and Rlain often describes him as a good man from then on.{{book ref|sa2|46}}{{book ref|sa2|52}}{{book ref|sa3|55}} When Rlain's feelings of isolation and loss are particularly acute, Kaladin is one of the rare people to step up and make a concerted effort to understand what he is going through.{{book ref|sa3|55}}
 
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