Difference between revisions of "Saolin"

'''Saolin''' is an [[Elantrian]] on [[Sel]]. HeA former soldier under Count [[Eondel]], he became captain of the guards in [[New Elantris]] and loyally served [[Raoden]] until becoming [[Hoed]].

Saolin is old for a soldier, probably close to retirement.{{book ref|Elantris|19}} HeEven after being taken by the [[Shaod]], he is a burly, well-muscled man,. with aHis nose that appears to have been broken several times, and he is missing a couple of teeth.{{book ref|Elantris|10}}

He was taken by the Shaod not long after Raoden, and was thrown into Elantris together with [[Maare]] and [[Riil]]. As soon as the city gates closed behind their backs, Raoden sentused a ruse and claimed that [[Galladon]] had a cure, then had him take off at a dash so the men of [[Shaor]]'s gang would follow. This way the three newcomers could safely be led away from the courtyard at the gates. Once brought to safety, albeitSaolin withpledged ahis liesword fromto Raoden after realizing that Galladonhe justhad ransaved offthe withnewcomers a(and curehearing him praise his former lord, Eondel).{{book ref|Elantris|10}}

Once brought to safety, Saolin pledged his sword to Raoden, after hearing him praise Count Eondel who he used to work for.{{book ref|Elantris|10}} He started holding watch over the chapel that the small gang used as their base,. andHe soon received a real sword to replace his improvised spear, given to him by Raoden who acquired it out of the city.{{book ref|Elantris|13}} He also built a makeshift watchtower.{{book ref|Elantris|16}}

As more people joined Raoden's band, Saolin gathered a squad of soldiers and became their captain, and insisted on forming an honor guard for his leader.{{book ref|Elantris|19}} This proved to be beneficial, as Saolin was able to ward off a surprise attack by Shaor's men and save Raoden from any injuries, winning enough time for [[Dashe]] and three other soldiers to join his ranks. and togetherTogether they were able to defeat the outnumbering assailants despite being outnumbered.{{book ref|Elantris|19}}

To take things further, they sectioned off a marginally defensible section of town to be New Elantris, and sentries were placed at every intersection to watch for approaching marauders.{{book ref|Elantris|22}} This left time for Saolin to retrieve new people being thrown into Elantris and guide them to their settlement, a task he shared with [[Karata]].{{book ref|Elantris|19}} Saolin also began teaching simple combat techniques to those capable as a means of self-defense, but he could use only the safest and most elementary training methods to prevent any wounds.{{book ref|Elantris|22}}

When Princess [[Sarene]] distributed food to the Elantrians as part of her [[Widow's Trial]], Saolin defended the courtyard from Shaor's men out of fear that they would harm the nobles who entered the city. This went well for a while, until Saolin slipped while fighting and got a deep cut in his sword arm.{{book ref|Elantris|25}} While he grew proficient at fighting with his left hand, his squad of soldiers grew too thin to defend both New Elantris and the courtyard. Saolin realized that they wouldn't be able to hold out for much longer, and planned to ambush Shaor's men as they approached the courtyard in a desperate attempt to defeat them,. howeverHowever, the ambush failed.; Saolin gotwas severely injured and became [[Hoed]].{{book ref|Elantris|28}} As a Hoed, Saolin believed he had failed, but there was nothing that he or Raoden could have done to deal with all of the threats.{{wob ref|2056}} Raoden and Galladon brought him to [[the Lake]] so that he could be dissolved and relieved from his pains.{{book ref|Elantris|31}}

AAfter the restoration of Elantris, Raoden insisted that a gravestone wasbe erected for himSaolin despite his body being dissolved in the Lake. His grave has a place of alonghonor withalongside [[Karata]], [[Eondel]], [[Roial]], [[Hrathen]], and the other heroes of the [[Invasion of Arelon]].{{book ref|Elantris|epilogue}}