The Coppermind

Difference between revisions of "Sigzil"

Sigzil (edit)

Revision as of 19:51, 4 May 2024

39,511 bytes added ,  13 days ago
Adding information from wob
(Sigzil hasn't left Roshar)
(Adding information from wob)
(196 intermediate revisions by 46 users not shown)
<disable-google-snippet /> <!--this is required to stop spoilers appearing in google-->
{{character
|image=Sigzil Portrait by Marie Seeberger.jpg
|groups={{tag|Bridge Four}}, {{tag|Worldsingers|cat=Worldsingers}}
|abilities={{tag+|Windrunner}} <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag|Shardbearer|cat=Shardbearers}},{{book ref|sa3.5|Epilogue}} {{tag+|Skybreaker}},{{book ref|tsm|28}} [[Dawnshard]] <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag+|worldhopping}}
|world=Roshar|ethnicity=Azish
|bonded=[[Auxiliary]], ''Unnamed Honorspren'' <small>(formerly)</small>
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
|titles=Sunlit Man,{{book ref|tsm|47}} Sess Nassith Tor{{book ref|tsm|2}}
|aliases=Nomad,{{book ref|tsm|1}} Zellion,{{book ref|tsm|39}} Sunlit, Sig
|groups={{tag|Knights Radiant}} <small>([[Order of Windrunners|Windrunner]]/[[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreaker]]),</small> {{tag|Bridge Four}}, {{tag|Worldsingers}}, {{tag+|army|Sadeas}} <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag+|army|Kholin}} <small>(formerly)</small>
|ethnicity=Makabaki
|nationality=Azish
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|first appeared=[[The Way of Kings]]
}}
{{spoilers|tsm}}
'''Sigzil''' was an [[Azish]] member of [[Bridge Four]] on [[Roshar]]. He was also a [[Worldsinger]]{{book ref|sa1|46}}{{book ref|sa1|55}} tutored by [[Hoid]],{{book ref|sa1|57}} but has not visited any other worlds.{{qa ref|979|53|Is Sigzil Rosharan?|date=2013-4-15}}
{{update|tsm}}
 
His'''Sigzil''', skinalso wasknown darkas brown'''Nomad''' andor his hair black'''Zellion''',{{book andref|tsm|39}} heis worean no[[Azish]] beard.member Heof started[[Bridge offFour]] ratheron abrasive[[Roshar]], anda shy,companylord especiallyof aboutthe his[[Knights Worldsinging,{{book refRadiant|sa1|46}}Radiant]] but[[Order beganof to tell storiesWindrunners]], and teachlater othersa about[[Skybreaker]] far off places likeand [[MarabethiaDawnshard]],.{{book ref|sa1|4014}} [[Yulay]]{{book ref|sa1sa4|4315}} and [[Babatharnam]].{{book ref|sa1tsm|4628}} He was promotedpreviously apprenticed to lieutenant by [[KaladinHoid]] and appointedis asnow clerka since he was the only member of Bridge Four would could readfull [[glyphsWorldsinger]]. {{book ref|sa2sa1|257}}
 
== Appearance and Personality ==
Sigzil performed experiments using [[Kaladin]] as the primary subject to measure and document the extents of his [[Windrunner]] abilities {{book ref|sa2|12}}.
{{image|Sigzil Shuravf.jpg|side=left|width=200px}}
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
{{quote
|My master trained me to ask questions, so I’m asking them.
|Sigzil{{book ref|sa2|41}}
}}
 
=== Appearance ===
Sigzil is clean-shaven with dark brown skin and thick, curly black hair.{{book ref|sa1|14}}{{book ref|sa1|40}} He is considered short in his homeland of Azir, although he is considered to be very tall when compared to people from other planets.{{book ref|tsm|8}} He has a [[Bridge Four]] tattoo on his forehead covering the place where he used to be branded with a slave mark.{{book ref|sa3|35}}
 
During his arrival on Canticle his hair was burned away by the sunlight, and he spent the first bit of his time on Canticle bald.{{book ref|tsm|9}} Due to his invested nature it quickly grew back to its full length, but it was later burned away again.{{book ref|tsm|21}}{{book ref|tsm|34}}
 
=== Personality ===
Sigzil tends to be quiet and close-mouthed,{{book ref|sa1|40}} though when he embraces his role as a [[Worldsinger]], he displays deep knowledge of a variety of cultures and speaks openly and volubly.{{book ref|sa1|55}} He seems to enjoy deep conversations, especially when conducted one-on-one, and has a formal way of speaking.{{book ref|sa1|40}} He also has a judgmental streak, particularly around disorderly people or when faced with other cultures' less organized and bureaucratic methods. He is not very accepting of homosexuality, shaped by Azish views on the subject. Though he doesn't necessarily mistreat [[Drehy]] despite his views.{{book ref|sa3|35}}{{wob ref|1444}} Taking [[Hoid]]'s teachings to heart, however, he does attempt to be more open-minded.{{book ref|sa3|35}}
 
{{sidequote
|He was still the same person all these years later. Just as a hunk of metal was technically the same substance after being forged into an axe.
|Sigzil reflecting on himself during his time in [[Canticle]].{{book ref|tsm|7}}
|size=320px|side=right
}}
 
Despite being incredibly organized and studious, Sigzil thinks less of himself for failing the governmental service exams in Azir. Likely as a result of growing up in a country where everything is well-organized, he prefers a clear relationship between himself and whomever he works for. He also expresses the need to figure out exactly what Bridge Four's chain of command is in regards to Alethi affairs after the beginning of the [[True Desolation]].{{book ref|sa3|35}}
 
Despite his penchant for keeping things organized, Sigzil is not content with only being a clerk, and wants to be the "first into the sky," rather than spending all his time poring over ledgers.{{book ref|sa3|35}} He is encouraging and optimistic to his friends.{{book ref|sa3|46}}{{book ref|sa4|79}}
 
His personality changed greatly after he became a Dawnshard and fled Roshar, as the events and a life of fleeing the Night Brigade had a great effect on him. He considers himself to have changed greatly, though considers himself to ultimately be the same person as he always was.{{book ref|tsm|7}} He grew much harsher and more brash.{{book ref|tsm|7}}
 
==== Religion ====
During his time on Roshar he was modestly religious, believing in Yaezir and the Azish emperor.{{book ref|tsm|39}} After learning about the Cosmere, and having to flee Roshar, he appears to lose much of his faith, after this he still believes in the [[God Beyond]], and a part of him continues to want to believe in Yaezir.{{book ref|tsm|39}}{{book ref|tsm|47}}
 
== Attributes and Abilities ==
Sigzil has been trained with the spear and spearman tactics by Kaladin, and he uses the weapon "acceptably".{{book ref|sa2|12}} He can read and write the Azish script, though out of deference to Alethi ideals he sticks with using glyphs to record written reports as Bridge Four's clerk.{{book ref|sa3|35}} His understanding of other cultures, ability to work easily with numbers, and his level-headedness are all assets to the [[Order of Windrunners]].{{book ref|sa4|6}} Sigzil also speaks [[Alethi]] and [[Malwish]].{{book ref|tsm|44}}
 
Unlike most people, Sigzil is Connected to two places: Roshar and Canticle.{{book ref|tsm|40}} Due to his Connection to Canticle, Sigzil is able to share Investiture with other [[Threnody|Threnodites]], directly transferring it via touch.{{book ref|tsm|13}}{{book ref|tsm|39}}
 
=== Surgebinding ===
{{image|Worth Saving by Ernanda Souza.jpg|side=right|width=200px}}
Sigzil has bonded an [[honorspren]]{{book ref|sa4|19}} and has sworn at least the [[Order of Windrunners#The Fourth Ideal|Fourth Ideal]] of the Order of Windrunners,{{book ref|tsm|42}} which allows him to draw in [[Stormlight]] and use the [[Surge]]s of [[Surgebinding#Adhesion|Adhesion]] and [[Surgebinding#Gravitation|Gravitation]].{{book ref|sa3|35}}{{book ref|sa3|55}} Eventually, his bond was broken{{book ref|tsm|29}}{{book ref|tsm|40}} (although he retained some control over his old powers){{book ref|tsm|28}} and he bonded a [[highspren]] known as [[Auxiliary]],{{book ref|tsm|28}} reaching at least the [[Order of Skybreakers#The Fourth Ideal|Fourth Ideal of that order]] as well.{{book ref|tsm|42}}
 
With these bonds, Sigzil has access to both [[Shardblade]] and [[Shardplate]].{{book ref|tsm|6}}{{book ref|tsm|48}} After being exposed to Canticle's sun, his Shardplate burns with red-orange light, and trails smoke.{{book ref|tsm|47}}{{book ref|tsm|48}}
 
=== Dawnshard ===
When Sigzil was thirty-eight years old he was given a [[Dawnshard]] by [[Hoid]].{{book ref|tsm|11}}{{book ref|tsm|20}} This gave him enhancements in durability, strength, endurance, and healing.{{book ref|tsm|5}}{{book ref|tsm|1}} This has allowed him to form Connections to planets{{book ref|tsm|6}} though these abilities need some Investiture to function.{{book ref|tsm|1}} It also sets his appearance, including features like his hair length, to look as it did the moment he took the Dawnshard.{{book ref|tsm|21}}
 
A side effect of holding and having held this Dawnshard is that Sigzil is unable to physically harm others, with his body locking up whenever he tries to attack. Sigzil comes to refer to this effect as his '''Torment''', though not all others affected this way would refer to it as such.{{wob ref|15596}} He is able to mitigate this using a [[sunheart]] he took from [[Canticle]], allowing him to fight as normal by pushing some of the unwanted Investiture into it.{{book ref|tsm|36}} This Investiture is then filtered and purified, allowing Sigzil to absorb it to fuel his abilities.{{book ref|tsm|37}}
 
==== Skipping ====
After becoming a Dawnshard, he gained the ability to '''Skip''' to other worlds. When he has enough Investiture, he can quickly travel to other planets via the [[Connection]] to all places that the Dawnshard granted to him.{{wob ref|15626}} Each Skip requires approximately 20,000 [[BioChromatic Breath|Breath Equivalent Units]] of [[Investiture]] to be initiated.{{book ref|tsm|1}}
 
His Skip destinations are seemingly random, but are known to be attracted to sources of Investiture. Therefore, it is very unlikely for him to end up on a planet where natural sources of Investiture are not present.{{wob ref|15593}}
 
== History ==
=== Worldsinger ===
Sigzil was the first person in his family in generations to have a chance at passing the governmental service tests in Azir, which would have given him the opportunity to attend a "real" school, though he later came to consider that a "silly dream," since, as the son of a laborer, he had little time to study. Before taking the tests, however, he got into some sort of trouble and had to be rescued by [[Hoid]], who took him on as an apprentice [[Worldsinger]].{{book ref|sa3|35}}
 
Hoid and Sigzil traveled to many places on Roshar together, including to [[Babatharnam]], where Hoid had to pay to have Sigzil freed from prison on three separate occasions.{{book ref|sa1|46}} While they were on the [[Shattered Plains]], he attempted to kill someone and thought he was successful, though his victim actually survived. This event appears to be what caused him to be made a [[bridgeman]].{{book ref|sa1|40}} Sometime after [[Kaladin]] joined Bridge Four, he believed that Hoid thought he was dead.{{book ref|sa1|55}}
 
=== Bridge Four ===
{{image|Bridge Four by Rachel J Corey.jpg|side=left|width=250px|With other bridgemen}}
 
After Kaladin started trying to rehabilitate Bridge Four, Sigzil was abrasive and scornful of his efforts at first, among the loudest critics.{{book ref|sa1|27}} He was also shy about his knowledge as a Worldsinger and walked off when [[Rock]] mentioned his being one.{{book ref|sa1|46}} Over time, however, he began to warm up and tell stories about far-off places like [[Marabethia]],{{book ref|sa1|40}} [[Yulay]],{{book ref|sa1|43}} Babatharnam,{{book ref|sa1|46}} and [[Shinovar]].{{book ref|sa1|55}}
 
After Kaladin was healed enough from being strung up in a [[highstorm]] to go on bridge runs again, he, Rock, and Sigzil observed a battle and discussed the tactics behind putting the bridgemen's lives in such danger. That evening, impressed by Sigzil's earlier analysis, Kaladin discussed with him the education in each of their pasts while the others got their stew.{{book ref|sa1|40}} In the chasms one time while on duty, Sigzil happened on [[Teft]]'s conversation with Kaladin and expanded on the [[Knights_Radiant#Immortal_Words|First Ideal]] of the [[Knight Radiant|Lost Radiants]]. Those words stuck in Kaladin's head and gave him the courage to suggest training the men with spears in preparation for an escape attempt; Sigzil wholeheartedly agreed to the plan, as did the rest.{{book ref|sa1|43}}
 
{{sidequote
|I do not ‘give tales.’ I spread knowledge of cultures, peoples, thoughts, and dreams. I bring peace through understanding.
|Sigzil, to [[Bridge Four]] in the chasms{{book ref|sa1|55}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}
One day after Kaladin had his beard shaved off for the first time since his time in [[Amaram]]'s army, Sigzil discussed with him whether or not he would like to take the [[lighteyes]]' place and rule [[Alethkar]]. He brought up Babatharnam to illustrate the point that eye color was not the problem so much as people with power abusing their positions, then stalked off when Rock pointed out that he sounded like a Worldsinger.{{book ref|sa1|46}}
 
Another time on chasm duty, Sigzil reluctantly agreed to fill his role as a Worldsinger and confirmed that what Kaladin had seen in his vision during a highstorm was real by telling about [[Sesemalex Dar]], though he protested at the group's requests for "stories." He was the one to tell Kaladin about the [[Parshendi]]'s reverence for their dead, planting the seeds for Kaladin's later idea about crafting armor from their corpses.{{book ref|sa1|55}}
 
One night, when Kaladin went out wandering on the plains, he crossed paths with Hoid, who was playing [[Trailman's flute|his flute]]. Hoid told Kaladin the story of the ''[[Wandersail]]'' before telling Kaladin to take good care of Sigzil and to inform him that he had been graduated and was now a full Worldsinger.{{book ref|sa1|57}} When Kaladin tried to ask Sigzil about Hoid, he refused to discuss his former master.{{book ref|sa1|63}}
 
Sigzil's change of attitude towards Kaladin was made very apparent during the [[Battle of the Tower]] when Kaladin told the bridge crew to run away but to leave him behind; Sigzil was the first to speak up, flatly refusing to leave him.{{book ref|sa1|67}} He was overawed by Kaladin's skill with the spear as Kaladin defended the bridge against the Parshendi just after he spoke the words of the [[Order of Windrunners#The Second Ideal|Second Ideal]]{{book ref|sa1|68}} and talked him into giving them a demonstration of drawing in Stormlight while they sat around the fire that evening in [[Dalinar Kholin]]'s warcamp. He immediately began thinking analytically about Kaladin's powers, plying him with questions to see how much he could quantify the powers he had experienced, and devising experiments to be able to do just that.{{book ref|sa1|73}}
 
=== Lieutenant ===
{{image|Experiments by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=200px|Testing [[Kaladin]]'s powers on [[Lopen]]}}
 
After Dalinar secured the lives of the bridgemen and Bridge Four transfered to Dalinar's army, Kaladin promoted Sigzil to the rank of lieutenant and appointed him the bridge crew's clerk, since he was the only member of Bridge Four who could read [[glyphs]]. He joined with the rest of the crew when they got "freedom" and "Bridge Four" glyphs tattooed on their foreheads over their slave brands.{{book ref|sa2|2}}
 
Sigzil devised experiments to measure and document the extent of Kaladin's [[Windrunner]] abilities and finally put them into practice the day Kaladin, [[Teft]], [[Rock]], [[Lopen]], and he led the first group of forty bridgemen into the chasms to train them.{{book ref|sa2|10}} When he realized there were too many variables for his experiments to be meaningful, however, they changed tactics and practiced fighting against Kaladin to give him an opportunity to put his abilities to practical use.{{book ref|sa2|12}}
 
Sigzil sent regular reports to Kaladin detailing the status of their troops and supplies, as well as creating routes for Kaladin and Teft to take the trainees on patrol beyond the [[Shattered Plains#Warcamps|warcamps]].{{book ref|sa2|18}} He also continued meeting with Rock and Lopen in the chasms to help Kaladin gain control over his powers, during those times using his own former master's training to ask pointed and analytical questions about how the Parshendi gained control over a [[Shin]] assassin and who might have sabotaged [[Elhokar]]'s railing.{{book ref|sa2|41}}
 
He, Lopen, and [[Peet]] sometimes went to the market on nights off, accompanied at times by Teft or [[Moash]].{{book ref|sa2|41}}{{book ref|sa2|46}} Sigzil, who liked to be informed, listened to the criers' news and bought some [[chouta]] on the way to the tavern one night when Kaladin was with the group. He brought up the topic of housing the married men of Bridge Four as they watched Peet conversing with [[Ka]]. When the [[Horneater Peaks]] came up in conversation, he started telling the others about them until Rock took over and told them the [[Horneater]]s' version of their creation. Sigzil recognized Hoid when Rock mentioned meeting a white-haired god coming up from the [[Cultivation's Perpendicularity|peak ocean]].{{book ref|sa2|46}}
 
The day of [[Adolin]]'s duel against four others, Sigzil was one of forty guards Kaladin brought to guard the Kholins during the duel, and he spent the time before the event trying and failing to convince Kaladin to reveal his powers.{{book ref|sa2|56}} After Kaladin was lost in the chasms on the expedition to take [[Shallan]] to see a [[chasmfiend]] chrysalis, Sigzil took shifts with the others awaiting his return. When he had a shift with Teft, he taught him to play [[Michim|michim]]. Teft revealed more about his past then than he had at any other time, feeling prompted to speak by Sigzil's quiet attentiveness; Sigzil listened in confidence and never revealed what he knew to the others.{{book ref|sa2|71}}{{book ref|sa4|91}} Immediately after Kaladin's return, Sigzil and most of the rest of Bridge Four went with Dalinar's army on the expedition to discover [[Urithiru]] and end the [[War of Reckoning]].{{book ref|sa2|76}}
 
During the [[Battle of Narak]], Sigzil was one of the bridgemen who manifested the ability to use Stormlight.{{book ref|sa2|87}}{{book ref|sa3|35}} He and the other members of Bridge Four who had survived the battle waited for Kaladin on the plateau that served as Narak's [[Oathgate]]; after Kaladin's return, Sigzil walked him through using [[Syl]] as a [[Shardblade]] to activate the platform, taking them to Urithiru.{{book ref|sa2|87}}
 
=== Windrunner Squire ===
{{image|Joining the Windrunners by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=right|width=300px|Speaking with [[Kaladin]] and [[Lyn]] at the gemstone reserve}}
{{quote
|I don’t want to be huddled over a ledger when Bridge Four takes to the air. I want to be first into the sky.
|Sigzil{{book ref|sa3|35}}
}}
Bridge Four went on scouting trips to explore Urithiru, and Sigzil was part of the group on one of these missions when they found [[Torol Sadeas]]' body.{{book ref|sa3|2}} Later, he approached Kaladin about many administrative issues the crew was facing, such as the need for a real scribe, the problem of how to accommodate the bridgemen as they pursued relationships, and their place in the army as budding Windrunners. He attempted to convey the idea of why he felt some responsibility for the others' religious beliefs and social views by telling Kaladin Hoid's story about [[Mishim]], but failed to get the point across. As they discussed the possibility of recruitment, Kaladin led him to the quartermaster's office to pick up the royal emerald reserve so Bridge Four could practice drawing in Stormlight. Kaladin told him he was glad Sigzil had failed the exams in Azir, and Sigzil realized he felt the same; the realization liberated him.{{book ref|sa3|35}}
 
Kaladin, after deciding to recruit more members to Bridge Four, gathered the potential Windrunner squires together and assigned Sigzil three squads of bridgemen to talk them through the process of drawing in Stormlight. After some time of working with the recruits, Rock noticed smoke on the horizon; Bridge Four went to investigate and discovered a caravan, including Rock's family, recovering from a [[Voidbringer]] attack.{{book ref|sa3|37}} Later, Sigzil organized experiments with all of Bridge Four to measure the effect of the [[Surgebinding#Gravitation|Surge of Gravitation]] and to measure the distance away from Kaladin where their powers began to fade.{{book ref|sa3|46}}{{book ref|sa3|55}} He practiced flying with Basic Lashings with the rest of the crew regularly. One practice session, Sigzil admitted to being one of the many members of Bridge Four who had come to Rock to discuss how they felt they didn't fit in with the rest.{{book ref|sa3|55}}
 
After Kaladin left on the expedition to [[Kholinar]], Dalinar lent [[Jezrien]]'s [[Honorblade]] to Bridge Four so they could continue to practice, albeit one at a time, with their Windrunner powers. Sigzil drew up a rotation for them, changing possession daily as an added measure of security.{{book ref|sa3|64}} He was among the group that accompanied Dalinar to [[Thaylen City]] to check on [[Amaram]]'s progress helping rebuild the city and to meet with Queen [[Fen]] and the other monarchs who had joined their coalition.{{book ref|sa3|113}} After the theft of the Honorblade{{book ref|sa3|i|14}} and Teft's subsequent swearing of the [[Order of Windrunners#The Third Ideal|Third Ideal]], Bridge Four transferred to the middle of the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]] using Thaylen City's Oathgate and defended the platform until the close of the battle.{{book ref|sa3|120}} Afterwards, the group was tasked with flying wounded up to the Oathgate from the triage stations.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
 
{{image|Sigzil by paintweaver.jpg|side=left|width=200px}}
 
=== Windrunner ===
During the following year, Sigzil bonded a spren of his own, becoming a fully-fledged Windrunner of the Third Ideal.{{book ref|sa4|10}} He continued to run experiments on stormlight and Lashings with Kaladin, discovering that Reverse Lashings require one to visualize the desired outcome to work.{{book ref|sa4|49}} He and others of the Windrunners acted as scouts for Dalinar, going on reconnaissance missions to various places. Sigzil, [[Lyn]], and [[Leyten]] flew to [[Akinah]], where Leyten was attacked from behind by strange shadows in the clouds that drained his stormlight.{{book ref|sa3.5|11}} Lyn and Sigzil were barely able to rescue Leyten after his ability to use [[surges]] failed.{{book ref|sa3.5|3}} Sigzil also took part in the expedition to evacuate [[Hearthstone]], where he and the others engaged in a battle with the [[Fused|Heavenly Ones]].{{book ref|sa4|5}} Sigzil paired off with [[Leshwi]], who managed to stab him through the chest. The blow should have been fatal, but Leshwi had mercy on Sigzil out of deference to Kaladin, who had spared the life of another Fused earlier. Kaladin instructed Sigzil to drop his spear, bow to Leshwi, and retire from the battle to watch over the squires.{{book ref|sa4|6}}
 
{{sidequote
|We Windrunners … we're acting in defiance of honorspren law. We’d make the worst envoys, because of … well, they don’t much like Kaladin, to be honest.
|Sigzil to the coalition{{book ref|sa4|19}}
|side=right|size=300px
}}
When they returned to Urithiru, Dalinar relieved Kaladin of duty and directed him to promote some of the other Windrunners.{{book ref|sa4|10}}{{book ref|sa4|15}} After discussing Sigzil's new role with him, Kaladin announced to the others that Sigzil would be promoted to the rank of companylord and would oversee daily administrative matters such as supplies and recruitment.{{book ref|sa4|15}} It took some time for the monarchs in the coalition to get used to Sigzil as leader of and spokesman for the Windrunners, as they were used to looking to Kaladin. Sigzil affirmed at their next meeting that the Windrunners would offer support to the offensive in [[Emul]], then suggested that the coalition send an envoy to the [[honorspren]] to address the discontinuance of honorspren seeking humans to bond as Radiants. He displayed a keen insight into their mindset, offering details on how the spren were likely to be thinking about humans, [[Nahel bond]]s, and the [[Recreance]], but refused to go himself, explaining that the honorspren were unlikely to receive a Windrunner well.{{book ref|sa4|19}}
 
=== Emuli Offensive ===
{{image|Sigzil by Esther Schrader.jpg|side=right|width=200px}}
Instead, Sigzil and most of the force of Windrunners and squires went to Emul. They were needed to fight against the [[Skybreakers]], who almost took down one of the coalition's new flying platforms that granted Dalinar and the [[Dieno|Mink]] an aerial view of the battle before Sigzil and several others flew over to chase away the attackers.{{book ref|sa4|47}} Dalinar looked to Sigzil, as companylord, to send groups back to Urithiru as scouts after the Fused invasion there disrupted communications. Despite finding that nothing was ostensibly wrong at the tower beyond supposed [[fabrial]] malfunctions, Dalinar remained suspicious because he knew the enemy's powers would be able to put up a good front of life as usual; he asked Sigzil to send a group in secret to spy out the situation.{{book ref|sa4|50}}
 
In the field, the Windrunners continued their tradition of having a nightly stew for the group in their camp, and Sigzil took a turn telling stories one evening when Dalinar came to visit the camp to speak with [[Renarin]].{{book ref|sa4|54}} Later, when Dalinar determined the best way to learn about his abilities as a [[Bondsmith]] was to speak to the [[Herald]] [[Ishar]], Sigzil took a small team, including the [[Order of Lightweavers|Lightweaver]] [[Stargyle]], to scout Ishar's location. When they returned, Stargyle used his abilities to create an illusion that played out what they saw as they flew over Ishar's pavilion. Dalinar ordered Sigzil to do another scouting mission while he spoke with [[Jasnah]], though he was already decided that they would fly over to [[Tukar]] to meet Ishar.{{book ref|sa4|98}}
 
{{sidequote
|I … don't think he’s altogether sane, despite what Shalash says.
|Sigzil to Dalinar, about [[Ishar]]{{book ref|sa4|111}}
|side=left|size=300px
}}
Sigzil and four other Windrunners flew with Dalinar and [[Szeth]] to Tukar. Sigzil approached Ishar first, landing to speak with the Herald and to ensure that there was no trap set for them. He warned Dalinar against approaching the man, who seemed insane, and when Dalinar was determined to go through with it, Sigzil and the others who were of the Third Ideal summoned their Blades to better protect him. Ishar, convinced that Dalinar was Odium's champion come to fight him, summoned his [[Honorblade]] and attacked Dalinar; Sigzil deflected his attack and fought against Ishar with the other four, but they were no match for the Herald. Ishar used his abilities to Connect the Windrunners one by one to the ground and drain their stormlight into it, effectively disabling them. After Szeth used [[Nightblood]] to collapse the [[perpendicularity]] Dalinar had opened, the Windrunners' Connections to the ground had also vanished. When Sigzil drew in stormlight again, though, he found that it didn't do much to dull the pain and tiredness.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
 
Shortly after, Ishar fled through another perpendicularity into [[Shadesmar]]. Sigzil and the others waited in the sky above the camp, then descended again when it seemed obvious that Ishar was not immediately coming back. They poked through the Herald's tent among several odd corpses covered in sheets, and Sigzil found a ledger detailing his experiments: records recounting how long each [[spren]] had lived in the body the Herald had created for it in the [[Physical Realm]]. Appalled, the group fled back to their camp in Emul.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
 
=== Skybreaker ===
At some point after the True Desolation, Sigzil had his bond with his honorspren broken.{{book ref|tsm|29}}{{book ref|tsm|40}} Some time after this, he became a Skybreaker, bonding to a [[highspren]] named [[Auxiliary]].{{book ref|tsm|28}} He managed to swear up to the Fourth Ideal.{{book ref|tsm|42}}
 
=== Dawnshard and the Night Brigade ===
At an unknown point, Hoid offered Sigzil a Dawnshard for the sake of protecting the cosmere, which he accepted.{{book ref|tsm|10}} This put him on the radar of the [[Night Brigade]], who began to hunt him down across the cosmere.{{book ref|tsm|10}} The process also left him with what he described as a "torment": any attempt to hurt another person would cause his muscles to lock up, leaving him temporarily helpless.
 
In a moment of need Sigzil, carrying the Dawnshard, reached out for Investiture to protect himself. Looking for Investiture, the Dawnshard found it in Auxiliary and started to use his essence to fuel Sigzil's abilities, burning him away.{{book ref|tsm|20}} Sigzil just barely managed to stop it before Auxiliary was entirely burned away, which had an immense negative impact on the [[highspren]].{{book ref|tsm|12}}{{book ref|tsm|20}}
 
Eventually, he gave the Dawnshard to somebody else, hoping that it would get the Night Brigade off his trail, but they continued to hunt him regardless. This is because his lingering Connection to the Dawnshard could lead them to it by making a Hemalurgic spike out of him.{{book ref|tsm|28}} Thus he was forced to continue running from them for decades.{{book ref|tsm|13}} During this time, he had visited tens of planets,{{book ref|tsm|12}}{{book ref|tsm|34}}{{wob ref|15592}}{{wob ref|15589}} including [[Ashyn]] and [[Threnody]].{{book ref|tsm|2}}{{book ref|tsm|15}}
 
At some point, he came to an unnamed cavern planet on his run from the Night Brigade. During his stay, he stole a set of ragged clothes before Skipping to another planet.{{book ref|tsm|9}}
 
{{image|The Sunlit Man by Diego López.jpg|side=right|width=400px|On Canticle}}
 
=== Arrival on Canticle ===
After Nomad's visit to the cavern world, he skipped to a planet known as [[Canticle]]. After a short while he awoke, lying in the mud amid a group of prisoners. With only fifteen hundred BEUs left he couldn’t form a strong enough [[Connection]] to the planet, leaving him unable to understand anyone around him.{{book ref|tsm|1}}
 
Soon after he awoke he was spotted by two government officials, they tried speaking to him but he couldn’t understand them. Eventually they decided to simply chain him down with the rest, leaving him to die in the sunlight. Nomad resisted them, trying to fight them. Unfortunately his torment prevented him from touching them, and the action drew the attention of a [[Charred]]. He and Nomad fought, but eventually Nomad was overwhelmed when a second Charred showed up. After taking a hit to his side Nomad was left dazed, and the government officials chained him to the ground. While the Canticlites were firing up their engines Nomad summoned [[Auxiliary]] as a crowbar, breaking through the chain. He then made Auxiliary into a hook and chain, attaching it to one of the hoverbikes. It was at this point that the sunlight reached him, setting his skin aflame, he didn’t spend much time in the sunlight however, as he was immediately yanked out of the light by the hoverbike.{{book ref|tsm|1}}
 
They took him to the city of [[Union]].{{book ref|tsm|1}} Nomad was hauled upward and was brought up onto the surface of the city, where a crowd began to gather around him.{{book ref|tsm|2}} The Cinder King noticed him and approached, questioning him and becoming angered when Nomad couldn't answer, due to not speaking his languages.{{book ref|tsm|2}} This led the Cinder King to take off his glove and touch Nomad, recoiling in shock when nothing happened. Shortly afterwards, Nomad was seized by guards and dragged away as the city began to disassemble.{{book ref|tsm|2}}
 
He had golden bracers affixed to his forearms, before being dragged to the front into a muddy ring surrounded by ships situated in an arena formation.{{book ref|tsm|3}} He noticed people in white cloaks bringing prisoners into the arena, before a group of charred rushed in after them. Nomad attempted to run, though was greatly slowed by the mud. He pulled himself on top of a box and was faced with a female charred, and he quickly realized that the Cinder King expected him to die in the area. Realizing this, he quickly fled and summoned his Shardblade in the mud as a crowbar, which he used to defend himself from the charred, eventually managing to disarm her. Following the disarming, Nomad fled up a pile of boxes and found one of the prisoners sitting at the top as well.{{book ref|tsm|3}} From the boxes, he watched the rest of the arena.
 
Not long later, the female charred approached him again, and he managed to trick his Torment and pin her to the floor. Boasting to the Cinder King about his accomplishment. Consequently, a shock of cold ran through him, originating from the bracers, which quickly sent him into unconsciousness.{{book ref|tsm|3}}
 
=== Escape From Union ===
When Nomad awoke, he found himself manacled to a wall on the outside of a ship.{{book ref|tsm|4}} Worried about what was about to happen, he considered various possible methods of escape.{{book ref|tsm|4}} After giving up, he decided to watch the Cinder King as he placed his hand against a man, quickly turning him into a shriveled corpse, and shortly after forcibly turning a woman into a charred.{{book ref|tsm|4}}
 
=== Arrival at Beacon ===
On Beacon, Hoid appeared to Nomad and apologized for what he did to him.{{book ref|tsm|10}}{{expand}}
 
=== Rebellion against the Cinder King ===
Eventually, Nomad began to lead a rebellion with the Beaconites in order to overthrow the Cinder King.{{cite}}{{expand}}
 
=== Scadrian Research Facility ===
{{sidequote
|What are their problems to us? You’re a mercenary, Rosharan. You know there are dozens of these little planets scattered around, all with their own backward monarchies and their own stupid ways of doing things. What, you want us to take in everyone who is having a bad day?
| The TimeTellers to Zellion and the Beaconites
|side=right|size=300px
}}
 
Zellion used the The Refugee and Lost Expatriate Bill of the [[Silverlight Codes of Interplanetary Conduct]], requesting asylum in order to force the Scadrians to take him into their facility as a refugee.{{book ref|tsm|43}} They agreed to allow him to enter and negotiate, under the condition that he only bring three people.{{book ref|tsm|43}} He agreed to their terms and entered with Confidence, Contemplation, and Rebeke.{{book ref|tsm|43}}
 
Upon entering, he quickly noticed that the Scadrians were of the [[TimeTellers]] faction.{{book ref|tsm|44}} The TimeTellers began to question if he had a Blade and what his role was in interstellar politics, of which he denied any involvement in, and questioned how he made it to Canticle, to which he lied and claimed he came through Shadesmar.{{book ref|tsm|44}} He quickly learned that they were providing the Cinder King with technology and knowledge in exchange for sunhearts, to which he responded with great fury. He attempted to tell them that he was a tyrant, to which they responded that they cared not, angering him further, though he didn't speak his objections.{{book ref|tsm|44}}
 
Confidence, Contemplation, and Rebeke lost all hope of salvation at their rejection of their pleas, and left the facility, kindly telling Zellion to stay with his own kind.{{book ref|tsm|44}} Exhausted, Nomad settled at a wall and began to rest.{{book ref|tsm|44}}
 
=== Time on UTol ===
Following his overthrow of the Cinder King, Zellion Skipped to another planet, finding himself on the planet [[UTol]].{{book ref|tsm|epilogue}}
 
== Relationships ==
=== Auxiliary ===
He and Auxiliary have a very complex and ambivalent relationship that mixes amicability and judgement.{{cite}}{{expand}}
 
Auxiliary is his second spren, bonded after the bond ended with his first.{{book ref|tsm|29}} Auxiliary ultimately gives his life to give Sigzil a last burst of power in order to help him protect his own life and that of the Beaconites, burning away his own essence.{{book ref|tsm|45}}{{book ref|tsm|52}}{{book ref|tsm|epilogue}}
 
=== Cinder King ===
Sigzil has a highly antagonist relationship with the Cinder King, and led a rebellion against him during his time on Canticle.{{cite}} He considers him a tyrant,{{book ref|tsm|17}}{{book ref|tsm|44}} and considers him to have more ego than intellect.{{book ref|tsm|17}}
 
The Cinder King himself is facinated with Sigzil as a result of his Worldhopper status.{{cite}}{{expand}}
 
=== Hoid ===
Sigzil has a very strained relationship with Hoid. Hating him for abandoning him when he became a slave at the Shattered Plains, doing nothing to help despite knowing how much he was suffering.{{book ref|tsm|10}} For a long period during his slavery, he believed that Hoid thought him dead.{{cite}} Despite his hatred of Hoid, he still agreed to take on the Dawnshard for him for the good of the cosmere.{{cite}} He also finds some degree of guidance in his teachings.{{book ref|sa2|41}}
 
Before his enslavement, they had a rather amicable relationship, traveling the world and learning about different cultures.{{cite}} Hoid often had to help get him out of trouble, like when he was arrested thrice in Babatharnam.{{book ref|sa1|46}}
 
Hoid himself feels shame at how he treated Sigzil, knowing that his lack of action was wrong.{{book ref|tsm|10}}
 
=== Kaladin ===
At first, Sigzil despises what Kaladin tries to do to help [[Bridge Four]], but he slowly warms up to his efforts.{{book ref|sa1|27}}{{book ref|sa1|40}} Eventually Sigzil looks up to [[Kaladin]] and is glad to help him with the administrative side of training the [[bridgemen]] and later the [[Windrunners]], though he wishes his relationship with Kaladin were more clear cut.
 
Kaladin helps Sigzil see that failing the exams in [[Azir]] isn't such a bad thing, as he is now with a group of people who really appreciate him; Sigzil realizes that he is glad he found his way to Bridge Four.{{book ref|sa3|35}} Kaladin listens when Sigzil speaks, finding himself remembering later things that Sigzil had told him about different parts of the world.{{book ref|sa4|80}} He feels confident enough in Sigzil to name him one of the first lieutenants and later to transfer command of the Windrunners to him after his retirement.{{book ref|sa2|2}}{{book ref|sa4|15}}
 
[[Odium]] exploits Kaladin's care for Sigzil by showing him visions of Sigzil fighting other members of Bridge Four and telling him with his dying breaths that he should have let the rest of them just die on the [[Shattered Plains]].{{book ref|sa4|46}}
 
=== Zeal ===
Upon initially meating Sigzil, Zeal was extremely wary of him.{{book ref|tsm|7}} While the two are first meeting with the Greater Good, Zeal keeps close watch over Nomad the entire time and keeps his hand on the device to activate Nomad's bracers.{{book ref|tsm|7}}{{book ref|tsm|11}} When instructed to remove the bracers, Zeal confirms the order with the Greater Good twice before complying.{{book ref|tsm|11}} Slowly overtime, Sigzil gains Zeal's trust; his outlook moving from hostility,{{book ref|tsm|7}}{{book ref|tsm|11}} to a sarcastic contempt of Nomad's apparent ignorance,{{book ref|tsm|19}} to acceptance,{{book ref|tsm|22}} and finally to reliance and friendship.{{book ref|tsm|36}}{{book ref|tsm|41}}{{book ref|tsm|42}}
 
<!---
=== Bridge Four ===
==== Drehy ====
==== Lopen ====
==== Rock ====
==== Skar ====
==== Teft ====
 
=== Dalinar ===
=== Elegy Salvage ===
=== Greater Good ===
==== Compassion ====
==== Confidence ====
==== Contemplation ====
=== Rebeke Salvage ===
 
--->
== Trivia ==
* Despite being Hoid's apprentice, Sigzil had not been off Roshar as of the True Desolation.{{wob ref|4076}}
* The Azish word for Nomad is close to Sigzil.{{book ref|tsm|39}}
* Sigzil learned how to read Alethi women's script when he was in school.{{wob ref|16602}}
* Zellion was first revealed as the final stretch goal for the Stormlight Premium Miniatures Kickstarter run by Brotherwise Games.{{url ref|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brotherwise/stormlight-premium-miniatures/posts/3633951|site=Kickstarter.com|text=Another Secret}}
* While Zellion is shown wielding a white [[Shardblade]] in the Kickstarter image, this is just a placeholder commonly used in [[Ben McSweeney]]'s concept art.{{ref|name="johnny"}}
* Johnny O'Neal, the president of Brotherwise Games, had indicated that Zellion would be a new character and not an alias of an existing character.{{ref|name="johnny"}} This was a misunderstanding on his own part, and what Brandon meant was it was a new addition to the minifigure collection, and not necessarily a new character in and of itself.{{cite}}
* Zellion shares his name with the protagonist of ''[[The Sixth Incarnation of Pandora]]'', Brandon's unpublished fifth novel. In that book, Zellion is a soldier made immortal through advanced technology which is also slowly driving him insane.{{wob ref|14437}} Brandon has confirmed the origin of the name and stated that Zellion will "kind of" be related to the previous version of the character, but reimagined for the cosmere.{{wob ref|16104}}
* Brandon also used the name Zellion for his character in a playthrough of the video game ''[[wikipedia:Elden Ring|Elden Ring]]''.{{url ref|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158548571410009|site=Facebook.com|text=Elden Ring Walkthrough (comments)}}
 
== Notes ==
<references />
{{url ref|name="johnny"|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/y3f6t6/comment/is9a2y3/|site=Reddit.com|text=Johnny O'Neal on Reddit}}
{{stub}}
</references>
 
{{partial}}
{{Stormlight}}
{{Sunlit Man}}
[[category: viewpoint characters]]
[[Category: Bridgemen]]
Ant Tree
2

edits

Retrieved from "https://coppermind.net/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/52289...194592"