Difference between revisions of "Szeth"

{{character

|image=Szeth.jpg

|abilities={{tag+|skybreaker}}, {{tag+|Shardbearer}}

|aliases=Assassin in White

|groups={{tag|Knights Radiant}} <small>([[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreakers]])</small>

|born={{Rosharan date|1138}}

|residence=Urithiru

|ethnicity=Shin

|world=Roshar

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

}}{{spoilers|book=sa3}}

| Szeth, regarding his oath.{{book ref|sa2|I|14}}

}}

 

== Appearance and Personality ==

During his time as Truthless, he was given an [[Honorblade]] and was cast out from the Valley of Truth, forced to bear the blade and the sins of all those he served. Szeth is bound unwavering to honor, he is loyal to the extent that he will do anything asked by his master including self mutilation. He is forbidden to take his own life or to give up his Blade. Szeth, while accomplished at assassination, is not a willing killer, always facing inner turmoil when taking a life. He hears the screams of his victims when he closes his eyes and loathes himself so that he descends into madness.

 

 

 

Szeth loathes himself after his many killings and blasphemies. His madness was not healed as he hears whispers. Nin called it the effect of Szeth's connection to the powers, and said that he was hearing trembles from the Spiritual Realm. Memories of the dead he'd killed. He doesn't fear them, but still weeps. {{book ref|sa3|90}}

 

<gallery caption="Images of Szeth">

</gallery>

 

== History ==

=== Early Life ===

 

=== Assassin in White ===

When he was 29 years of age, Szeth was purchased by [[Klade]], a member of the [[Parshendi]] ruling council. When Klade pressures him, Szeth tells him about his Shardblade and his abilities{{book ref|sa3|prologue}}.

 

=== Taravangian's Assassin ===

The stranger gave Szeth a list of high ranking targets, all of whom were to be eliminated with the same skill displayed over five years ago in Kholinar. Szeth set out to do his work. His second last goal was King [[Hanavanar]] of Jah Keved whom he killed along with his two Shardbearer guards.{{book ref|twok|i|9}}

 

Szeth found Taravangian and demanded to know if the [[Knights Radiant|Radiants]] were returning. He held himself barely in check, and his self control was almost gone. Taravangian quickly deflected and told Szeth that an honorblade that allows regrowth was used and that the man Szeth fought was no Radiant. Szeth was appeased and vowed to kill Kaladin and retrieve the honorblade. Taravangian forbade him and ordered Szeth to kill Dalinar Kholin while staying away from the man.

 

=== Battle of Narak ===

{{quote

 

=== Becoming a Full Skybreaker Radiant ===

 

Later, he was Lashed to the Purelake along with other Skybreaker hopefuls and squires to complete the next test.

 

 

He was able to find and fight one, finding the convict had a knife but also notices he is thin, dirty and emaciated. Before letting him drown, Szeth also questioned him finding there was only one guard in the Fort. Once back, he sees other convicts and confirms that they were also badly fed, and probably under an internal regime, letting him to understand this was the result of a badly administered prison. He asks if the list of guilty included the administrator, and as he was the first in the list, Szeth draws his sword and kills him. With this he is allowed to swear the 2nd Ideal, is able to draw in Stormlight and is chosen by Ki to become his master. {{book ref|sa3|92}}

| The Second Ideal of the [[Skybreakers]], as sworn by Szeth{{book ref|sa3|92}}

}}

 

The next test was based on the newly acquired ability to Lash by the Skybreaker hopefuls. It involved Lashing oneself through the air and throwing pouches of colored powder at other competitors- the one with the least spots of color on their outfit would win the game. Szeth originally held the lead, but when the rest of the group realised he would win, he was surrounded and pummeled with pouches. Shortly after, his Stormlight ran out and he fell into the Purelake.

After the battle of [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], he swears his the Third Ideal: “I swear to follow the will of Dalinar Kholin. This is my oath." and becomes a full Radiant. {{book ref|sa3|121}}

 

=== Battle of Thaylen Field and Aftermath ===

 

At that time, Dalinar became Unity and Infused all the gemstones in the floor, which was enough to free them both. With a grey face, Szeth got blade back into its sheath. {{book ref|sa3|119}}

After that he did meet with Dalinar and the rest of the Radiants. He explained his loyalty and is given the task of helping Lift with the gemstone. He envies [[Kaladin]] for having the honor of protecting Dalinar, but did not complain and went to fulfill his task. {{book ref|sa3|120}}

 

 

After the battle is over, he and [[Nale]] have a conversation where Szeth swears the 3rd oath and becomes full radiant by bonding a highspren. Nale confirms he lost his ability for compassion after the tortures and that is why he will follow someone else, the law of the Singers. He will continue to train Szeth even if they meet in battle and fight each other. {{book ref|sa3|121}}

}}

 

He then becomes Dalinar’s bodyguard. {{book ref|sa3|122}}

 

 

=== Surgebinding ===

 

=== Honorblades ===

 

=== Shardblade ===

 

== Relationships ==

=== [[Nightblood]] ===