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Difference between revisions of "Szeth"

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{{character
  
{{character
 
|image=Szeth.jpg
  
|image=Szeth.jpg
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|parents=[[Neturo]]
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|parents=Neturo
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|ancestors=[[Vallano]]
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|ancestors=Vallano
 
|abilities={{tag+|skybreaker}}, {{tag+|Shardbearer}}
  
|abilities={{tag+|skybreaker}}, {{tag+|Shardbearer}}
  +
|profession={{cat tag|Assassins|Assassin}}
 
|aliases=Assassin in White
  
|aliases=Assassin in White
 
|titles=[[Truthless]] of [[Shinovar]]
  
|titles=[[Truthless]] of [[Shinovar]]
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}}
  
}}
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
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| I am Truthless. I do as my master requires and I require no explanation.
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|I am Truthless. I do as my master requires and I require no explanation.
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| Szeth, regarding his oath.{{book ref|sa2|I|14}}
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|Szeth, regarding his oath.{{book ref|sa2|I|14}}
 
}}
  
}}
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'''Szeth''', formerly '''Szeth-son-son-Vallano''' or '''Szeth-son-Neturo''', [[Truthless]] of [[Shinovar]], is a [[Shin]] man from [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} He's the infamous Assassin in White, responsible for the death of [[Gavilar Kholin]] and thus kickstarting the [[War of Reckoning]].{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} As the Assassin, he wields [[Jezrien]]'s [[Honorblade]]; eventually, he loses it as is gifted [[Nightblood]].{{book ref|sa2|88}}
 +
'''Szeth''', formerly '''Szeth-son-son-Vallano''' or '''Szeth-son-Neturo''', [[Truthless]] of [[Shinovar]], is a [[Shin]] man from [[Roshar]]. He is the infamous Assassin in White and is responsible for the death of [[Gavilar Kholin]] kickstarting the [[War of Reckoning]].{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} As the Assassin, he wields [[Jezrien]]'s [[Honorblade]]; eventually, he loses it, and is gifted [[Nightblood]].{{book ref|sa2|88}}
   
 
Szeth is currently a [[Skybreaker]] of the Third Ideal and serves [[Dalinar Kholin]]. He intends to return to Shinovar and bring justice to the ones who exiled him as his Fourth Skybreaker Ideal quest.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
  
Szeth is currently a [[Skybreaker]] of the Third Ideal and serves [[Dalinar Kholin]]. He intends to return to Shinovar and bring justice to the ones who exiled him as his Fourth Skybreaker Ideal quest.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
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=== Personality ===
  
=== Personality ===
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
  +
|I am not good at being a person. It is … a failing of mine
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| This man was not sane. Szeth-son-son-Vallano was the most dangerous weapon on all of [[Roshar]], and he was broken.
  
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| [[Taravangian]]{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
 +
|Szeth{{book ref|sa3|120}}
 
}}
  
}}
   
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As a [[Skybreaker]], Szeth develops a far greater suspicion of his superiors; he starts questioning his orders, and even argue with those above him if he believes they are wrong.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}} He slowly learns to make his own decisions, although still seems to yearn for someone to follow, as evidenced by his newfound dedication to Dalinar.{{book ref|sa3|119}} He's exceedingly serious, and unless severely agitated, highly respectful to others. He also seems deaf to jokes or sarcasm, often finding what others say to be incredibly profound, even when it's nonsensical or silly.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  
As a [[Skybreaker]], Szeth develops a far greater suspicion of his superiors; he starts questioning his orders, and even argue with those above him if he believes they are wrong.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}} He slowly learns to make his own decisions, although still seems to yearn for someone to follow, as evidenced by his newfound dedication to Dalinar.{{book ref|sa3|119}} He's exceedingly serious, and unless severely agitated, highly respectful to others. He also seems deaf to jokes or sarcasm, often finding what others say to be incredibly profound, even when it's nonsensical or silly.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
  +
== Attributes and Abilities ==
  +
Szeth is an exceptionally skilled combatant; when ordered to fight, he becomes a nigh-on unstoppable killing machine. He's proficient with a sword, as well as the martial art of [[kammar]]. He combines both of those skills with his [[Surgebinding]] abilities to a deadly effect.{{book ref|sa1|i|9}} In one-on-one combat, he can hold his own, and even defeat, a master swordsman.{{book ref|sa2|85}} He's fearless when attacking even people in [[Shardplate]] and wielding [[Shardblade]]s, trusting his greater, [[Stormlight]]-augmented agility to carry him through the battle unharmed.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} He also shows great cunning, resourcefulness and determination, which serve him well both in and out of combat.{{book ref|sa3|98}}
  +
  +
[[File: The Assassin in White by Ari Ibarra.jpg|250px|thumb|right|<center><small>by {{a|Ari Ibarra}}</small></center> Drawing [[Nightblood]] ]]
  +
=== Surgebinding ===
  +
{{quote
  +
|Szeth of the Skybreakers had, fortunately, trained with all ten Surges.
  +
|Szeth{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
}}
  +
  +
Szeth knows how to use all of the [[Surge]]s, having practiced with them through the Shin's eight [[Honorblade]]s.{{book ref|sa3|120}} When he was exiled, he was given [[Jezrien]]'s Honorblade, granting him the powers of a [[Windrunner]] and thus the Surges of [[Gravitation]] and [[Adhesion]].{{book ref|sa3|87}} Over the years, he has become a master of it, easily controlling all three [[Lashing]]s. However, he is unaccustomed to fighting other Windrunners, levelling the playing field somewhat when his opponent can also take to the skies.{{book ref|sa2|85}}
  +
  +
The training has also included basic information about all Radiant orders; Szeth is familiar with their names, their powers and their capabilities, as well as strategies to counter all of them.{{book ref|sa3|120}} It has also gave him an assortment of other, non-supernatural skills, such as ice-skating.{{book ref|sa3|120}}
  +
  +
At the present, Szeth no longer has Jezrien's Honorblade, and has since become a [[Skybreaker]] of the Third Ideal. This gives him access to the Surges of Gravitation and [[Division]]. While he has been using the former extensively, thanks to his prior experience, he's yet to use the latter, although he already has access to it.{{book ref|sa3|121}} Although he has bonded a spren at this point and it should be able to manifest as a Shardblade, it has yet to do so, and in fact rarely shows itself to him at all.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
  +
  +
=== Nightblood ===
  +
{{for|Nightblood}}
  +
  +
After losing Jezrien's Honorblade, Szeth has been gifted [[Nightblood]] by [[Nale]].{{book ref|sa2|88}} While Szeth cannot dismiss Nightblood the way he could with a regular Shardblade, he is nonetheless just as dangerous with it, if not more, as with a Blade. He cannot, however, draw it from its sheath in most circumstances; lacking [[Breath]], he has to feed it Stormlight to survive the act of using it.{{book ref|sa3|98}}
  +
  +
Notably, it seems that unlike Shardblades, Nightblood is capable of erasing [[Fused]] from existence completely, preventing them from resurrecting in the next [[Everstorm]].{{book ref|sa3|117}}{{wob ref|10440}}
   
 
== History ==
  
== History ==
 
=== Early Life ===
  
=== Early Life ===
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
−
| I knew a voice like yours once, sword-nimi. ... A single one, in my mind, when I was young. I hope things go better this time.
 +
|I knew a voice like yours once, sword-nimi. ... A single one, in my mind, when I was young. I hope things go better this time.
−
| Szeth telling [[Nightblood]] about his youth{{book ref|sa3|92}}
 +
|Szeth to [[Nightblood]]{{book ref|sa3|92}}
 
}}
  
}}
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Szeth heard a voice in his mind, similar to [[Nightblood]]'s, in his mind when he was younger. It ended badly for him somehow, perhaps relating to the events that made him Truthless.{{book ref|sa3|92}} In his youth, he trained with Honorblades {{book ref|sa3|98}} and was well trained in all ten surges. He practiced ice skating as a training exercise that mimics [[Abrasion]].{{book ref|sa3|120}} Szeth claimed that the [[Voidbringers]] were returning to Roshar.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} The Shin leaders told him that his claims were false and named him Truthless.{{book ref|sa2|i|10}} He was named Truthless at approximately 27 years of age and was traded to the Thaylen merchant [[Vstim]] shortly afterwards.{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} Szeth is bound to his [[Oathstone]]. Whoever owned his Oathstone, owned Szeth. Szeth is obliged by his honor to do as the owner commanded with the exception of killing himself or giving up his Shardblade.{{book ref|sa1|i|3}} Just after being exiled from [[Shinovar]] Szeth visited [[Urithiru]] for the first time.{{book ref|sa2|I|10}}
  
   
  +
As a younger man, Szeth was a highly-regarded member of the [[Shin]] society.{{wob ref|4040}} At the time, he trained with the [[Honorblade]]s, familiarizing himself with all ten of the [[Surge]]s. Among others, the training included ice-skating exercises to mimic [[Abrasion]].{{book ref|sa3|98}}{{book ref|sa3|120}} At some point, however, he began hearing a voice in his head, possibly that of a [[spren]].{{book ref|sa3|92}} Perhaps as a result of this, he began saying that the [[Voidbringers]] were returning to Roshar.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}} The Shin leaders, however, told him that his claims were false and, at the age of 27, named him Truthless.{{book ref|sa2|i|10}} Likely due to his prior high status, he was given [[Jezrien]]'s Honorblade before being sent away&mdash;something that wasn't done for other Truthless.{{wob ref|5089}}
−
[[File:Szeth and Gavilar by ThomasW.jpg|thumb|left|200px|<center><small>by {{a|ThomasW}}</small></center> Facing off against [[Gavilar Kholin]] ]]
  
  +
  +
After being made a slave and given an [[Oathstone]], Szeth was traded to the Thaylen merchant [[Vstim]].{{book ref|sa1|i|4}} From then on, whoever owned his Oathstone owned Szeth, and Szeth was obliged by his honor to do as the owner commanded; with the exception of killing himself or giving up the Honorblade.{{book ref|sa1|i|3}} Just after being exiled from [[Shinovar]], Szeth visited [[Urithiru]] for the first time.{{book ref|sa2|i|10}}
  +
 
=== Assassin in White ===
  
=== Assassin in White ===
  +
[[File:Szeth and Gavilar by ThomasW.jpg|thumb|left|200px|<center><small>by {{a|ThomasW}}</small></center> Facing off against [[Gavilar Kholin]] ]]
−
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}}.
 
   
  +
==== Killing King Gavilar ====
−
The Parshendi ruling council orders Szeth to murder King [[Gavilar Kholin]] of [[Alethkar]] during the Alethi-Parshendi treaty-signing celebrations, in public, and to be seen doing it with live witnesses. As he attacked, he was fooled into believing Gavilar was a bodyguard. Szeth decided to chase after the escaping target, instead of fighting a protracted battle. However soon after, he realized the target was simply a decoy, since Gavilar would be much safer fighting with his own Shardblade and plate, instead of fleeing for his life. Doubling back, Szeth abandoned chase and returned to kill Gavilar. A fierce battle between Gavilar and Szeth commenced. Gavilar almost succeeded in killing Szeth with a Shardplate enhanced punch, but ultimately failed and fell to his death upon a piece of wooden debris which impaled him in an area where the Shardplate had been broken. Before dying, Gavilar had two last requests: to tell his brother to "find the most important words a man could say," and to protect a mysterious [[black sphere]] that shone dark light. Szeth honored both requests, scrawling a message to [[Dalinar]] into the wood with Gavilar's own hand and blood.{{book ref|twok|prologue}} Eventually he also hid away the black orb somewhere in [[Jah Keved]].{{book ref|twok|i|3}}
 
  +
{{for|Assassination of Gavilar}}
   
  +
Two years after his banishment, Szeth was purchased by [[Klade]], a member of the [[listener]] ruling council. When Klade pressured him, Szeth told him about his Shardblade and the abilities it brought.{{book ref|sa3|prologue}} As a result, [[the Five]] ordered him to murder king [[Gavilar Kholin]] of [[Alethkar]] during the treaty-signing celebration. They stipulated that the killing had to be done with live witnesses, and while wearing white.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}
−
He wore traditional white Parshendi assassin attire on the night he killed Gavilar, which led to him being known as the Assassin in White. Parshendi customs bade assassins to wear white, for if someone were to be assassinated, they were owed a fair warning.{{book ref|twok|prologue}}
  
   
  +
As Szeth attacked, he was fooled into believing Gavilar was a bodyguard, and decided to chase after the escaping target, instead of fighting a protracted battle. However, soon after he realized the "target" was simply a decoy, since Gavilar would be much safer fighting with his own Shardblade and Plate instead of fleeing for his life. Doubling back, Szeth returned to kill Gavilar, and a fierce battle commenced. Gavilar almost succeeded in killing Szeth with a Shardplate-enhanced punch, but ultimately failed and fell to his death onto a piece of wooden debris, which impaled him in an area where the Shardplate had been broken.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}
−
=== Vengeance Pact ===
  
−
Following Gavilar's death, the Parshendi threw away Szeth's Oathstone as they fled [[Kholinar]]. Since the Alethi believed that Szeth had fled with the Parshendi, they did not attempt to track him down and instead initiated the [[Vengeance Pact]], waging war on the Parshendi. Meanwhile the stone, and as a result Szeth, was eventually picked up by [[Avado]]. The travelling merchant took him to Jah Keved in fear of possible Alethi retribution against strange foreigners in the wake of their king's assassination. Over the course of more than 5 years, the Oathstone changed possession many times before landing in the hands of [[Took]], a transient worker. Took was robbed and killed after a night of drinking in [[Ironsway]], a town in the [[Bavland]], and Szeth's Oathstone is taken by [[Makkek]].{{book ref|twok|i|3}} With Szeth under his control, Makkek set out to gain wealth; first by killing his fellow robbers and then establishing a gambling den in [[Bornwater]].{{book ref|twok|i|6}}
 
   
  +
Before dying, Gavilar had two last requests: to tell his brother to "find the most important words a man could say," and to protect a mysterious [[black sphere]] that shone dark light. Szeth honored both requests, scrawling a message to [[Dalinar]] into the wood with Gavilar's own hand and blood.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} Eventually he also hid away the black orb somewhere in [[Jah Keved]].{{book ref|sa1|i|3}}
−
On one of Makkek's missions, this time to eliminate a rival who had opened his own gambling place, Szeth infiltrated the local lord's mansion where his target [[Gavashaw]] resided. After entering Gavashaw's rooms he met a mysterious stranger, who knew of Szeth and his role in Gavilar's death, revealing in detail of Szeth's powers. He was also informed of a new master they both now served, revealing that his Oathstone had been taken from Makkek after he and Gavashaw had been killed.
  
   
  +
His clothes on the night of the killing led to the general public dubbing him the Assassin in White.{{book ref|sa1|8}}
−
=== Taravangian's Assassin ===
  
−
[[File:Facing off with the Assassin in White.jpg|thumb|right|350px|<center><small>by [[Coppermind:Artists/Jules Aguimatang|Jules Aguimatang]]</small></center> First attempt to assassinate [[Dalinar]] ]]
  
−
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}}
 
   
  +
==== Laying Low ====
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King [[Taravangian]], the last one on Szeth's hit list, turned out to be his secret employer. Widely known as the dim witted, elderly, yet kind king of [[Kharbranth]], Taravangian actually ran a secret hospital hidden in the king's palace. It was built in a large room with wide railings on the sides. Its purpose was to slowly kill the incredibly sick, elderly, or just undesired remnants of society by slowly draining the blood out of them, thereby protracting their death out of public eyesight. Taravangian did this because some of the dying spoke during the last moments of their life, which he thought might provide valuable insight about the coming Desolation. So in order to prepare for it, he began collecting their [[Death Rattle]]s.{{book ref|twok|71}}
  
  +
After Gavilar's death, the listeners threw away Szeth's Oathstone as they fled [[Kholinar]]. Since the Alethi believed that Szeth had fled with the Parshendi, they did not attempt to track him down and instead initiated the [[Vengeance Pact]], waging war on the [[Shattered Plains]]. Meanwhile the stone, and as a result Szeth, was eventually picked up by [[Avado]], a travelling merchant.{{book ref|sa1|i|3}}
   
  +
Avado took Szeth with him to [[Jah Keved]] in fear of possible Alethi retribution against strange foreigners in the wake of their king's assassination. He did not keep his slave for long, however; over the course of the next five years, the Oathstone changed possession many times before landing in the hands of [[Took]], a transient worker. Took was robbed and killed after a night of drinking in [[Ironsway]], a town in the [[Bavland]], and Szeth's Oathstone is taken by [[Makkek]], a small-time criminal.{{book ref|sa1|i|3}} With Szeth under his control, Makkek set out to gain wealth, first by killing his fellow robbers and then by establishing a gambling den in [[Bornwater]].{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}
−
During a [[Highstorm]], Szeth attacked King [[Elhokar]]'s palace on the [[Shattered Plains]]. He entered the palace through a hole he cut in a high stone wall. He killed [[Beld]] and cut through [[Hobber]]'s midriff, crippling the use of his legs. He proceeded to fight against [[Adolin]], [[Kaladin]], and [[Dalinar]] who all believed he was there to assassinate Elhokar. He quickly gained the upper hand, lashing Adolin to the ceiling and cutting through Kaladin's arm. When he was about to kill Dalinar, Dalinar caught his Shardblade between his hands, a maneuver known as the [[lastclap]], allowing Kaladin to push both himself and Szeth through the hole in the wall that Szeth had made to enter the palace. The two of them fell to the ground, both surviving. Szeth panicked when he saw Kaladin healing his arm, and when Kaladin told him he was a Windrunner, Szeth fled.
  
   
  +
On one of Makkek's missions, this time to eliminate a rival who had opened his own gambling place, Szeth infiltrated the local lord's mansion where his target, [[Gavashaw]], resided. After entering Gavashaw's rooms, he met a mysterious stranger who knew of Szeth and his role in Gavilar's death, as well as his powers. After a short confrontation, the man revealed that both Makek and Gavashaw had been killed, and that Szeth's Oathstone was now in the hands of a new master. Thus, Szeth began to unwittingly serve the [[Diagram (group)|Diagram]].{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}
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=== Contemplation ===
  
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After his confrontation with Kaladin, Szeth retreated to the top of Urithiru where he wondered if he was wrong the entire time. He stared into the distance and trying not to blink, as he heard the screams of his victims every time he closed his eyes. Szeth shouted at the sun demanding to know why must he bear the sins if he was not Truthless. He decided to go looking for answers, or someone to kill.
  
   
−
=== Meeting with Taravangian ===
 +
==== Taravangian's Killer ====
  +
[[File:Facing off with the Assassin in White.jpg|thumb|right|350px|<center><small>by {{a|Jules Aguimatang}}</small></center> First attempt to assassinate [[Dalinar]] ]]
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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.
  
   
  +
Szeth's new masters gave him 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 just that, carving a bloody path across the continent, slaying, among others, two [[Azir|Azish]] Primes.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} His second-to-last kill was King [[Hanavanar]] of Jah Keved, whom he killed along with his two Shardbearer guards.{{book ref|sa1|i|9}} This led directly into the Jah Keved civil war.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
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[[File:Szeth Action.jpg|thumb|left|200px|<center><small>by [[User:Sheep]]</small></center> Swooping down to attack]]
  
  +
−
=== Battle of Narak ===
  
  +
King [[Taravangian]], the last one on Szeth's hit list, turned out to be his secret employer. When Szeth arrived in [[Kharbranth]], Taravangian revealed a portion of his schemes, showcasing his "hospitals" in which people were slowly killed in order to draw out [[Death Rattle]]s.{{book ref|sa1|71}} Upon showing this to Szeth, he sent him out on a mission to kill a new target: [[Dalinar Kholin]].
  +
  +
During a [[highstorm]], Szeth attacked King [[Elhokar]]'s palace on the [[Shattered Plains]], entering it through a hole cut in the wall with his Blade. On his way, he killed [[Beld]] and cut through [[Hobber]]'s midriff, crippling the use of his legs, then proceeded to fight against [[Adolin]], [[Kaladin]], and [[Dalinar]], who all believed he was there to assassinate Elhokar. He quickly gained the upper hand, lashing Adolin to the ceiling and cutting through Kaladin's arm. However, he ultimately failed, as Kaladin managed to push him through his entryway. The two of them fell to the ground, both surviving. Szeth panicked when he saw Kaladin healing his arm, and when Kaladin told him he was a Windrunner, Szeth fled.{{book ref|sa2|32}}{{book ref|sa2|33}}
  +
  +
After his confrontation with Kaladin, Szeth retreated to the top of Urithiru, shaken by Kaladin's words and wondering if he was wrong the entire time. Ultimately, he decided to confront Taravangian about the matter.{{book ref|sa3|i|10}} He found the king in [[Vedenar]], and, control almost gone, demanded to know if the [[Knights Radiant]] were returning. Taravangain managed to appease him by claiming that a Honorblade with [[Regrowth]] has been stolen. Hearing that, Szeth made to depart, vowing to kill [[Kaladin]]; however, Taravangian forbade him to approach, demanding that Szeth kill only Dalinar.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}
  +
  +
==== Death and Resurrection ====
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
 
|What I am owed will come to me eventually! Every bit of it. I will drown in it, stonewalker!
  
|What I am owed will come to me eventually! Every bit of it. I will drown in it, stonewalker!
 
|Szeth to Dalinar{{book ref|sa2|85}}
  
|Szeth to Dalinar{{book ref|sa2|85}}
 
}}
  
}}
−
Szeth attacked Dalinar during the climax of the [[Battle of Narak]]. Dalinar was able to temporarily hold his own before being lashed to the sky, to eventually fall to his death after the stormlight sustaining the lashing ran out. Szeth believed his mission was completed and attempted to casually leave, when he was confronted by Adolin. Kaladin, who recently regained his powers and stated the [[Immortal Words|third ideal]] of the Windrunners, caught Dalinar and returned him safely to the ground. Kaladin and Szeth then battled above the colliding Highstorm and [[Everstorm]]. During the battle Szeth came to the realization that Kaladin was truly a Radiant, thus he was never Truthless. Unable to accept his actions, Szeth unbonded his Honorblade and fell through the Highstorm to his death.
  
   
  +
Szeth attacked Dalinar during the climax of the [[Battle of Narak]]. Dalinar was able to temporarily hold his own before being lashed to the sky, to eventually fall to his death after the Stormlight sustaining the lashing ran out. However, before that could happen, Kaladin, having recently sworn the Third Ideal of the Windrunners, swooped in and caught him, then safely returned him to the ground. Kaladin and Szeth then battled above the colliding [[highstorm]] and [[Everstorm]]. During the battle Szeth came to the realization that Kaladin was truly a Radiant, and so Szeth himself was never Truthless. Unable to accept his actions, Szeth unbonded his Honorblade and fell through the highstorm to his death.{{book ref|sa2|85}}{{book ref|sa2|88}}
−
=== Resurrection ===
  
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Moments after his death, Szeth was revived by [[Nale]], who used a fabrial to heal his body before his spirit departed {{book ref|sa3|90}}. Though he was initially outraged at being returned to life, Nale promised to give him a new purpose. He then presented Szeth with [[Nightblood]].{{book ref|sa2|88}}
  
   
  +
Moments after his death, Szeth was revived by [[Nale]], who used a fabrial to heal his body before his spirit departed {{book ref|sa3|90}}. Though Szeth was initially outraged at being returned to life, Nale promised to give him a new purpose and gifted him with [[Nightblood]].{{book ref|sa2|88}}
−
=== Time in Yeddaw ===
  
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Szeth traveled to [[Yeddaw]] with [[Nale]] to find a potential radiant who lived there.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}} During his time in the city, [[Lift]] passed him in the city's [[Grand Indicium]]. He confronted her and drew Nightblood to test her. He left her when Nightblood's power was unable to harm her.{{book ref|sa2.5|15}} Later he found her chasing after him and the other Skybreakers, he stopped to inform her that she could not possibly get there before they did, and also told her the identity of the person they were seeking.{{book ref|sa2.5|16}} When Szeth was viewed by Lift he trailed a strange glowing afterimage.
  
   
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=== Becoming a Full Skybreaker Radiant ===
 +
=== Skybreaker Trainee ===
  +
[[File:Szeth and Nightblood.png|thumb|left|300px|<center><small>by {{a|LittleGreyDragon}}</small></center>]]
−
When Szeth came back from Yeddaw, master [[Ki]] told him that his mission with [[Nale]] was his first task and after being evaluated he was found worthy of the First Ideal {{book ref|sa3|90}}. This however was not enough for him to draw Stormlight - this is only possible for trainee Skybreakers after swearing the Second Ideal.
  
   
  +
==== Yeddaw ====
−
[[File:Szeth and Nightblood.png|thumb|right|350px|<center><small>by {{a|LittleGreyDragon}}</small></center> Szeth and Nightblood]]
  
  +
After gifting him with Nightblood, Nale inducted Szeth into the [[Skybreakers]], and took him to [[Yeddaw]] in order to find a potential Radiant. Throughout this time, Szeth attempted to convince Nale of the upcoming [[True Desolation]], but was unable to get through to him.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}}
−
Later, he was Lashed to the Purelake along with other Skybreaker hopefuls and squires to complete the next test.
  
   
  +
During his time there, he met [[Lift]] in the city's [[Grand Indicium]]. He confronted her and drew Nightblood to test her, but left when Nightblood's power found her innocent.{{book ref|sa2.5|15}} Later, he encountered her again, chasing after him and the other Skybreakers. He stopped to inform her that she could not possibly get there before they did, but also shared the identity of the person they were seeking.{{book ref|sa2.5|16}}
−
The challenge was based on a message sent via [[spanreed]] by the city's minister who told them there was a breakout of convicts, they were all guilty, and had a tattoo on their forehead. The request was to find the guilty and execute them. While most of the squires and hopefuls started immediately to find and execute the convicts, Szeth stayed and questioned their motives. He learnt that this was a Reshi idealist population who had non-violent attitude, even towards criminals, but mercy was withdrawn when they escaped. Just after that, he went hunting for a convict.
  
   
  +
After the Everstorm passed over Yeddaw, Nale departed in a hurry, leaving Szeth stranded in Yeddaw. He was picked up by the Herald after a few weeks and taken to join the other Skybreakers. There, master [[Ki]] informed him that his mission with [[Nale]] was his first task, and that after being evaluated, he was found worthy of the First Ideal. This, however, was not enough for him to draw Stormlight, as Skybreaker trainees can only do so after attaining the Second.{{book ref|sa3|90}}
−
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}}
  
  +
  +
==== Second Ideal ====
  +
After swearing the First Ideal, Szeth was taken to the [[Purelake]] along with other Skybreaker hopefuls and squires to complete the next test. The challenge was based on a message sent via [[spanreed]] by the city's minister, who told them there was a breakout of convicts. The request was to find the guilty and execute them. While most of the squires and hopefuls started immediately to find and execute the convicts, Szeth stayed and questioned their motives, learning more about the local law.{{book ref|sa3|92}}
  +
  +
He was able to find and fight one. He found that the convict had a knife, but was thin, dirty and emaciated. Upon questioning him, Szeth also learned that the prison fort had only one guard. Once back, he saw other convicts, confirming that they had all been poorly fed and under a strict regime, leading him to the realization that the prison itself was improperly ran. When he confirmed with Ki that the prison administrator was also on the list of the guilty, Szeth drew Nightblood and killed the man. This allowed him to swear the Second Ideal, letting him draw Stormlight. Impressed, Ki chose him as her squire.{{book ref|sa3|92}}
   
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
−
| I swear to seek justice, to let it guide me, until I find a more perfect Ideal.
 +
|I swear to seek justice, to let it guide me, until I find a more perfect Ideal.
−
| The Second Ideal of the [[Skybreakers]], as sworn by Szeth{{book ref|sa3|92}}
 +
|The Second Ideal of the [[Skybreakers]], as sworn by Szeth{{book ref|sa3|92}}
 
}}
  
}}
   
  +
==== Learning the Truth ====
−
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.
  
  +
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. Nonetheless, he managed to win, as the water washed away the colors.{{book ref|sa3|98}}
   
−
After exiting the Purelake, Szeth wins the contest because the color on his outfit was washed away by the water. He is about to swear the next oaths when [[Nale]] finally arrived and took Szeth and most of the other full Skybreakers to Marat. There he showed Szeth a village conquered by Listeners and Fused. He explained they were the original species populating Roshar, and told him about Aharietiam and that he will defend the Voidbringers and fight the Knights Radiant. {{book ref|sa3|106}}
 +
Frustrated with the slow progress, Szeth intended to swear his next ideal there and then, but at this point [[Nale]] arrived. The Herald took Szeth and the other full Skybreakers to [[Marat]], where he showed them a village destroyed by the [[Voidbringer]]s before telling them all the truth about the world. Afterwards, Nale declared his intentions: to side with the [[singer]]s, the original inhabitants of Roshar, and oppose humanity.{{book ref|sa3|106}}
   
−
Szeth believes he does not have a choice other than to follow Nale, but in a conversation with his sword [[Nightblood]] {{book ref|sa3|116}}, he decides to swear his oath to Dalinar Kholin{{book ref|sa3|117}}. Nale believes the problem with following a man instead of law is a lack of consistency, but supports his decision. {{book ref|sa3|121}}
 +
Initially, Szeth believed he had no choice other than to follow Nale, but in a conversation Nightblood about the topic, he changed his mind, realizing that there was always a choice.{{book ref|sa3|116}} He decided to swear himself into service of Dalinar, and joined the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|117}}
   
  +
[[File:Szeth Thunderclast.jpg|thumb|right|250px|<center><small>by {{a|Matthew Johnson}}</small></center> Szeth killing a [[thunderclast]] ]]
−
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}}
  
   
  +
=== Serving Dalinar Kholin ===
−
[[File:Szeth Thunderclast.jpg|thumb|left|250px|<center><small>by {{a|Matthew Johnson}}</small></center> Szeth killing a [[thunderclast]] ]]
  
−
=== Battle of Thaylen Field and Aftermath ===
 +
==== Battle of Thaylen Field ====
−
Szeth arrives to Thaylen just in time for battle and meets [[Lift]]. She lets him know Dalinar has asked him to get a gemstone that the Fused have and he decides to help her. He draws his sword ([[Nightblood]]) and starts to fight. He finds purpose wielding his sword and putting his trust in Dalinar. He swept through the enemy’s army, the red-eyed soldiers turning to black smoke. He thirsted for death but could never enjoy it. He kept killing until a female voice, Lift’s voice, stopped him. He couldn’t let the sword go, it was consuming him and his soul. Lift got to him, held his face and sent Stormlight into him, trying to feed the sword, but it started to drain her too as black veins started to grow on her arms. {{book ref|sa3|118}}
  
   
  +
Szeth arrived on the field just in time to drop down and slay a [[thunderclast]]. After landing, he met [[Lift]], who let him know that Dalinar asked her to recover [[Honor's Drop]], a perfect gemstone. Acknowledging this as Dalinar's will, Szeth joined her in the hunt.{{book ref|sa3|117}} Things initially went poorly, especially when Szeth lost Nightblood's sheath to one of the [[Fused]], causing the sword to go out of control and begin devouring him, despite Lift's attempts to help.{{book ref|sa3|118}}
−
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}}
  
   
  +
Fortunately, it was then that Dalinar managed to open [[Honor's Perpendicularity]], infusing the city with enough Stormlight to slake Nightblood's thirst. Szeth managed to resheathe the blade, and met with Dalinar. After managing to convince the Alethi of his new loyalty, he returned to his search for Honor's Drop with Lift.{{book ref|sa3|119}}
−
Szeth confronts the fused who have the gemstones and is out-matched, as they both outnumber him and are more skilled. The gem is taken by a Fused who can use abrasion and is made very slippery so only they can hold it. Though Szeth feels beaten, Lift has a plan. He is able to trick the Fused by using her underestimation of his abilities with surges and catches the gem on a jacket that they successfully swap with a carefully cut rock. {{book ref|sa3|120}} The task of obtaining the gemstone ends up being fulfilled by Lift who is able to get into the mists surrounding Dalinar; a task that Szeth did not want to do. {{book ref|sa3|120}}.
  
  +
Together, the two managed to trick the Fused carrying it into letting it go and grabbing a [[Surgebinding#Illumination|Lightwoven]] fake, with Lift bringing the real Honor's Drop to Dalinar, who then used it to trap [[Nergaoul]].{{book ref|sa3|120}}
   
  +
==== Aftermath ====
−
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}}
  
  +
After the battle, Szeth met with Nale, who warned him about following a man instead of a law, but supported the decision overall. The Herald made to depart, promising to return later and teach Szeth about the Surge of Division. Before he left, Szeth swore his Third Oath. He also made it clear that for his Fourth, the Ideal of Crusade, he intended to travel to [[Shinovar]] and cleanse it of the false leaders who made him the Truthless in the first place.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
   
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
−
| I swear to follow the will of Dalinar Kholin. This is my oath.
 +
|I swear to follow the will of Dalinar Kholin. This is my oath.
−
| The Third Ideal of the [[Skybreakers]], as sworn by Szeth{{book ref|sa3|121}}
 +
|The Third Ideal of the [[Skybreakers]], as sworn by Szeth{{book ref|sa3|121}}
 
}}
  
}}
−  
−
Szeth wants to go back to Shinovar and cleanse the Shin of their false leaders. {{book ref|sa3|121}} He states that this will be his quest for his Fourth Ideal - to become a Skybreaker of the Fourth Ideal, he must complete the quest.
  
−
He then becomes Dalinar’s bodyguard. {{book ref|sa3|122}}
  
   
 
{{quote
  
{{quote
−
| I will cleanse the Shin of their false leaders, so long as Dalinar Kholin agrees.
 +
|I will cleanse the Shin of their false leaders, so long as Dalinar Kholin agrees.
−
| The Fourth Ideal of the [[Skybreakers]], as sworn by Szeth{{book ref|sa3|121}}.
 +
|The Fourth Ideal of the [[Skybreakers]], as sworn by Szeth{{book ref|sa3|121}}.
 
}}
  
}}
   
  +
Afterwards, Szeth became Dalinar’s bodyguard, despite the apprehension of other Alethi.{{book ref|sa3|122}}
−
== Attributes and Abilities ==
  
−
[[File: The Assassin in White by Ari Ibarra.jpg|200px|thumb|right|<center><small>by {{a|Ari Ibarra}}</small></center> Drawing [[Nightblood]]]]
  
−  
−
Szeth is master of the three lashings, Stormlight, and the Shardblade he wields. Szeth is proficient at the martial art of Kammar as well. Furthermore, he shows cunning, intelligence, resourcefulness and determination. When ordered, Szeth is an unstoppable killing machine.
  
−  
−
=== Surgebinding ===
  
−
Szeth was bonded to an Honorblade which granted him the [[Surgebinder]] powers of a [[Windrunner]]. He was not bound to an honorspren like the other known Windrunner, [[Kaladin]].{{wob ref|4685}} Szeth possessed relatively expert knowledge of the Windrunner order of the [[Knights Radiant]], knowing the name of the order as well as the name for the powers they possessed: the three [[Lashing]]s. Since unbonding Jezrien's Honorblade, he has become a Skybreaker of the Third Ideal.
  
−  
−
=== Honorblades ===
  
−
Szeth has trained with all the Honorblades that the Shin possessed (8 out of 10), and thus has experience using all of the surges. He is shown to have detailed knowledge of the capabilities of Edgedancers, but seems to prefer the surge of gravitation above all the others as it grants him the power of flight.
  
−  
−
=== Shardblade ===
  
−
Szeth possessed an Honorblade that was long and thin, edged on both sides. It was smaller than most others. Being bonded to this blade granted Szeth the abilities of a Windrunner without a spren bond. After losing his Honorblade, Szeth was presented with [[Nightblood]].{{book ref|sa2|88}} Presumably, the high spren he bonded had also granted him a Shardblade since he swore the third ideal of the Skybreakers.
  
   
 
== Relationships ==
  
== Relationships ==
 
=== Nightblood ===
  
=== Nightblood ===
  +
{{quote
−
Szeth is given a sword by Nale, which he calls "sword-nimi". This sword, also known as [[Nightblood]], is sentient and can communicate with Szeth telepathically. Szeth is warned not to draw Nightblood except in case of extreme emergency and only if he carries a great deal of [[Stormlight]], as the sword is extremely dangerous and can feed upon souls.{{book ref|sa2|90}}
  
  +
|I'm sure you can spot [evil]. You seem smart. If increasingly kind of boring.
  +
|[[Nightblood]] to Szeth{{book ref|sa3|92}}
  +
}}
   
−
They have conversations often and Nightblood knows a good deal of information about Szeth's past. Szeth tells Nightblood he had another voice speak to him in his youth, and that he hopes this time it goes better{{book ref|sa3|92}}. Nightblood has no sense of time and speaks often of his creators and wielders such as [[Vivenna]], [[Shashara]], and [[Vasher]] even though Szeth has no idea who they are. Nightblood helps him decide which side to take.{{book ref|sa2|116}}
 +
Szeth acquires [[Nightblood]] from Nale after his death and resurrection.{{book ref|sa2|88}}. He does not know its name, referring to it with the honorific "sword-nimi" instead. Nightblood is sentient and can communicate with Szeth telepathically. The two often have conversations, and throughout them, Nightblood has learned a fair deal about Szeth's past, including what might've been an attempt at bonding a [[spren]]. In turn, the sword has no sense of time and casually speaks of his creators and wielders, such as [[Vivenna]], [[Shashara]], and [[Vasher]], even though Szeth has no idea who they are.{{book ref|sa3|92}} However, Szeth often finds Nightblood's words to be helpful and profound, and when the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]] comes, it's Nightblood that helps him decide which side to take.{{book ref|sa2|116}}
   
−
Szeth will partially draw the sword to see how other people react to it; the sword causes "good" people to feel sudden nausea.{{book ref|sa2.5|15}}
 +
Szeth is warned not to draw Nightblood from its sheath except in case of extreme emergency and only if he carries a great deal of [[Stormlight]], as the sword is extremely dangerous and can feed upon souls.{{book ref|sa3|90}} Occasionally, he will draw it partially to see how other people react to it, as Nightblood causes "good" people to feel sudden nausea.{{book ref|sa2.5|15}}
   
−
Szeth has only fully drawn the sword twice, during the [[Skybreaker]] test at the [[Purelake]]{{book ref|sa3|92}} and at the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|118}} In both cases the sword singlemindedly begins screaming "DESTROY EVIL!" into Szeth's mind while quickly consuming any available Stormlight and causing him extreme pain.{{book ref|sa3|119}}
 +
Szeth has only fully drawn the sword twice, during the [[Skybreaker]] test at the [[Purelake]]{{book ref|sa3|92}} and at the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|118}} In both cases the sword single-mindedly begins screaming into Szeth's mind while quickly consuming any available Stormlight and causing him extreme pain.{{book ref|sa3|119}} However, Nightblood insists that it wouldn't deliberately attack Szeth, as it doesn't consider him to be evil.{{book ref|sa3|92}}
   
 
== Trivia ==
  
== Trivia ==
−
* He was once a highly regarded member of [[Shin]] society{{wob ref|4040}}
  
−
* Brandon wrote Szeth's scenes while listening to [[wikipedia: Daft Punk|Daft Punk]]{{wob ref|1124}}
  
−
* "[[Nightblood]] in the hands of Szeth should be one of the most terrifying things you have ever contemplated"{{wob ref|4328}}
  
−
* Szeth was given [[Jezrien]]'s [[Honorblade]] as a special case{{wob ref|5089}}
  
   
 
=== Continuity Change ===
  
=== Continuity Change ===
−
Szeth's death was subject to a continuity change. In the original hardcover edition of ''[[Words of Radiance]]'' Szeth was killed by [[Kaladin]] driving [[Syl]] as a [[Shardblade]] into his chest, severing his spine. Brandon felt this was out of character for Kaladin, and changed the text with the release of the paperback edition of the book. Szeth's death now occurred when he unbonded his Blade and fell through the Highstorm.{{bws ref|date=2015-04-05|three-stories-in-new-formats|Three Stories in New Formats}}
 +
Szeth's death was subject to a continuity change. In the original hardcover edition of ''[[Words of Radiance]]'', Szeth was killed by [[Kaladin]] driving [[Syl]] as a [[Shardblade]] into his chest, severing his spine. Brandon felt this was out of character for Kaladin, and changed the text with the release of the paperback edition of the book. Szeth's death now occurred when he unbonded his Blade and fell through the Highstorm.{{bws ref|date=2015-04-05|three-stories-in-new-formats|Three Stories in New Formats}}
  +
  +
=== Other ===
  +
* Brandon wrote Szeth's scenes in ''[[The Way of Kings]]'' while listening to [[wikipedia: Daft Punk|Daft Punk]].{{wob ref|1124}}
  +
* Brandon considers Nightblood and Szeth to be one of the more terrifying pairings in the [[cosmere]].{{wob ref|4328}}
  +
* In ''[[The Way of Kings]]'' and ''[[Words of Radiance]]'', every chapter written exclusively from Szeth's point of view begins with the phrase "Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar..." In ''[[Oathbringer]]'', the phrase is dropped for "Szeth of Shinovar" and then "Szeth of the Skybreakers".
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
Line 176: Line 199:
 
{{Stormlight}}
  
{{Stormlight}}
 
[[category: viewpoint characters]]
  
[[category: viewpoint characters]]
−
[[category: notable articles]]
  

Revision as of 18:46, 28 July 2020

Szeth
Szeth.jpg
by Ben McSweeney
Family
Parents Neturo
Ancestors Vallano
Born 1138[1]
Abilities Skybreaker, Shardbearer
Titles Truthless of Shinovar
Aliases Assassin in White
Profession Assassin
Groups Knights Radiant (Skybreakers)
Birthplace Valley of Truth
Residence Urithiru
Ethnicity Shin
Homeworld Roshar
Universe Cosmere

“I am Truthless. I do as my master requires and I require no explanation. ”

—Szeth, regarding his oath.[2]

Szeth, formerly Szeth-son-son-Vallano or Szeth-son-Neturo, Truthless of Shinovar, is a Shin man from Roshar. He is the infamous Assassin in White and is responsible for the death of Gavilar Kholin kickstarting the War of Reckoning.[3] As the Assassin, he wields Jezrien's Honorblade; eventually, he loses it, and is gifted Nightblood.[4]

Szeth is currently a Skybreaker of the Third Ideal and serves Dalinar Kholin. He intends to return to Shinovar and bring justice to the ones who exiled him as his Fourth Skybreaker Ideal quest.[5]

Appearance and Personality

by Jessi Ochse

Appearance

For more images, see /Gallery.

Szeth is roughly thirty-five years old at the start of the True Desolation. Like all Shin, he's short and pale-skinned, with round, beady eyes lacking the epicanthic fold that most Rosharans possess. Normally, his eyes are dark green, but whenever he summons the Honorblade, they change to pale sapphire.[1][6] He's bald, and shaves his head often, mentioning that he's unable to grow his hair out as much as most people.[7]

As the Assassin, Szeth always wears white. While this originally stemmed from listener customs, Taravangian had him keep the outfit as a symbol.[3][8] Following his death and subsequent revival, his soul was improperly attached to his body, leaving him with a ghostly white afterimage that can be seen by some people, including Lift.[9]

Personality

“I am not good at being a person. It is … a failing of mine ”

—Szeth[10]

Szeth is bound unwaveringly to honor, and loyal to the extent that he will do anything asked by his master, including self-mutilation. However, as a Truthless he's forbidden to take his own life or to give up his Blade. While accomplished at assassination, he's not a willing killer, always facing inner turmoil when taking a life. He hears the screams of his victims when he closes his eyes; his self-loathing eventually sends him spiralling into madness. His resurrection did nothing to help him; he continues to hear whispers of those he'd killed, which Nale believes to be trembles from the Spiritual Realm, serving as a constant reminder of his crimes.[7]

As a Skybreaker, Szeth develops a far greater suspicion of his superiors; he starts questioning his orders, and even argue with those above him if he believes they are wrong.[9] He slowly learns to make his own decisions, although still seems to yearn for someone to follow, as evidenced by his newfound dedication to Dalinar.[11] He's exceedingly serious, and unless severely agitated, highly respectful to others. He also seems deaf to jokes or sarcasm, often finding what others say to be incredibly profound, even when it's nonsensical or silly.[10]

Attributes and Abilities

Szeth is an exceptionally skilled combatant; when ordered to fight, he becomes a nigh-on unstoppable killing machine. He's proficient with a sword, as well as the martial art of kammar. He combines both of those skills with his Surgebinding abilities to a deadly effect.[8] In one-on-one combat, he can hold his own, and even defeat, a master swordsman.[12] He's fearless when attacking even people in Shardplate and wielding Shardblades, trusting his greater, Stormlight-augmented agility to carry him through the battle unharmed.[3] He also shows great cunning, resourcefulness and determination, which serve him well both in and out of combat.[13]

by Ari Ibarra
Drawing Nightblood

Surgebinding

“Szeth of the Skybreakers had, fortunately, trained with all ten Surges. ”

—Szeth[10]

Szeth knows how to use all of the Surges, having practiced with them through the Shin's eight Honorblades.[10] When he was exiled, he was given Jezrien's Honorblade, granting him the powers of a Windrunner and thus the Surges of Gravitation and Adhesion.[14] Over the years, he has become a master of it, easily controlling all three Lashings. However, he is unaccustomed to fighting other Windrunners, levelling the playing field somewhat when his opponent can also take to the skies.[12]

The training has also included basic information about all Radiant orders; Szeth is familiar with their names, their powers and their capabilities, as well as strategies to counter all of them.[10] It has also gave him an assortment of other, non-supernatural skills, such as ice-skating.[10]

At the present, Szeth no longer has Jezrien's Honorblade, and has since become a Skybreaker of the Third Ideal. This gives him access to the Surges of Gravitation and Division. While he has been using the former extensively, thanks to his prior experience, he's yet to use the latter, although he already has access to it.[5] Although he has bonded a spren at this point and it should be able to manifest as a Shardblade, it has yet to do so, and in fact rarely shows itself to him at all.[5]

Nightblood

For more information, see Nightblood.

After losing Jezrien's Honorblade, Szeth has been gifted Nightblood by Nale.[4] While Szeth cannot dismiss Nightblood the way he could with a regular Shardblade, he is nonetheless just as dangerous with it, if not more, as with a Blade. He cannot, however, draw it from its sheath in most circumstances; lacking Breath, he has to feed it Stormlight to survive the act of using it.[13]

Notably, it seems that unlike Shardblades, Nightblood is capable of erasing Fused from existence completely, preventing them from resurrecting in the next Everstorm.[15][16]

History

Early Life

“I knew a voice like yours once, sword-nimi. ... A single one, in my mind, when I was young. I hope things go better this time. ”

—Szeth to Nightblood[17]

As a younger man, Szeth was a highly-regarded member of the Shin society.[18] At the time, he trained with the Honorblades, familiarizing himself with all ten of the Surges. Among others, the training included ice-skating exercises to mimic Abrasion.[13][10] At some point, however, he began hearing a voice in his head, possibly that of a spren.[17] Perhaps as a result of this, he began saying that the Voidbringers were returning to Roshar.[19] The Shin leaders, however, told him that his claims were false and, at the age of 27, named him Truthless.[20] Likely due to his prior high status, he was given Jezrien's Honorblade before being sent away—something that wasn't done for other Truthless.[21]

After being made a slave and given an Oathstone, Szeth was traded to the Thaylen merchant Vstim.[22] From then on, whoever owned his Oathstone owned Szeth, and Szeth was obliged by his honor to do as the owner commanded; with the exception of killing himself or giving up the Honorblade.[1] Just after being exiled from Shinovar, Szeth visited Urithiru for the first time.[20]

Assassin in White

by ThomasW
Facing off against Gavilar Kholin

Killing King Gavilar

For more information, see Assassination of Gavilar.

Two years after his banishment, Szeth was purchased by Klade, a member of the listener ruling council. When Klade pressured him, Szeth told him about his Shardblade and the abilities it brought.[23] As a result, the Five ordered him to murder king Gavilar Kholin of Alethkar during the treaty-signing celebration. They stipulated that the killing had to be done with live witnesses, and while wearing white.[3]

As Szeth attacked, he was fooled into believing Gavilar was a bodyguard, and decided to chase after the escaping target, instead of fighting a protracted battle. However, soon after he realized the "target" was simply a decoy, since Gavilar would be much safer fighting with his own Shardblade and Plate instead of fleeing for his life. Doubling back, Szeth returned to kill Gavilar, and a fierce battle commenced. Gavilar almost succeeded in killing Szeth with a Shardplate-enhanced punch, but ultimately failed and fell to his death onto a piece of wooden debris, which impaled him in an area where the Shardplate had been broken.[3]

Before dying, Gavilar had two last requests: to tell his brother to "find the most important words a man could say," and to protect a mysterious black sphere that shone dark light. Szeth honored both requests, scrawling a message to Dalinar into the wood with Gavilar's own hand and blood.[3] Eventually he also hid away the black orb somewhere in Jah Keved.[1]

His clothes on the night of the killing led to the general public dubbing him the Assassin in White.[24]

Laying Low

After Gavilar's death, the listeners threw away Szeth's Oathstone as they fled Kholinar. Since the Alethi believed that Szeth had fled with the Parshendi, they did not attempt to track him down and instead initiated the Vengeance Pact, waging war on the Shattered Plains. Meanwhile the stone, and as a result Szeth, was eventually picked up by Avado, a travelling merchant.[1]

Avado took Szeth with him to Jah Keved in fear of possible Alethi retribution against strange foreigners in the wake of their king's assassination. He did not keep his slave for long, however; over the course of the next five years, the Oathstone changed possession many times before landing in the hands of Took, a transient worker. Took was robbed and killed after a night of drinking in Ironsway, a town in the Bavland, and Szeth's Oathstone is taken by Makkek, a small-time criminal.[1] With Szeth under his control, Makkek set out to gain wealth, first by killing his fellow robbers and then by establishing a gambling den in Bornwater.[25]

On one of Makkek's missions, this time to eliminate a rival who had opened his own gambling place, Szeth infiltrated the local lord's mansion where his target, Gavashaw, resided. After entering Gavashaw's rooms, he met a mysterious stranger who knew of Szeth and his role in Gavilar's death, as well as his powers. After a short confrontation, the man revealed that both Makek and Gavashaw had been killed, and that Szeth's Oathstone was now in the hands of a new master. Thus, Szeth began to unwittingly serve the Diagram.[25]

Taravangian's Killer

by Jules Aguimatang
First attempt to assassinate Dalinar

Szeth's new masters gave him 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 just that, carving a bloody path across the continent, slaying, among others, two Azish Primes.[26] His second-to-last kill was King Hanavanar of Jah Keved, whom he killed along with his two Shardbearer guards.[8] This led directly into the Jah Keved civil war.[19]

King Taravangian, the last one on Szeth's hit list, turned out to be his secret employer. When Szeth arrived in Kharbranth, Taravangian revealed a portion of his schemes, showcasing his "hospitals" in which people were slowly killed in order to draw out Death Rattles.[27] Upon showing this to Szeth, he sent him out on a mission to kill a new target: Dalinar Kholin.

During a highstorm, Szeth attacked King Elhokar's palace on the Shattered Plains, entering it through a hole cut in the wall with his Blade. On his way, he killed Beld and cut through Hobber's midriff, crippling the use of his legs, then proceeded to fight against Adolin, Kaladin, and Dalinar, who all believed he was there to assassinate Elhokar. He quickly gained the upper hand, lashing Adolin to the ceiling and cutting through Kaladin's arm. However, he ultimately failed, as Kaladin managed to push him through his entryway. The two of them fell to the ground, both surviving. Szeth panicked when he saw Kaladin healing his arm, and when Kaladin told him he was a Windrunner, Szeth fled.[28][29]

After his confrontation with Kaladin, Szeth retreated to the top of Urithiru, shaken by Kaladin's words and wondering if he was wrong the entire time. Ultimately, he decided to confront Taravangian about the matter.[30] He found the king in Vedenar, and, control almost gone, demanded to know if the Knights Radiant were returning. Taravangain managed to appease him by claiming that a Honorblade with Regrowth has been stolen. Hearing that, Szeth made to depart, vowing to kill Kaladin; however, Taravangian forbade him to approach, demanding that Szeth kill only Dalinar.[19]

Death and Resurrection

“What I am owed will come to me eventually! Every bit of it. I will drown in it, stonewalker! ”

—Szeth to Dalinar[12]

Szeth attacked Dalinar during the climax of the Battle of Narak. Dalinar was able to temporarily hold his own before being lashed to the sky, to eventually fall to his death after the Stormlight sustaining the lashing ran out. However, before that could happen, Kaladin, having recently sworn the Third Ideal of the Windrunners, swooped in and caught him, then safely returned him to the ground. Kaladin and Szeth then battled above the colliding highstorm and Everstorm. During the battle Szeth came to the realization that Kaladin was truly a Radiant, and so Szeth himself was never Truthless. Unable to accept his actions, Szeth unbonded his Honorblade and fell through the highstorm to his death.[12][4]

Moments after his death, Szeth was revived by Nale, who used a fabrial to heal his body before his spirit departed [7]. Though Szeth was initially outraged at being returned to life, Nale promised to give him a new purpose and gifted him with Nightblood.[4]

Skybreaker Trainee

by LittleGreyDragon

Yeddaw

After gifting him with Nightblood, Nale inducted Szeth into the Skybreakers, and took him to Yeddaw in order to find a potential Radiant. Throughout this time, Szeth attempted to convince Nale of the upcoming True Desolation, but was unable to get through to him.[9]

During his time there, he met Lift in the city's Grand Indicium. He confronted her and drew Nightblood to test her, but left when Nightblood's power found her innocent.[31] Later, he encountered her again, chasing after him and the other Skybreakers. He stopped to inform her that she could not possibly get there before they did, but also shared the identity of the person they were seeking.[32]

After the Everstorm passed over Yeddaw, Nale departed in a hurry, leaving Szeth stranded in Yeddaw. He was picked up by the Herald after a few weeks and taken to join the other Skybreakers. There, master Ki informed him that his mission with Nale was his first task, and that after being evaluated, he was found worthy of the First Ideal. This, however, was not enough for him to draw Stormlight, as Skybreaker trainees can only do so after attaining the Second.[7]

Second Ideal

After swearing the First Ideal, Szeth was taken to the Purelake along with other Skybreaker hopefuls and squires to complete the next test. The challenge was based on a message sent via spanreed by the city's minister, who told them there was a breakout of convicts. The request was to find the guilty and execute them. While most of the squires and hopefuls started immediately to find and execute the convicts, Szeth stayed and questioned their motives, learning more about the local law.[17]

He was able to find and fight one. He found that the convict had a knife, but was thin, dirty and emaciated. Upon questioning him, Szeth also learned that the prison fort had only one guard. Once back, he saw other convicts, confirming that they had all been poorly fed and under a strict regime, leading him to the realization that the prison itself was improperly ran. When he confirmed with Ki that the prison administrator was also on the list of the guilty, Szeth drew Nightblood and killed the man. This allowed him to swear the Second Ideal, letting him draw Stormlight. Impressed, Ki chose him as her squire.[17]

“I swear to seek justice, to let it guide me, until I find a more perfect Ideal. ”

—The Second Ideal of the Skybreakers, as sworn by Szeth[17]

Learning the Truth

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. Nonetheless, he managed to win, as the water washed away the colors.[13]

Frustrated with the slow progress, Szeth intended to swear his next ideal there and then, but at this point Nale arrived. The Herald took Szeth and the other full Skybreakers to Marat, where he showed them a village destroyed by the Voidbringers before telling them all the truth about the world. Afterwards, Nale declared his intentions: to side with the singers, the original inhabitants of Roshar, and oppose humanity.[33]

Initially, Szeth believed he had no choice other than to follow Nale, but in a conversation Nightblood about the topic, he changed his mind, realizing that there was always a choice.[34] He decided to swear himself into service of Dalinar, and joined the Battle of Thaylen Field.[15]

by Matthew Johnson
Szeth killing a thunderclast

Serving Dalinar Kholin

Battle of Thaylen Field

Szeth arrived on the field just in time to drop down and slay a thunderclast. After landing, he met Lift, who let him know that Dalinar asked her to recover Honor's Drop, a perfect gemstone. Acknowledging this as Dalinar's will, Szeth joined her in the hunt.[15] Things initially went poorly, especially when Szeth lost Nightblood's sheath to one of the Fused, causing the sword to go out of control and begin devouring him, despite Lift's attempts to help.[35]

Fortunately, it was then that Dalinar managed to open Honor's Perpendicularity, infusing the city with enough Stormlight to slake Nightblood's thirst. Szeth managed to resheathe the blade, and met with Dalinar. After managing to convince the Alethi of his new loyalty, he returned to his search for Honor's Drop with Lift.[11] Together, the two managed to trick the Fused carrying it into letting it go and grabbing a Lightwoven fake, with Lift bringing the real Honor's Drop to Dalinar, who then used it to trap Nergaoul.[10]

Aftermath

After the battle, Szeth met with Nale, who warned him about following a man instead of a law, but supported the decision overall. The Herald made to depart, promising to return later and teach Szeth about the Surge of Division. Before he left, Szeth swore his Third Oath. He also made it clear that for his Fourth, the Ideal of Crusade, he intended to travel to Shinovar and cleanse it of the false leaders who made him the Truthless in the first place.[5]

“I swear to follow the will of Dalinar Kholin. This is my oath. ”

—The Third Ideal of the Skybreakers, as sworn by Szeth[5]

“I will cleanse the Shin of their false leaders, so long as Dalinar Kholin agrees. ”

—The Fourth Ideal of the Skybreakers, as sworn by Szeth[5].

Afterwards, Szeth became Dalinar’s bodyguard, despite the apprehension of other Alethi.[36]

Relationships

Nightblood

“I'm sure you can spot [evil]. You seem smart. If increasingly kind of boring. ”

—Nightblood to Szeth[17]

Szeth acquires Nightblood from Nale after his death and resurrection.[4]. He does not know its name, referring to it with the honorific "sword-nimi" instead. Nightblood is sentient and can communicate with Szeth telepathically. The two often have conversations, and throughout them, Nightblood has learned a fair deal about Szeth's past, including what might've been an attempt at bonding a spren. In turn, the sword has no sense of time and casually speaks of his creators and wielders, such as Vivenna, Shashara, and Vasher, even though Szeth has no idea who they are.[17] However, Szeth often finds Nightblood's words to be helpful and profound, and when the Battle of Thaylen Field comes, it's Nightblood that helps him decide which side to take.[37]

Szeth is warned not to draw Nightblood from its sheath except in case of extreme emergency and only if he carries a great deal of Stormlight, as the sword is extremely dangerous and can feed upon souls.[7] Occasionally, he will draw it partially to see how other people react to it, as Nightblood causes "good" people to feel sudden nausea.[31]

Szeth has only fully drawn the sword twice, during the Skybreaker test at the Purelake[17] and at the Battle of Thaylen Field.[35] In both cases the sword single-mindedly begins screaming into Szeth's mind while quickly consuming any available Stormlight and causing him extreme pain.[11] However, Nightblood insists that it wouldn't deliberately attack Szeth, as it doesn't consider him to be evil.[17]

Trivia

Continuity Change

Szeth's death was subject to a continuity change. In the original hardcover edition of Words of Radiance, Szeth was killed by Kaladin driving Syl as a Shardblade into his chest, severing his spine. Brandon felt this was out of character for Kaladin, and changed the text with the release of the paperback edition of the book. Szeth's death now occurred when he unbonded his Blade and fell through the Highstorm.[38]

Other

  • Brandon wrote Szeth's scenes in The Way of Kings while listening to Daft Punk.[39]
  • Brandon considers Nightblood and Szeth to be one of the more terrifying pairings in the cosmere.[40]
  • In The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance, every chapter written exclusively from Szeth's point of view begins with the phrase "Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar..." In Oathbringer, the phrase is dropped for "Szeth of Shinovar" and then "Szeth of the Skybreakers".

Notes

  1. ↑ a b c d e f The Way of Kings interlude I-3#
  2. ↑ Words of Radiance interlude I-14#
  3. ↑ a b c d e f The Way of Kings prologue#
  4. ↑ a b c d e Words of Radiance chapter 88#
  5. ↑ a b c d e f Oathbringer chapter 121#
  6. ↑ Edgedancer chapter 8#
  7. ↑ a b c d e Oathbringer chapter 90#
  8. ↑ a b c The Way of Kings interlude I-9#
  9. ↑ a b c Edgedancer chapter 9#
  10. ↑ a b c d e f g h Oathbringer chapter 120#
  11. ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 119#
  12. ↑ a b c d Words of Radiance chapter 85#
  13. ↑ a b c d Oathbringer chapter 98#
  14. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 87#
  15. ↑ a b c Oathbringer chapter 117#
  16. ↑ Idaho Falls signing
    — Arcanum - 2018-07-21#
  17. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Oathbringer chapter 92#
  18. ↑ /r/fantasy AMA 2011
    — Arcanum - 2011-09-01#
  19. ↑ a b c Words of Radiance interlude I-14#
  20. ↑ a b Words of Radiance interlude I-10#
  21. ↑ Salt Lake City ComicCon 2017
    — Arcanum - 2017-09-21#
  22. ↑ The Way of Kings interlude I-4#
  23. ↑ Oathbringer prologue#
  24. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 8#
  25. ↑ a b The Way of Kings interlude I-6#
  26. ↑ Words of Radiance interlude I-9#
  27. ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 71#
  28. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 32#
  29. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 33#
  30. ↑ Oathbringer interlude I-10#
  31. ↑ a b Edgedancer chapter 15#
  32. ↑ Edgedancer chapter 16#
  33. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 106#
  34. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 116#
  35. ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 118#
  36. ↑ Oathbringer chapter 122#
  37. ↑ Words of Radiance chapter 116#
  38. ↑ Three Stories in New Formats
    — Brandon's website - 2015-04-05#
  39. ↑ 17th Shard Forum Q&A
    — Arcanum - 2012-09-26#
  40. ↑ Shadows of Self signing San Jose
    — Arcanum - 2015-10-09#
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