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|image=Szeth.jpg
|parents=[[Neturo]]
|siblings= Sister
|ancestors=Vallano
|abilities={{tag+|skybreaker}}, {{tag+|Shardbearer}}
|bonded=[[Szeth's highspren]]
|profession={{cat tag|Assassins|Assassin}} <small>(formerly)</small>,
|aliases=Assassin in White, Szeth of the Skybreakers, Szeth of Shinovar, One All White{{book ref|sa2|I|9}}
|titles=[[Truthless]] of [[Shinovar]], The Assassin, The Stonewalker
|groups={{tag|Knights Radiant}} <small>([[Order of Skybreakers|Skybreakers]])</small>
|born={{Rosharan date|1138}}{{book ref|sa1|i|3}}
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
|Szeth to [[Taravangian]]{{book ref|sa4|113}}
}}
'''Szeth
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
== Appearance and Personality ==
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
Szeth is roughly thirty-five years old at the start of the [[True Desolation]]. Like all [[Shin]], he's short and pale-skinned, with
As the Assassin, Szeth always wears white. While this originally stemmed from [[listener]] customs, [[Taravangian]] had him keep the outfit as a symbol.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}}{{book ref|sa1|i|9}} Even after he stops following his [[Oathstone]], he continues to wear white.{{book ref|sa4|16}} 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 anyone with sufficient [[Investiture]], such as [[Lift]] or the Skybreakers.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}}{{book ref|sa3|90}}{{wob ref|2563}}
=== Personality ===
{{quote
|I am not good at being a person. It is … a failing of mine.
|Szeth{{book ref|sa3|120}}
}}
Szeth is bound unwaveringly to honor, and loyal to the extent that he will do anything asked by his master, including self-mutilation.{{book ref|sa1|i|3}} However, as a Truthless he's forbidden to take his own life or to give up his Blade.{{book ref|sa1|i|3}} 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
During this era, he is deeply devoted to Stone Shamanism, seeing it as the only thing of worth he had left in his life. He comes to question his faith's teachings often during his time as Truthless, but tries to silence any such thoughts, considering them dangerous.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}
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
He finds the idea of eternal damnation far more comforting than the obliteration of the soul.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}
== Attributes and Abilities ==
}}
Szeth knows how to use all of the [[Surge]]s, having practiced
<!--The exact wording in the book is "given to the Honorblades". Please don't edit this.-->
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}}
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}}{{book ref|sa4|i|7}} He will gain his Shardplate upon the completion of his Fourth Ideal crusade.{{book ref|sa4|i|7}}
=== Nightblood ===
{{for|Nightblood}}
After losing Jezrien's Honorblade, Szeth
== History ==
=== Early Life ({{Rosharan date|1138}} - {{Rosharan date|1166}}) ===
{{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.
|Szeth to [[Nightblood]]{{book ref|sa3|92}}
}}
Szeth was born in the year {{rosharan date|1138}} in the [[Valley of Truth]] in Shinovar to [[Neturo-son-Vallano]] and an unknown mother.{{book ref|sa1|i|3}}
As a younger man, Szeth was a highly-regarded member of the [[Shin]] society.{{wob ref|4040}} He carried water and did other tasks on his father's sheep farm. He lived near the coast, and his sister and mother still live in the area.{{book ref|sa4|i|7}} At some point, his family was given to the
After being made a slave and given an
=== Assassin in White ({{Rosharan date|1166}} - {{Rosharan date|1173}}) ===
{{image|Szeth and Gavilar by ThomasW.jpg|side=left|width=200px|Facing off against [[Gavilar Kholin]]}}▼
{{sidequote
|I am Truthless. I do as my master requires and I require no explanation.
|Szeth, regarding his oath.{{book ref|sa2|I|14}}
}}
▲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}}
▲{{image|Szeth and Gavilar by ThomasW.jpg|side=left|width=200px|Facing off against [[Gavilar Kholin]]}}
==== Killing King Gavilar ====
{{for|Assassination of Gavilar}}
Two years after his banishment, Szeth was
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}}
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 [[anti-Voidlight|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}}
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 Killer ====
{{image|
Szeth's new
King [[Taravangian]], the last
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
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|sa2|i|10}} He found the king in [[Vedenar]], and, control almost gone, demanded to know if the [[Knights Radiant]] were returning. Taravangian managed to appease him by claiming that an Honorblade with [[Regrowth]] has been stolen.
==== Death and Resurrection ====
}}
Szeth attacked Dalinar during the climax of the [[Battle of Narak]] on {{Rosharan date|1173|10|10|3}}.{{book ref|sa2|79}} 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}}
Moments after his death, Szeth was revived by [[Nale]], who used a fabrial to heal his body before his spirit departed
=== Skybreaker Trainee ({{Rosharan date|1173}} - {{Rosharan date|1174}}) ===
==== 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.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}}
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}}
{{image|Justice at the Purelake by Marie Seeberger.jpg|side=left|width=350px|Szeth at the [[Purelake]]}}
==== 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
{{quote
{{image|Szeth Thunderclast.jpg|side=right|width=250px|Szeth killing a [[thunderclast]]}}
=== Serving Dalinar Kholin ({{Rosharan date|1174}} - Present) ===
==== Battle of Thaylen Field ====
During the Battle of Thaylen Field on {{Rosharan date|1174|2|10|5}}, Szeth arrived on the field just in time to drop down and slay a [[thunderclast]].{{wob ref|7832}} After landing, he met [[Lift]], who let him know that Dalinar asked her to recover the [[
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
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
==== Aftermath of the Battle ====
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
|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}}
}}
Afterwards, Szeth became Dalinar’s bodyguard, despite the apprehension of other Alethi.{{book ref|sa3|122}}
==== Imprisonment in Urithiru ====
Szeth only served as Dalinar's bodyguard for a short time, due to his unstable nature and the uncertainty of people close to Dalinar, notably [[Navani]]. He was put in a makeshift prison cell on the upper floors of Urithiru, and was given food, fresh clothing (white, as he specified), and plenty of spheres for light (presumably to banish the voices in his head). After several people got annoyed, he requested that Nightblood stop speaking to anyone but him. During his imprisonment, Navani interviewed him a number of times, asking him about her husband Gavilar's death. During one of these interview sessions, Navani learned of the black sphere, and Szeth was temporarily released to go get it.{{book ref|sa4|16}}
==== Guarding Dalinar on the Emuli Front ====
{{sidequote
|I decide now. I '''finally''' decide. Me. No one else compelling me. Taravangian, know that in killing you, I make it '''my choice'''.
|Szeth, immediately before attempting to kill Taravangian{{book ref|sa4|113}}
}}
When Dalinar went to Emul, Szeth and Nightblood accompanied him, wearing Lightwoven disguises.{{book ref|sa4|27}} He accompanied Dalinar on and off the battlefield,{{book ref|sa4|47}}{{book ref|sa4|50}}{{book ref|sa4|66}} with the exception of when Dalinar went to speak with [[Renarin Kholin|Renarin]].{{book ref|sa4|54}}
{{image|Szeth killing Taravangian by Nozomi.png|side=right|width=350px|Killing [[Taravangian]]}}
While protecting Dalinar, he is disarmed by Nale, his former master and clearly his better in combat. Dalinar escapes Nale's attack unscathed.{{book ref|sa4|47}} In an unusual deviation from his typical silent stoicism, Szeth offers Dalinar advice on Taravangian, saying that the aged king was not to be trusted.{{book ref|sa4|66}} While watching Dalinar and little [[Gavinor Kholin|Gavinor]], Szeth's highspren told him he must soon complete his Fourth Ideal.{{book ref|sa4|i|7}}
Taravangian had deduced earlier that Szeth must be in Emul{{book ref|sa4|i|6}} and had seen through his Lightwoven disguise.{{book ref|sa4|66}} Taravangian requested a stone matching the description of Szeth's Oathstone in order to get Szeth to confront him.{{book ref|sa4|i|7}} Unfortunately, this confrontation happened on a day when Taravangian was dumb and compassionate, and therefore unable to manipulate Szeth. His pleas for Szeth to give Nightblood to Dalinar for use on [[Rayse]] during a vision were ignored.{{book ref|sa4|i|9}}
Szeth attended Dalinar's planning session in which he planned to confront [[Ishar]]. Szeth was surprised by the Herald's marked similarity to modern-day Shin.{{book ref|sa4|98}} Later, he handed Dalinar the original copy of [[Oathbringer (in-world)|''Oathbringer'']] as they prepared to confront Ishar.{{book ref|sa4|101}} Szeth then flew with the strike team to meet Ishar. At first, he stayed back. When Ishar summoned his Honorblade, which was previously held by Neturo-son-Vallano, Szeth's father, Szeth was shaken and collapsed. Just as Ishar was about to take Dalinar's bond to the [[Stormfather]], Szeth stepped in and used Nightblood to slash the [[Connection]]. He then collapsed the perpendicularity, and, raging at Ishar, struck the Honorblade with Nightblood, leaving a chip in the Honorblade.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
Szeth then went to Taravangian's makeshift prison, intending to kill him. An incredibly dumb and emotional Taravangian was unable to stop him, but fortunately was pulled into a vision by Odium right as Szeth was stabbing him with an ordinary knife. Taravangian used the slowing of time to grab Nightblood and stab Rayse, killing him. Taravangian then Ascended to Odium.{{book ref|sa4|113}} Szeth re-sheathed Nightblood, and, mistaking Rayse's corpse for Taravangian's and thinking the deed done, left. He confessed to the murder of Taravangian, supposing him to have somehow drawn Nightblood and been consumed by it.{{book ref|sa4|114}}
He intended to next travel to Shinovar to complete his Fourth Ideal.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
== Relationships ==
<!--
Kaladin
Ki
Lift
-->
=== Dalinar Kholin ===
{{quote
|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}}
}}
At first, Dalinar was nothing but a target to him, as Taravangian ordered him to assassinate him.{{book ref|sa1|71}}
Since the Battle of Thaylen Field, he has completely devoted himself to following the orders of Dalinar Kholin, and became his bodyguard.{{book ref|sa3|121}}{{book ref|sa3|122}} He has since followed the man around as much as he was allowed to, travelling with him to Emul and accompanying him on the battlefield.{{book ref|sa4|27}}{{book ref|sa4|47}}{{book ref|sa4|50}}{{book ref|sa4|66}}{{expand}} The reason he devoted himself to Dalinar was due to his reputation, and how he lived up to that reputation; the reputation was far more important than the man himself, in his eyes.{{wob ref|8753}}
=== Nale ===
{{quote
|I watched you destroy yourself in the name of order, watched you obey your personal code when others would have fled or crumbled. Szeth-son-Neturo, I watched you keep your word with perfection. This is a thing lost to most people--it is the only genuine beauty in the world. I doubt I have ever found a man more worthy of the Skybreakers than you.
|[[Nale]] to Szeth{{book ref|sa2|88}}
}}
Nale was his master during his time in the Order of Skybreakers, and was the man who resurrected him and gave him Nightblood after he died in the Battle of Narak.{{book ref|sa2|88}} At first, he was outraged at Nale for bringing him back to life after he intentionally let himself die.{{book ref|sa2|88}} During his time following him, he continuously tried to convince him of the coming of the True Desolation, but was unable to get it through to him.{{book ref|sa2.5|9}} He respected him enough that even upon Nightblood's urging that he was evil and must be killed, he refused to draw his blade on him.{{book ref|sa3|106}} He followed him due to the fact that he thought that he had too, but began questioning it after Nale declared his intentions to join on the side of the Fused.{{book ref|sa3|106}} Questioning his loyalty, he turned to Nightblood again, who convinced him he always had a choice; this led him to swearing loyalty to Dalinar Kholin, turning against his previous master.{{book ref|sa3|116}}{{book ref|sa3|117}}
Nale was watching Szeth since the assassination of Gavilar Kholin in {{rosharan date|1167}}, and was greatly impressed by his unflinching loyalty to the orders of whoever held his oathstone.{{book ref|sa4|77}} It was his respect for his loyalty that he brought him back to life and gave him Nightblood.{{book ref|sa2|88}} He was comfortable enough with Szeth, and trusted him enough, to reveal to him the true history of the world in private.{{book ref|sa3|106}}{{book ref|sa3|121}} Nale disapproves of him making the code that he followed for his Third Ideal being a man instead of a rigid code, but accepted his oath regardless.{{book ref|sa3|121}} Following their departure, they became enemies due to being on two opposing sides in the war.
=== Navani Kholin ===
Navani Kholin deeply despises him for killing her former husband, Gavilar Kholin. She wants him executed for his crimes, and does not trust that he has truly found a better way by swearing himself to Dalinar.{{book ref|sa4|16}} Szeth does not blame her for her feelings, admitting that what he did was wrong.{{book ref|sa4|16}}{{cite}}{{expand}}
=== Neturo-son-Vallano ===
Neturo-son-Vallano is Szeth's father. After becoming Truthless, Szeth felt too ashamed to associated himself with him, and thus besmirch his name. This led him to taking on the name Szeth-son-son-Vallano, as a way to keep Neturo's name clean.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}} Even going so far as to try to stop thinking about him entirely.{{book ref|sa4|i|7}}
While separated for close to a decade, he still loved him, and was deeply shaken by his death.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
=== Nightblood ===
{{quote
}}
Szeth acquires [[Nightblood]] from Nale after his death and resurrection.{{book ref|sa2|88}} He does not react with either bloodlust or nausea,
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
=== Taravangian ===
For a time, Taravangian served as Szeth's master and ordered him to assassinate various key political figures such as Hanavanar, Dalinar, and two Azish Primes.{{book ref|sa2|i|9}} Due to Taravangian holding his oathstone, he followed his orders without question, not out of any feeling of devotion to Taravangian himself, but out of a feeling of obligation due to his role as Truthless.
After Szeth accepted he wasn't Truthless, and stopped obeying the orders of those who held his oathstone, he stopped obeying the king's orders. He came to deeply despise him, enough that he was driven to murder him while he was imprisoned, unintentionally bringing about his Ascension to Odium.{{book ref|sa4|66}}{{book ref|sa4|113}} He also saw him as manipulative and unable to be trusted, and obliges Dalinar Kholin to not to trust anything that he says.{{book ref|sa4|66}} His distrust of Taravangian is enough that he disregards and rejects anything he says as manipulation, even when he is telling the truth.{{book ref|sa4|i|8}}
=== Bonded Highspren ===
When Szeth's highspren chooses to show itself to him, he kneels to it and moves away from Nightblood. He is reverential to it, indeed, the two have a relationship that resembles master-student much more than the close kinship of other Radiant bonds. The highspren has not yet chosen to tell Szeth its name, but Szeth does not mind. Szeth describes the highspren as always judging his worthiness.{{book ref|sa4|i|7}}
== Trivia ==
* 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". In ''[[Rhythm of War]]'', this is changed to "Szeth-son-Honor".
*In ''[[The Way of Kings Prime]]'', Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, was known as Jeksonsonvallano, Truthless of Shinavar, or Jek.
== Notes ==
;Footnotes
<references group=fn />
;References
<references />
{{partial}}
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