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Difference between revisions of "Talenel"
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== Appearance and Personality ==
=== Appearance ===
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=== Personality ===
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After the torture in Damnation, Taln's mind was heavily damaged. Upon his return to Roshar, Taln displayed true awareness only at his arrival in Kholinar{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} and a handful of other times.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa2|63}} Most of the time Taln spends dully repeating a mantra about the coming Desolations and the preparations humanity must make to be prepared to fight the Voidbringers.{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} Sometimes he speaks at a whisper, sometimes at a shout, but always he stares unseeingly. His thoughts are confused and scattered, at times nonsensical. He often thinks of his time being tortured, and seems to perceive the world around him as being on fire. He has some dim recognition that he has returned too late to stop the coming Desolation. Taln's battle reflexes seem sharp still, and he may still react to attacks, such as when he saved Amaram's life by snatching a dart out of the air,{{book ref|sa2|88}} although fighting itself terrifies him.{{book ref|sa3|121}} Taln may also react to Surgebinding done in his vicinity with shock and aggression, although he is able to recognize the person Surgebinding as a Radiant.{{book ref|sa2|63}} However, in both these instances, Taln lapses back into his waking non-responsiveness and is unable to be roused again.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa2|63}} He is capable of some limited movement in this state, such as lying down, but spends most of his time merely sitting.{{book ref|sa2|63}} His trauma has caused some to dismiss him as a simple madman.{{book ref|sa2|63}}{{book ref|sa2|i|7}}
== Attributes and Abilities ==▼
{{image|Taln Chapters.svg|Taln's chapter icon|side=right|width=250px}}
=== Herald of War ===▼
{{for|Herald#Abilities|more information about general Heraldic powers}}▼
As one of the [[Herald]]s of the [[Almighty]], Taln is a [[Cognitive Shadow]] capable of resurrection.{{wob ref|1537}} Upon death, he returns to [[Damnation]] to be tortured,{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} and returns to [[Roshar]] when he or any other Heralds break, although it is uncertain how he gains a new body when that happens. He's also almost certainly ageless, like the other Heralds seem to be.{{book ref|sa3|121}}▼
Serving as the the Herald of War, Taln was likely one of the most skilled fighters on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} His reflexes are inhumanly fast, and he is even stronger than his massive build would suggest, able to throw open the gates of Kholinar on his own.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} He was once a capable commander, able to win fights thought to be unwinnable, even at the cost of his own life.{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} He also excelled at training soldiers, and helped preparing humanity's warriors for the Desolations.{{book ref|sa2|i|7}}▼
=== Shardwielding and Surgebinding ===▼
As a Herald, Talenel has access to his [[Honorblade]], a magical sword given to him by the [[Shard]] [[Honor]]. Like all [[Shardblade]]s, its able to cut through any material, effortlessly. This allowed Taln to be a formidable foe on the battlefield, particularly against [[thunderclast]]s, as his Blade can cut their stone flesh easier than anything else. Having spent centuries using the Honorblade in the fight against the [[Voidbringers]], Taln was likely highly experienced in its use. ▼
Unlike most Shardblades, the Honorblade also granted Taln access to the [[Surge]]s of [[Surgebinding#Cohesion|Cohesion]] and [[Surgebinding#Tension|Tension]]. Unlike the [[Knights Radiant]], he had no need for [[Stormlight]], as his Surgebinding was powered directly by Honor.{{wob ref|1572}} It's unknown if this has been impacted by Honor's death. What his Surges did is unclear at this point.▼
In the present day, what precisely has happened to Taln's Honorblade is unclear. The weapon he arrived with in [[Kholinar]] was shaped like an enormous spike, long, narrow, and straight.{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} The weapon he arrived with on the Shattered Plains was wide and cleaver-like,{{book ref|sa2|76}} and screams when touched by a Radiant, marking it as a dead Shardblade.{{book ref|sa2|89}} As such, it's clear that somewhere on his journey from Kholinar to the Shattered Plains, someone swapped his Blade, but it is unknown who stole it, for what purpose, and whether this impacts Taln's status as a Herald.{{wob ref|1875}}▼
== History ==
=== Herald of the Almighty ===
Not much is known about Taln's life before he became a Herald, but he was not initially intended to number among them and he was the only Herald who was not a king, scholar, or notable individual.{{book ref|sa3|117}} As Herald, he and the others fought in a series of Desolations against the [[Voidbringer]]s and [[Odium]] in defense of humankind.{{book ref|sa1|45}} Prior to each Desolation, Taln trained humanity's soldiers to fight the Voidbringers.{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} After each Desolation, Taln and the others returned to [[Damnation]], where they were tortured.{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} Each time, if Taln himself was killed during the fighting, he automatically returned to Damnation. After several Desolations, the [[Knights Radiant]] were founded by [[Surgebinding|Surgebinders]] with [[Ishar]]'s help{{epigraph ref|sa2|42}} and Taln became patron of the [[Order of Stonewards]], who shared access to the same Surges he possessed.{{epigraph ref|sa2|37}} It is possible that Hoid met Taln at some point during this time, as Hoid seems familiar with the man.{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}}
=== Return to Kholinar ===
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Around four and a half millennia later, not long after the [[Battle of the Tower]], Talenel returned to Roshar from Damnation.{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} It is uncertain how he returned or where precisely he arrived, but he was covered in condensation, and had twigs and leaves stuck in his beard. Taln quickly rushed to [[Kholinar]], cutting through the city gate with his [[Honorblade]] to give warning to the [[Alethi]] that the [[True Desolation]] was upon them. [[Hoid]] knew when and where Taln would arrive, and was waiting in Kholinar for him. After his proclamation, Taln promptly collapsed.
=== The Battle of Thaylen Field ===
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During the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], Ash snuck into Taln's tent, which was left unguarded when Sadeas's soldiers were corrupted by Odium.{{book ref|sa3|117}} She attempted to rouse Taln with no success.{{book ref|sa3|118}} When Dalinar Ascended, swearing the Third Ideal of the Bondsmiths and summoning [[Honor's Perpendicularity]], this seemed to awaken Taln.{{book ref|sa3|119}} Ash explained that the Heralds had abandoned them, but he expressed only joy at the opportunity their betrayal had given mankind. He felt Dalinar waiting for them, although he did not know who was calling to him. He and Ash walked onto the battlefield, where they were recognized as Heralds by the Stormfather and Dalinar. Shortly thereafter, Taln's lucidity faded again, and he hid cowering from the fighting.{{book ref|sa3|121}} After the battle was over, Ash tried to get Taln through the Oathgate, hoping to bring him to Ishar, who she believed could help him. However as they waited in line, they felt the true death of Jezrien and Taln began to whimper and collapse. As they inadvertently caused a commotion, they were recognized by [[Jasnah Kholin]], who compared their faces to drawings she had received from Hoid.
▲== Attributes and Abilities ==
▲=== Herald of War ===
▲{{for|Herald#Abilities|more information about general Heraldic powers}}
▲As one of the [[Herald]]s of the [[Almighty]], Taln is a [[Cognitive Shadow]] capable of resurrection.{{wob ref|1537}} Upon death, he returns to [[Damnation]] to be tortured,{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} and returns to [[Roshar]] when he or any other Heralds break, although it is uncertain how he gains a new body when that happens. He's also almost certainly ageless, like the other Heralds seem to be.{{book ref|sa3|121}}
▲Serving as the the Herald of War, Taln was likely one of the most skilled fighters on [[Roshar]].{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} His reflexes are inhumanly fast, and he is even stronger than his massive build would suggest, able to throw open the gates of Kholinar on his own.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} He was once a capable commander, able to win fights thought to be unwinnable, even at the cost of his own life.{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} He also excelled at training soldiers, and helped preparing humanity's warriors for the Desolations.{{book ref|sa2|i|7}}
▲=== Shardwielding and Surgebinding ===
▲As a Herald, Talenel has access to his [[Honorblade]], a magical sword given to him by the [[Shard]] [[Honor]]. Like all [[Shardblade]]s, its able to cut through any material, effortlessly. This allowed Taln to be a formidable foe on the battlefield, particularly against [[thunderclast]]s, as his Blade can cut their stone flesh easier than anything else. Having spent centuries using the Honorblade in the fight against the [[Voidbringers]], Taln was likely highly experienced in its use.
▲Unlike most Shardblades, the Honorblade also granted Taln access to the [[Surge]]s of [[Surgebinding#Cohesion|Cohesion]] and [[Surgebinding#Tension|Tension]]. Unlike the [[Knights Radiant]], he had no need for [[Stormlight]], as his Surgebinding was powered directly by Honor.{{wob ref|1572}} It's unknown if this has been impacted by Honor's death. What his Surges did is unclear at this point.
▲In the present day, what precisely has happened to Taln's Honorblade is unclear. The weapon he arrived with in [[Kholinar]] was shaped like an enormous spike, long, narrow, and straight.{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} The weapon he arrived with on the Shattered Plains was wide and cleaver-like,{{book ref|sa2|76}} and screams when touched by a Radiant, marking it as a dead Shardblade.{{book ref|sa2|89}} As such, it's clear that somewhere on his journey from Kholinar to the Shattered Plains, someone swapped his Blade, but it is unknown who stole it, for what purpose, and whether this impacts Taln's status as a Herald.{{wob ref|1875}}
== Culture ==
As one of the Heralds, Taln has impacted mythology and culture in a variety of ways across all of Roshar. In the [[Vorin]] nations, he is known as '''Talenelat'Elin''' and '''Stonesinew'''.{{book ref|sa2|88}}{{book ref|sa2|63}} There, he is revered as a warrior who helped to drive the Voidbringers from Roshar and has now taken the fight to the [[Tranquiline Halls]] with the other Heralds.{{book ref|sa1|45}} Like all Heralds, he has temples dedicated to himself in major cities like [[Thaylen City|Thaylen]] and [[Kholinar]].{{book ref|sa3|59}}{{map ref|Kholinar}} The [[Order of Talenelat]] is a lay devotary based in Alethkar, dedicated to him.{{book ref|sa2|54}} Taln is also the namesake of a major Rosharan constellation, [[Taln's Scar]].{{book ref|sa1|2}} Traditionally, he's associated with the number 9 (tanat) the [[Ten Essences|Essence]] of Talus, and the Divine Attributes of Dependable and Resourceful.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}
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