Difference between revisions of "Talenel"

'''Talenel''' (<small>Alethi pronounciationpronunciation:</small> [[Wikipedia:Help:IPA|[tæləˈnɛl]]] [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Pronunciation_respelling_key|ta-lə-NEL]] {{wob ref|6737}}), nicknamed '''Taln''' (<small>Alethi pronounciationpronunciation:</small> [[Wikipedia:Help:IPA|[tæln]]] [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Pronunciation_respelling_key|TALN]] {{wob ref|6737}}), and called '''Talenelat'Elin''', '''Talat''', or '''Stonesinew''' in [[Vorinism]], is one of the Ten [[Herald]]s of the [[Almighty]]{{book ref|twok|epilogue}} and patron of the [[Order of Stonewards]].{{epigraph ref|sa2|37}} He is also referred to as the '''Herald of War''',{{book ref|sa3|47}} '''Herald of Soldiers'''{{book ref|sa3|59}} and '''Bearer of Agonies'''.{{book ref|sa3|38}} At the end of the Final Desolation, Taln was abandoned by the rest of the Heralds, forced to return to Damnation alone.{{book ref|sa1|part=prelude}} In the millenia that followed, Taln became a figure of myth and legend across the world.{{book ref|sa1|prologue}} In the Era of Solitude he has since returned to Roshar, his mind ruined by torture, to bring warning of the [[Everstorm]].{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}}

Taln is a tall,{{book ref|sa2|88}} dark-haired, stoutly built man, with thick arms like a soldier or laborer.{{book ref|sa2|63}} He is dark-skinned, appearing almost [[Makabaki]] in coloration and his eyes are a dark brown color as well. Taln also wears a beard.{{book ref|sa1|epliogueepilogue}} After his reappearance on Roshar in the Era of Solitude he is disheveled looking, with broken nails,{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} long, matted,{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} and ragged hair,{{book ref|sa2|63}} as well as bits of wood and leaves tangled in his beard.{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} His clothing at his return is merely a ragged piece of cloth wrapped around his waist. Taln's eyes appear wild and mad{{book ref|sa1|epilogue}} and he stands with a straight back and his head upright when he is aware of his surroundings.{{book ref|sa2|88}} When Taln is in his stupor his eyes are and dull and expressionless{{book ref|sa2|i|7}} and he sits slumped and morose.{{book ref|sa2|63}} Taln speaks perfect Alethi with a northern accent.{{book ref|sa2|i|7}}

The ardents placed Taln in a small, dimly lit cell in their monastery where he remained nonresponsiveunresponsive despite their care.{{book ref|sa2|63}} Once Taln was placed in the monastery, several groups became aware of his presence on the Shattered Plains. The [[Ghostbloods]] became aware of him somehow and were interested in him because he had drawn the attention of the king and Dalinar.{{book ref|sa2|63}} Their source provided them with sketches of Taln. The Sons of Honor became aware when Dalinar ordered Bordin go drinking with some Amaram's men and talk about Taln.{{book ref|sa2|76}} As part of his investigation into Amaram, Dalinar wished Bordin to spread the lie that Taln had mentioned a cache of Shardblades on the Plains. This news spread to Amaram, who contacted Bordin and had him bring him to see Taln in the monastery.{{book ref|sa2|64}} At this same time, Shallan Davar visited Taln on the behalf of the Ghostbloods.{{book ref|sa2|63}} Shallan recorded his mantra but was unable to get a reaction out of him until she drew in some [[Stormlight]], provoking a sudden and violent reaction from Taln, who shoved her into a wall. Appearing semi-lucid, Taln identified her as a Radiant, but quickly lapsed back into his mantra shortly afterwards. Shallan decided that she believed him to be a simple madman. While Shallan was still in the room with Taln, Amaram and Bordin arrived to see Taln, so she concealed herself in the cell with Lightweaving.{{book ref|sa2|64}} Upon seeing Taln, Amaram determined that he believed the man to be a Herald, but was unable to get him to speak or interact at all. Wishing to recover the fictitious Blades, Amaram left Taln in the cell.

During the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]], Ash sneaked into Taln's tent, which was left unguarded when Sadeas's solderssoldiers 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.

As a Herald, Talenel has access to his Honorblade, a variety of Shardblade given to him by the Shard Honor. This Shardblade is able to cut through any material, stone, steel, or even living things effortlessly. This allowed Taln to be a formiddableformidable foe on the battlefield, particularly against thunderclasts, as his Blade can cut their stone flesh easier than anything else. As he had spent an enormous amount of time using the Honorblade in the fight against the Voidbringers, Taln was likely very experienced in using his Blade. Unlike most Shardblades, this Honorblade also granted Taln access to the [[Surge]]s of [[Surgebinding#Cohesion|Cohesion]] and [[Surgebinding#Tension|Tension]]. As he was not sworn to a spren, he was able to do with his Blade what he liked, without regard for any oaths. Taln also had no need for [[Stormlight]], his Surgebinding was powered directly by Honor.{{wob ref|1572}} It is unknown if this has been impacted by Honor's death. It is unknown precisely what the Surges he had access to did, but they likely were also helpful in the fight against the Voidbringers in some way. In the present day it is uncertain what precisely has happened to Taln's Honorblade. 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, so it must be a dead Shardblade.{{book ref|sa2|89}} Some time between his arrival at Kholinar and his arrival at the Shattered Plains, someone swapped his Blade,{{wob ref|1875}} but it is unknown who stole it, for what purpose, and whether this impacts Taln's status as a Herald.