Difference between revisions of "Taravangian"

{{character

|aliases=Vargo

|groups={{tag|Diagram}}

|nation=Kharbranth

|world=Roshar

|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]

{{quote

| I am the monster who will save this world.

| Taravangian to Szeth{{book ref|sa1|70}}

}}

 

== Appearance and Personality ==

 

 

 

 

== History ==

When Taravangian was born, the surgeon said there was a cord around his neck. He made public that he might have diminished capacity and the recommendation was to keep him on outer estates in favor of others. Though the diminished capacity was not present, the reputation followed him all his life.{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}

He was childhood friends with [[Adrotagia]] and his nickname was Vargo.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}

 

=== The Nightwatcher and the creation of the Diagram ===

On his day of greatest genius, "20 hours of lucid insanity" he covered every surface of his bedroom in hieroglyphics he invented that day. They offer a brutal path for humanity's survival and he believes this is the Nightwatcher's response to saving human kind.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}

The writing was transcribed and annotated into a book by [[Adrotagia]] and other scribes. The book came to be known as the [[Diagram (literature)|Diagram]]. Taravangian creates a secret society that interpret the diagram and plots to fulfill those interpretations.

 

=== Kharbranth ===

During a [[Highstorm]], Taravangian's granddaughter became trapped within a room in the [[Conclave]] when a large stone fell and obstructed the doorway. The king enlisted the help of [[Jasnah Kholin]], who had already been in the city, offering her access to the [[Palanaeum]] in exchange for the use of her [[soulcaster]] to remove the rock. Making a deal with the heretical princess was a dangerous political move on Taravangian's part as it risked angering the [[Ardentia]], however, with the next Highstorm scheduled to hit the city within days, the king's architects would not have time to cut through the boulder. Additionally, the removal of the boulder by conventional means risked the potential of further cave ins within the area.{{book ref|sa1|5}}

 

 

 

Weeks later, Taravangian joined [[Shallan]] and Jasnah for lunch on their balcony in the [[Palanaeum|Veil]]. In response to Jasnah's enquiry, he reported that his granddaughter had recovered from her ordeal, though now avoided the narrower passageways of the Conclave incase of a repeat incident. Curious, he asked the princess where she had acquired her soulcaster, however Jasnah declined to answer, telling him that her secrets were her own. Taravangian acknowledged her refusal and turned the subject towards Shallan and her artistic skills which had earned her quite the reputation in the Conclave and Palace. Shallan was all to happy to fulfil the king's request for a portrait, of which he intended to give as a gift to his granddaughter.{{book ref|sa1|29}}

[[Szeth]], the [[Assassin in White]], travelled to Kharbranth with the intent of killing the king after causing destruction throughout [[Jah Keved]]. The assassin had explicit instructions on how the king was to be killed: it was to be done quietly, without any additional deaths and the man was only to die after he acknowledged Szeth's intent. Taravangian ignored Szeth's declaration when confronted, instead speaking to him of the chaos and destruction the assassin had caused. He revealed to Szeth had he had been the assassin's hidden master and was in possession of the Shin man's [[oathstone]]. Taravangian had also deliberately put his own name on Szeth's list to to deflect suspicion from himself. He took Szeth to his hidden hospital, where Szeth witnessed the atrocities the king of Kharbranth was committing to maximise access to the [[Death Rattle]]s. Taravangian freely admitted to the monstrous acts he had committed before commanding Szeth to seek out Dalinar Kholin on the [[Shattered Plains]] and end his life.{{book ref|sa1|71}}

 

The [[Diagram]] shows that to save human kind, Taravangian needed to unite [[Roshar]] under his rule. The first path is Jah Keved and per the scripts he needed to gain possession of Szeth's Oathstone.{{book ref|sa1|i|6}}

He is able to do so and orders Szeth to kill a number of world leaders, including [[Hanavanar]], the king of Jah Keved, as well as various other highprinces of Jah Keved.

The power vacuum in Jah Keved resulted in a devastating succession war, which wiped out all of the remaining highprinces. Taravangian arrived at the city in time for the death of the last Veden Highprince [[Valam]] who named him king of Jah Keved. His first step to uniting humanity was complete.

 

=== Dalinar's coalition of Roshar ===

 

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

 

== Attributes and Abilities ==

 

Taravangian has surprising knowledge of the [[Shin]] and the Shin language, which is rare outside of [[Shinovar]].{{book ref|sa1|71}} He also knows [[women's script]] and has solved [[Fabrisan|Fabrisan's Conundrum]].

; [[Adrotagia]]: Taravangian's head scribe and closest friend. Even on his days of genius he is aware of her intelligence. He has real fondness for her. They are childhood friends.

 

 

 

; Taravangian's Grandchildren: Taravangian has three grandchildren who write to him. They are oblivious to the Diagram and his plans. The eldest is [[Gvori]], accepted at the school of storms, [[Karavaniga]], the middle accepted forwardship and little [[Ruli]].

| Our law will claim innocent men-for all judges are flawed, as is our knowledge. Eventually, you will execute someone who does not deserve it. This is the burden society must carry in exchange for order.

| Taravangian to Dalinar on executing three murderers and one innocent{{book ref|sa3|28}}

}}

 

| Taravangian reflecting alone{{book ref|sa3|121}}

}}

 

== Trivia ==