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{{character
|image=Taravangian by stinkypanda.jpg
|children=[[Savrahalidem]]
|descendants=[[Gvori]], [[Karavaniga]], [[Ruli]], [[Taravangian's granddaughter|granddaughter]]
|abilities={{tag+|oldmagic}}, {{nosnippet|{{tag+|shard|Odium}}}}
|titles=King of [[Kharbranth]] <small>(former)</small>, King of [[Jah Keved]] <small>(former)</small>,{{book ref|sa2|i|12}} {{nosnippet|Odium}}
|aliases=Vargo
|groups={{tag|Diagram (group)|cat=Diagram|text=Diagram}}
|'residence=[[Kharbranth]] (palace), {{tag|Urithiru|cat=
|nation=Kharbranth
|world=Roshar
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{spoiler|sa4}}
{{update|sa4}}
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'''Taravangian'''
== Appearance and Personality ==
{{image|Taravangian Portrait by Marie Seeberger.jpg
Taravangian is an aged man with a wrinkled, clean-shaven face. He has pale grey eyes and an open, kindly face.{{book ref|sa3|24}} He lives with perpetual aches in his body and other symptoms of old age.▼
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▲Taravangian is an aged man with a
He is popular among many for providing free access to city hospitals funded by an admittance fee to the [[Palanaeum]],{{book ref|sa1|7}} and he is known to visit the hospitals on a weekly basis.{{book ref|sa1|48}} Ruling Kharbranth with the help of a council,{{book ref|sa3|12}} he has been quiet and humble for his entire life, leading many people to believe he is slow witted.{{book ref|sa3|16}} People who know him better know he had a keen intelligence until his "illness" 5 years before the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|21}} The illness is a consequence of a visit to the [[Nightwatcher]] who granted him great intelligence and great compassion, but cursed him to never have them at the same time. As a result, he wakes up every morning with a fluctuation of both. On some days, he cries and has compassion for everyone around him, while unable to have intelligent conversations,{{book ref|sa3|107}} while on others he is brilliant, yet easily speaks of killing singing children.{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}
Taravangian is a pragmatic man who considers it his duty to do whatever it takes to make a better world. When he poses a moral dilemma, asking what to do if three of four men are guilty of murder and one is unsure which is innocent, he says "To prevent murder to happen again … I must hang them and weep."{{book ref|sa3|28}} He believes religion fills gaps and brings a sense of comfort which prevents understanding. He trusts only the Diagram, which is the result of his raw intelligence.{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}
== Attributes and Abilities ==
Every morning he takes an intelligence test that he devised for himself on intelligent days. The test takes the better part of an hour and is made up of mathematical problems. A trio of [[stormwarden]]s consult regarding his answers and decide his intelligence for the day. The stormwardens as well as [[Mrall]], his head bodyguard, also decide if he is fit to rule and what restrictions he will be subject to. He is restricted to his room on both his worst and best of days because during both he tends to make irrational regulations. He also tends to be more compassionate the less intelligent he is. His intelligence changes during each night, regardless of whether he is asleep or awake.{{wob ref|11390}}▼
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]].▼
He is responsible for Dalinar's knowledge of giving a spren what they want to capture them. This is key for his victory at the battle of [[Thaylen City]].{{book ref|sa3|100}}▼
▲Taravangian Portrait by Marie Seeberger.jpg | <center><small>by {{a|Marie Seeberger}}</small></center>
== 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}}
Taravangian meets [[Battar]], a Herald posing as an [[Ardent]] named Dova, who said that the
=== The Nightwatcher and the creation of the Diagram ===
Taravangian asked the [[Nightwatcher]] for "the capacity to save humankind." He was granted great intelligence and great compassion, but the curse of not having them at the same time. As a result, he wakes up every morning with a fluctuation of both. This was granted by [[Cultivation]] rather than the Nightwatcher.{{wob ref|13097}}
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.
One of the first things he does are [[Death Rattle]]s. These were run at a secret hospital hidden in his palace filled with hundreds of beds for the terminally ill, poor, and forgotten who will not be missed. The patients are slowly killed by draining their blood so the [[Silent Gatherer]]s can record cryptic supernatural sentences spoken in the seconds before death by some of the victims.{{book ref|sa1|71}}{{epigraph ref|sa1|
=== Kharbranth ===
During a [[
Jasnah recommended that the king and his staff move to the end of the hall to be out of range, however, Taravangian refused
The incident with Taravangian's granddaughter had been deliberately planned by the king. He suspected Jasnah was using means to soulcast that did not include the use of the fabrial she carried and intentionally engineered a scenario where he could observe her work. Despite his ulterior motives, he was
Weeks later, Taravangian joined [[Shallan]] and Jasnah for lunch on their balcony in the [[Palanaeum|Veil]]. In response to Jasnah's
While Shallan drew, the king struck up conversation again with Jasnah, this time about religion and the Jasnah's lack of faith. He had trouble understanding how she could differentiate between right and wrong when what was right was a dictate of the [[Almighty]]. Right and wrong, Jasnah argued, shouldn't be subject to the will of an unseen being. To her, morality and human will were as independent from religion as mathematics. Taravangian ultimately disagreed with the scholar, though he did admire the efficiency of her arguments. Jasnah explained that she had no intention of trying to convert him to her
Shallan, who had been engrossed in the conversation, went to finish her drawing of the king, however, found that she had added several [[Cryptic]]s to the background of her sketch by accident. She destroyed the drawing, promising Taravangian that she would do him another by the end of the day. Shortly after, Taravangian excused himself so he could visit one of the many hospitals that he had established in [[Kharbranth]]. After he took his leave, Jasnah chided Shallan for calling the king dull and told her that she was not to refer to him in that manner. She deeply admired the man who reminded her of her uncle [[Dalinar]] and found them both to be earnest and sincere.{{book ref|sa1|29}}
After several people were killed in the theatre district of Kharbranth, Taravangian stepped in, hoping that he could prompt the city watch into action. His efforts failed and despite the reprimands, the watch continued to ignore the section of the city that had been
Weeks later, Taravangian visited Shallan in the hospital after her supposed suicide attempt. Taravangian visited the hospitals of Kharbranth at least once a week and was a welcomed sight for those admitted on the ward. During his visits he would sit and talk with each patient, checking on their progress, and doing what he could to help. Shallan complimented the king on the impressiveness of Kharbranth's hospitals, an accomplishment of which the man was extremely proud. Taravangian denied Shallan's request to be released from the hospital, however before he left, did grant her wish for visitation rights. Outside the ward, Taravangian ran into Jasnah who had been studying in the waiting room. He explained that Shallan could now receive visitors and passed on the news that she had decided to return to her family's estate before leaving the princess to visit with her student.{{book ref|sa1|48}}
[[Szeth]], the [[Assassin in White]],
=== King of Jah Keved ===
The [[Diagram (literature)|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 ===
One of the Diagrams interpretation results in the request to kill Dalinar and Taravangian sends Szeth to kill him. During the [[Battle of Narak]], Szeth goes after him but is beaten by [[Kaladin]]. Shortly after, Szeth discovered he was not [[Truthless]], and forsakes his [[oathstone]], breaking his allegiance with Taravangian.
After this failure, Taravangian decided to move closer to Dalinar. He is the first and only King to answer and unite with Dalinar and moved to [[Urithiru]].{{book ref|sa3|12}} When he finds out no other King would be part of the coalition, he recommends invasion.{{book ref|sa3|24}} After his surprise on Dalinar's negotiation strategy, he agreed to follow him and eventually moved with him to
Though he seems to work with Dalinar, he is secretly plotting to gain political advantage. He bursts the market by sending supplies via Jah Keved, he has his [[Knight Radiant]], [[Malata]] working the [[
After having another brilliant day, he decides that the best action is to take Dalinar's place on the Coalition and after will push for its collapse. He believes this will make [[Odium]] meet his agreements and save "what he can, abandon the rest".{{book ref|sa3|i|5}}.
Though he was dismissed or not needed in the tactics meetings where the defences for Jah Keved were being planned, he was secretly plotting to find secrets that would destroy Dalinar. He sends his Radiant's spren [[Spark]] to spy on him and along with his scholars and other Diagram followers is able to pull off a very strong strategy.
Taravangian then offered a deal to Odium, knowing the god couldn't afford to face Dalinar directly again for fear of losing a previously declared contest of champions. The agreement would trade his help by sharing the Diagram's information (though he could not read [[Renarin]]'s participation) and giving him the Honorblade in exchange for sparing the people of Kharbranth (the city itself, any humans born into it, and their spouses).{{book ref|sa3|121}} Odium accepted, placing Taravangian and the Diagram firmly under the control of Dalinar's enemy.
===
A year later, Taravangian distanced himself from Kharbranth and his fellow Diagram members in preparation of being contacted by Odium, who commanded him to have his forces betray Dalinar's on their campaign in [[Emul]].{{book ref|sa4|i|3}} As Taravangian expected, the betrayal is swiftly dealt with and Dalinar has him arrested and imprisoned.{{book ref|sa4|i|6}}
▲Every morning he takes an intelligence test that he devised for himself on intelligent days. The test takes the better part of an hour and is made up of mathematical problems. A trio of [[stormwarden]]s consult regarding his answers and decide his intelligence for the day. The stormwardens as well as [[Mrall]], his head bodyguard, also decide if he is fit to rule and what restrictions he will be subject to. He is restricted to his room on both his worst and best of days because during both he tends to make irrational regulations. He also tends to be more compassionate the less intelligent he is. His intelligence changes during each night, regardless of whether he is asleep or awake.{{wob ref|11390}}
Dalinar, wishing to see the good in Taravangian, did not immediately execute him, instead keeping him prisoner in a well-furnished home where Taravangian's requests were cared for. During this time, Taravangian's mental state deteriorated, and he spent more days in his cognitively impaired, compassionate state. He was visited by Szeth and Renarin, but was too slow to carry on a conversation, and believed that he failed at his plan of manipulating Szeth. Dalinar eventually declared that he was not to be executed, and instead sentenced him to lifelong imprisonment so that he could prove to Taravangian that [[coalition of monarchs|coalition]] was capable of defeating Odium.{{book ref|sa4|66}}{{book ref|sa4|i|9}}{{book ref|sa4|i|12}}
▲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]].
▲He is responsible for Dalinar's knowledge of giving a spren what they want to capture them. This is key for his victory at the battle of [[Thaylen City]].{{book ref|sa3|100}}
Szeth, disapproving of Dalinar's decision, entered Taravangian's house, intending to kill him. As Szeth was reaching for his knife, [[Odium]] arrived and pulled Taravangian's mind out of the [[Physical Realm]]. Still next to Szeth in the Physical Realm, Taravangian reached for the cognitive manifestation of [[Nightblood]] and used the weapon to attack Odium. Szeth then killed Taravangian but, before Taravangian could pass into the [[Beyond]], Nightblood destroyed [[Rayse]], the Vessel of Odium, and Taravangian Ascended as the Shard's new Vessel.{{book ref|sa4|113}}
=== Vessel of Odium ===
<!-- Ordinarily, Vessel history goes on the Shard's page, but we may need to revisit that -->
After his Ascension, Taravangian conversed with [[Cultivation]], who explained some of the nature of his new power. Taravangian intends to expand Odium's influence throughout the cosmere after his and Dalinar's contest of champions is settled, regardless of the outcome.{{book ref|sa4|114}}
As the Vessel of Odium, Taravangian confronted [[Hoid]], who expected to meet Rayse. Hoid noticed that something was amiss, and attempted to play it off so as not to make Taravangian suspicious. He saw through it, however, and wiped Hoid's short-term memory, then replayed the same conversation with him, slightly altering his dialogue so as not to set Hoid off.{{book ref|sa4|epilogue}}
== Relationships ==
; [[Malata]]: She is a Veden bodyguard and [[Dustbringer]]. She works for him and follows his lead, however she had said she "is not his" and they were there because her spren [[Spark]] suggested visiting [[Urithiru]] now that it has been rediscovered.{{book ref|sa3|27}}
; [[Odium]]: Taravangian is fully aware of Odium's power.
; 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]]. He has another [[Taravangian's granddaughter|granddaughter]] whom he arranged to become trapped in a rockslide in an attempt to see [[Jasnah Kholin]] use her [[Soulcaster]]. Despite his ulterior motives, he was concerned for her wellbeing and did not want her to be harmed, even though he put her in a dangerous situation.{{wob ref|3242}}
== Quotes ==
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== Trivia ==
* What happens to Taravangian increases multiple types of intelligence, not just raw 'processing power'. Someone tapping enough feruchemical zinc could achieve something similar but not quite the same.{{wob ref|3845}}
* Taravangian was
* Taravangian would make a worse President of the United States than [[Rashek]].{{wob ref|13924}}
== Notes ==
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