Ten Deaths

Ten Deaths
World of Origin	Roshar
Universe	Cosmere

“Fighting, even this fighting against the Ten Deaths, changes a person. ”

—A Stoneward in the Starfalls vision, the only known reference to the Ten Deaths

The Ten Deaths is the name given to an unknown force on Roshar that existed at some point prior to the Day of Recreance. They were enemies of the Knights Radiant and included the Midnight Essence.

Characteristics

The nature of the Ten Deaths (except the Midnight Essence) is unknown. They likely have magical qualities, since the Radiants believed that fighting the Deaths could change someone and eventually destroy them. However, it is possible this was just a Radiant philosophy about fighting in general. The number ten is highly significant in Rosharan culture (e.g. the ten Heralds, the Ten Essences, and the ten fools), but how this relates to the Ten Deaths is unknown. The term does not directly correspond to the Unmade, as there are only nine of them.

History

Unlike the forces known as the Voidbringers, it was possible for the Ten Deaths to attack between Desolations. The Knights Radiant that were based in Alethela saw the Ten Deaths as a primary threat during these periods, and trained to fight against them. It is not clear if the Deaths were actively controlled or influenced by an outside force, although a Radiant mentioned that someone had to "release" the Midnight Essence.

Notes

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This page contains all the knowledge we have on the subject at this time.
Big Smooth (talk) 20:40, 1 September 2020 (UTC)