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|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}</pre>
{{quote
}}
'''Sylphrena''', or '''Syl''', is an [[honorspren]] on [[Roshar]]. She has a [[Nahel bond]] with [[Kaladin]], making him a [[Windrunner]].{{book ref|sa1|67}} She is a [[splinter]] of [[Honor]]{{wob ref|3017}} and one of the last eleven remaining honorspren created directly by the [[Stormfather]]. Among her kinsmen, she's known as the '''Ancient Daughter'''.{{book ref|sa3|108}} At first, [[Kaladin]] believes her to be a [[windspren]]; she only reveals her true nature several months after the two first
== Appearance and Personality ==
{{image|Kaladin and Syl by Audrey Hotte.jpeg|side=right|width=300px}}
=== Appearance ===
{{for|/Gallery|more images}}
In the [[Physical Realm]], Syl can take on a variety of appearances, including a ribbon of light,{{book ref|sa3|5}} a flurry of leaves,{{book ref|sa1|23}} flame,{{book ref|sa1|40}} or a small cloud.{{book ref|sa1|27}} However, she prefers the form of a young woman about a handspan tall, with an angular face and flowing hair that fades into mist behind her head.{{book ref|sa1|2}} She usually wears a long, flowing dress, of a girlish cut.{{book ref|sa1|9}} She will often augment it with various other articles of clothing, like a cap, a jacket or an umbrella, or swap it out for similar attire, like a [[havah]] with a [[safehand]].{{book ref|sa3|46}}{{book ref|sa3|5}} Regardless of her clothing, however, she always goes barefoot.{{book ref|sa3|91}} In any form she takes, her entire form has a uniform, blue-white color, and glows with faint blue light. While [[Kaladin]] and [[Lunamor]] can always see her, to others, she's invisible unless she wills herself to be seen.{{book ref|sa1|21}} As Kaladin and Syl's bond grows stronger, Syl is able to manifest her clothes in varying shades of blue; while she can even change her clothing to other colors, she is not able to change the color of her "skin."{{book ref|sa4|55}}{{book ref|sa4|58}}
Syl is also able to appear as a shape-shifting [[Shardblade]]. She occasionally appears as a sword or shield, but most often manifests as a spear.{{book ref|sa2|86}} Common between all these forms are a physical makeup of glowing, silvery metal and glyphs engraved on the surface.{{book ref|sa2|86}}{{book ref|sa3|10}} As a Shardspear, the glyphs are swirling ones engraved along the spearhead.{{book ref|sa2|86}} She is able to appear in varying lengths, but typically appears with a cylindrical grip, unadorned save for a foot long helical swirl of metal right before the tip. The spearhead has a single serration at the base where it connects to the grip.{{file ref|Call_to_Adventure_cover.jpg}}{{file ref|Windrunner_by_Felix_Abel_Klaer.png}}{{file ref|The_Next_Ideal.png}}{{file ref|Bridge_4_poster_without_text.jpg}} As a Shardblade, Syl typically appears sleek and beautiful, with a Windrunner glyph centered on the blade. Lines running off the glyph towards the hilt are
In [[Shadesmar]], Syl is incapable of changing forms
{{image|Cloud-Haired Syl by clarinking.jpg|side=left|width=350px}}
}}
Syl is generally cheerful and mischievous, often making jokes and playing pranks on those around her. She's highly irreverent, and can be forgetful at times.{{book ref|sa3|10}} She's unflinchingly optimistic, always trying to see the best in people, and always believing that there's something good waiting in the future.{{book ref|sa1|11}} She does have a bit of a prideful streak, although she often plays it for laughs, calling herself a "tiny piece of god" and trying to trick [[Lunamor]] into building a shrine for her.{{book ref|sa2|9}} She's constantly curious about the world around her,
She has a very strict code of ethics, despising deception and lies, although she eventually becomes more willing to be cunning.{{book ref|sa1|34}}{{book ref|sa3|17}}
Syl is particularly focused on keeping [[Kaladin]] in a healthy mental state. She always tries to push him to keep going even when he's at his worst, and encourages him to let himself be happy.{{book ref|sa1|11}}{{book ref|sa2|86}} When he's in the depths of depression, she looks after him and tries to comfort him, often acting like his sounding board when he's unwilling to speak to others.{{book ref|sa3|91}} However, while her efforts are always well-meaning, she can sometimes try and force him to act her way, even when he's perfectly capable of disagreeing.{{book ref|sa3|10}} Eventually she turns her efforts towards her desire to understand Kaladin's feelings. After she asks [[Dalinar]] to help her, the [[Connection]] that results brings back Syl's past and causes her to sink into bouts of both grief and the depression naturally attendant to it.{{book ref|sa4|63}} This gloominess is exacerbated by the corruption in the tower at the time but persists after the tower's functionality is restored.{{book ref|sa4|114}}
== Abilities and Attributes ==
=== Nahel Bond ===
{{quote
|I'm behind what is happening to you. I'm doing it. It's both of us. But without me, nothing would be changing in you. I'm
|Syl to [[Kaladin]]{{book ref|sa1|57}}
}}
As an honorspren, Syl has the capacity to bond with people, gaining higher sentience in the [[Physical Realm]] in exchange for granting her partner -- currently
However, there is a downside to this bond. When Kaladin strays from his Oaths and break them, Syl begins to lose her higher mental functions, to the point where she essentially dies.{{book ref|sa2|64}}{{book ref|sa2|69}} However, she is brought back once Kaladin returns to the path of the Windrunner and swears the Third Oath.{{book ref|sa2|84}}
==== Hearthstone and Kholinar ====
{{image|Thepathtohearthstone.png|side=left|width=250px|Syl coming to [[Hearthstone]] with Kaladin}}
{{quote
|The bond isn't about what’s right and wrong, is it, Syl. It’s about what '''you see''' as right and wrong.
Crossing the Perpendicularity, Syl returned to her semi-corporeal form and accompanied Kaladin as a weapon in the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|120}} After the battle, the two discussed once more the righteousness of fighting [[singer]]s, who were only trying to regain their home; Kaladin decided that he would still fight for humanity's survival and reassured Syl that he would not kill her, or any other sapient spren, ever again.{{book ref|sa3|121}} Eventually, the two went to rescue [[Skar]] and [[Drehy]], two of Kaladin's squires who had managed to get Gavinor out of Kholinar.{{book ref|sa3|122}}
===
==== Evacuation of Hearthstone ====
The day before the embassy to the [[honorspren]] left, Syl went to speak with [[Adolin]]. She told him of her fears for their mission, warning him to be disappointed.{{book ref|sa4|22}} The next day, Adolin went to say goodbye to Kaladin before leaving. Syl showed up, telling Adolin that the position had been good for Kal. She gave Adolin some last minute tips on honorspren and their ideas of morality before he left.{{book ref|sa4|21}}
As Kaladin continued to work in the clinic, Syl would often watch. One day his
==== Invasion ====
{{sidequote
|It was a nice dream, wasn't it, Syl? That we could escape? Find peace at long last?
|[[Kaladin]] just before rescuing [[Teft]]{{book ref|sa4|43}}
|side=
}}
Syl accompanied Kaladin as he kept himself busy distributing supplies to the former Hearthstone residents in the wake of the failure of most of the tower's [[fabrial]]s. She warned him that she kept seeing [[Voidspren]] about the tower, then started acting like a [[windspren]] as a [[Regal]] approached him in the hallway to avert his suspicion.{{book ref|sa4|41}} Syl led Kaladin to a balcony, where they spoke with Rlain. When Rlain explained his plan to go to the invading force, Syl became sad. Kaladin asked her what was wrong, but she abruptly put on a forced cheerful act.{{book ref|sa4|42}} Just after a [[Alili|messenger]] delivered confirmation of Navani's surrender to Lirin's clinic, Syl entered and gave a silent warning of an enemy soldier approaching. She went back to keeping watch but had to return shortly to warn of a group of soldiers methodically checking each residence; Kaladin hid, so Syl went to eavesdrop for him. Syl and Kaladin, realizing they meant to take Teft with them, had a brief exchange acknowledging the momentous decision they were about to make before entering the room and rescuing Teft, fleeing with him into the depths of Urithiru.{{book ref|sa4|43}}
They went to look for supplies, Syl scouting ahead of Kaladin. As they hid from some singers, they discovered that the invading force were keeping up a pretense of normality outside the tower. They made their way to the sixth floor, where Syl went to check on Lirin and Hesina and reported to Kaladin that they looked fine. She talked Kaladin through using a [[Reverse Lashing]] to open lanterns from a store that they found, allowing him to recover the infused gemstone inside. They continued to the [[Devotary of Mercy]], where Kaladin gained [[Kuno]]'s promise of future help and supplies before returning to their hideout.{{book ref|sa4|49}}
==== Nodes ====▼
{{sidequote
|If we can choose, we can change. If we can't change, then choice means nothing. I’m '''glad''' I feel this way, to remind me that I haven’t always felt the same. Been the same. It means that in coming here to find another Knight Radiant, I was '''deciding'''. Not simply doing what I was made to, but doing what I '''wanted''' to.
|Syl's thoughts on feeling grief{{book ref|sa4|63}}
|side=
}}
▲==== Nodes ====
As Kaladin took care of Teft with their new supplies, he finally convinced Syl to open up to him about the cause of her recent melancholy moods. She explained about remembering [[Relador]], and they discussed the best way to deal with feelings of sadness and depression. Syl practiced changing colors until they were startled by a noise at the door, which turned out to be [[Dabbid]]. Leaving him with Teft, Syl accompanied Kaladin as he went to investigate the Oathgates. She scouted for him as he climbed the outside of the tower, and when a group of scouts began packing up their supplies, she realized they must have had a functioning [[spanreed]] with them.{{book ref|sa4|55}} Knowing of Navani's desire to discover how the invading force had functioning [[fabrial]]s, Syl and Kaladin gave chase to the group. Having looked ahead, Syl brought Kaladin news of a spanreed hub and also pointed out to him that spren were more visible to everyone than usual because of the corruption in the tower. Deciding it was worth it to proceed despite the added danger of discovery, Kaladin came up with the idea of Syl pretending to be a Voidspren to fool the guards. She wrapped herself in red cloth and successfully distracted the guards while Kaladin snuck past. Approaching the spanreed room via a ventilation shaft, Kaladin snared some fabrials with a rope and relied on Syl to check that the hallway was clear before exiting the shaft. As Syl was preparing to distract the guards again in the guise of a Voidspren, however, the Sibling contacted Kaladin and asked for his help defending one of their nodes.{{book ref|sa4|58}}
Kaladin and Syl raced for the node, guided by the Sibling's light. The Pursuer immediately engaged Kaladin, and Syl used her new trick of imitating a Voidspren to distract him for a moment, giving Kaladin a chance to get free. They managed to trap the Pursuer in a room, then returned to the node and destroyed it.{{book ref|sa4|59}} After a night's rest, Kaladin was able to give Navani a report on the preceding day; he also reported to her Syl's findings from her studies of the spanreeds they had acquired. Syl determined that the spren inside were corrupted in a similar manner to [[Glys]], allowing them to operate with [[Voidlight]].{{book ref|sa4|61}} As Kal continued to have nightmares, Syl helped by trying to wake him. He tended to Teft after one such time, and she told him about asking Dalinar to help her understand his feelings. Dabbid came in and delivered Tomor's fabrial to them, and after a half hour Syl reminded Kaladin of his meeting with Navani. After the queen explained to him about placing the conjoined rubies, Syl accompanied him to the ninth floor to do so and then supervised as he practiced with the fabrial.{{book ref|sa4|63}}
{{image|Kaladin and Syl by Sarctic.jpg|side=right|width=300px}}
During another of Kaladin's nightmares, Syl attempted to wake him to tell him that the enemy had found another node in the [[Breakaway]]. When he finally woke, she quickly apprised him of the situation. They caught up to Dabbid, who had taken Kal's spear with the intention of dealing with the problem himself, and rushed onwards. Syl warned Kaladin of the Pursuer's approach; as he fought with the Fused, she was able to help him by turning the dial on his fabrial for him. She scouted out the location of the node, noting its position in the well. Kaladin broke away from the fight at her signal, and she guided him into the water and to the sapphire. Though Raboniel was already there and managed to injure Kaladin, he successfully destroyed the node. Syl led him upwards again, but as she shot out of the well, the Pursuer maneuvered the lid into place and weighted it with his troops. Panicking and terrified, Syl realized that Kaladin was stuck below.{{book ref|sa4|70}} As Kaladin swam away, Syl likely lost her ability to stay manifested in the [[Physical Realm]] but stayed nearby out of instinct.{{book ref|sa4|91}} She entered a state similar to that after the death of [[Relador]], but when Kaladin called out to her the next time he went near the Breakaway, she heard him and broke through back to the Physical Realm.{{book ref|sa4|102}}▼
▲During another of Kaladin's nightmares, Syl attempted to wake him to tell him that the enemy had found another node in the [[Breakaway]]. When he finally woke, she quickly apprised him of the situation. They caught up to Dabbid, who had taken Kal's spear with the intention of dealing with the problem himself, and rushed onwards. Syl warned Kaladin of the Pursuer's approach; as he fought with the Fused, she was able to help him by turning the dial on his fabrial for him. She scouted out the location of the node, noting its position in the well. Kaladin broke away from the fight at her signal, and she guided him into the water and to the sapphire. Though Raboniel was already there and managed to injure Kaladin, he successfully destroyed the node. Syl led him upwards again, but as she shot out of the well, the Pursuer maneuvered the lid into place and weighted it with his troops. Panicking and terrified, Syl realized that Kaladin was stuck below.{{book ref|sa4|70}} As Kaladin swam away, Syl likely lost her ability to stay manifested in the [[Physical Realm]] but stayed nearby out of instinct.{{book ref|sa4|91}} She entered a state similar to that after the death of
==== Recovering Urithiru ====
Kaladin explained to Syl that the enemy had found the Sibling's final node and were planning on executing the Radiants, so she accompanied him straight to the atrium.{{book ref|sa4|102}} Syl flew around the struggling pair as Kaladin and the Pursuer fought.{{book ref|sa4|103}} When they saw Teft's body, though, both Syl and Kaladin felt crushed by the loss. One of the Fused took off with Lirin, and the two of them followed to the top of the tower. Syl cried out to Kaladin that she had forgotten the words to the [[Order of Windrunners#The Fourth Ideal|Fourth Ideal]], but an unheeding Kaladin jumped from the roof.{{book ref|sa4|106}} As he fell, Syl continued to weep over forgetting the words.{{book ref|sa4|107}} Suddenly, however, Kaladin returned from his vision and reached out for her again.{{book ref|sa4|108}} Together, they flew downwards to save Lirin{{book ref|sa4|110}} and then returned to the fight in Urithiru.{{book ref|sa4|111}}
{{sidequote
|I'm merely ... alive. And this is part of being alive. So I’m grateful, even if part of it stinks.
|Discussing her grief over [[Teft]]{{book ref|sa4|114}}
|side=right|size=250px
}}
After the conflict, Kaladin used the Sylblade to transfer Rlain and [[Venli]]'s group of rebels to the Shattered Plains, where they met up with the Fused who had taken a stand against Odium's forces. Returning to the tower with Rlain, Kaladin, Syl, and the rest of Bridge Four gave Teft and Phendorana a funeral. The group retired to [[Jez's Duty]] afterwards, but Kaladin and Syl lingered at the statue and talked about missing Teft.{{book ref|sa4|114}} They joined the others at the winehouse for a few hours before going to find Dalinar to discuss their future. Syl encouraged Kaladin to ask Dalinar for permission to keep doing his work with those with mental illnesses. After granting it, Dalinar revealed to them their new time limit regarding the contest of champions. Alarmed to hear that they only had ten days, Kaladin and Syl agreed to travel to [[Shinovar]] to help [[Ishar]] recover from his madness enough to help Dalinar learn about his [[Bondsmith]] abilities. Dalinar gave Kaladin [[Hoid|Wit's]] [[trailman's flute|flute]] at the conclusion of the meeting and explained how Lift had found it. Intrigued, the two of them went to the merchant shop to sort through the bins of salvage. To his absolute astonishment, Kaladin found the carved horse that [[Tien]] had just given him in his vision. He explained disjointedly to Syl about the impossibility of it showing up there, and then gathered himself enough to go to the group session he had promised to attend.{{book ref|sa4|116}}
== Relationships ==
{{image|Kal Syl.jpg|side=left|width=300px}}
=== Kaladin ===
{{quote
|It is my solemn and important duty to bring '''happiness''', '''light''', and '''joy''' into your world when you're being a dour idiot.
|Syl
}}
Syl first begins watching [[Kaladin]] during his time in [[Meridas Amaram|Amaram's]] army.{{book ref|sa1|9}} As she follows him during his slavery and to the [[Shattered Plains]], she develops more and more awareness.{{book ref|sa1|14}} She shows her care for Kaladin early on, both when she stands before him when he is strung up in the [[highstorm]] and when she brings him [[blackbane]] leaves and talks him out of jumping at the [[Honor Chasm]].{{book ref|sa1|35}}{{book ref|sa1|11}} The two of them form a [[Nahel bond]], and Kaladin finally says the words to become a [[Windrunner]] of the Second Ideal at the [[Battle of the Tower]] after Syl convinces him that it is the right choice to go back for the Kholin troops.{{book ref|sa1|67}}
Kaladin's sense of honor becomes confused for a time when [[Moash]] talks to him about helping assassinate [[Elhokar]]. This causes Syl to regress closer and closer to her state like a [[windspren]] and eventually "kills" her.{{book ref|sa2|68}}{{book ref|sa2|74}} When Kaladin confronts Moash with the intent of keeping him from the king, however, Syl is able to make her way back to Kaladin. They restore their bond by swearing the Third Ideal.{{book ref|sa2|84}} After this experience, the two think more deeply about what makes killing right and discuss how the ethics of that question relates to their bond.{{book ref|sa3|31}}
Because she wants Kaladin to be happy, Syl begins talking to him about relationships. She sees that Kaladin enjoys being around [[Shallan]], so she tries to encourage him in that direction even though Shallan is spoken for.{{book ref|sa3|10}} This idea does not pan out, as Shallan definitively chooses [[Adolin]] during the time of the [[Battle of Thaylen Field]].{{book ref|sa3|121}} However, Syl only consults Adolin for advice next, and together they convince Kaladin to date [[Lyn]] for a time; this relationship doesn't work out either.{{book ref|sa4|38}}{{book ref|sa4|2}}
Seeing that Kaladin's mood continues to worsen, Syl tries to talk to him about it but is rebuffed.{{book ref|sa4|2}} The problem is exacerbated when [[Dalinar]] informs Kaladin of his decision to retire him from active duty. Kal crashes, and Syl goes to the only person she knows of who can pull him out of such a state: Adolin.{{book ref|sa4|12}} Perplexed and desperately wanting to help Kaladin, Syl goes to Dalinar and asks him if there is anything he can do to help her understand Kal's emotions. Somehow in this encounter Dalinar [[Connection|Connects]] Syl to her past and she begins to remember and to grieve over [[Relador]].{{book ref|sa4|i|1}}{{book ref|sa4|63}} Kaladin notices her gloomy moods, and they have the opportunity to talk more freely about how to deal with such times, Syl with more empathy and experience than ever before.{{book ref|sa4|42}}{{book ref|sa4|63}}{{book ref|sa4|114}}
=== The Stormfather ===
{{quote
|You do not exist for [the humans]. You exist for you. You exist to choose.
|
}}
Syl is one of the the first [[honorspren]] the [[Stormfather]] created rather than [[Honor]]. Because she is the only one to survive the [[Recreance]], he feels very protective of her.{{book ref|sa3|108}} The Stormfather commands her return and either approves of or instigates a bounty after Syl sneaks away to bond Kaladin. This changes with time, however, as he both accepts their bond and bonds a human himself.{{book ref|sa3|102}}{{book ref|sa4|30}}
=== Relador ===
{{quote
|He went to fight, despite his age. He shouldn't have, and when he was killed, it hurt.
|Syl
}}
[[Relador]] is the first man Syl bonded as a [[Windrunner]].{{book ref|sa4|i|1}} He died shortly before the events of the [[Recreance]], sending Syl into a catatonic state. Because of this, she avoided the fate of the majority of her kinsmen, who became [[deadeye]]s.{{book ref|sa4|87}} When [[Dalinar]] [[Connection|Connects]] her to her past, Syl begins experiencing grief over this loss. This helps her understand Kaladin better.{{book ref|sa4|63}}
== Trivia ==
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