Difference between revisions of "Dalinar Kholin"

|children=[[Adolin]], [[Renarin]], [[Shallan Davar]] (Daughter-in-law)

|relatives=[[Jasnah]], [[Elhokar]], [[Gavinor]], [[Kaves]], [[House Davar]]

|'residence={{tag|Kholinar|cat=Residents of Kholinar}} <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag|Shattered_Plains#Warcamps|text=The Alethi warcamps|cat=Residents of the Alethi warcamps}} <small>(formerly)</small>, {{tag|Urithiru|cat=Residents of Urithiru}}

|booksfirst appeared=[[The StormlightWay of ArchiveKings]]

Dalinar is an aging, but powerfully-built man in his fifties, with a warrior's face which he keeps clean-shaven.{{book ref|sa3|107}} He has black hair that is gray in the temples, and blue eyes.{{book ref|sa1|12}} He is often described as the opposite of handsome, with numerous bruises and an "unfortunate" face. His nose was broken at some point during his youth, and it has been crooked ever since.{{book ref|sa2|38}} He has numerous old scars on his chest and arms, a remnant of hundreds of battles fought, to the extent where doctors are worried about his ability to use his sword arm.{{book ref|sa2|83}} When he ownsacquired Shardplate, he chooseschose to wearleave it asunpainted, anwhich unpaintedgave it a slate grey color,. withoutHe also removed any unnecessary decoration or adornment from his plate.{{book ref|sa1|12}} He wears a sapphire signet ring with his house's glyphpair on it.{{book ref|sa1|26}}

As an extension of this, like his brother, he has a tendency to treat people, even those he loves, like tools.{{wob ref|12619}} He tends to believe that he knows what is best for people, and through this, can get rather commanding and controlling. An example of this controlling nature can be seen in how he forces Kaladin to retire as a soldier as he felt that it was best for him given his increasing trauma, refusing to take no for an answer.{{book ref|sa4|10}} It can also be seen in how he believes that some people, such as various Alethi Highprinces, need to be forced into doing what is right, that they cannot be trusted to make their own decisions.{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{book ref|sa4|50}} His complete opposition to the concept of democracy is likely a reflection of this controlling nature of his, his distrust of other people to make the right decisions or get things done, and in his views on what the role of a leader is in society.{{wob ref|11298}}{{book ref|sa1|69}}{{book ref|sa4|50}} This nature of his can be found rooted in the Way of Kings, that which he bases his morality upon.{{book ref|sa1|12}}{{book ref|sa3|105}} It teaches that a monarch, or any ruler, provides stability and strength to his people, that he and his orders are the firm foundation upon which society stands.{{book ref|sa1|28}}{{book ref|sa2|38}} This book was the foundation upon which he built his new self and worldview, thus it stands to reason that his controlling nature is rooted in his interpretation of the teachings of the book.{{book ref|sa1|12}}{{book ref|sa3|105}}{{book ref|sa3|115}}

Dalinar is the head of the Kholin household, and as such holds authority over all other members of his family. His nephew, [[Elhokar]], isand anElhokar’s exceptionson [[Gavinor]] are exceptions, as Elhokarthey isare in the royal line and thus above and outside Dalinar's authority. The Kholin family is made up of his sons [[Adolin]] and [[Renarin]], his sister-in-law-turned-wife [[Navani]], and his niece [[Jasnah]]. Besides these members Dalinar has a large extended family, but it is unknown how much authority he has over them.{{book ref|SA3|67}} As the Kholin highprince, Dalinar owns all of the land belonging to the Kholinhis princedom.

Like all Surgebinders, Dalinar can draw or breathe in [[Stormlight]], which gives him superhuman strength, speed, and healing capabilities. As a [[Bondsmith]], Dalinar can bind inanimate objects, allowing him to restore broken things from pieces to their original shape. The ability seems to manifest as Dalinar hearing the broken pieces talk to him, though it's uncertain whether this happens every time.{{book ref|sa3|59}}

Dalinar was born in about {{Rosharan date|1120}},{{wob ref|5569}} the second son to the Kholin princedom in Alethkar. His mother died when he was young and he was primarily raised by a parshman nurse.{{wob ref|11297}}{{book ref|sa1|26}} Dalinar got along better with his grandparents than his father, who died at some point prior to 1141.{{wob ref|15942}} In his youth, Dalinar deeply respected his elder brother [[Gavilar Kholin|Gavilar]], and although envious of him at times,{{book ref|sa1|18}} he followsfollowed his brother into a war to unite Alethkar under the Kholin banner. Dalinar tried women’s food as a boy, but he found it distastefully sweet. Sometime during his youth, Dalinar visited [[Sela Tales]] and the [[Purelake]].{{book ref|sa1|22}}

In his youth, Dalinar had feelings for [[Navani]], but he realized that Gavilar was also interested in her. For Gavilar's sake, he stepsstepped aside. Later, Navani admitted to having an interest in Dalinar during this time, but since Gavilar was the one who chased her, she chose to accept his proposal.

AfterThe fiveday morebefore Dalinar’s wedding Sadeas organised a feast in his name, Dalinar would remember this feast with fondness.{{book ref|sa2|2}} Sometime later, five years after his fight with Kalanor, the war had officially ended, butalthough the fighting hadn't.didn’t, and Evi wasgot pregnant with their first child,. butEven though the couple loved eachother, their relationship was strained by Dalinar's willingness to kill and Evi's horror at it. Gavilar received a demand from [[Rathalas]], telling Dalinar to return the Blade to their heir. Though Gavilar was upset that Dalinar didn't deal with the Tanalan heir, Evi was happy to find out that Dalinar had spared the Tanalan boy so many years ago. Dalinar was happy both to have pleased Evi and also at the news of a Rift rebellion, for if they were going to rebel, he would have the opportunity to fight.{{book ref|sa3|36}}

The Thrill didn't let Dalinar sleep until the assault on the city of Rathalas. A group of messengers from the city came out with a flag of truce, but Dalinar ordered them shot dead before they cancould approach the camp. Dalinar ordered the attack to take place at night. With the oil that he had ordered Soulcast, Dalinar, Sadeas, and their combined forces began to burn Rathalas. Only when much of the Rift is up in flames did Dalinar order his forces in. All the while Dalinar made a genuine attempt to hold the Thrill at bay, knowing that enjoying this act of revenge would take away the last sliver of decency he had left.

Afterward, having retired to a smaller room with Navani, Taravangian, and some others, they received Azir's response to his plea which Teshav read aloud. The Azish said that they had decided to seal off the Oathgate until they could destroy it. They explained that a magical portal into the middle of their city was too large a danger to allow to stand. They said that they would maintain trade relations with Alethkar but asked that Dalinar stop asking them to open the Oathgate.{{book ref|sa3|28}}

Odium stumbled back in surprise as he heard what Dalinar had said. Dalinar shouted at Odium that ''he'' had been the one to kill the people of Rathalas, not Odium. He said that while Odium had been there with him it had been ''his'' choice that caused Evi to die. He said that he accepted responsibility for what he had done and that Odium could not take it away from him. As Dalinar shouted at Odium he noticed that gloryspren were gathering around him and circling him in the air. Odium asked Dalinar what he hoped to gain by doing this. Dalinar replied that if he pretended that he had not done the things he had done it would mean that he could not grow to become a better person. Dalinar felt a familiar warm calming litelight within him and he heard the words ''Unite Them'' echoing in his head. Dalinar said that a journey cannot be a journey if it does not have a beginning. A thunderclap sounded in his head and he felt the Stormfather return to him, surprised and frightened by what was happening. Dalinar then swore the Third [[Immortal Words|Ideal]] of the [[Bondsmith]]s:{{book ref|sa3|119}}

Though he neglected both of his sons at first, Dalinar soon begins to love Adolin dearly. Adolin has always been a born fighter, and as a young boy would participate in Dalniar’s meetings to learn, and Dalinar enjoyed having him around. Dalinar grooms Adolin as his eventual successor, drillingBetween the Codesburning intoof him from his youth. They fight side by side on multiple occasions,Rathalas and relyshortly onafter eachthe other.discovery When Dalinar starts having visions fromof the StormfatherParshendi, Adolinhe initiallydespised doubtsAdolin him,due butto soonhow believeshe hisreminded father and becomes onehim of hisEvi.{{book strongest supporters.ref|sa3|94}}

From the start, Dalinar usually paid much less attention to Renarin than to Adolin, since because of Renarin’s condition he couldn’t ever be a good fighter.{{book ref|sa3|94}} Dalinar often suggests to Renarin that he become a scholar or an [[ardent]]. LaterBetween on,the Dalinarburning growsof more lovingRathalas and supportive,shortly andafter isthe encouragingdiscovery toof his son. Dalinar gives Renarin plate andthe bladeParshendi, wanting him to be able to defend himself if the need arises.he Afterdespised Renarin becomes a Radiant, Dalinar learnsdue to see his healing abilities as invaluable, and sees that Renarin is indeed strong, though in a different way thanhow he hadreminded thought. Dalinar feels shame for his treatmenthim of Renarin, and soon treats him with respectEvi.{{book ref|sa3|1294}}{{book ref|sa3|44}}

He deeply loved and respected his brother, enough so that he refused to allow criticism of him,{{book ref|sa1|61}} and introduced him to people that he felt that he should know.{{book ref|sa1|64}} While he did deeply respect him, he did feel anger at how, in his eyes, he took Navani from him; once he was angered enough to consider killing Gavilar so that he could be with her, though he did not go through with the attempt.{{book ref|sa3|26}} HisHe deathloved lefthim, but at the same time felt a deep and bitter jealousy towards him, deeplyand shakenhe always felt, and still feels, overshadowed by him.{{book ref|sa3sa1|10518}}

Gavilar's death left him deeply shaken.{{book ref|sa3|105}} He blamed himself for his death, feeling that if he followed the Alethi Codes of War he would have been able to be there to protect him.{{book ref|sa1|12}} This guilt was a large motivator in him choosing to finally go to the Nightwatcher, and helped spark his change into a better person.{{book ref|sa3|105}} One of his motivators in being so protective of Elhokar, and trying so hard to guide him to become a better king, is rooted in his guilt, and in him seeing Elhokar as a remaining piece of his brother.{{book ref|sa1|15}}

=== WitTorol Sadeas ===

=== Meridas Amaram ===

=== Kaladin Stormblessed ===

=== SadeasShallan Davar ===