Editing Dalinar's elites

{{group
|leader=[[Dalinar Kholin]]
|type={{cat tag|Kholin army}} unit
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
{{quote
| They weren't an honor guard. Dalinar didn’t need '''guards'''. These were simply the men he considered competent enough not to embarrass him.
| Younger Dalinar on his elites{{book ref|sa3|3}}
}}
'''Dalinar's elites''' are a unit of soldiers specially trained and trusted by [[Dalinar Kholin]].{{book ref|sa3|3}}

== Structure == 
The unit is comprised of both [[lighteyes]] and [[darkeyes]], with no regard for social rank between them. Rather, they're promoted based on competence. The recruits can come from strangest of places, including the enemy forces.{{book ref|sa3|3}} They are marked by a distinctive armband.{{book ref|sa3|26}} Rather than guards, but serve as additional manpower to support the Blackthorn when one man is not enough to affect the course of battle.{{book ref|sa3|3}} In fact, they typically have an order to stay out of his way.{{book ref|sa3|26}}

The composition of the elites is mixed, to make them as flexible as possible. They include spearmen, swordsmen, horseback riders and archers, as well as support personnel like cooks.{{book ref|sa3|49}}{{book ref|sa3|3}}{{book ref|sa3|75}} They are structured like any other military unit, with several captains answering directly to Dalinar.{{book ref|sa3|5}} In later years, they begin to receive specific training focused on improving their stamina; Dalinar eventually claims that they could outrun any other army. However, the soldiers trained in this way don't wear armor, foregoing protection for mobility.{{book ref|sa3|75}}

Though their precise number fluctuates, generally, there are over a hundred members.{{book ref|sa3|71}} However, as Dalinar tends to go where the fight's the thickest, they tend to suffer tremendous losses both at the hands of the enemy and their own highprince when he's in throes of the [[Thrill]].{{book ref|sa3|5}}{{book ref|sa3|26}}

Despite this, the elites seem to have a good rapport with their commander. Dalinar has wrestled all of them, including the cook, and several of them remain friends with him even in times of peace. Moreover, those who survive the fighting have a high chance of rising in rank and status. Distinguished members can gain rank, and a high commission.{{book ref|sa3|49}}

== History ==
The elites have been with Dalinar since his early days of conquering [[Alethkar]]{{book ref|sa3|3}} Although their activity is suspended for some time after the country is tentatively unified, they are recalled into service when Dalinar is sent to war against [[Herdaz]], and continued to serve at least up to the second battle of the [[Rift]].{{book ref|sa3|49}}{{book ref|sa3|76}} By the time of king [[Gavilar]]'s death, they have been disbanded.{{book ref|sa3|105}} Nonetheless, several former members remain close to Dalinar even years after -- [[Kadash]] is one of his [[ardent]]s, and [[Teleb]] remains an officer in the Kholin army.{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa1|26}}

==Known Members==
{{for|:Category: Dalinar's elites}}
{{columns|
*[[Kadash]]
*[[Teleb]]
*[[Thakka]]
*[[Horinar]]
*[[Rien]]
*[[Jenin]]
*[[Febin]]
}}

== Notes ==
<references /><!-- sa3: 3, 11, 16, 26, 49, 71, 75, 76, 105  -->
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[[category:possessive articles]]