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{{Copyright}}
==Death
{{for|Death Rattle|more information and a complete list of observed Death Rattles}}
Over the course of ''The Way of Kings'', we see a number of characters exclaim odd, non-sequitur phrases moments before they die. The phrases are completely out of character for them and seem to be somewhat prophetic. The epigraphs for the chapters in Part 1 and Part 4 are a collection of these [[Death Rattle]]s that were collected by the [[Silent Gatherer]]s. The Death Rattles are an effect of [[Moelach]], one of the [[Unmade]].{{epigraph ref|sa2|82}}
{| class="infobox sortable"
|- class=title
! Chapter !! Death Quote !! Source !! Seconds Before Death !! Date
|-
! Prologue{{anchor|Prologue}}
|
|Collected on the first day of the week Palah of the month Shash of the year 1171, thirty-one seconds before death. Subject was a darkeyed pregnant woman of middle years. The child did not survive.
|31
| data-sort-value="1171 6 5 1" | {{Rosharan date|1171|6|5|1}}
|-
! 1{{anchor|Chapter 1}}
|
|Collected on the fifth day of the week Chach of the month Betab of the year 1171, ten seconds before death. Subject was a darkeyed soldier thirty-one years of age. Sample is considered questionable.
|10
| data-sort-value="1171 7 3 5" | {{Rosharan date|1171|7|3|5}}
|-
!2{{anchor|Chapter 2}}
|
|Collected on the second day of Kakash, year 1171, five seconds before death. Subject was a lighteyed woman in her third decade.
|5
| data-sort-value="1171 8 6 2" | {{Rosharan date|1171|8|6|2}}
|-
!3{{anchor|Chapter 3}}
|
|Collected on the 4th of Tanates, year 1171, thirty seconds before death. Subject was a cobbler of some renown.
|30
| data-sort-value="1171 9 1 4" | {{Rosharan date|1171|9|1|4}}
|-
!4{{anchor|Chapter 4}}
|
|Collected on the 3rd of Jesnan, 1172, 11 seconds pre-death. Subject was a Reshi chull trainer. Sample is of particular note.
|11
| data-sort-value="1172 1 2 3" | {{Rosharan date|1172|1|2|3}}
|-
!5{{anchor|Chapter 5}}
|
|Collected on the 1st of Nanes, 1172, 15 seconds pre-death. Subject was a darkeyed youth of unknown origin.
|15
| data-sort-value="1172 2 1 1" | {{Rosharan date|1172|2|1|1}}
|-
!6{{anchor|Chapter 6}}
|
|Collected on Vevishes, 1172, 32 seconds pre-death. Subject was a lighteyed female child, approximately six years old.
|32
| data-sort-value="1172 4 10 1" | {{Rosharan date|1172|4|10|1}}
|-
!7{{anchor|Chapter 7}}
|
|Collected on Palahishev, 1172, 21 seconds pre-death. Subject was a
|21
| data-sort-value="1172 5 10 4" | {{date/sa|year=1172|month=5|week=10|day=4}}
|-
!8{{anchor|Chapter 8}}
|
|Collected on Ishashan, 1172, 18 seconds pre-death. Subject was a lighteyed spinster of the eighth dahn.
|18
| data-sort-value="1172 10 6 2" | {{date/sa|year=1172|month=10|week=6|day=2}}
|-
!9{{anchor|Chapter 9}}
|
|Collected: Jesachev, 1173, 12 seconds pre-death. Subject: one of our own ardents, overheard during his last moments.
|12
| data-sort-value="1173 1 3 4" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=1|week=3|day=4}}
|-
!11{{anchor|Chapter 11}}
|
|Collected: Chachanan, 1173, 84 seconds pre-death. Subject: a cutpurse with the wasting sickness, of partial Iriali descent.
|84
| data-sort-value="1173 3 2 2" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=3|week=2|day=2}}
|-
!52{{anchor|Chapter 52}}
|"I'm standing over the body of a brother. I'm weeping. Is that his blood or mine? What have we done?"
|Dated Vevanev, 1173, 107 seconds pre-death. Subject: an out-of-work Veden sailor.
|107
| data-sort-value="1173 4 2 4" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=4|week=2|day=4}}
|-
!53{{anchor|Chapter 53}}
|
|Dated Vevahach, 1173, 8 seconds pre-death. Subject: a prostitute.
|8
| data-sort-value="1173 4 5 3" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=4|week=5|day=3}}
|-
!54{{anchor|Chapter 54}}
|
|Dated Palaheses, 1173, unknown seconds pre-death. Subject: a wealthy lighteyes. Sample collected secondhand.
|?
| data-sort-value="1173 5 1 1" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=5|week=1|day=1}}
|-
!55{{anchor|Chapter 55}}
|
|Dated Palahevan, 1173, 73 seconds pre-death. Subject: a beggar of some renown, known for his elegant songs.
|73
| data-sort-value="1173 5 4 2" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=5|week=4|day=2}}
|-
!56{{anchor|Chapter 56}}
|
|Dated Palahakev, 1173, 16 seconds pre-death. Subject: a Thaylen sailor.
|16
| data-sort-value="1173 5 8 4" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=5|week=8|day=4}}
|-
!57{{anchor|Chapter 57}}
|
|Dated Shashanan, 1173, 23 seconds pre-death. Subject: a darkeyed youth of sixteen years. Sample is of particular note.
|23
| data-sort-value="1173 6 2 2" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=6|week=2|day=2}}
|-
!58{{anchor|Chapter 58}}
|"Re-Shephir, the Midnight Mother, giving birth to abominations with her essence so dark, so terrible, so consuming. She is here! She watches me die!"
|Dated Shashabev, 1173, 8 seconds pre-death. Subject: a darkeyed dock-worker in his forties, father of three.
|8
| data-sort-value="1173 6 7 4" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=6|week=7|day=4}}
|-
!59{{anchor|Chapter 59}}
|
|Dated Betabanan, 1173, 45 seconds pre-death. Subject: a lighteyed child of five years. Diction improved remarkably when giving sample.
|45
| data-sort-value="1173 7 2 2" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=7|week=2|day=2}}
|-
!60{{anchor|Chapter 60}}
|
|Dated Betabanes, 1173, 95 seconds pre-death. Subject: a scholar of some minor renown. Sample collected secondhand. Considered questionable.
|95
| data-sort-value="1173 7 2 1" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=7|week=2|day=1}}
|-
!61{{anchor|Chapter 61}}
|
|Dated Kakanev, 1173, 13 seconds pre-death. Subject was a city guardsman.
|13
| data-sort-value="1173 8 2 4" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=8|week=2|day=4}}
|-
!62{{anchor|Chapter 62}}
|
|Kakevah 1173, 22 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed Selay man of unknown profession.
|22
| data-sort-value="1173 8 4 5" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=8|week=4|day=5}}
|-
!63{{anchor|Chapter 63}}
|
|Kakashah 1173, 142 seconds pre-death. A Shin sailor, left behind by his crew, reportedly for bringing them ill luck. Sample largely useless.
|142
| data-sort-value="1173 8 6 5" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=8|week=6|day=5}}
|-
!64{{anchor|Chapter 64}}
|
|Kakashah 1173, 13 seconds pre-death. A rickshaw puller.
|13
| data-sort-value="1173 8 6 5" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=8|week=6|day=5}}
|-
!65{{anchor|Chapter 65}}
|
|Kakakes 1173, 8 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed young woman of fifteen. Subject was reportedly mentally unstable since childhood.
|8
| data-sort-value="1173 8 8 1" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=8|week=8|day=1}}
|-
!66{{anchor|Chapter 66}}
|
|Kaktach 1173, 16 seconds pre-death. A middle-aged potter. Reported seeing strange dreams during highstorms during the last two years.
|16
| data-sort-value="1173 8 9 3" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=8|week=9|day=3}}
|-
!67{{anchor|Chapter 67}}
|
|Tanatesach 1173, 28 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed female street juggler. Note similarity to sample 1172-89.
|28
| data-sort-value="1173 9 1 3" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=9|week=1|day=3}}
|-
!68{{anchor|Chapter 68}}
|
|Tanatanes 1173, 8 seconds pre-death. An Azish itinerant worker. Sample of particular note.
|8
| data-sort-value="1173 9 2 1" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=9|week=2|day=1}}
|-
!69{{anchor|Chapter 69}}
|
|Tanatanev 1173, 18 seconds pre-death. A darkeyed mother of four in her sixty-second year.
|
| data-sort-value="1173 9 2 4" | {{date/sa|year=1173|month=9|week=2|day=4}}
|-
!Endnote
|
|An illiterate Herdazian.
|?
|}
==The Letter==
The epigraphs for the chapters in Part 2 are a [[Letters|letter]] written by [[Hoid]] to [[Frost]],{{wob ref|2682}} begging him to help in the fight against [[Odium]]. The letter reveals information about the history of the [[cosmere]], the [[Shard]]s of [[Adonalsium]], and Hoid and Frost themselves, while also making clear that Odium is a threat not just to [[Roshar]], but to the cosmere at large. A reply from Frost to Hoid appears in the [[Words of Radiance/Epigraphs#The Second Letter|''Words of Radiance'' epigraphs]].{{wob ref|5301}}
{| class="infobox sortable"
! class=title | Chapter
! class=title |
|-
!12{{anchor|Chapter 12}}
|Old friend, I hope this missive finds you well. Though, as you are now essentially immortal, I would guess that wellness on your part is something of a given.
|-
!13{{anchor|Chapter 13}}
|I realize that you are probably still angry. That is pleasant to know. Much as your perpetual health, I have come to rely upon your dissatisfaction with me. It is one of the cosmere's great constants, I should think.
|-
!14{{anchor|Chapter 14}}
|Let me first assure you that the element is quite safe. I have found a good home for it. I protect its safety like I protect my own skin, you might say.
|-
!15{{anchor|Chapter 15}}
|You do not agree with my quest. I understand that, so much as it is possible to understand someone with whom I disagree so completely.
|-
!17{{anchor|Chapter 17}}
|Might I be quite frank? Before, you asked why I was so concerned. It is for the following reason:
|-
!18{{anchor|Chapter 18}}
|[[Ati]] was once a kind and generous man, and you saw what became of him. [[Rayse]], on the other hand, was among the most loathsome, crafty, and dangerous individuals I had ever met.
|-
!19{{anchor|Chapter 19}}
|He holds the most frightening and terrible of all the Shards. Ponder on that for a time, you old reptile, and tell me if your insistence on nonintervention holds firm. Because I assure you, Rayse will not be similarly inhibited.
|-
!21{{anchor|Chapter 21}}
|One need only look at the aftermath of his brief visit to [[Sel]] to see proof of what I say.
|-
!22{{anchor|Chapter 22}}
|In case you have turned a blind eye to that disaster, know that [[Aona]] and [[Skai]] are both dead, and that which they held has been Splintered. Presumably to prevent anyone from rising up to challenge Rayse.
|-
!23{{anchor|Chapter 23}}
|You have accused me of arrogance in my quest. You have accused me of perpetuating my grudge against Rayse and [[Bavadin]]. Both accusations are true.
|-
!24{{anchor|Chapter 24}}
|Neither point makes the things I have written to you untrue.
|-
!26{{anchor|Chapter 26}}
|I am being chased. Your friends of the [[Seventeenth Shard]], I suspect. I believe they're still lost, following a false trail I left for them. They'll be happier that way. I doubt they have any inkling what to do with me should they actually catch me.
|-
!27{{anchor|Chapter 27}}
|If anything I have said makes a glimmer of sense to you, I trust that you'll call them off. Or maybe you could astound me and ask them to do something productive for once.
|-
!28{{anchor|Chapter 28}}
|For I have never been dedicated to a more important purpose, and the very pillars of the sky will shake with the results of our war here. I ask again. Support me. Do not stand aside and let disaster consume more lives. I've never begged you for something before, old friend.
I do so now.
|}
==
Since [[Gavilar]]'s assassination, [[Jasnah Kholin]] has dedicated a large portion of her time to finding out as much information as she can about the [[Voidbringer]]s and the city of [[Urithiru]]; this research appears to have been prompted by seeing [[Szeth]]'s [[Surgebinding]] on the night of Gavilar's death and her own developing [[Nahel bond]] with [[Ivory]].{{book ref|sa2|prologue}} The epigraphs for the chapters in Part 3 are excerpts from [[Jasnah's notebook|her notebook]] that lead her to believe the parshmen are descended from Voidbringers.
{| class=infobox
! class=title | Chapter
! class=title |
! class=title | Source
|-
!29{{anchor|Chapter 29}}
|"The ones of ash and fire, who killed like a swarm, relentless before the Heralds."
|Noted in Masly, page 337. Corroborated by Coldwin and Hasavah.
|-
!30{{anchor|Chapter 30}}
|"They were suddenly dangerous. Like a calm day that became a tempest."
|This fragment is the origin of a Thaylen proverb that was eventually reworked into a more common derivation. I believe it may reference the Voidbringers. See Ixsix's Emperor, fourth chapter.
|-
!32{{anchor|Chapter 32}}
|"They lived high atop a place no man could reach, but all could visit. The tower city itself, crafted by the hands of no man."
|Though [[The Song of the Last Summer]] is a fanciful tale of romance from the third century after the Recreance, it is likely a valid reference in this case. See page 27 of Varala's translation, and note the undertext.
|-
!33{{anchor|Chapter 33}}
|"They changed, even as we fought them. Like shadows they were, that can transform as the flame dances. Never underestimate them because of what you first see."
|Purports to be a scrap collected from Talatin, a Radiant of the Order of Stonewards. The source—Guvlow's Incarnate—is generally held as reliable, though this is from a copied fragment of "The Poem of the Seventh Morning," which has been lost.
|-
!34{{anchor|Chapter 34}}
|"I walked from Abamabar to Urithiru."
|This quote from the Eighth Parable of The Way of Kings seems to contradict Varala and Sinbian, who both claim the city was inaccessible by foot. Perhaps there was a way constructed, or perhaps Nohadon was being metaphorical.
|-
!35{{anchor|Chapter 35}}
|"Though many wished Urithiru to be built in Alethela, it was obvious that it could not be. And so it was that we asked for it to be placed westward, in the place nearest to Honor."
|Perhaps the oldest surviving original source mentioning the city, requoted in The Vavibrar, line 1804. What I wouldn't give for a way to translate the Dawnchant.
|-
!36{{anchor|Chapter 36}}
|"Taking the Dawnshard, known to bind any creature voidish or mortal, he crawled up the steps crafted for Heralds, ten strides tall apiece, toward the grand temple above."
|From The Poem of Ista. I have found no modern explanation of what these "Dawnshards" are. They seem ignored by scholars, though talk of them was obviously prevalent among those recording the early mythologies.
|-
!38{{anchor|Chapter 38}}
|"Born from the darkness, they bear its taint still, marked upon their bodies much as the fire marks their souls."
|I consider Gashash-son-Navammis a trustworthy source, though I'm not certain about this translation. Find the original quote in the fourteenth book of ''Seld'' and retranslate it myself, perhaps?
|-
!39{{anchor|Chapter 39}}
|"Within a heartbeat, Alezarv was there, crossing a distance that would have taken more than four months to travel by foot."
|Another folktale, this one recorded in Among the Darkeyed, by Calinam. Page 102. Stories of instantaneous travel and the Oathgates pervade these tales.
|-
!
|"Death upon the lips. Sound upon the air. Char upon the skin."
|From "The Last Desolation" by Ambrian, line 335.
|-
!42{{anchor|Chapter 42}}
|"Like a highstorm, regular in their coming, yet always unexpected."
|The word Desolation is used twice in reference to their appearances. See pages 57, 59, and 64 of Tales by Hearthlight.
|-
!43{{anchor|Chapter 43}}
|"They lived out in the wilds, always awaiting the Desolation—or sometimes, a foolish child who took no heed of the night's darkness."
|A child's tale, yes, but this quote from Shadows Remembered seems to hint at the truth I seek. See page 82, the fourth tale.
|-
!45{{anchor|Chapter 45}}
|"Yelig-nar, called Blightwind, was one that could speak like a man, though often his voice was accompanied by the wails of those he consumed."
|The Unmade were obviously fabrications of folklore. Curiously, most were not considered individuals, but instead personifications of kinds of destruction. This quote is from Traxil, line 33, considered a primary source, though I doubt its authenticity.
|-
!46{{anchor|Chapter 46}}
|"Though I was due for dinner in Veden City that night, I insisted upon visiting Kholinar to speak with Tivbet. The tariffs through Urithiru were growing quite unreasonable. By then, the so-called Radiants had already begun to show their true nature."
|Following the firing of the original Palanaeum, only one page of Terxim's autobiography remained, and this is the only line of any use to me.
|-
!48{{anchor|Chapter 48}}
|"They take away the light, wherever they lurk. Skin that is burned."
|Cormshen, page 104.
|-
!49{{anchor|Chapter 49}}
|"Radiant / of birthplace / the announcer comes / to come announce / the birthplace of Radiants."
|Though I am not overly fond of the [[ketek]] poetic form as a means of conveying information, this one by Allahn is often quoted in reference to Urithiru. I believe some mistook the home of the Radiants for their birthplace.
|-
!50{{anchor|Chapter 50}}
|"Flame and char. Skin so terrible. Eyes like pits of blackness."
|A quote from the Iviad probably needs no reference notation, but this comes from line 482, should I need to locate it quickly.
|}
== Notes ==
<references />
{{meta/partial}}
[[Category: Stormlight Archive|*]]
[[Category: Epigraphs|sa1]]
[[category: meta]]
|