Adolin Kholin

Also known as Adolin, Brightlord Adolin, Prince Adolin

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 16

Adolin Kholin is the dashing Shardbearer heir of Highprince Dalinar in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).

Gender: male
Age: 23
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 16
Books: 2

Adolin Kholin begins the series as the dashing Shardbearer heir of Highprince Dalinar, a celebrated duelist and serial courter whose loyalty to his father is tested by Dalinar's visions and devotion to the Codes, and by the treachery of Torol Sadeas. Through battle, investigation, and a grudging bond with the bridgeman Kaladin, he grows into a capable leader who comes to see his father's principles as strength rather than weakness. By Rhythm of War he is Shallan Davar's devoted husband and Kaladin's steadfast friend, and he leads a diplomatic mission into Shadesmar, where he willingly stands trial before the honorspren. There his compassionate treatment of his deadeye Shardblade Maya helps her speak again, overturning ancient assumptions about human betrayal of the spren.

Description

A young man with blond hair mixed with black, usually unruly or disheveled, blue eyes, and a handsome, proud youthful face. He is shorter than Dalinar and wears blue Shardplate, painted in deep Kholin blue, with ornamented helm and pauldrons; in battle the armor may be cracked, scraped, leaking Stormlight, and the helm may be shattered or replaced by a spearman’s cap. A young man wearing a stiff uniform.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Dalinar Kholinconflicting source relationships
Adolin's father and mentor. In Book 1 Adolin worries about Dalinar's visions and strict adherence to the Codes, even as Dalinar grooms him for leadership; he comes to see his father's discipline as principled. By Book 4 Dalinar is his model of command, and Adolin defends him against the honorspren's accusations.
Gavilar Kholinconflicting source relationships
His late uncle, whose unresolved assassination shapes the family's politics in Book 1; the young Adolin also appears at Gavilar's palace feast in Book 4.
Navani Kholinconflicting source relationships
Called his aunt in Book 1, where she demonstrates her pain-dampening fabrial on his injured hand. By Book 4 she has married Dalinar and is his stepmother, relieved to know him safe from the invasion.
Shallan Davarconflicting source relationships
In Book 1 she is only a hinted prospective match for a highprince's son. By Book 4 she is his wife. He worries for her mental health, relates warmly to her personas Veil and Radiant, and partners with her on missions.
RK
Renarin Kholinbrother
His younger brother, whom Adolin consistently protects. They share concern for their father in Book 1, and Book 4 recalls Adolin turning against his first crush, Idani, after she mocked Renarin.
G
Gallantconflicting source relationships
Dalinar's Ryshadium rides alongside Adolin's own horse, Sureblood, in Book 1. By Book 4, after months in Adolin's care, Gallant has bonded with him.
Kaladinconflicting source relationships
Begins as a bitter rivalry over Kaladin's refusal to take orders and his takeover during battle, tempered by mutual rescue. By Book 4 it has become deep friendship, with Adolin patiently supporting Kaladin through his depression.
N
Notumformer ally
A former honorspren ally from Shadesmar who testifies against Adolin, then abruptly proclaims that Honor lives in human hearts.
B
Blendedconflicting source relationships
An inkspren who distrusts humans yet tutors Adolin for his trial and testifies as a hostile witness. After Maya speaks, she accepts that the old account of human betrayal is incomplete.
K
Kalakconflicting source relationships
The weary Herald who presides as High Judge over Adolin's trial, initially treating it as a sham. Shallan later persuades him to reconsider the case.
M
Mayalaranconflicting source relationships
His deadeye Shardblade, whom Adolin treats as a person rather than a weapon. Their shared kata and his care help her recover enough to testify at his trial.
Torol Sadeasconflicting source relationships
A political rival Adolin distrusts throughout Book 1; Sadeas's betrayal at the Tower confirms his suspicions. In Book 4 the enmity carries over to Ialai Sadeas, whom Adolin captures.

Story so far

BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Investigates the suspiciously sliced saddle strap that endangered King Elhokar during the chasmfiend hunt, consulting the leatherworkers Avaran and Yis
- Defeats Brightlord Resi, Thanadal's leading Shardbearer, in a duel answering criticism of Dalinar
- Juggles a string of short-lived courtships, including Janala, Rilla, Malasha, and Danlan, while worrying about his father's visions
- Fights the Parshendi at the Tower when Sadeas abandons the Kholin army, confirming Adolin's long-held distrust
- Clashes with Kaladin, who forces the exhausted Adolin to withdraw and goes to rescue Dalinar in his place
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Leads the soldiers who capture Ialai Sadeas and her conspirators, rejecting the idea that killing her is the answer
- Draws a depressed Kaladin out of isolation and supports him as a close friend
- Leads a delegation through Shadesmar to Lasting Integrity, carrying letters seeking an honorspren alliance
- Submits to trial before the Herald Kelek and later Sekeir, coached by the inkspren Blended
- His care for Maya enables her to testify that the ancient Radiants and spren chose their sacrifice together