The Stormlight Archive · Character
Cultivation
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 85
Cultivation is named in Dalinar's visions as better able to see the future than the Almighty in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- Gender
- female
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 85
- Books
- 2
Cultivation begins the series as little more than a name invoked in Dalinar's visions, a power said to see the future more clearly than the Almighty himself. By Rhythm of War she emerges as one of Roshar's ancient Shards in her own right: mother of the Sibling alongside Honor, creator of the Nightwatcher, and source of the Old Magic. She hides in the mountains and appears to Dalinar in a form seemingly grown from the underbrush. Her far-sighted designs, from Lift's unwanted boon to Taravangian's day of brilliance and her bid to tutor him once he ascends as Odium, reveal a quiet manipulator whose ultimate purposes remain inscrutable.
Description
Cultivation has no stated physical appearance in the text. Age, form, build, coloring, hair, eyes, clothing, and distinguishing features are unspecified, so none should be asserted as fact. The only impression supported by the mention is of a figure associated with extraordinary foresight. Cultivation appears as a woman with deep-brown skin like dark stone and a vibrant, round face. Her full black hair is tightly curled and described as twig-like, while her dress resembles leaves that merge with the underbrush. She has the quiet, elemental presence of something grown from the landscape rather than dressed for a court. In one depiction she is rendered as a tree, reinforcing her close visual kinship with the living wild.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Dalinar Kholinsubject of visions
First known to Dalinar only secondhand, through a vision that credits her with superior foresight. By Rhythm of War she appears to him directly in a form grown from the underbrush.
- L
Liftrecipient of her boon
Granted Lift's request not to change, but Lift believes the wish was misunderstood and resents the physical changes she continues to undergo.
- T
Taravangianconflicting source relationships
Her gift of a single day of brilliance set Taravangian on his path to save part of the world. When he seizes Odium's power, she offers to teach him to control it, revealing that she had long hoped he would bear it honorably.
Venlisource of power
Serves as a source of power for Venli, who attunes to her tone alongside Odium's to work with stone and reconnect with her people's ancient songs.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Is named in Dalinar's visions as better able to see the future than the Almighty
- Remains undefined in form and nature, known only through this comparison
- Gains an aura of far-reaching foresight that sets up her later role
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Is revealed as an ancient power, mother of the Sibling with Honor and creator of the Nightwatcher
- Appears to Dalinar in a form seemingly grown from the underbrush
- Is revealed to have granted Taravangian a day of transcendent brilliance and Lift her misunderstood boon
- Offers to teach Taravangian to control Odium's power after he takes it up, having hoped her gift would prepare him to bear it honorably
- Her tone is sought out by Venli and blended with Odium's to wield stone-related powers
Appearances
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