Dalinar Kholin

Also known as the Blackthorn, Brightlord Dalinar, Highprince Dalinar

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1

Dalinar Kholin is the aging Highprince of Alethkar, haunted by guilt over his brother Gavilar's assassination in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).

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

Dalinar Kholin begins the series as the aging Highprince of Alethkar, haunted by guilt over his brother Gavilar's assassination and troubled by mysterious visions that urge him to unite humanity and refound the Knights Radiant. After Torol Sadeas's betrayal on the Shattered Plains nearly destroys his army, Dalinar trades his Shardblade for the freedom of Kaladin's bridgemen and commits fully to the path of honor described in Nohadon's The Way of Kings. By Rhythm of War he has become a Bondsmith bonded to the Stormfather, husband to Navani, and leader of a multinational coalition. In that role he wrestles with Taravangian's treachery, the Herald Nale's challenge, and Odium's bid to claim him as champion, which he answers by negotiating a decisive contest of champions.

Description

An aging, powerfully built man wearing a dark silk coat buttoned down the sides with silver or gold embroidery. Tall broad-shouldered Alethi highlord with powerful build and formidable arms. Haunted eyes, proud nose, rough sandpaper skin on face. Hands often clasped behind back. Wears Alethi military uniform.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Adolin Kholinconflicting source relationships
Dalinar is Adolin's father and mentor. He grooms Adolin for leadership in Book 1, and Adolin comes to respect his father's principles. In Book 4 Adolin defends him even when the honorspren condemn Dalinar's treatment of the Stormfather.
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Elhokarconflicting source relationships
Dalinar is Elhokar's protective uncle and adviser. He seeks to be named Highprince of War while Elhokar sometimes suspects his motives.
Gavilar Kholinconflicting source relationships
Dalinar's guilt over his brother's death drives him in Book 1. Book 4 reveals Gavilar's dismissiveness toward the brother who once worshipped him.
Jasnah Kholinconflicting source relationships
Jasnah begins as his protective, respected niece. By Book 4 she is his queen, and they debate strategy and faith while remaining close; he asks her to write a public commentary to accompany his book.
Navani Kholinconflicting source relationships
Navani begins as his sister-in-law and long-suppressed love, and they start a cautious romance in Book 1. By Book 4 she is his devoted wife and political partner in the coalition.
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Renarin Kholinconflicting source relationships
Dalinar is a supportive father who offers Renarin Shardbearer training in Book 1. In Book 4 he reassures Renarin about his unusual bond with Glys and confirms he is still a Radiant.
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Gallantconflicting source relationships
Gallant is Dalinar's loyal Ryshadium in battle in Book 1. By Book 4 the horse spends his time with Adolin and seems forlorn at Dalinar's absence.
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Hoidconflicting source relationships
Hoid is a cryptic but concerned warner in Book 1. In Book 4 he becomes an adviser who drafts the contest contract with Odium, trusted more than Odium though not fully.
Kaladinconflicting source relationships
Kaladin saves Dalinar's life in Book 1, and Dalinar buys Bridge Four's freedom and makes him captain of his guard. In Book 4 Dalinar acts as a mentor who removes the battle-fatigued Kaladin from combat, and Kaladin comes to accept the decision.
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Stormfatherconflicting source relationships
The voice behind his visions, attributed to the Almighty in Book 1, becomes his bonded spren as a Bondsmith. In Book 4 Dalinar pushes the Stormfather toward choice and mercy despite strain on their bond.
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The Minkformer adversary
The Mink resents Dalinar's past as the Blackthorn but becomes a strategic ally against Taravangian.
Odiumopponent
Odium seeks to claim Dalinar as his champion. Dalinar resists and negotiates a contest of champions to decide the war.
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Taravangianconflicting source relationships
Taravangian secretly orders Dalinar's assassination in Book 1. Later he becomes an ally who is then imprisoned, and in Book 4 he betrays the coalition despite lingering affection for Dalinar.
Torol Sadeasconflicting source relationships
Sadeas is an old friend and rival who betrays Dalinar on the battlefield, turning their friendship into enmity. His widow Ialai continues opposing Dalinar's coalition in Book 4.
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Naleopponent
The Herald Nale challenges Dalinar's legitimacy as a Bondsmith and attacks him, prompting a revealing Connection into Nale's past.

Story so far

BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Experiences visions during highstorms, including meetings with Nohadon and battles beside the Knights Radiant, charging him to unite humanity
- Pursues the Alethi Codes and seeks the highprinces' cooperation while urging Elhokar to name him Highprince of War
- Is betrayed by Torol Sadeas at the Tower and saved by Kaladin and Bridge Four
- Trades his Shardblade to free the bridgemen and appoints Kaladin captain of his guard
- Begins a cautious romance with Navani despite guilt over Gavilar and his forgotten late wife
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Leads the coalition's campaign against Taravangian's forces in Emul alongside the Mink, Jasnah, and Yanagawn
- Relieves Kaladin of front-line duty because of battle shock and mentors him toward healing
- Negotiates with Odium, with Hoid's help drafting the terms, for a contest of champions to decide the war
- Connects with Nale on the battlefield and witnesses visions of the Oathpact's past
- Seeks Ishar's guidance on Bondsmith powers, only for Ishar to try to steal his bond with the Stormfather