Gavilar Kholin

Also known as the Shardbearer, King Gavilar, Gavilar’s murderer

Major
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1

Gavilar Kholin is a major character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).

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

Gavilar Kholin, the king who unified Alethkar alongside his brother Dalinar, is first remembered as a revered, nearly mythic figure whose assassination by Szeth-son-son-Vallano on the night of a treaty celebration ignited the war on the Shattered Plains. As the series progresses, that idealized portrait cracks: Rhythm of War reveals a secretive, ambitious, and emotionally cruel man who belittled his wife and children, led the Sons of Honor in a scheme to bring back the Voidbringers and ancient powers, and trafficked in Voidlight from Braize in pursuit of immortality. Even in death, his gifts, promises, and dying message to Szeth continue to ripple outward, shaping the fates of humans and listeners alike.

Description

A human man with strong features, a square chin, pale green eyes, and a black beard flecked with white. His face has a broken nose and a terrible scar on the chin. He wears smoothly interlocking blue Shardplate edged with gold bands, with a helm ornamented by three waves of small, hornlike wings. Gavilar is a tall man with a classic, neatly kept beard and a regal bearing that seems to enlarge the space around him. He wears formal royal clothing, composed and richly appointed, suited to a king accustomed to being watched. A subtle distortion-like quality surrounds his presence, lending his silhouette an uncanny weight. His imposing, self-assured manner is his most unmistakable feature.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Adolin Kholinconflicting source relationships
Gavilar's nephew, shaped by the political fallout of the unsolved assassination; present at the fateful feast.
Dalinar Kholinconflicting source relationships
Brothers who conquered and unified Alethkar together; Dalinar idolized Gavilar and is consumed by guilt over failing to protect him, though later revelations show Gavilar privately dismissed Dalinar's abilities and legacy.
E
Elhokarfather
Gavilar's son and successor, who labors under unfavorable comparisons and fears assassination; flashbacks reveal Gavilar openly disparaged his potential.
Jasnah Kholinfather
His daughter, who connected with him through his interest in the Parshendi, yet whom he pressured to marry Amaram and condemned for rejecting the church.
Navani Kholinconflicting source relationships
Initially presented as a faithful, fond marriage memorialized in Navani's biography; later shown as bitter and emotionally abusive, with Gavilar hiding his plans while Navani managed the palace and guarded his legacy.
G
Gavson
Gavilar's young son Gavinor, who believes his father died because of him and seeks reassurance of his bravery.
A
Amaramrecruiter
Recruited by Gavilar into the Sons of Honor with promises of ancient powers, and chosen as Jasnah's intended husband.
Torol Sadeasconflicting source relationships
An old friend and sworn protector of Gavilar's kingdom who nonetheless resented his treaty approach and called him weak.
E
Eshonaiconflicting source relationships
His guide across the Shattered Plains who shared listener lore; after he gave her a dark sphere and spoke of returning their gods, she voted for his death.
S
Szeth-son-son-Vallanoconflicting source relationships
The Shardbearing assassin who killed Gavilar; in his final moments Gavilar entrusted Szeth with a mysterious sphere and a message for his brother.
Venliconflicting source relationships
Received a gemstone from Gavilar's party that released Ulim, and was persuaded through claims of his betrayal to provoke war.
N
Nalepolitical adversary
Opposes Gavilar's forbidden plan to reopen pathways between worlds and warns Venli that he intends to betray the listeners.
P
Parshendivictim
Object of Gavilar's fascination and treaty-making, the listeners ordered his assassination to prevent the return of their ancient gods.

Story so far

BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Is assassinated by Szeth-son-son-Vallano on Parshendi orders during the celebration of a treaty with the Parshendi
- His murder sparks Alethkar's War of Reckoning on the Shattered Plains
- Develops a deep fascination with Parshendi language, society, and music, questioning Klade and bonding with Jasnah over the subject
- Leaves Dalinar haunted by guilt and Elhokar paranoid about assassination
- Is memorialized in a biography written by his widow Navani
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Explores the Shattered Plains guided by Eshonai, offers weapons, and reveals interest in returning the listeners' gods, prompting the listeners to vote for his death
- Recruits Amaram and others into the Sons of Honor with promises of restoring ancient powers
- Pursues Voidlight and immortality, carrying Voidlight from Braize and drawing Nale's condemnation as a fool risking worlds
- Belittles Navani, Dalinar, and Elhokar and orders Jasnah to marry Amaram at the fateful palace feast
- While dying, entrusts Szeth with a mysterious sphere and a message for his brother