The Stormlight Archive · Character
Klade
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 52
Klade is a supporting character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 52
- Books
- 2
Klade is a listener elder whose minor presence nonetheless brushes against pivotal moments in his people's history. In The Way of Kings he surfaces only as a Parshendi questioned about music, but Rhythm of War's flashbacks reveal him as one of the listeners who first met the Alethi expedition, where his offhand mention of the ten ancient cities helped spark Gavilar Kholin's dangerous curiosity about the listeners' past. As a member of the elders' council, he later weighs Venli's discovery of trapping spren, a reserved keeper of memory whose quiet words carried unforeseen consequences.
Description
The text does not describe Klade’s appearance, clothing, age, or build. No specific visual details are established. Klade is an elderly male singer in workform, with carapace ridges clearly visible along the backs of his hands. His bearing is reserved and unassuming, the sort of presence that draws attention through stillness rather than display. The available description does not specify his coloring, facial features, hair, or clothing beyond his workform.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
- E
Eshonaifellow listener
A fellow listener who accompanies Eshonai to meet the humans; their camaraderie is strained when she curses him for revealing the ten cities, fearing the attention it draws from Gavilar.
Gavilar Kholinresearch subject
Klade becomes one of Gavilar's sources as the Alethi king's interest in the Parshendi grows, answering questions on language, society, and music; his mention of the ten cities later appears to have fed Gavilar's fateful fascination with listener history.
Venlicouncil member
As a council elder, Klade questions Venli about her discovery of trapping spren and weighs its potential uses, part of the deliberations that would reshape the listeners' fate.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Mentioned as a Parshendi who asks about music
- Serves as a subject of Gavilar Kholin's inquiries into Parshendi language, society, and music during the expedition
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Accompanies Eshonai in the listeners' early meetings with the human expedition
- Shares knowledge of the ten ancient cities with the humans, exceeding what many of them know
- Draws Eshonai's curse for mentioning the ten cities, which she fears prompted Gavilar's probing into listener history
- As an elder on the council, questions Venli about her discovery of trapping spren and considers its possible uses
Appearances
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