The Stormlight Archive · Character
Laral
Also known as Wistiow's daughter
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 7
Laral is a supporting character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- Gender
- female
- Age
- young adult
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 7
- Books
- 2
Laral, daughter of Hearthstone's citylord Brightlord Wistiow, begins as Kaladin's lighteyed childhood playmate and the object of his youthful hopes, until her father's death leaves her fortunes uncertain and draws her into Roshone's political ambitions. First promised to Roshone's son Rillir, she ultimately marries Roshone himself, a match made for house connections rather than love. By Rhythm of War she has become a grieving widow in a humble servant's dress, mother to solemn twins and a likely future citylady. Amid the singer occupation she shows quiet resolve, sheltering refugees and helping Lirin smuggle a Herdazian general to safety.
Description
Laral is a young lighteyed Alethi girl with a youthful, delicate presence. Her long black hair is marked by golden streaks, and her bright, pale-green eyes stand out sharply against it. She wears fine dresses, including a yellow one with ruffled fabric that moves easily in the wind, and often keeps her left hand concealed inside a sleeve. Laral is a young woman dressed simply, in a servant’s dress suited to practical work. She carries a water bucket with purposeful determination, and one hand is gloved instead of covered by a sleeve, giving her silhouette a distinctive detail. Her expression and bearing are solemn but resolute; her hair, eyes, coloring, and build are not specified.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Kaladinconflicting source relationships
Kaladin's childhood playmate and youthful infatuation, whose loyalties seem to turn against him once her marriage prospects shift. Years later the bitterness has faded into an old friendship, and Kaladin regards her as someone he could still turn to for help.
- L
Lirintrusted ally
Laral becomes a trusted collaborator, helping the surgeon hide and extract the Herdazian general. Lirin privately regrets that circumstances kept him from ever calling her his daughter.
- R
Roshoneconflicting source relationships
Their marriage begins as a political arrangement securing house connections. Over time it becomes a real family, and in Rhythm of War Laral mourns his death, having genuinely cared for him alongside their children.
- W
Wistiowdaughter
Hearthstone's citylord, whose death leaves Laral with what remains of his wealth and an uncertain future, opening the way for Roshone's alliance.
- RR
Rillir Roshonefiancée
Roshone's son and Laral's first intended match. She supports him when he humiliates Kaladin, but the engagement never results in marriage.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Appears in Kaladin's memories as Brightlord Wistiow's daughter, with golden-streaked hair dyed black and her safehand kept in her sleeve
- Plays with Kaladin as a child and seems to hope he will become a lighteyes and pursue a martial career
- Reacts poorly to Kaladin's fight with Jost, straining their closeness
- After Wistiow's death, is expected to marry Rillir as an alliance sought by Roshone, and sides with Rillir when he humiliates Kaladin
- Is later seen wearing a bride's prayer, revealing her engagement to Roshone himself
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Reappears in an occupied Hearthstone wearing a simple servant's dress and a gloved safehand
- Grieves the recent death of her husband Roshone, whom she and her children had genuinely cared for
- Helps townspeople find shelter during the Fused invasion
- Assists Lirin in hiding the Herdazian general and planning his escape
- Is accompanied by her solemn twins and seen as a likely future citylady
Appearances
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