The Stormlight Archive · Character
Navani Kholin
Also known as Adolin’s aunt, your aunt Navani, Aunt Navani
- Major
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 16
Navani Kholin is Gavilar's widow in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- Gender
- female
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 16
- Books
- 2
Navani Kholin begins the series as Gavilar's widow and the queen mother of Alethkar, a sharp-tongued court presence whose true passion is fabrial engineering, and she rekindles a long-suppressed romance with her brother-in-law Dalinar. By Rhythm of War she is Dalinar's wife and a coalition leader at the head of Urithiru's scholars. Flashbacks there expose the bitter, belittling marriage she endured with Gavilar. When the Fused occupy the tower, she becomes Raboniel's captive and intellectual partner, and their uneasy collaboration yields discoveries about Light that both sides turn into weapons. Through it all she bonds with the Sibling, the spren of Urithiru, transforming from a self-doubting 'patron' of science into a scholar and defender in her own right.
Description
Navani is a stately woman with intricately woven black hair streaked with grey, often adorned with red gemstones. Her light violet eyes and red-painted lips give her face a striking, composed expressiveness. She wears elegant court gowns in shimmering red, or combinations of blue and soft red, with her safehand discreetly covered. Her bearing is poised and authoritative, though her attentive manner can brighten with unmistakable intellectual excitement. A human woman with styled hair, sometimes worn loose and sometimes braided, and makeup. She wears elegant clothing, including havahs and practical work dresses; her safehand is commonly covered by a sleeve or glove. In the earliest appearance, spheres are carried in her hair.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Adolin Kholinconflicting source relationships
Her nephew who becomes her stepson. He is a warm presence in Book 1 and someone she is relieved to know is safe in Book 4.
Dalinar Kholinconflicting source relationships
An old friend and brother-in-law whom she once courted before choosing Gavilar. In Book 1 their long-buried attraction resurfaces into a cautious romance shadowed by Dalinar's guilt. By Book 4 they are devoted spouses and political partners who steady one another.
- E
Elhokarmother
Her son, whose weak rule she seeks to shield in Book 1. In Book 4 she mourns him after his death.
Gavilar Kholinconflicting source relationships
Her late husband, whom she publicly honors as his widow and biographer in Book 1. Book 4 flashbacks reveal a cold, belittling marriage and her burden of protecting his legacy after his death.
Jasnah Kholinmother
Her daughter. Their relationship is distant and prickly in Book 1, and awkward but deeply affectionate in Book 4 as both seek more time together.
- RK
Renarin Kholinconflicting source relationships
Her nephew turned stepson. He shares her curiosity about fabrials and lore, and she later worries over his unusual spren.
- GK
Gavinor Kholingrandmother
Her young grandson, whom she cares for tenderly and who calls her Gram.
- D
Dabbidconflicting source relationships
A quiet bridgeman who leads her to the garnet veins. She frees him and welcomes him as a helper.
Kaladinconflicting source relationships
A Radiant ally whom she guides through the tower's systems during the resistance.
- TS
the Siblingconflicting source relationships
The tower's wary spren, who comes to trust her. Navani's accidental betrayal of a node brings her guilt, and she becomes the Sibling's prospective protector and Bondsmith.
- S
Shshshshfriend
Dalinar's late wife. Navani was once jealous of her but came to like her as kind and well matched to Dalinar.
Moashwould-be killer
He comes to kill her on Odium's orders, blaming the Kholins for his grievances.
- R
Rabonielconflicting source relationships
Her Fused captor in occupied Urithiru. A genuine intellectual rapport makes them research partners, but their shared breakthroughs are weaponized and their alliance collapses into a struggle for the tower.
- S
Szeth-son-son-Vallanovictim
Gavilar's assassin. She hates him yet interrogates and studies him while he is imprisoned.
- T
Taravangianpolitical adversary
A distrusted political adversary whose motives she suspects.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Moves through the Shattered Plains warcamps as Gavilar's widow and Elhokar's mother, worried about her son's weak rule
- Leads research into grandbows and shows off a pain-dampening fabrial on Adolin's injured hand
- Discusses Dalinar's visions and the Old Magic with Adolin and Renarin
- Confronts Dalinar about their long-standing attraction, and the two cautiously begin a relationship despite his guilt
- Is revealed to have written a biography of the murdered Gavilar
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Flashbacks reveal her emotionally abusive marriage to Gavilar, her meeting with Eshonai, and the night of his assassination
- Pioneers airship technology aboard the Fourth Bridge and leads the coalition's scholars at Urithiru as Dalinar's wife
- Is captured when the Fused occupy Urithiru and forced into research with Raboniel, together discovering anti-Light and the Rhythm of War
- Communicates with the Sibling through the garnet veins with Dabbid's help, then inadvertently reveals the location of a node
- Defies Moash and Raboniel and fights to protect the Sibling and free the tower
Key events
- Book 4
Ch. 4The Fourth Bridge Evacuates HearthstoneNavani pilots the first flying transport to rescue Hearthstone's people and the Mink's resistance fighters from singer occupation. - Book 4
Ch. 42Raboniel Corrupts the SiblingDuring the invasion of Urithiru, Raboniel corrupts the Sibling's crystal pillar, inverting the tower's defenses against Radiants and suppressing their powers. - Book 4
Ch. 107Navani Creates Anti-VoidlightThrough mathematical analysis and a vacuum chamber, Navani creates the first gemstone containing anti-Voidlight, a tone that can permanently kill Fused. - Book 4
Ch. 123Navani Bonds with the SiblingNavani joins her song with the Sibling's to create Towerlight, bonding as a Bondsmith and restoring the tower's defenses against the occupation.
Gallery
Book 4: Rhythm of War
Appearances
Meet Navani Kholin in Bookworm
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