The Stormlight Archive · Character
Nohadon
Also known as Tarak Nohadon
- Minor
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 6
Nohadon is a minor character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 6
- Books
- 2
Nohadon is the ancient king of Alethkar who authored *The Way of Kings*, a text of parables on leadership and honor that becomes a moral compass for Dalinar Kholin. In The Way of Kings, Dalinar meets him directly in a vision set after a catastrophic Desolation, where Nohadon, despairing over the destruction, considers abdicating; Dalinar, cast as his advisor Karm, urges him to stay and suggests he write a book, planting the seed of the very work that would later guide Dalinar. By Rhythm of War, Nohadon survives chiefly as a revered name attached to his book, his legacy outlasting any further detail of his life.
Description
Nohadon is tall and regal, with fair skin and eyes described as fairer still. In his youthful image, dark hair is pulled back into a braid, and a short beard narrows to a point. He wears flowing white and gold robes, with gold threads woven into his hair to form a golden symbol associated with the Knights Radiant; a golden symbol is also described on his forehead. His presence is stately and composed, like a figure made for a king’s portrait. The text gives no visual description of Nohadon. His age, build, coloring, hair, eyes, facial features, clothing, and presence are not specified.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Dalinar Kholinconflicting source relationships
Across the ages, Nohadon serves as Dalinar's philosophical guide through the parables of The Way of Kings, shaping Dalinar's views on virtue, experience, and the means of achieving goals. Their bond becomes reciprocal in a vision where Dalinar, as the advisor Karm, counsels the despairing king to remain on the throne and to write a book, effectively helping inspire the text that later mentors him.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Remembered as the ancient Alethi king who wrote The Way of Kings
- Legend holds he walked from Abamabar to Urithiru
- Appears in Dalinar's vision as a youthful king in white and gold, gold threads in his hair forming a Knights Radiant symbol
- Wrestles with leadership and contemplates abdication after a devastating Desolation
- Dalinar, as the advisor Karm, urges him not to abdicate and proposes he write a book
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Mentioned as the author of The Way of Kings
- His work continues to be cited as a lasting source of guidance on leadership
Appearances
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