Odium

Minor
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 53

Odium is a minor character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).

Gender: male
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 53
Books: 2

Odium is the malevolent Shard of Adonalsium whose shadow looms over the entire series, first revealed in The Way of Kings when the Almighty's visions confess to Dalinar that Odium killed him and threatens a True Desolation. By Rhythm of War he manifests directly as a towering, lightning-wreathed Fused king, manipulating servants like Moash, Venli, and Taravangian while scheming to claim Dalinar as his champion. Dalinar's negotiated contest of champions forces Odium into a binding agreement, but betrayal from within proves his undoing: Taravangian kills the Vessel Rayse and takes up the Shard himself, transforming Odium into an even more calculating threat.

Description

A figure with an appearance typical of their role in the story. A hundred-foot-tall, kingly figure in the guise of a mighty Fused, with a carapaced body across which lightning crackles; seated on a throne.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Moashagent
Odium strips Moash's guilt and wields him as an agent to torment Kaladin.
T
Taravangianformer master
A subordinate Odium distrusts and accuses of betrayal; Taravangian ultimately becomes the new holder of the Shard.
Dalinar Kholinopponent
Hinted at through visions in Book 1, Odium becomes Dalinar's direct adversary in Book 4, seeking to bind his soul before Dalinar forces a contest of champions.
Jasnah Kholinstrategic opponent
Helps draft the contest contract, wary of Odium's foresight.
Kaladintarget
Seen as a dangerous obstacle Odium wishes to break and draw to his side through Moash.
S
Sja-anatconflicting source relationships
An Unmade of his creation who outwardly serves but secretly undermines him, believing his divided mind makes him vulnerable.
S
Szeth-son-son-Vallanopotential adversary
A potential threat, as Taravangian hopes Szeth's Nightblood can harm Odium.
Venliconflicting source relationships
Once his tool for inspiring the singers, Venli turns away, realizing his rhythms suppressed her love, and secretly builds a new listener community.
H
Honorvictim
Odium killed the Almighty (Honor), a revelation delivered through Dalinar's visions.

Story so far

BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Named in Dalinar's visions as the force behind the coming True Desolation
- The Almighty reveals that Odium has killed him
- Established as the hidden enemy behind the Voidbringers' return
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Appears as a hundred-foot-tall Fused king enthroned and crackling with lightning
- Pressures Dalinar to become his champion and agrees to a contest of champions, with terms shaped by Jasnah
- Summons Moash to Urithiru and commissions a plan to break Kaladin
- Accuses Taravangian of betrayal after the contest agreement
- Is slain via Taravangian's gambit, with the Shard passing to Taravangian