The Stormlight Archive · Character
Parshendi
Also known as Parshmen
- Supporting
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 31
Parshendi is a supporting character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 31
- Books
- 2
The Parshendi are a race of squat, carapace-armored warriors with marbled black-and-red skin who serve as the Alethi's great enemy in The Way of Kings. Their order to have the Shin assassin Szeth murder King Gavilar Kholin ignites the Vengeance Pact and a grinding war on the Shattered Plains, where Dalinar, Adolin and Kaladin all face them in battle. Dalinar comes to question the purpose and human cost of the war, and Kaladin notes their reverence for their dead. By Rhythm of War the Parshendi appear only in passing, as a name from the earlier conflict whose role has been overtaken by the wider struggle.
Description
A squat, muscular humanoid with black-and-red marbled skin and armor-like carapace grown into or from the body, including breastplate, arm and leg guards, and a skullcap or helm. Some warriors have beards woven with gemstones; some wear knee-length black skirts. No appearance is specified for the Parshendi in the supplied material. Their coloring, build, hair, eyes, clothing, and distinguishing features are not given, so a visual depiction should avoid unsupported specifics.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
- S
Szeth-son-son-Vallanoconflicting source relationships
As holders of his Oathstone, they were Szeth's masters and compelled him to kill Gavilar without explaining why. When they fled Kholinar they abandoned the stone, and Szeth recovered it to continue his life as a Truthless.
Adolin Kholinenemy combatant
Adolin fights them with Shardblade and Shardplate, leading assaults and protecting his father's position.
Dalinar Kholinenemy combatant
Dalinar commands Alethi forces against them on the Shattered Plains while increasingly questioning the war's purpose and human cost.
Gavilar Kholinvictim
The Parshendi ordered Gavilar's assassination, an act that set off the war that dominates the first book.
Kaladinwar opponent
Kaladin arrives at the Shattered Plains hoping to fight in the king's army against them. As a soldier he regards them as the enemy and studies their reverence for the dead as a tactical weakness.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Holding Szeth's Oathstone, the Parshendi order him to assassinate King Gavilar Kholin, then discard the stone as they flee Kholinar.
- Gavilar's murder sparks the Alethi Vengeance Pact and the war on the Shattered Plains.
- They battle Alethi armies led by Dalinar and Adolin Kholin, who face them with Shardblade and Shardplate.
- Kaladin sees them as the enemy and studies their reverence for the dead as a possible tactical weakness.
- Their striking physiology stands out: carapace armor grown from the body, and gemstone-woven beards.
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- The Parshendi are mentioned collectively as part of the history of the earlier war.
- No individual Parshendi character or specific role is shown in this book.
Appearances
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