The Stormlight Archive · Character
Szeth-son-son-Vallano
Also known as Szeth, Truthless of Shinovar, Truthless
- Major
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1
Szeth-son-son-Vallano is a major character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 1
- Books
- 2
Szeth-son-son-Vallano is a Shin Truthless whose life begins in bondage to his Oathstone, compelling him to serve as the 'Assassin in White' for whoever holds it, from the Parshendi who ordered King Gavilar's death to the petty masters Took and Makkek and finally Taravangian, who unleashes him on the monarchs of Roshar. Wracked by guilt over every killing, he is eventually reborn as a Skybreaker guided by a highspren and armed with the sentient black sword Nightblood. By Rhythm of War he has become Dalinar Kholin's hidden protector and the guardian of young Gavinor, confronting the herald Ishar over his father's Honorblade. In a defining act of self-determination, he kills his former master Taravangian, now Odium's vessel, by his own choice rather than another's command.
Description
A bald Shin man with large, round eyes, wearing loose white trousers tied at the waist and a filmy, long-sleeved shirt open at the front. His white clothing ripples and flaps as he moves. A human man with no further physical features specified, wearing white clothing.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Dalinar Kholinbodyguard
First named as Szeth's next assassination target, Dalinar later becomes the man Szeth protects in secret, though Dalinar restrains him from drawing Nightblood.
- A
Avformer master
Merchant Avado who took Szeth in on the road, unaware he was Gavilar's assassin.
- G
Gavbodyguard
Young Gavinor, whom Szeth guards with protective kinship.
- M
Makkekassassin
An ambitious master who treated Szeth as a weapon, ordering killings including Took's.
- N
Nightbloodwielder
The sentient black sword Szeth wields as a Skybreaker; it disrupts Ishar and slays Taravangian, while comparing Szeth's vigilance to Vasher's.
- P
Parshendiconflicting source relationships
His former masters who held his Oathstone, ordered Gavilar's death, then discarded the stone while fleeing Kholinar.
- T
Tookconflicting source relationships
A master who used Szeth as an unpaid servant and showpiece, later killed by Szeth on Makkek's orders.
- V
Vstimformer employer
Former owner who remembers Szeth as his finest servant and regrets trading him.
- H
highsprenacolyte
His bonded spren, guiding his Skybreaker progress and pushing him to judge truth and law for himself.
Gavilar Kholinconflicting source relationships
Szeth's most infamous victim, killed on Parshendi orders. Later it is revealed the dying king entrusted him with a mysterious sphere and a message for his brother.
- I
Isharconflicting source relationships
Herald who holds the Honorblade of Szeth's father; Szeth suspects him of murder, though Ishar claims it was freely given.
Navani Kholinvictim
Gavilar's widow, who imprisons and interrogates Szeth while openly hating him.
- T
Taravangianconflicting source relationships
Taravangian secretly holds Szeth's Oathstone, calling them men of one heart while directing his assassinations of monarchs. In Rhythm of War the dying Taravangian sincerely asks for help, but Szeth confronts him over his crimes and his father's death and kills him by his own choice.
- H
Hanavanarassassin
Veden king slain by Szeth at a feast despite his traps.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Assassinates King Gavilar Kholin on the Parshendi's orders without understanding their motives
- Recovers his discarded Oathstone and passes between masters such as Took, Vstim and Makkek as a Truthless servant
- Kills Took on Makkek's orders to conceal the secret of the Oathstone
- Massacres King Hanavanar of Jah Keved's feast, overcoming the king's trap and defenses
- Learns that Taravangian is his unseen master and is assigned Dalinar Kholin as his next target
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Serves as Dalinar's concealed bodyguard and intervenes when Nale attacks
- Is interrogated by Navani, who admits she hates him for killing Gavilar
- Guards Gavinor, feeling protective kinship while fearing he may bring the child harm
- Clashes with Ishar over his father's Honorblade, damaging it, and interrupts Ishar's attempt to steal Dalinar's bond with Nightblood
- Confronts Taravangian over his father's death and kills him and Odium's former vessel with Nightblood by his own choice
Key events
- Book 1
Ch. 2Assassination of King GavilarSzeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless and bound by his Oathstone, infiltrates the treaty celebration and kills King Gavilar Kholin on the Parshendi's orders. - Book 4
Ch. 124Ishar Attempts to Steal Dalinar's BondDalinar seeks Ishar's help to restore the Oathpact, but the mad Herald attempts to steal his bond to the Stormfather using his recovered Honorblade. - Book 4
Ch. 126Taravangian Ascends as OdiumAfter Szeth stabs him, Taravangian reaches into the spiritual realm, takes Nightblood, and kills Rayse, ascending to become the new vessel of Odium.
Appearances
Meet Szeth-son-son-Vallano in Bookworm
Meet Szeth-son-son-Vallano in your EPUB — spoiler-safe to the book you're on.