The Stormlight Archive · Character

Talenel

Also known as Talenel'Elin, Talenelat, Stonesinew

  • Supporting
  • First seen · Book 1

Talenel is left behind as the sole Herald still bound to the Oathpact when Jezrien in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).

Gender
male
Age
centuries old
First appears
Book 1
Books
2

Talenel'Elin—Stonesinew, the Bearer of All Agonies—is the Herald of War whom his fellow Heralds abandoned at the Oathpact, leaving him alone to endure millennia of torture on Braize. In The Way of Kings he is first glimpsed through the guilt of Kalak and Jezrien, then returns to Roshar ragged and carrying a massive Shardblade, proclaiming that the Desolation has come and believing he has failed. By Rhythm of War his mind has been shattered by that unbroken ordeal. At Urithiru he is a muttering, unreachable witness to ancient history, guided by Shalash, questioned by Jasnah, and remembered by Ishar as the one who bore the sin they all share.

Description

Talenel is identified as a male Herald centuries old, but the text provides no concrete description of his appearance. His height, build, skin tone, hair, eyes, facial features, and attire are not specified. What defines his presence in the record is the solemn weight of an ancient warrior’s reputation, rather than any stated visual traits. Talenel’Elin is a powerfully muscular man with dark skin, his body seeming especially imposing beneath his spare, ragged attire. Long, wet, matted hair hangs around his face, and bits of wood and leaves cling to his beard. A rough, sacklike length of cloth is wrapped around his waist, while a massive Shardblade shaped like an enormous spike gives his already formidable silhouette an unmistakable edge. He carries himself with the stark, worn presence of someone who has endured a great deal. Talenelat is tall and powerfully built, with the solid, imposing frame of a man accustomed to being difficult to move. His Makabaki features and distant, stoic expression give his face a grave, inward look, as if his attention has withdrawn from the world around him. He carries himself with a faint, undeniable regality, though his posture can fold into a hulking stoop when he sits. His clothing is plain and weathered, and his quiet presence feels heavy with age and sorrow.

Connections

  • I

    Isharfellow Herald

    Ishar remembers Taln as the bearer of all their agonies. When Dalinar asks him to help restore Taln, Ishar briefly admits their shared sin before slipping back into delusion.

  • Jasnah Kholininterview subject

    Jasnah seeks Taln's testimony about ancient history, but his broken mind leaves her with little to work from.

  • H

    HonorHerald

    Taln still identifies as the Almighty's Herald when he returns, faithfully proclaiming the Desolation and believing he has failed his charge.

  • K

    Kalakfellow Herald

    Kalak took part in the abandonment but felt deep guilt over leaving Taln to face the torture alone.

  • S

    Shalashcompanion

    Once one of the Heralds who abandoned him, Shalash now cares for and guides the impaired Taln, a quiet gesture of atonement.

  • J

    Jezerezehfellow Herald

    Jezrien endorsed the plan that left Taln alone bound to the Oathpact, reasoning that one man's suffering was better than ten. This betrayal defines Taln's tragedy.

Story so far

  1. BOOK 1The Way of Kings
    • Dies holding a passage during the final battle of a Desolation, living up to his legend of winning hopeless fights.
    • Is left behind as the sole Herald still bound to the Oathpact when Jezrien and the others choose to abandon their duty.
    • Kalak is wracked with guilt over leaving Taln to endure the cycle of torture alone.
    • Arrives in the present soaked and ragged, carrying a colossal Shardblade.
    • Declares himself a Herald of the Almighty and announces that the Desolation has come, believing he has failed.
  2. BOOK 4Rhythm of War
    • Resides at Urithiru with his mind shattered by millennia of torment, muttering and unreachable.
    • Is led into a meeting and helped to his seat by Shalash, who cares for him.
    • Is interviewed by Jasnah as a living witness to ancient history, though he can communicate little.
    • Dalinar asks Ishar to help restore Taln, and Ishar briefly acknowledges the Heralds' shared sin against him.

Appearances

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