Taravangian

Also known as the king of Kharbranth, King Taravangian

Supporting
First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 6

Taravangian is a supporting character in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).

Gender: male
Age: elderly
First appears: Book 1 · Ch. 6
Books: 2

Taravangian, the seemingly gentle and dim-witted king of Kharbranth, is revealed at the close of The Way of Kings to be the secret master of the assassin Szeth, ruthlessly pursuing a hidden plan born from a single day of transcendent brilliance granted by Cultivation. By Rhythm of War, his schemes against Dalinar Kholin's coalition have been exposed, leaving him a frail prisoner who nonetheless betrays Odium, dismantles his Diagram, and bids farewell to those he loves. When Szeth kills him by his own choice, Taravangian seizes the power of the slain Rayse, becoming the new Odium, a vessel whose cold pragmatism may now wield, or be ruled by, a god's passion.

Description

An elderly man with a wispy white beard and a full white beard in later descriptions, a thin white mustache drooping like arrow points, pale grey eyes, and an open, kindly face that can appear wise and knowing. He wears rich, voluminous orange-and-white robes, sometimes elaborately embroidered, and a squat cylindrical hat matching the robes; he also wears gems. A short, elderly, frail man with weathered, deeply wrinkled hands and a wispy beard and mustache. He has a kindly-looking face and a knowing look in his eyes. He wears scholar’s robes; in captivity he appears exhausted, trembling, and physically weakened, often sitting or shuffling with difficulty.

Connections

Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals

Dalinar Kholinconflicting source relationships
First an assassination target, Dalinar later becomes Taravangian's ally and then jailer. Taravangian retains affection for him but deems him too principled to trust with necessary evils, plotting betrayal against his coalition.
Jasnah Kholinconflicting source relationships
Jasnah respects Taravangian as earnest and sincere while staying under his hospitality, unaware of the ruthlessness hidden behind his kindly facade.
Odiumformer master
Once Odium's subordinate, Taravangian betrays him and ultimately inherits his Shard after Rayse's death, risking being consumed by its power.
R
Rabonielinformant
He supplies intelligence on Urithiru's guard patterns that aids her invasion.
Shallan Davarguest
He treats Shallan with warmth, visiting her in hospital and easing her departure from Kharbranth.
S
Sja-anatsecret ally
The Unmade covertly aids him in diverting Odium's attention while questioning his ability to stop what is coming.
S
Szeth-son-son-Vallanoconflicting source relationships
Taravangian commands Szeth through the Oathstone, framing them as men of one heart in guilt. In Rhythm of War, Szeth confronts him over his father's death and the atrocities he was forced to commit, then kills him of his own will, even as Taravangian sincerely asks for help.
A
Adrotagialifelong friend
His decades-long confidante, entrusted with dissolving the Diagram and guiding his daughter.
C
Cultivationconflicting source relationships
Her gift of a day of brilliance launched his Diagram; after his ascension she offers to teach him to bear Odium's power honorably.
S
Savrifather
He sends her a final comforting message that he was singing when they last met.
Navani Kholinpolitical adversary
Navani distrusts his past undermining of Dalinar and suspects schemes behind his support for the Emul campaign.

Story so far

BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Hosts Jasnah Kholin and Shallan Davar in Kharbranth, appearing to be a kindly, intellectually limited king
- Refuses to abandon his granddaughter trapped behind fallen stone until Jasnah Soulcasts her free
- Visits Shallan in the hospital and helps arrange her visitors and return home
- Revealed as Szeth's hidden master, controlling him through the Oathstone and secretly killing hospital patients
- Orders Szeth to assassinate Dalinar Kholin before he can unite the Alethi highprinces
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Imprisoned by Dalinar, he endures daily intelligence tests while still feeding information to Raboniel about Urithiru's defenses
- Recalls Cultivation's gift of one day of brilliance and dissolves the Diagram, entrusting Adrotagia with its end and farewells to Maben, Dukar, and his daughter Savri
- Conspires with Sja-anat and drafts letters to Dalinar before attempting to sincerely persuade Szeth to carry Nightblood
- Is confronted and killed by Szeth over the suffering his orders caused
- Takes up the Shard of Odium after Rayse's death, inheriting his knowledge and discovering Renarin's futures are hidden from him