The Stormlight Archive · Character
Varth
- Minor
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 56
Varth is a squadleader marked by a lean build, thoughtful manner in The Stormlight Archive (Book 1).
- Gender
- male
- Age
- 17-18
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 56
- Books
- 2
Varth is a squadleader whose name surfaces at very different points in the Stormlight saga. In The Way of Kings he appears as a lean, keen-eyed officer remembered as the commander in the battle where Tien died; Kaladin holds him responsible for knowingly putting inexperienced messenger boys at the front as a tactical expedient. In Rhythm of War the name belongs to a startlingly young squad leader, only seventeen or eighteen, haggard and worn down by the burden of command. The sources do not establish whether this is the same man, but both portrayals show how war spends the young.
Description
Varth is lean, with a thoughtful bearing rather than a heavy or brutish build. His keen eyes give his face an alert, perceptive quality, though the text does not specify their color or his other features. His hair, complexion, clothing, and any distinguishing marks are not described. Varth is a young man no older than seventeen or eighteen, with a haggard appearance and sweat-mussed hair that he wipes from his face. He wears leather armor, and jets of exhaustionspren surround him, emphasizing the fatigue in his bearing. No other facial or coloring details are specified.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Kaladinformer squadleader
Varth was the squadleader in the battle where Kaladin's brother Tien died. Kaladin remembers Varth's choice to put inexperienced messenger boys at the front as a betrayal of Tien, and the memory becomes part of the grief and guilt that drive him. No later development of this relationship is recorded.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
- Introduced as a squadleader marked by a lean build, thoughtful manner, and keen eyes rather than brute strength.
- Commands a squad in the battle where Tien is killed.
- Knowingly places untrained messenger boys, including Tien, at the front line as a tactical expedient.
- Remembered by Kaladin as having betrayed Tien, which feeds Kaladin's distrust of lighteyed and military leadership.
BOOK 4Rhythm of War
- Appears as a squad leader of only seventeen or eighteen years.
- Seen haggard and overwhelmed by exhaustion under the strain of command.
- Stands out as a sharp image of youth pressed into leadership during wartime.
Appearances
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