Knights Radiant
Bound by spren and oaths: warriors like Kaladin and Shallan returning to defend Roshar.
The Knights Radiant were magical warriors divided into several orders, including the Skybreakers, Windrunners, and Lightweavers. These figures emerged on the planet Roshar by bonding with sapient spirits called spren, which are attracted to emotions and natural phenomena. The series features specific members like Kaladin Stormblessed, who leads the Order of Windrunners after being enslaved as a bridgebearer, and Shallan Davar, a scholar who becomes the leader of the Lightweavers while battling dissociative identity disorder. Other key figures include Szeth-son-son-Vallano, formerly the Assassin in White, who joins the Skybreakers, and Dalinar Kholin, who rises as a Bondsmith to unite the Knights Radiant under his command.
- Modern Status
- Reforming across Alethkar, Kholinar, the Shattered Plains, and other regions
Lore & Background
The Knights Radiant are defined by their bond with specific types of spren, granting them access to magical Surges. The source details several distinct orders and their leaders: the Windrunners led by Kaladin bonded to honorspren Sylphrena; the Skybreakers joined by Szeth-son-son-Vallano; the Lightweavers led by Shallan Davar bonded to liespren Pattern; the Truthwatchers represented by Renarin Kholin, who is bonded to a corrupted mistspren named Glys and can see the future; the Willshapers formed by Venli bonding lightspren Timbre; the Edgedancers featuring Lift bonded to cultivationspren Wyndle; and the Elsecallers including Jasnah Kholin bonded to inkspren Ivory. Navani Kholin also becomes a Bondsmith after bonding with the Sibling. These bonds allow humans to wield powers linked to higher concepts, distinguishing sapient spren from lesser spirits.
In Their Own Story
The narrative tracks the ascent of these modern Radiants against a backdrop of betrayal and war. Kaladin, initially a surgeon apprentice betrayed and enslaved, uses his new powers to save Dalinar Kholin’s army after bridgemen are used as cannon fodder, eventually leading the Windrunners. Shallan Davar, posing as Jasnah Kholin's student to steal a fake Soulcaster, discovers her own magical abilities and becomes a Lightweaver leader while navigating visions of mysterious spren. Szeth-son-son-Vallano, once honor-bound to kill rulers as the Assassin in White, learns his punishment was unfair and joins the Skybreakers. Meanwhile, Dalinar strives to unite nobility through visions he hears, eventually becoming a Bondsmith who leads the entire order. Other characters like Venli bond lightspren to become Willshapers, and Lift rises from a young thief to an Edgedancer.
Reader's Guide
To understand the Knights Radiant in this series, one must look at the specific orders and their members as defined by the text. The Windrunners are led by Kaladin Stormblessed, bonded to Sylphrena. The Skybreakers include Szeth-son-son-Vallano. The Lightweavers are led by Shallan Davar with Pattern. Dalinar Kholin serves as a Bondsmith and leader of the Knights Radiant generally. Renarin Kholin is a Truthwatcher bonded to Glys, granting future sight. Venli is a Willshaper bonded to Timbre. Lift is an Edgedancer bonded to Wyndle. Jasnah Kholin is an Elsecaller bonded to Ivory. Navani Kholin bonds with the Sibling to become a Bondsmith. The order also includes Rlain, who bonds a corrupted mistspren named Tumi, and Moash (later Vyre), who betrays Kaladin. These characters operate within the Cosmere universe on the planet Roshar.
Did You Know?
- Renarin Kholin is a Truthwatcher bonded to a corrupted mistspren named Glys that gives him the ability to see the future.
- Szeth-son-son-Vallano was known as the Assassin in White before learning his punishment was unfair and joining the Skybreakers.
- Navani Kholin becomes a Bondsmith after bonding with an entity called the Sibling.
- Lift, a young thief, is bonded to a cultivationspren named Wyndle and serves as a member of the Order of Edgedancers.
- Jasnah Kholin, originally a noted atheist, becomes Queen of Alethkar and bonds with an inkspren named Ivory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Knights Radiant?
They were an ancient order of warriors on Roshar who bonded with sentient spren to wield magical Surges and protect humanity from Voidbringer invasions. Historically celebrated as saviors, they are now infamously remembered for the Recreance, a sudden abandonment of their duties that branded them as traitors.
What powers do the Knights Radiant possess?
By forming oaths and bonding with specific types of spren, members gain access to two unique Surges that allow them to manipulate gravity, light, or other natural forces. These abilities function only when they are infused with Stormlight, which they absorb from highstorms or gemstones.
Why did the Knights Radiant fall?
Centuries ago, a mysterious event called the Recreance caused every member to simultaneously renounce their oaths and flee into hiding. This sudden collapse shattered their order and left Roshar defenseless against subsequent Desolations for hundreds of years.
What is the current status of the Knights Radiant?
The order is currently reforming as scattered individuals across Alethkar, Kholinar, and the Shattered Plains rediscover their oaths and spren bonds. These new members are striving to rebuild the brotherhood while facing a populace that still fears them based on ancient history.
Why are they important to the Stormlight Archive story?
Their return marks the only hope for Roshar to survive the returning Desolations and the threat of Odium's forces. The narrative centers on whether these reformed heroes can overcome their order's dark legacy to fulfill their original duty as protectors.
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