Odium's Ascension

How Taravangian becomes Odium, and Odium becomes Retribution.

The gods of the Cosmere are people who have taken up primal sources of cosmic power called Shards. In Rhythm of War Taravangian, during a failed assassination attempt by Szeth, draws the sword Nightblood, strikes the god in a vision, kills Rayse, the man who held Odium's Shard, and ascends in his place.

Quick Facts

Former holder: Rayse
New holder: Taravangian

Lore & Background

Taravangian, now Odium, remains bound to the contest of champions that Dalinar and Rayse agreed. In Wind and Truth Odium picks the boy Gavinor as his champion; Dalinar frees Odium and goads him into absorbing the power of the god Honor, so that he becomes Retribution, which then has to hide from the other Shards.