The Heralds
Ten immortal warriors chosen by Honor to fight the Desolations. Bound by the Oathpact, they endured millennia of war and torment to protect humanity from the Voidbringers.
The Heralds made a pact with Honor himself: when they died, their souls would travel to
Braize — Damnation — where they would be tortured by the Fused.
As long as they held, humanity had peace. When one broke, the Desolation would begin anew.
After countless cycles of death and rebirth, nine Heralds abandoned the Oathpact after the Aharietiam,
leaving Talenel'Elin alone to bear the torment for over four thousand years.
Jezrien
Leader of the Heralds and patron of the Windrunners. Jezrien was revered as a god of kings and protection. His Honorblade grants the Surges of Adhesion and Gravitation.
Nale
The only Herald to have joined his own order of Knights Radiant. Obsessed with law and order, Nale hunted nascent Radiants for centuries, believing their return would trigger a Desolation.
Chanarach
Patron of the Dustbringers, Chanarach was known as the defender of the ordinary people. Her Honorblade grants the Surges of Division and Abrasion.
Vedel
Patron of the Edgedancers and known as the goddess of healing. Vedel's Honorblade grants the Surges of Abrasion and Progression, enabling powerful healing abilities.
Pailiah
Patron of the Truthwatchers and goddess of learning. The Palanaeum, the greatest library on Roshar, was named in her honor. Her blade grants Progression and Illumination.
Shalash
Patron of the Lightweavers. Wracked by guilt, Shalash compulsively destroys artwork depicting her image. Daughter of Jezrien, she is one of the most tormented Heralds.
Battar
Patron of the Elsecallers and known for wisdom and philosophical guidance. Her Honorblade grants the Surges of Transformation and Transportation.
Kalak
Patron of the Willshapers. Kalak is nervous and paranoid, deeply scarred by millennia of torment. His Honorblade grants the Surges of Transportation and Cohesion.
Talenel'Elin
The most stalwart of the Heralds. When the others abandoned the Oathpact, Taln remained alone on Braize, enduring torture for over 4,000 years without breaking — until now.
Ishar
Architect of the Oathpact and the Knights Radiant. The most powerful and perhaps most dangerous Herald, Ishar's understanding of Connection and bonds is unmatched.
The Desolations
When a Herald broke under torture, the Fused would return to wage war on humanity. Each Desolation pushed civilization to the brink of extinction.
The "Last Desolation" — 4,500 years ago, nine Heralds abandoned the Oathpact, leaving only Taln to hold back the enemy alone.
The current conflict. Taln finally broke (or was released), the Everstorm came, and the Fused have returned for their ultimate conquest.
The Honorblades
Each Herald carries an Honorblade — weapons forged by Honor himself that grant Surgebinding abilities without the need for a spren bond. These are the original Shardblades, more powerful than those created by dying spren, but also more costly in Stormlight.