The Stormlight Archive · Character
Gavilar Kholin
Also known as the Shardbearer, King Gavilar, Gavilar’s murderer
- Major
- First seen · Book 1 · Ch. 1
A human man with strong features, a square chin, pale green eyes, and a black beard flecked with white. His face has a broken nose and a terrible scar on the chin. He wears smoothly interlocking blue Shardplate edged with gold bands, with a helm ornamented by three waves of small, hornlike wings.
- Gender
- male
- First appears
- Book 1 · Ch. 1
- Books
- 1
Description
A human man with strong features, a square chin, pale green eyes, and a black beard flecked with white. His face has a broken nose and a terrible scar on the chin. He wears smoothly interlocking blue Shardplate edged with gold bands, with a helm ornamented by three waves of small, hornlike wings.
Connections
Family & partnersFriends & mentorsRivals
Adolin Kholinuncle
Gavilar was Adolin’s uncle; his death and the unresolved circumstances of his assassination remain central to the family’s political situation.
Dalinar Kholinconflicting source relationships
Dalinar and Gavilar were brothers who fought together during the campaigns that forged a unified Alethkar. Dalinar remembers Gavilar as the leader of their conquests and himself as the warrior who fought at his side.
- E
Elhokarfather
Gavilar was Elhokar’s father and predecessor as king. Elhokar feels the weight of comparisons with him, while his murder fuels Elhokar’s fear of assassination.
- NK
Navani Kholinconflicting source relationships
Navani was Gavilar's wife and remains his widow. She says she was fond of him and faithful during their marriage, while explaining that his death has left her socially isolated.
- JK
Jasnah Kholinfather
Gavilar is Jasnah’s father. His growing fascination with the Parshendi became one of the few subjects that made Jasnah feel genuinely connected to him.
- S
Shshshshhusband
Shshshsh is identified as Gavilar’s wife; she is referred to as his widow.
Torol Sadeasconflicting source relationships
Gavilar considers Sadeas among the people who might be behind the threat he anticipates, but the text also identifies Sadeas as his old friend.
- K
Kladeresearch subject
Gavilar questioned Klade about Parshendi language, society, and music as his interest in their people grew during the expedition.
- S
Szeth-son-son-Vallanoassassin
Szeth carries out the Parshendi mission to kill Gavilar. He kills the king, though he does not understand why the Parshendi ordered the assassination.
- P
Parshendivictim
Parshendi tribesmen murdered Gavilar, an event that precipitated the war described in the chapter.
Story so far
BOOK 1The Way of Kings
Key events
Gallery
Book 1: The Way of Kings
Appearances
Meet Gavilar Kholin in Bookworm
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