Includes SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive through Wind and Truth!

As the midpoint of Cosmere fantasy universe, commonly celebrated for its vast assortment of complex characters and dense mythology. Each volume of the series so far has unearthed more about Roshar and the broader cosmic entities at play in his shared universe, but no volume has revealed more than the latest.

Wind and Truth sees Dalinar Kholin preparing for his contest of champions against Odium, one of the most dangerous The Stormlight Archive's timeline. Throughout Dalinar's quest to retrieve Honor, he not only comes to understand the Shard but also the Vessel who previously held it: Tanavast.

Tanavast's Stormlight Archive Origin Story Was Surprisingly Tragic

Honor's Vessel Becomes A More Complex Character Than Anyone Expected

Brandon Sanderson is phenomenal at creating plot twists surrounding his most mysterious figures. The author plays around with the perception surrounding Honor, a character whom, for the first four books, audiences are led to believe was a powerful, altruistic god. Then, the first scene he's actually on-screen for is the Recreance, where he betrays his Intent by setting a trap for Ba-Ado-Mishram. However, the situation is more complicated than that, and Tanavast's POV chapters on Day 9 provide some fascinating context and backstory.

Tanner bit off more than he could chew, tried his best, but ultimately failed.

Tanavast isn't the most likable character, but there are certain aspects of him that make him surprisingly sympathetic. At his core, he's a human being who was a leather tanner before taking on the power of a Shard and entering millennia of war with Odium. The point is reinforced by Odium constantly calling him "Tanner" as a condescending insult. He's just a guy struggling under the pressure of battling against an opponent who's constantly one step ahead, even struggling to keep a grip on his Shard. Tanner bit off more than he could chew, tried his best, but ultimately failed.

What Tanavast's Story Means In The Stormlight Archive

Tanavast Ties To The Stormlight Archive's Main Themes

Wind and Truth's ending and The Stormlight Archive series as a whole constantly explore redemption. Tanavast was a human being. He has flaws. He's egotistical and not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He's not the ideal candidate to hold the power of a benevolent god. Yet, like Dalinar, who gives up the power of Honor to buy his people more time, Tanavast also gave up his life and his power, trusting the Stormfather and the Heralds to prepare humanity for Odium's eventual return. He's not a hero, but he did the right thing when it mattered most.