Rhythm of War

Kaladin came from lowly beginnings but was raised to the status of a noble after becoming a Radiant. As a young man, Kaladin studied medicine under his father before enlisting to protect his conscripted younger brother. Kaladin learned to love fighting and even won Shardplate and a Shardblade—magical armor and a sword—on the field. Out of jealousy, his superior officer forced Kaladin into slavery and set up bridges for armies to cross chasms on the Shattered Plains. Kaladin’s powers slowly began to manifest, leading him to save his men by diverting arrows during battles. This, combined with his survival of a highstorm, led to the moniker “Stormblessed.” Eventually, Kaladin led his fellow enslaved bridge builders to save Dalinar’s army, earning freedom for the Bridge Four, who were named Dalinar’s honor guard, while Kaladin became leader of the Windrunners, the most elite troop. Kaladin carries immense guilt when he cannot fully protect everyone around him. In Rhythm of War, he experiences the symptoms of PTSD and depression. Removed from active duty, Kaladin faces his mental health challenges by helping others with similar psychological battle trauma.