Every Radiant Order in the Stormlight Archive and What They Do, Explained

Stormlight Archive The magical system is divided into ten orders of Knights Radiant, each with their own abilities and ideals. As part of the universe of the book Cosmere by Brandon Sanderson, the magic in The Stormlight Archive works with a fundamental idea similar to that in Born from the mists or Elantris. The Investiture is a source of energy in the Cosmere that takes different forms in different systems. Node Born from the mists series, characters have access to the Metallic Arts, while in Roshar, magic takes the form of Surgebinding.

In Roshar, there are ten forces known as Outbreaks, which grant different powers. Each Surgebinder has access to two Surges, coming in set combinations that can overlap. These combinations constitute the Radiant orders. For example, the Surge Transformation ability is possessed by Lightweavers and Elsecallers, meaning that Shallan Davar and Jasnah Kholin are both capable of casting souls without a fabrial device. Their orders have an overlapping Surge, but they both also have a Surge that is unique to each other.

10

Windrunner

Windrunners protect the innocent

Who are: The Order of Windrunners is perhaps the most popular order of the Knights Radiant due to their immense love for Kaladin. THE The general idea of ​​Windrunners is to protect and leadso they will often be used as guards, scouts, and to help transport people. After Kaladin swore his Third Ideal, he gained the power to transform members of Bridge Four into his squires, allowing them to adopt Windrunner powers.

Powers: Using the bursts of adhesion and gravitation, Windrunners are able to alter the forces of gravity and connections between objects, which can be used to fly. Other uses include creating pools of Stormlight that restrict the movement of things in that pool, and pushing and pulling objects from each other. Windrunners also possess a power called Resonance due to the combination of their Surges, which allows them to face more squires than other orders.

Ideas: Windrunner Ideals are focused on protecting the innocent. Advanced Ideals suggest that protection should not be obstructed by personal perspective and that the Windrunner must accept that he cannot protect everyone.

Important characters: Kaladin, Teft, Lopen, Skar, Drehy

9

Edgedancer

Champions of the common people

Who are: The main Edgedancers’ goal is to remind everyday people of the worldcaring for the unspoken voices in conflict, even those of your enemies. For this reason, Edgedancers have less interest in sophisticated society and often serve as doctors or saviors when it comes to battle. Religious people are quite common among Edgedancers, as are those who are serious about contributing to the daily lives of ordinary people.

Powers: The outbreaks of Abrasion and Progression allow Edgedancers to make plants grow faster and heal wounds. They can also utilize abrasion to manipulate friction, allowing for greater movement speeds and making them difficult to hold.

Ideas: The Edgedancers’ Ideals are focused on defending ordinary people, specifically those whose voices have been ignored.

Important characters: Elevator

8

Slave

Bondsmiths unite the radiant knights

Who are: Bondsmiths are the order of the Knights Radiant focused on the ideas of peace and unity. They are represented in The Stormlight Archive books by Dalinar Kholin, which unites the high princes of Alethkar and later the coalition of monarchs to defend the world in True Desolation. Bondsmiths’ main goal is to bring people together. Bondsmiths vary more than any other order due to the variation in spren they can relate to.

Powers: The combination of Tension and Adhesion, together with the Bonded spren’s unique powers allow for a unique and advanced set of abilities that cannot be so easily generalized like other orders. As for Dalinar, he has been shown to have realistic visions and can manipulate a spiritual force called Connection, allowing him power over the oaths of other Radiants, for example.

Ideas: Bondsmith Ideals are more unique to the given situation and the spren to whom the Bondsmith is bonded. Dalinar’s Second and Third Ideals are as follows:

“I will unite instead of divide. I will unite men.”

“I will take responsibility for what I did. If I have to fall, I will get up each time a better man.”

Important characters: Dalinar Kholin, Navani Kholin

7

Dust herald

Dustbringers seek to harness their dangerous power

Who are: The Dust Heralds are an order with great destructive power whose most important quality is the mastery and control of that power. The Dustbringers’ morality has been a constant question, with Jasnah believing they are pursuing a rebellion in Rhythm of War. However, they were often poorly evaluated. Many Dustbringers can be associated with engineers, who like to break things down to understand how they work.

Powers: Using Split Surge, Dustbringers can cause objects or people to burn or turn to dust. They can be used in combat in a similar way to artillery, providing great firepower. Using Abrasion can also provide movement-based effects.

Ideas: The Dustbringers’ ideals center on self-mastery and control.

Important characters: Malata, Ral-na

6

Skybreakers

Skybreakers are enforcers of morality and law

Who are: The Skybreakers were the only Radiants not to abandon their oaths on the Day of Rec, with Herald Nale joining their order and operating in hiding for the next two millennia. Skybreakers are known for following an unyielding moral codemonitoring other orders of Radiants to ensure that no one uses their abilities for anarchy or tyranny. The Skybreakers will be the main focus of the The Stormlight Archive book 5, Wind and Truth.

Powers: Gravitation allows Skybreakers to fly and can alter the gravity of objects, similar to Windrunners. The Surge of Division allows them to destroy objects around them.

Ideas: The Skybreakers’ Ideals are focused on defending their moral position, suggesting that the ends justify the means. The Skybreakers’ Fifth Ideal has Szeth swearing “become the law“ and learning to make judgments about right and wrong on your own, which creates some discrepancy in the meaning of the Skybreaker Ideals.

Important characters: Szeth, Nale, Sigzil

5

Observer of Truth

Truthwatchers search for the ultimate truth

Who are: The purpose of Truthwatchers is pretty self-explanatory, as its central philosophy is to discover the truth and share it. This includes keeping world leaders in check so they are being truthful, often attracting academics and thinkers. They are one of the most reserved groups of Radiants and have minimal impact on combat.

Powers: The Truthwatcher’s powers are quite limited, although they are capable of healing wounds. They can also use Illumination to alter appearances, much like Lightweavers, although Enlightened Truthwatchers are not able to do this. One who is Enlightened can only use Enlightenment to create lights. Being Enlightened also allows the Truth Seeker to see visions of the past and future.

Ideas: The Ideals of the Truthwatchers are focused on the search for truths, both internally and externally.

Important characters: Renarin Kholin, Rlain

4

Elsecaller

Elsecallers can transform objects and teleport

Who are: Represented only by Jasnah Kholin in The Stormlight Archivethe The main idea of ​​Elsecallers is to understand and achieve potential by constantly demonstrating improvements. Elsecallers are known for their immense wisdom, logistical skills and sheer competence.

Powers: The powers of Elsecaller Surges make them one of the most wizard-like orders. They can transport themselves between the Physical and Cognitive Realm of the Cosmere, which Jasnah uses to escape death in Bright words. They can also cast Soulcast objects, transforming one thing into another.

Ideas: Elsecallers’ Ideals are focused on progress and achieving individual potential.

Important characters: Jasnah Kholin

3

Weaver of Light

The Weavers of Light distort reality, demanding that they know their truths

Who are: The Lightweavers are another unique order of Knights Radiant, as instead of Ideals, their progression involves accepting and speaking truths about themselves. This ties in perfectly with Shallan’s character arc. The Lightweavers are generally the most free-spirited order and are known to see the importance of beauty and vanity in life, rather than just laws and order.

Powers: Lightweavers are able to create illusions with Lightingallowing them to change their physical appearance, something Shallan does frequently to become Radiant or Veil. They can also use Transformation to Soulcast light Elsecallers. The combination of Lightweaver Surges allows for secondary resonance effects, which allow them to memorize scenes perfectly.

Truths: The Lightweaver’s truths are individualized according to their own experience, as it is vital for them to understand the difference between truth and lies. Shallan’s truths are as follows:

“What am I? I’m terrified.”

“I’m a murderer. I killed my father.”

Important characters: Shallan Davar, Hoid

2

Will Shaper

Willshapers seek radical freedom and self-expression

Who are: Willshapers are another pretty self-explanatory order, with their general belief is that people should have the freedom to make choices. This includes encouraging forms of self-expression or working against oppressive laws. Willmakers support radical ideas, but they also have a negative reputation for being inconsistent and unreliable.

Powers: Just like Elsecallers, Willshapers are able to enter and leave the Cognitive Realm as they please. They can also use Cohesion to change the shape of objects, such as molding clay.

Ideas: The Willshaper Ideals are focused on freedom, freedom and self-expression.

Important characters: Venli, Eshonai

1

Stoneward

Stonewards are the soldiers of the Radiant Knights

Who are: Stonewards are often used for infantry forces, attracting individuals with skill in warfare, athletics, and weaponry. They are known for their reliability, trying to make the most of challenging situations through ideas of determination and strength. Stonewards can also be frustratingly stubborn.

Powers: Using Cohesion and Tension, Stonewards can manipulate objects, allowing them to reshape or change their rigidity. This includes being able to transform an object made of cloth into a stone weapon.

Ideas: The Stoneward Ideals are centered on being reliable and focused.

Important characters: Zu, Badali