Battle of Thaylen Field
Unity forged in blood: The Desolation reaches its peak at Thaylenah.
The Battle of Thaylenah stands as the climactic confrontation of Oathbringer, where the forces of Alethkar and their allies make a desperate last stand against the invading army of Odium's Fused. This conflict occurs after the Desolation has already begun with the return of the Heralds earlier in the book. The battle serves as the ultimate test for Kaladin Stormblessed and his bridgemen, who must prove their worth not just as soldiers, but as protectors of humanity against an enemy that seems impossible to defeat.
- Conflict Type
- Worldwide War / Desolation
- Primary Location
- Thaylenah (Thaylen Field) and its surrounding plains
- Key Protagonists
- Kaladin Stormblessed, Dalinar Kholin, Shallan Davar, Adolin Kholin
- Key Antagonists
- Odium's Fused, The Parshendi Army
- Significance
- Culmination of the Desolation; First major engagement after the Heralds' return
Lore & Background
For millennia, the Parshendi had sought to summon their gods back from the void, inadvertently triggering the Desolation by calling down Odium's forces, the Fused. The Battle of Thaylenah represents a critical turning point in this war, as the enemy army marches to destroy the city and the Alethi highprinces who have united under Dalinar Kholin's vision.
The defenders are a ragtag coalition that has finally united, but their greatest hope lies not in ancient gods or artifacts like the Eye of Honor, which does not exist within Thaylen City. Instead, their strength comes from the newly awakened Knights Radiant and the return of the Heralds, who arrived prior to this specific battle. The conflict is a spiritual war where the power of Stormlight and the oaths of the Radiants are pitted against the overwhelming numbers and dark powers of the Fused.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled across the plains, carrying the scent of ozone and blood. Below the city walls, the sea of black armor stretched to the horizon, a tide of Parshendi and Fused that seemed endless. Kaladin stood atop the ramparts, his plate gleaming under the unnatural light of the highstorm, feeling the weight of every life depending on him. He looked down at the bridgemen, no longer broken men, but soldiers standing tall in the face of annihilation. As the first wave crashed against the defenses, a sudden surge of Stormlight erupted from the ranks, illuminating the chaos. The Knights Radiant had answered the call, and for the first time in an age, hope burned brighter than the coming darkness.
Reader's Guide
The battle begins with the Parshendi army, bolstered by the Fused, laying siege to Thaylen City. Dalinar Kholin unites the highprinces, breaking centuries of tradition to form a single defensive line. As the enemy breaches the outer defenses and chaos ensues within the city streets, the situation seems hopeless until the Radiants manifest in their full glory, leading a counter-charge. Kaladin Stormblessed and his Windrunners take to the skies, using their newfound abilities to turn the tide against the Fused. Meanwhile, Shallan Davar and her squad fight desperately to reach the Eye of Honor to prevent Taravangian from completing his ritual.
The turning point occurs when Adolin Kholin leads a desperate defense while the Radiants hold off the Fused on the battlefield.
Did You Know?
- This is a major battle where the Knights Radiant fight openly against the Fused following their return earlier in Oathbringer.
- Kaladin's leadership during this battle cements his status as a true leader, transforming him from a bridge four survivor into a commander of thousands.
- The battle takes place during a highstorm, which provides the necessary Stormlight for the Knights Radiant to utilize their Surges fully.
- Taravangian is not present or commanding forces at Thaylen Field; he operates separately from the battlefield.