Renarin Kholin
| House / Order | Truthwatchers; House Kholin |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | Alethi |
| Status | Alive |
| Origin | Alethkar; Urithiru |
| Born | Alethkar |
| Died | |
| Weapon | Glys (living Shardblade) |
| Fate | Truthwatcher of the new Knights Radiant, bonded to a corrupted spren |
| Portrayed by |
Renarin Kholin is a character in The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The younger son of Dalinar Kholin, Renarin is a quiet, anxious young man long sidelined by a blood condition that gave him seizures and poor eyesight, keeping him from the battlefield. He becomes a Truthwatcher of the Knights Radiant, bonded to a unique corrupted spren named Glys.
Renarin's arc is one of finding belonging and self-worth despite being different. His powers are unusual even among Radiants, granting him visions of the future -- an ability tied to Odium's influence -- which makes him both invaluable and feared, including by himself.
Background
Renarin grew up as the "weak" Kholin son, unable to fight due to a condition resembling epilepsy and dependent on spectacles. He compensated with intellect and a fascination for fabrials and engineering, often feeling like a disappointment beside his celebrated brother Adolin Kholin and warlord father. His character traits are widely read by fans as coded autistic.
Biography
Early books
Early in the series Renarin is granted a Shardblade and Shardplate but struggles to use them, his seizures making him a liability in battle. He yearns to be useful to his family and his nation. Quietly, he begins to change -- healing of his condition, a telltale sign that he has bonded a spren and become a Radiant before he openly admits it.
Oathbringer
Renarin reveals himself as a Truthwatcher, bonded to Glys, a spren that has been corrupted by Odium. This grants him visions of possible futures rather than the standard Truthwatcher abilities. His powers become central at the Battle of Thaylen Field: because his future-sight comes from Odium's side, Odium cannot see him, making Renarin a blind spot in the enemy's perfect foresight -- the crack that lets the coalition win.
Rhythm of War and Wind and Truth
Renarin grows into his identity and his unusual gifts, forming a tender relationship with the Truthwatcher Rlain (one of the Singers of Bridge Four). His ability to see and disrupt the future continues to make him a singular asset against Odium, and his confidence steadily grows.
Character
Renarin is gentle, observant, and deeply loyal, often underestimated because of his quietness and his condition. He fears being a burden and longs to belong. His healing and Radiant powers transform him from the overlooked Kholin son into one of the most strategically important figures in the war, precisely because his nature lies outside the enemy's expectations.
Powers and abilities
- Main article: Truthwatchers
As a Truthwatcher, Renarin would normally wield the Surges of Progression and Illumination, granting healing and illusion. Because his spren Glys is corrupted by Odium, his powers manifest unusually as future-sight -- visions of things to come, rendered in glyphs and images. This same corruption renders him invisible to Odium's own foresight. His bond with Glys grants him a living Shardblade.
Relationships
- Glys -- his corrupted Truthwatcher spren and living Shardblade.
- Dalinar Kholin -- his father, whose approval he long sought.
- Adolin Kholin -- his protective elder brother.
- Rlain -- a Singer of Bridge Four and fellow Truthwatcher, with whom he shares a close bond.
- Jasnah Kholin -- his cousin, who comes to value his unique perspective.
Quotes
I'm not wrong. I'm not always wrong.
Expectation. That's the true magic of life. And the true curse as well.