Valor’s “Champion”

[Jeffo]

It’s stated in the book that Dalinar was claimed by someone and it’s a bit ambiguous (imo) if this was a shard or if it was referring to the beyond.

Does anyone think that Valor could have claimed him and be looking to use him in his fight with Retribution?

I’ve seen it suggested that Valor could be hiding out in the Roshar system, possibly in the spiritual or cognitive realm. So could have been close at hand?

It would be very cool to see some aspect of Dalinar return. Maybe wishful thinking on my part!

 

edit - stupid spellcheck

Edited December 27, 2024 by Jeffo

[Argenti he/him]

8 minutes ago, Jeffo said:

It’s stated in the book that Dalinar was claimed by someone and it’s a bit ambiguous (imo) if this was a shard or if it was referring to the beyond.

Does anyone think that Valor could have claimed him and be looking to use him in his fight with Retribution?

I’ve seen it suggested that Valor could be hiding out in the Rodger system, possibly in the spiritual or cognitive realm. So could have been close at hand?

It would be very cool to see some aspect of Dalinar return. Maybe wishful thinking on my part!

Dalinar is dead. The whole stretching to the beyond thing is the next best thing to Brandon saying it himself. 

The who claimed him thing is the only ambiguity. I think it's just the beyond, buy it very well could be Valor, or Nahado, or whoever. 

It's wishful thinking to hope Dalinar comes back, but, the blackthorn is around, and is kinda like diet dalinar!

[earthexile]

I could imagine a being like Valor claiming Dalinar's soul solely for the purpose of letting him pass on unmolested. The man sacrificed his life rather than betray his principles, in a way that both created a mighty enemy and ensured that a great war for the galaxy would kick off. I bet Valor digs that kind of thing. 

Although it would be real cool if Dalinar did return as Valor's champion. We can only imagine what kind of insane battle magic Valor can offer, Dalinar the Einherjar has a nice ring to it.

[Toaster Retribution he/him]

Dalinar is dead. Passing into the Beyond is Brandons way of confirming that a character is truly gone and beyond resurrection. And I think it is important to keep it that way: death has to mean something, after all. Furthermore, Dalinars death is a ”passing the torch” moment to the next generation of Radiants who has to deal with a new version of Roshar. There is no narrative reason to bring him back, and Brandon used an established narrative tool to confirm that he is genuinely dead. 

[Nitpicking]

Dalinar is dead, but Brandon is cheating with the Blackthorn spren, maybe, so Dalinar can be killed and yet still be a character. I hope not, but he shows a strong tendency to cling to favorite characters.