Dahn - Incorrect sentence?

[Binnut he/him]

However Darkeyes could be promoted to the equivalent of a Dahn rank, for example Kaladin was eventually promoted to the equivalent of a Lighteyes of the Fourth Dahn.

 

I do not think this is correct but I want to be sure before change it.

 

My interpretation of the conversation in the book is that Kaladin is given command over a number of soldiers that normally is given to a lighteyes of fourth dahn but he still keeps his nahn rank. (second or mabye raised to  first).

 

He also has no say over lighteyes with rank under fourth dahn so he is not over them in rank. He have just been given a command usually not given to anyone with his rank and have been excluded from the normal chain of command  for security reasons.

 

Any thoughts?

[Windrunner he/him]

I'm not seeing any problems with it. The sentence doesn't imply that they have authority over lighteyes, just that they can be given ranks traditionally give to lighteyes of higher ranks.

[Shardlet he/him]

I don't know.  I kinda agree with Binnut.  The Dahn and Nahn ranks do not only regard authority but also social ranks.  Not only that, Kaladin's rank, regardless of how many soldiers he commanded, could never be "equivalent" to any Dahn ranking because he is darkeyed.  For example, 1st and 2nd nahn can, with permission, marry low ranking (bottom dahn or two?) lighteyes.  In such cases the bottom dahn lighteye still outranks the top nahn darkeye. 

 

Kaladin's new position gives him authority over a large number of darkeyed soldiers.  I don't think we can draw anything from that other than the number of troops he cammands is consistent with the number of troops a lighteye of the 4th dahn or greater would command.  IIRC, the distinction ends there.  Truly, he will have a peculiar notability and social standing.  But he is darkeyed and therefore would not be held by the lighteyes (except perhaps Dalinar and those of a like mind) to be the equivalent of any lighteye.

[Isomere]

I'd just take the entire sentence out. Kaladin is a huge exception, essentially "outside" the nahn and dahn rankings. 

[Joe ST he/him]

Proof that he's an exception please...

[Zizoz he/him]

Dalinar says he is "giving [Kaladin] the same authority as a lighteyes of fourth dahn", which I take to be different from promoting him to an equivalent rank. I also think that Kaladin's request that he take orders only from Dalinar, his sons and the king -- which Dalinar calls "a little... irregular" -- is what Dalinar is talking about here.

[Isomere]

“You have a point,” Dalinar said. “You realize, however, that in doing this I would essentially be giving you the same authority as a lighteyes of fourth dahn. You’d be in charge of a thousand former bridgemen. A full battalion.”

“Yes.”

Dalinar thought for a moment. “Very well. Consider yourself appointed to the rank of captain—that’s as high as I dare appoint a darkeyes. If I named you battalionlord, it would cause a whole mess of problems. I’ll let it be known, however, that you’re outside the chain of command. You don’t order around lighteyes of lesser rank than you, and lighteyes of higher rank have no authority over you.”

He is listed an as exception to the rank rules right in the book, but it does imply his current rank of captain is "above" some lighteyes. Note, it never said his nahn status was changed.

[Windrunner he/him]

That brings up an interesting question. What is Kaladin's nahn now? Does he start back down at the tenth now that he's been freed?

[Shardlet he/him]

I would expect that the significance and even uniqueness of his position would absolutely demand that he be 1st nahn.  I suspect we will find out in short order in WoR.

[Windrunner he/him]

The only thing is, does Dalinar even have the authority to change Kaladin's nahn? Ardents seem to run that sort of thing. Possibly he could get a boost due to his heroism? I do agree that we'll find out rather quickly.

[Stairdweller he/him]

I am not convinced that the Ardents assign nahn or dahn; those ranks are critical in Vorin kingdoms, determining who one can marry, granting citizen and determining which rights a person is entitled to. I can't see the ardentia, which is specifically designed to not wield power, making those sorts of determinations.