[OB] Tezim

[dantlee]

So we get a little bit more information on Tezim, the God-Priest of Tukar in chapter 8. His claiming to be an "Aspect of the Almighty" strongly implies he thinks he's a sliver of Honor - what are people's thoughts? I know some people had already been speculating that he might be a herald. 
 

Here are the quotes we have on Tezim, for those needing a refresher: 

Quote

 

WoK chapter 54 (Discussion between two ardents on whether the conflict between Tukari and Emuli is religious or economic): 

"This particular war is over the city of Sesemalex Dar, which the Emuli have made their capital. It's an excellent trade city, and the Tukari want it."

... [some discussion on whether Sesemalex Dar is a dawncity]

"The city's pattern is central to the Emuli religion," the ardent said. "They claim it is their ancestral homeland, a gift to them from the Heralds. and the Tukari are led by that god-priest of theirs, Tezim. So the conflict is religious by nature."

 

Quote

 

Words of Radiance chapter 54 (Mraize to unknown person):

Mraize: “No, I’m not worried about that one. The old fool [Restares] sows chaos, but does not reach for the power offered by opportunity. He hides in his insignificant city, listening to its songs, thinking he plays in world events. He has no idea. His is not the position of the hunter. This creature in Tukar, however, is different. I’m not convinced he is human. If he is, he’s certainly not of the local species.…”

 

 

Quote

 

Oathbringer Chapter 8: 

“I wouldn’t worry about the Azish,” Navani said, tapping her notepad with a pen, then writing something in it. “They’ll listen to reason; they always do. What about Tukar and Emul? I wouldn’t be surprised if that war of theirs is enough to distract them even from the return of the Desolations.”

Dalinar grunted, rubbing his chin with one hand. “There’s that warlord in Tukar. What’s his name?”

“Tezim,” Navani said. “Claims he’s an aspect of the Almighty.”

Shallan sniffed as she slipped into the seat beside Adolin, setting her satchel and drawing pad on the floor. “Aspect of the Almighty? At least he’s humble.”

 

Quote

Oathbringer Chapter 24: 

“ ‘A warning,’” Navani read, “ ‘from Tezim the Great, last and first man, Herald of Heralds and bearer of the Oathpact. His grandness, immortality, and power be praised. Lift up your heads and hear, men of the east, of your God’s proclamation.

“ ‘None are Radiant but him. His fury is ignited by your pitiful claims, and your unlawful capture of his holy city is an act of rebellion, depravity, and wickedness. Open your gates, men of the east, to his righteous soldiers and deliver unto him your spoils.

“ ‘Renounce your foolish claims and swear yourselves to him. The judgment of the final storm has come to destroy all men, and only his path will lead to deliverance. He deigns to send you this single mandate, and will not speak it again. Even this is far above what your carnal natures deserve.’ ”

She lowered the paper.

“Wow,” Adrotagia said. “Well, at least it’s clear.”

Taravangian scratched at his head, brow furrowed, as if he didn’t agree with that statement at all.

So we know he's the leader of the Tukari, he's trying to conquer Sesemalex Dar, Mraize is worried about him and thinks he's probably not human, and he's a "god-priest" claiming to be an "Aspect of the Almighty."

Update 10/18: And we know that he calls himself "Herald of Heralds and bearer of the Oathpact." 

And here are the WoB I could find: 

Spoiler

 

Q: Are we going to learn more about the Tukari in the next Stormlight Archive book [Oathbringer]?

A: Um… You will learn a little… I don’t want to say yes because then you will be expecting more than there is. There is some. You’ll get at least one major thing you learn, but it’s not amazing.

Spoiler

Q: Can you tell us who the main interlude character is for this book? Like Szeth for TWoK and Eshonai for WoR. 

A: RAFO.

Q: We know that the recurring interlude character is typically one who plays an important role in events, but is currently not interacting directly with other characters My guess is that it's Jasnah, as she slowly makes her way back to civilization, or explores Shadesmar.

A: You are correct in that it's someone important, but generally unconnected. It's also, generally, going to be someone who hasn't had a large number of viewpoints so far. it does give a spoiler if i say who is is for this book, though.

Q: Because it's someone we believe dead/ somewhere else/ something along those lines? Kind of like giving away the protagonist of Secret History is a spoiler in an of itself?

A: It's not as big of spoiler as that; it will just set you wondering about something else that IS a spoiler. This will make sense when the book is out. (feel free to ask my rationale when its out).

Q: Is it Tezim, the god-priest of the Tukari? I'd love to see an interlude focused on him. There have been many hints that there is something really unusual happening there. 

A: RAFO. 

Thoughts with this admittedly very limited info? I personally think that him being Ishar or Jezrien is a bit too obvious for Brandon, although the aspect of the almighty line sure makes it sound like he's a sliver. 

Edited October 22, 2017 by dantlee

[Darkness he/him]

Upvoted. Thanks for going through and collecting all that I was wondering about him. Too little info for me to comment on him though I think for now.

[Calderis he/him]

"Aspect of the Almighty" lends some credence to the "Tezim is a Herald" theory. Assuming he's not just crazy that is. 

[+robardin he/him]

39 minutes ago, Calderis said:

"Aspect of the Almighty" lends some credence to the "Tezim is a Herald" theory. Assuming he's not just crazy that is. 

I'm hoping there will be some mention of Tezim having a strangely constant emission of saliva that will cause most of this board to go AHAHAAAA!

 

 

[Nymeros]

He's either Ishar or the 2nd Bondsmith.....it is known.

[Runyan Firetree]

> This creature in Tukar, however, is different. I’m not convinced he is human. If he is, he’s certainly not of the local species.…”

When I wear my aluminum bowler cap I like to hold the unlikely hope that Tezim is [Mistborn-All spoilers]
 

Spoiler

 

A certain Scandrian:

• human status: questionable post MB:Era 2
• previous history manipulating religions and impersonating god-kings
• Depending on in-world pronunciation, Tezim said in reverse could be pretty close to "Mist"

 

 

[Nymeros]

.....I doubt Tezim would be a white guy.

[Toaster Retribution he/him]

I think he is Ishar. It would make sense for Ishars madness too. He is supposed to be pious and guiding, but instead holds himself up as close to the Almighty, and leads people to what probably is an unnecessary war, just like he (Edgedancer spoilers):

Spoiler

Led Nale on a unnecessary murder-quest.

 

[Nymeros]

^Smart man.

[The Invested Beard]

Yeah Ishar is a good bet with all the info we have so far. That could all change of course if new info comes to light.

[Steeldancer he/him]

I would like to say I think I found a candidate for Ishar, and he was in the Palaneum. So I'm not going to think he's ishar for now. Not of the local species? That doesn't sound like a herald. 

Wait. 

Wait a second. 

What if it's Vivenna??????!!!!!!! What if they all think it's a guy, but they're wrong and it's a girl?!

[ccstat he/him]

Mraize says Tezim is likely to be either nonhuman or a world hopper (or both). I've been leaning towards world hopper, possibly kandra, but if he's sincere in his claim about the Almighty that makes me think Tezim might be local. So far we've only seen the Sleepless as observers, but do you think one of them might be acting as a world leader in this way?

Aside: I'm pretty sure when Mraize says "The old fool sows chaos..." earlier in that quote he's referring to Taravangian, not to Restares.

 

[Calderis he/him]

15 minutes ago, Steeldancer said:

Not of the local species? That doesn't sound like a herald. 

It does if the Heralds aren't strictly Rosharan. 

[The Invested Beard]

Just now, Calderis said:

It does if the Heralds aren't strictly Rosharan. 

This.

[Ammanas]

3 hours ago, Calderis said:

"Aspect of the Almighty" lends some credence to the "Tezim is a Herald" theory. Assuming he's not just crazy that is. 

Or he doesn't believe what he says and just claims he is a Aspect of the Almighty in order to gain control, and not have his actions questioned. That's how I interpret it at least. Who can argue with the Almighty*?

*Said with wryness in voice inflection. 

[Ansalem]

Perhaps he's a Sliver of Odium.

[Watchcry he/him]

If he was anything of a herald or higher I would think his power would be used to defeat his enemy quickly, not to make it some drawn out conflict. 

[Calderis he/him]

3 minutes ago, Watchcry said:

If he was anything of a herald or higher I would think his power would be used to defeat his enemy quickly, not to make it some drawn out conflict. 

Why? Other than Nale the Heralds don't have their Blades. The majority of their powers are not available to them. 

[Steeldancer he/him]

Im sticking with vivenna as tezim. It's such an awesome idea. 

[Ammanas]

12 minutes ago, Steeldancer said:

Im sticking with vivenna as tezim. It's such an awesome idea. 

Too bad Tezim is a Dakhor monk. It is a well known fact 

[Nathrangking he/him]

I think that Tezim is scadrian.  Rogue Kandra? Ironeyes gone a bit mad? Aspect of the Almighty sounds very much like the whole sliver of infinity that the lord ruler used in TFE era.

[Yata he/him]

I think Tezim is a simple Radiants.

Strictly speaking a Radiant is bond to a piece of the Almight so the description Will fit.

I don't take the "Sliver" as a the Realmatic term but rather a local use of the word.

 

[Khyrindor he/him]

11 hours ago, Steeldancer said:

I would like to say I think I found a candidate for Ishar, and he was in the Palaneum. So I'm not going to think he's ishar for now. Not of the local species? That doesn't sound like a herald. 

1

Out of curiosity, who do you suspect as Ishar? I'm doing a Stormlight Archive reread currently and I'd like to look out for such things (still in WoK).

Otherwise, I think I support the idea that Tezim is Ishar. The parallels make a lot of sense. Only kicker is Mraize's quote about the local species. Could be something we haven't seen yet too.

[WhiteLeeopard she/her]

I'm strongly leaning with worldhopper. Mraize is a worldhopper with a damnation impressive collection of Cosmere souvenirs (including sand from Taldain and a branch from Yolen, both of which Khriss can't enter), I'm pretty sure if he says "that creature is not human, or at least not from Roshar" he is right. 

[Yata he/him]

5 hours ago, WhiteLeeopard said:

I'm strongly leaning with worldhopper. Mraize is a worldhopper with a damnation impressive collection of Cosmere souvenirs (including sand from Taldain and a branch from Yolen, both of which Khriss can't enter), I'm pretty sure if he says "that creature is not human, or at least not from Roshar" he is right. 

You could be right, but just because Mraize has a great knowledge of the other planets, it doesn't mean he has a complete understanding of Roshar.

He like others know not know many ancient facts about his home planet and his magic. Also people who are doveted to study Cosmere's magic fail to understand all of them also with all the documentations at their disposal.

PS: about his Collection, both the sand and the branch could be from a time where those places are easy to reach