Yenev vs. Sadeas

[Soletaken]

I wanted to write about a part when Shallan, Adolin and Kaladin sit in a carriage and discuss a way to trap Sadeas with a gambit he once performed.

"Bringing down Yenev was an act of inspired simplicity. My husband spoke with Gavilar regarding the Rite of Challenge and the King's Boon, ancient traditions that many of the lighteyes knew, but ignored in modern circumstances.
(...)
"It could work, Shallan. I could try the same thing - make a spectacle of my fight with Relis and the other person he brings, wow the crowd, earn a boon from the king and demand a Right of Challenge to Sadeas himself"
(...)
"He'd never agree", Kaladin said.. "Sadeas won't let himself be trapped like that."
(...)
"The Right of Challenge is an ancient tradition - some say the Heralds instituted it. A lighteyed warrior who has proven himself before the Almighty and the king, turning and demanding justice from one who wronged him..."
(...)
"... though, by this tradition, Sadeas could appoint a champion to fight on his behalf, so Adolin might not get to duel him personally. He'd still win Sadeas's Shards, though."
(...)
"But it's all just games," Kaladin said.
"Yes," Adolin said."But it's a game that Sadeas is playing. They are rules he's accepted."

 

First time I read this fragment, I didn't think much of it. It was just a nice way to present an excuse for super cool 1v4 match that turned into "Kaladin is awesome" show. But on the second readthrough it hit me as a nice parallel to what Tanavast is suggesting as a way to fight Odium. Right of Challenge - ancient tradition by which when a lighteye (presumably radiant/herald, as iirc lighteyes were not really a nobility in "ancient" times) proves himself in front of Almighty (can be read as becomes his champion) he can challenge the one who wronged him (we can assume Odium will wrong a lot of people with his desolations ;P). It even mentions the other side choosing a champion too. I liked how they even state that it is all a game, but a game that the other side accepted with all of its rules and other implications.
And if we choose to further this analogy, then the part about winning his opponent's Shard in this duel becomes REALLY interesting

I know that it's nothing new, and it isn't really a new theory or a speculation, but I just liked this fragment too much to pass on commenting

[ccstat]

Nice catch. I had not thought about it in that context, but it is a great parallel. 

[Aether]

On a side note, what would an Honour + Odium combination make? Righteousness?

[Cstryon]

Vigilance? Justice? Righteous Indignation?

Edit: whoa I just got really excited about Vigilance. Modern day Roshar, is actually a lot like DC comics. But with surgebinders, or what ever the Odium + Honor equivalent will be!

Edited June 5, 2014 by Cstryon

[Moogle]

On a side note, what would an Honour + Odium combination make? Righteousness?

 

I'm a fan of Justice, or perhaps Vengeance.

[Baine]

My vote is for Justice. Vengeance by itself is not honorable. (although justice can serve vengeance)

[Kaladin]

My vote is for Justice. Vengeance by itself is not honorable. (although justice can serve vengeance)

It depends on the social system and culture in question. Many historical cultures have viewed revenge as honorable. The Aztecs and the other peoples of central Mexico viewed the flower wars as honorable, and those were ritualistic wars designed to capture your opponents for human sacrifice rather than killing them on the field.

 

Whatever resulted from a merging of the two would I think be something dark given that Odium seems stronger than Honor and they are not two perfectly opposing ideals like preservation and ruin. The result wouldn't be a balanced outcome, but something that D&D would classify as lawful evil.

 

If you wanted Righteousness you'd have to merge Honor and Devotion.

 

[Aether]

If you wanted Righteousness you'd have to merge Honor and Devotion.

Good point.