Truthwatchers

The order's two Surges: Progression (top left), Illumination (bottom left) and Ideal/Essence.

Truthwatchers are one of the ten orders of Knights Radiant. Truthwatchers share Surges with the orders of Edgedancers (Progression) and Lightweavers (Illumination). Paliah is the patron of this order.

History

“	Now, as the Truthwatchers were esoteric in nature, their order being formed entirely of those who never spoke or wrote of what they did, in this lies frustration for those who would see their exceeding secrecy from the outside; they were not naturally inclined to explanation; and in the case of Corberon's disagreements, their silence was not a sign of an exceeding abundance of disdain, but rather an exceeding abundance of tact.	”
–From Words of Radiance, chapter 11, page 6

Characteristics

Truthwatchers
Artwork by Steve Argyle[1]

As stated above, the Truthwatchers are described as being esoteric in nature, comprised of those who never spoke or wrote about what they did. They were exceedingly secretive from the outside due to an exceeding abundance of tact, and not naturally inclined to explanation.

Truthwatchers’ Shardplate is likely made up of lesser spren than mistspren.

Truthwatchers have some abilities relating to the Cognitive and Spiritual Realms set in a similar way to the Bondsmiths, and because of that they are often kind of opposed but aligned.

Known Truthwatchers

• Renarin, through Glys, belongs to this order.
• Ym was suspected of belonging to this order before his murder by Nale. Brandon has since confirmed this suspicion.
• The Stump (i.e., Arshqqam), who first appears in the novella Edgedancer, is also a Truthwatcher through her spren (i.e., Arshqqam's spren).
• Rlain, through his corrupted spren (Enlightened, according to Sja-anat) Tumi, belongs to this order. Tumi names him Bridger of Minds.

Motto

Oaths

Truthwatcher oaths are themed around seeking to find ultimate truth and sharing it. They are very concerned with knowledge and the proper exploitation of it. Note that this should not be confused with the Lightweavers, whose oaths are themed toward personal truths about themselves, said for reasons of self-actualization. Truthwatchers are more concerned with the fundamental truths of the universe, and whether or not those in power are being truthful with the people they lead.

The Truthwatchers are seen as quiet, largely known as the most scholarly order of Knights Radiant. They tend to attract scientists primarily, but also scholars or thinkers of all types. This extends to some who might not normally be known as scholarly but instead as someone often consumed by their own thoughts. In general, they tend to be reserved, particularly in person, though a small minority of Truthwatchers are greatly concerned with the actions of the powerful and might be likened to investigative reporters. These make their opinions known loudly and forcefully, particularly if they think someone in power is abusing that power or lying about fundamental truths. Note that, as with all Knights Radiant, there is great disagreement within the order about what is the truth. However, Truthwatchers tend to approach these discussions with enthusiasm, even if they generally prefer to write their opinions rather than speak them. Among the Knights Radiant, the Truthwatchers tend to be those who hold the knowledge and secrets of Surgebinding and are the ones to discover many of the newer advances in things like fabrial technology.

Immortal Words

Truthwatcher
Fan art by Petar Penev[2]

All Truthwatchers must speak the Immortal Words of the Knights Radiant, which are a set of rules by which Radiants live. The First Ideal, identical for all orders of the Radiants, is used as their motto. Each of the Radiant orders then had an additional number of Ideals that were unique to each order. For the Truthwatchers, these Ideals are as follows:

The First Ideal

Also known as the Ideal of Radiance.

“

Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination.

”

Epigraphs

“	I worry about my fellow Truthwatchers.	”
–From drawer 8-21, second emerald