Here’s a breakdown of what’s known in Words of Radiance about the true motives behind the Assassin’s (Szeth’s) attacks:
Deeper Motives Behind the Assassin’s Attacks
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Obedience to the Oathstone Szeth is bound by his status as Truthless, which forces him to obey whoever holds his Oathstone. He believes he has no choice in whom he serves, even when he personally finds the orders immoral. This external compulsion frames his role as an assassin. Sources: Coppermind character guide and Szeth’s biography.
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Directed by Taravangian via the Diagram The high-level architect behind the assassination plot is King Taravangian. He uses Szeth as a weapon to further a plan laid out in “the Diagram”—a prophetic/strategic text he created during a brief period of exceptional genius. The Diagram instructs Taravangian to destabilize key power structures—by assassination—to ultimately unite humanity and prepare for existential threats. Killing Dalinar is explicitly one instruction from the Diagram. Sources: Taravangian wiki entry, The Diagram article.
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Preventing Dalinar's Rise One concrete target repeatedly named is Dalinar Kholin. Taravangian sees Dalinar as a threat because Dalinar’s leadership could unify the Alethi highprinces and disrupt the balance Taravangian needs. Eliminating Dalinar is meant to prevent a powerful coalition and maintain political fragmentation. Sources: Coppermind and Taravangian entries.
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Destiny & Foreseen Crises Taravangian’s actions are rooted in a fear of impending disasters—especially the return of the Voidbringers and the coming of a Desolation. Szeth’s assassinations are steps in Taravangian’s grand strategy to prepare for or forestall a catastrophic future. Sources: Diagram entry, Szeth guide.
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Szeth’s Own Doubts Although Szeth is compelled to obey, he struggles with guilt, remorse, and questions of morality. When he fights Kaladin and witnesses the proof that Surgebinders are returning, it shakes his belief that his status as Truthless is legitimate. This internal conflict points to Szeth being more than a mindless killer—he’s deeply haunted by what he must do under orders. Sources: Part 2 summary, Szeth guide.
If you want, I can also track how these motives evolve in later books, especially Oathbringer.
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