Who is the Assassin in White and what are his powers?

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Identity

• Name: Szeth-son-son-Vallano (also known as Szeth-son-neturo in later texts) — goes by Szeth. He is the “Assassin in White.”
• Origin: He’s a Shin man from the remote nation of Shinovar. His people condemns him as Truthless — someone who is forced to follow the commands of whoever holds his oathstone, effectively making him a slave to their orders. - Role in Words of Radiance: Szeth is responsible for killing several high-profile figures at his master’s bidding, including King Gavilar. Now, he’s been commanded by Taravangian to target Highprince Dalinar. Kaleidoscopically, he catalyzes major upheaval in Alethi politics.

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Powers & Abilities

• Honorblade: Szeth wields Jezrien’s Honorblade, which grants him powers similar to a Surgebinder even though he has not bonded a spren in the normal way. With it, he can use Surgebinding-like abilities temporarily.

• Surgebinding (Windrunner formerly; other powers as Skybreaker later):

  • As the Assassin in White, he uses abilities like Gravity-manipulation to fly, incredible speed, enhanced strength, and to cut through stone and metal. He can use limited Stormlight to heal or surge his body. * His Honorblade functions like an Honorblade wielded by a Herald: extremely powerful, giving him access to multiple Surges (although in many cases his use is tied to the blade rather than a bonded spren).

• Mastery and Combat Skill: Szeth is almost preternaturally trained — excellent with sword, stealth, assassination tactics; he far outclasses average lighteyes and darkeyes in speed and lethal ability. He uses surprise, agility, and Windrunner/Yielding Surges (depending on context) to bypass guards and defenses.

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