The Alethi king, Gavilar Kholin, was assassinated during the treaty celebration with the Parshendi because he was secretly planning actions that deeply threatened the Parshendi — both their autonomy and their spiritual/political identity. His plot triggered fear among some Parshendi leaders, leading to the decision…
Key facts behind the motivation
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Gavilar’s plan to “revive the gods” (the Unmade): He openly told Eshonai that he intended to bring back the Parshendi’s old gods. To him, this was tied to ending the Oathpact’s binding and encouraging the Heralds to return — actions with apocalyptic implications.
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Possession of a dark Gemheart and exposing Spren-trapping fabrial plans: Gavilar’s letting Eshonai see a device/fabrial that could trap spren, delivering her the dark Gemheart, made the Parshendi aware that his plans were more than diplomatic.
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Parshendi Council of Five’s agreement: Faced with Gavilar’s intentions, Eshonai brought what she learned to the Council of Five. They collectively determined that Gavilar’s plans endangered Parshendi from within — so they decided assassination was necessary.
If you want, I can break down how this decision impacted the political and metaphysical consequences in Words of Radiance and Oathbringer.
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