Oathbringer Chapter 3: One Problem Solved - Summary & Analysis

Spoiler Warning: This summary contains extensive spoilers for Oathbringer and the Stormlight Archive series. If you haven’t read the book, proceed with caution.

Summary

The chapter opens with Adolin Kholin overseeing the chaotic distribution of supplies in the cavernous tower city of Urithiru. He redirects a wagonload of beer bound for the wrong sector and soothes workers who resent hauling water because they consider it parshman labor — impossible now that all parshmen have been awakened as Voidbringers. Though his sword hand is broken and his face bruised from the recent battle, Adolin throws himself into the tasks to avoid dwelling on an unbearable thought: he murdered Highprince Torol Sadeas the day before.

A runner interrupts his work to announce that something has been found on the third floor. Adolin knows exactly what it is.

Dalinar, meanwhile, hears shouting as he walks with Navani. He bursts into an intersection to find Bridge Four soldiers and Sadeas’s men facing off beside a corpse covered by a green jacket. Dalinar shouts both groups down, demanding they stand back. Teft of Bridge Four cannot hide his contempt, but Dalinar orders silence. Kneeling beside the body, he notes the dried blood, proving that Sadeas has been lying dead for hours, not moved recently. Sadeas’s officer admits they lost the highprince in the confusing tunnels.

Dalinar has the body moved to a side room and summons key allies: Navani, his sons Adolin and Renarin, Shallan Davar, the scribe Kalami, and Highprince Sebarial along with his mistress Palona. Highprince Aladar arrives later. As they examine the knife wound through the eye — a wound that would have pierced an armored man’s helm but here killed an unarmored man — Palona bluntly calls it “one problem solved.” Everyone in the room silently agrees; Sadeas was a traitor who had tried to kill Dalinar. Yet Dalinar recalls the younger Sadeas, a friend who shared Gavilar’s dreams, and feels troubled by his own satisfaction at the death.

Dalinar leads the group out onto a balcony overlooking the mountain peaks. In the cold air he points to the clouds and explains that they are above the storms, but the world below will soon face the Desolation’s full fury. He assigns new responsibilities: Aladar becomes Highprince of Information, tasked with maintaining law and order in Urithiru; Sebarial is named Highprince of Commerce to account supplies and establish markets; Adolin will organize the troops and impose a training regimen under Dalinar’s authority as Highprince of War. Bridge Four will continue exploring the tower with the scribes. Dalinar then turns to Renarin and Shallan, the fledgling Radiants, and charges them with mastering their powers so they can lead other Radiants who will come. Renarin protests that he doesn’t know how, but Dalinar places his trust in him. The chapter ends with Dalinar’s resolve to do what even the Sunmaker could not: unify all of Roshar against the Voidbringers and the enemy’s champion.

Key Events

Adolin struggles with guilt while managing Urithiru’s chaotic influx of supplies and people.
A runner reports a discovery; both Adolin and Dalinar move to investigate.
Dalinar defuses a confrontation between Bridge Four and Sadeas’s soldiers over Sadeas’s corpse.
Dalinar’s inspection confirms the body was not moved, and he secures the scene.
In a private room, Palona voices what everyone thinks — Sadeas’s death is a relief.
Dalinar reflects on Sadeas’s lost potential and his own uneasy feelings.
On a balcony, Dalinar outlines his plan and delegates authority to Aladar, Sebarial, and Adolin.
Dalinar reveals his ambition to unify the entire continent of Roshar.
Renarin and Shallan are tasked with becoming leaders among the Radiants.

Character Development

Adolin: Though outwardly calm, Adolin’s broken wrist and self-imposed busywork betray his inner turmoil. He cannot reconcile the fact that he assassinated a highprince, and he fears being exposed. His guilty conscience colors every interaction.
Dalinar: The Blackthorn displays both his commanding presence and his philosophical side. He does not pretend to mourn Sadeas, but he recognizes the strategic loss. His memories of a younger Sadeas add pathos and highlight Dalinar’s evolution from simple warrior to a leader who values unity above vengeance.
Sebarial and Palona: The pair offer darkly comic relief, but their pragmatism underscores the chapter’s moral complexity. Palona says what no one else dares, and Sebarial’s support of Dalinar, however reluctant, shows where the political winds are shifting.
Aladar: Once a squabbling highprince, Aladar now pledges absolute loyalty, a testament to the impact of the Battle of Narak and Dalinar’s vision.
Renarin: His self‑doubt is on full display, yet Dalinar’s trust forces him to accept a role far larger than he feels capable of filling.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Unity vs. Division: The chapter repeatedly stresses the cost of infighting — from the worker squabbles to the near‑riot over Sadeas’s body — and culminates in Dalinar’s declaration to unify Roshar as the only way to survive the Desolation.
Burden of Leadership: Dalinar’s decision‑making is heavy with the knowledge that the Everstorm will return. He shoulders the responsibility not just for his army but for the entire world, a weight he shares by delegating power to trusted allies.
Hidden Guilt: Adolin’s secret murder of Sadeas contrasts sharply with the open conflicts around him. The chapter explores how personal guilt can fester even as larger crises demand attention.
The Voice in the Wind: The recurring command “Unite them” that Dalinar hears is a symbol of his divine mandate, reinforcing that his plans are not merely political but cosmically necessary.

Why This Chapter Matters

“One Problem Solved” is a turning point for Urithiru’s nascent society. Sadeas’s removal eliminates a major internal threat, but it also forces Dalinar to consolidate power quickly. The appointments of Aladar and Sebarial establish the beginnings of a functional government, while Adolin’s military role and the Radiants’ training lay the groundwork for the coming war. Most importantly, Dalinar’s public declaration to unify Roshar sets the overarching goal for the rest of the novel. The chapter masterfully balances the immediate fallout of a murder mystery with the grand scale of a world‑shattering Desolation, reminding readers that personal and political stakes are interwoven.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Dalinar’s handling of Sadeas’s murder demonstrate his leadership style?
Dalinar prioritizes de‑escalation and order. He physically separates the rival soldiers, relies on forensic observation (the dried blood) to halt accusations of body‑moving, and swiftly removes Bridge Four from the scene. Rather than seeking vengeance, he turns the crisis into an opportunity to restructure the camp’s command, exemplifying his pragmatic, forward‑looking leadership.
What does Adolin’s perspective reveal about the personal cost of his secret?
Adolin’s frantic busywork and reluctance to be alone show a young man haunted by his own actions. His guilt isolates him even from his father’s inner circle. The chapter plants the fear that this secret will eventually surface, adding tension to every future interaction Adolin has with Dalinar and the bridge crews.
Why is Dalinar’s goal to unify Roshar so ambitious, and what immediate obstacles does he face?
No ruler in history has ever unified the entire continent. Dalinar must overcome deep‑seated Alethi factionalism, the logistical chaos of a displaced population, and the distrust of highprinces who stayed behind. On top of that, the Voidbringers will attack again, and the stolen Shardblade suggests an unknown killer is still at large. His plan is radically idealistic, yet the chapter treats it as the only viable path forward.

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