Wind and Truth Chapter 58: Dalinar’s Gamble and the Chasmfiends’ Secret
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Dalinar witnesses a gathering of the early Heralds in a vision set shortly after the Desolation’s conclusion. Jezrien, Ishar, Chana, and Vedel discuss plans to move east and help surviving humans, while Shalash confronts her father about being treated as a child. Dalinar learns that writing does not yet exist; the Heralds communicate orally and use physical tokens as records. When Jezrien mentions a stone disc given by Nale to signify a debt, Dalinar snatches it, defying the Stormfather’s plea to stop. The disc becomes an anchor that allows him to continue his journey through the vision.
Meanwhile, Venli listens to Thude’s song about the chasmfiends, sung from the beasts’ perspective. The song reveals that chasmfiends view humans and listeners as rivals, not prey, and that the creatures retreated from the Shattered Plains only after their young were killed. Venli questions why chasmfiends must undergo their final transformation at the Shattered Plains. Pressing a chasmfiend’s memory, she senses a powerful song emanating from the ground itself, hinting at an ancient force beneath the Plains. She wonders whether Odium’s obsession with the region—symbolized by Nergaoul’s presence—stems from this same mystery.
Outside the vision, Navani comforts Gav and speaks with the Wind spren. The Wind confirms that Dalinar’s desire to become Honor is valid but will cause immense pain, and it reveals it is preparing its own champion.
Key Events
- Dalinar observes the Heralds debating their next steps in a primitive dugout.
- Shalash angrily demands to be included in the Heralds’ plans, frustrated at being treated as a child despite being over sixty.
- Ishar mentions his “idea of gods” but refuses to explain it, citing a divine timescale.
- Dalinar realizes that the Heralds have no written language yet.
- Jezrien reveals a stone disc from Nale that symbolizes an oath of debt.
- Dalinar snatches the disc, over the Stormfather’s objections, and uses it to anchor himself in the vision.
- Thude performs a song from the chasmfiends’ perspective, explaining their view of humans and listeners as rivals.
- Venli learns that chasmfiends communicate via mental projections and that they need the Shattered Plains for their final transformation because of power in the ground.
- She senses the stones “singing” and questions the deeper purpose of the Plains.
- Navani converses with the Wind spren, which confirms it is seeking its own champion.
Character Development
Dalinar: Despite the Stormfather’s clear distress, Dalinar takes the disc without hesitation, prioritizing his quest for knowledge over trust in his spren. This decision underscores his desperation and willingness to push bonds to their limit.
Venli: She struggles with lingering pride and the need for validation. Her mother’s embrace helps her attune love and acceptance. Venli’s curiosity leads her to probe the chasmfiend’s memory, showing growth beyond her earlier self-centeredness.
Shalash: Her fiery confrontation with Jezrien reveals a Herald desperate to be taken seriously. Her anger spren respond to her frustration, emphasizing how emotions manifest in the Cognitive Realm.
Thude: Once a simple hunger-driven listener, he now composes songs and leads discussions. His development mirrors the listeners’ transition from survival to cultural expression.
Navani: She acts as a bridge between Gav and the supernatural, asking the Wind direct questions about Dalinar’s plan. Her calm nurturing of Gav balances the chapter’s more intense moments.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Memory and Oral Tradition: The Heralds’ lack of writing forces them to rely on tokens and spoken agreements. Similarly, chasmfiends convey history through emotion-based songs rather than narrative. Both cultures emphasize imperfect but living memory.
- Power Buried in the Land: The chasmfiend’s vision of light singing from the ground hints at Investiture or a remnant of Honor beneath the Shattered Plains. This motif reappears with the stone disc and the Wind spren’s cryptic words.
- Rivalry vs. Prey: The chasmfiend’s reinterpretation of conflict as a dominance display—not a food hunt—challenges human/singer assumptions. It sets up a theme of misunderstood intelligence.
- Parent-Child Tension: Both Shalash and Venli struggle with being treated as children by authority figures. Their arcs examine the pain of being underestimated and the slow path to earned respect.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 58 links two major mysteries: the true nature of the Shattered Plains and the Heralds’ early history. Venli’s discovery—that the Plains contain a song of power that attracts chasmfiends—may explain why Odium deployed Nergaoul there. Dalinar’s acquisition of Nale’s debt marker sets the stage for a future confrontation or alliance with Nale. The Wind spren’s mention of a “champion for the wind” foreshadows a new contender in the contest between Honor and Odium, distinct from the Champion of the Gods already named. The chapter also deepens Venli’s redemption arc by placing her in a position where she must choose: hide from Odium or seek an alliance with humans. Her questions promise to drive the listeners’ next move.
Study Questions & Answers
1. Why does Dalinar ignore the Stormfather’s plea not to take the stone disc?
Dalinar believes the disc is an essential anchor to continue exploring the vision. He empathizes with the Stormfather’s pain but considers his mission more important. This shows Dalinar’s increasing willingness to act against his bond’s advice when he deems the stakes high enough.
2. What does Venli learn from the chasmfiend’s memory about the Shattered Plains?
She senses that the ground itself sings a powerful song that fuels the chasmfiends’ final transformation. This suggests that the Plains hold a deep source of Investiture or a long-hidden secret—possibly related to the splintering of Honor or the prison of a Dawnshard.
3. How does the Wind spren’s revelation about its own champion affect the overarching conflict?
By stating it has its own champion “blessed by the storm,” the Wind introduces a third party to the traditional Honor/Odium struggle. This champion could act as a wild card, either aiding Dalinar’s plan or opposing it. The line “to protect my charges” indicates that the spren of Roshar may not align fully with any god.