111. Eila Stele

Dalinar arrives in Thaylen City for a crucial coalition meeting, but the gathering is thrown into chaos by three simultaneous crises: the Everstorm arriving five days early and moving faster than expected, the translation of the ancient Eila Stele revealing that humans were the original invaders of Roshar (not its defenders), and coordinated political attacks questioning his authority and his secret meetings with Odium.

Dalinar inspects Thaylen City's defenses with Meridas Amaram, whose ambitious requests for combat deployment Dalinar deflects. At the Oathgate platform, Dalinar learns of widespread economic collapse as bankers flee cities, consolidating resources at gemstone reserves. In his quarters, the Stormfather hints at a third slumbering divine sibling and confirms that Honor died defending humanity. Dalinar convenes a major coalition meeting in the temple of Talenelat, bringing together Alethi highprinces, Azish viziers, Thaylen leadership, Knights Radiant, and representatives from multiple nations. Renarin leaves the meeting uncomfortably as discussions progress. The Stormfather warns Dalinar that something worse than the announced Everstorm approaches. When spanreeds flash with urgent news, reports confirm the Everstorm struck Shinovar five days ahead of schedule and is moving faster than usual, forcing evacuation plans for the coalition's fleet. Before the group can address this crisis, Jasnah and Navani reveal a breakthrough in translating the Eila Stele—an ancient document written by Dawnsingers (original parshmen inhabitants). The text reveals a devastating truth: humans were not Roshar's original defenders but invaders from another world who destroyed their previous civilization through Surgebinding, then came to Roshar and displaced the parshmen. The parshmen called the arriving humans "Voidbringers." The revelation that Radiants may have caused their own predecessor civilization's destruction explains why they disbanded. As Dalinar struggles to process this, Taravangian stands to address the group, but the focus shifts to three coordinated political attacks: Fen demands explanation for claims that King Elhokar swore to accept Dalinar as emperor ("highking"); Noura accuses Dalinar of hiding visions in which he met and fraternized with Odium; and questions arise about whether Dalinar's powers pose the same extinction risk that destroyed the previous world. The coalition begins to fracture as multiple delegations voice concerns simultaneously, leaving Dalinar politically outmaneuvered despite his military position.