Kaladin Stormblessed

Kaladin Stormblessed is the brooding, brilliant soldier at the heart of The Stormlight Archive — a former surgeon's son turned slave turned Windrunner Knight Radiant on the stormy world of Roshar. Marked by tragedy and a near-pathological need to protect those under his care, Kaladin is one of fantasy's most psychologically realistic heroes. His arc through the series is a profound study in depression, purpose, and survival — as a slave in the brutal bridge-running crews, he finds reason to live by fighting for others, and eventually bonds with the Honorspren Sylphrena, earning the Stormlight powers of flight and near-invulnerability. He is widely considered one of Brandon Sanderson's greatest creations.