Kaladin is the novel’s primary protagonist. He is a young man who has experienced many tragic and unjust events, but has maintained his moral integrity. Kaladin is not depicted as perfect, but that makes his continued dedication to helping others even more admirable.

He comes from a small town in a remote area where his father serves as the local surgeon. As a boy, Kaladin apprenticed with his father and learned how to treat a number of injuries and illnesses. However, as a teenager, he never fully understood the value of his father’s work and dreamed about going away as a soldier to see the wider world and earn glory. Part of his desire to pursue a career in the army is a perceived promise of belonging, as well as the opportunity to win a Shardblade and become a member of the aristocracy.

Kaladin has a generally serious disposition and is prone to dark moods, especially during the season called the Weeping, when there is constant rain. He almost never smiles or laughs, except when around his younger brother, Tien, a cheerful boy who was the only one able to bring Kaladin back from his depressive moods. Tien’s death, the first tragic event in Kaladin’s life, shatters his trust in authority and divine justice.