Character from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
A Singer (listener) and the only non-human member of Bridge Four. Formerly a listener spy named Shen. Struggles with belonging to neither the human nor Singer worlds. Bonds a spren and becomes a Truthwatcher.
Rlain's story is one of impossible belonging. A listener who infiltrated the Alethi warcamps as a spy under the name Shen, he was assigned to Bridge Four as a parshman — treated as barely sentient by most humans. When the Everstorm awakened the Singers and the listeners faced destruction, Rlain chose to remain with Bridge Four rather than return to his people, revealing his true identity and loyalty. But this choice left him stranded between worlds: humans see a Singer and flinch; Singers see a traitor who chose the enemy. Even within Bridge Four, where he is genuinely loved, Rlain feels the ache of being the only one of his kind. His eventual bonding of a Truthwatcher spren represents a breakthrough — proof that Singers can bond spren again, that the nahel bond is not restricted to humans. Rlain's quiet dignity and his refusal to let bitterness consume him make him one of Bridge Four's most admirable members.
A Singer with marbled red and black skin in workform, with a stocky, powerful build. He has the distinctive Singer features — carapace ridges along his arms and torso, and large, expressive eyes. In workform he appears bulkier and less refined than warform Singers. He wears a Bridge Four uniform modified for his build, and his tattoo sits on skin that is partly covered by carapace.
Also known as: Shen, Rlain