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DALATHOS
One of the seven main characters in the Chronicles series.
BACKGROUND - Dalathos was raised in the iron camps near the market town of Tulst, in the south of the Kingdom of Lionossus. Dalathos has no immediate family, though of a handful of relatives he is particularly close to his Uncle Tedeiros, who is a high-ranking foreman of the iron works there. Dalathos, under the guidance of his uncle, has learned metal working skills in the smithy, and proudly reveals that he himself made his own great sword from nothing but ore (successful only on his second attempt).
When Dalathos was in his mid-teens, he killed a man rampaging through the markets of Tulst. Although congratulated by his uncle and other ironworkers, Dalathos was racked terribly with guilt and shame over the incident for months afterwards. However, in eventually accepting his part in this act, Dalathos has unconsciously justified his killing of others under certain conditions.
Dalathos left his home village under awkward circumstances which are not properly revealed, though small measures of clues and hints litter the volume as to a possible cause for this. His official reason was that he simply wanted to enlist in an army, which for the most part is probably quite true, though not the all-encompassing explanation it appears to be.
GATHERING - When we first meet Dalathos, he is resting at Nel's Tavern, while journeying to the city of Corianth. Observing the confrontation that takes place there between Sirath and Wallam, Dalathos only steps in to become involved after Wallam floors Ulric and prepares to stab him in the back. After that, Dalathos finds a close friendship with Ulric.
Dalathos is not afraid to start a fight, and will see any through to the finish. As he also has a quick temper, this makes him dangerous company. Involved in more than one fight at the bar, Dalathos later unintentionally causes an incident on the night of Ulric's birthday which sees Ulric being challenged to a duel by officers of the Emperors Guard. It also causes problems when, while disguised to visit Erin in prison, a drunken Dalathos is irritated by resistance from an officer of the Cardinals Men and lashes out, the consequence of which leaves not only himself, but all those accompanying, cornered within the Cardinals Detention Centre.
RELATIONSHIPS - Dalathos and Ulric group together in friendship, though Dalathos mistakenly imbues Ulric with designs of being a warrior. This later proves dangerous for Ulric in more than one sense, though it is lucky that a part of this camaraderie involves Dalathos persuading Ulric to arm and armour well with their reward money they later receive. Dalathos is friendly enough with Jerith, but appears to get along much better with Tilrion, whose reserved and sometimes cold nature is more appealing to him than Jerith's playful manner. Dalathos is also tolerant, even respectful, of Erin at first, though any due respect is lost when Dalathos construes Erin's behaviour in the Cardinals Detention Centre as ingratitude for the risks undertaken. Dalathos is never particularly concerned with Ezebekial, though like most of the others, he keeps a respectable distance. Dalathos, however, is constantly irritated by Sirath, who refuses to allow him the respect he feels he deserves. Although Dalathos therefore considers Sirath to be somewhat annoying, he recognises that Sirath is all mouth and averse to real physical confrontation, Dalathos never allowing himself to be directly drawn to violence by him.
Importantly though, Dalathos is very loyal to his friends when in greatest need. Even when faced against an overwhelming force of soldiers riding down upon a fallen Ulric, Dalathos does not hesitant to turn and charge to protect his comrade, despite the obvious foolishness of doing so.
ANTI-CHARACTER - Dalathos' anti-character is Lord Rynell. Both consider themselves to be warriors with noble and honourable purpose, even if Dalathos is not exactly sure what that purpose is yet. Both consider themselves to be pawns in a great scheme, and both would make claim to uphold all that may be considered to be right and just, though with differing personal interpretations. However, both men are on completely different political sides, and as the volume progresses it seems inevitable that they will eventually clash in more ways than one. |
