Dalgard Nordis

Sssuri

Dalgard and Sssuri share a deep, cross-species bond of trust and companionship, forged through shared adventures and mutual understanding.

Raf Kurbi

Dalgard and Raf develop a strong alliance and mutual respect as they bridge their two worlds.

Pax

Dalgard shares a close, almost familial bond with Pax, a native creature or companion.

Captain Hobart

Hobart and Dalgard interact cautiously as representatives of different cultures, maintaining a diplomatic distance.

Forken Kordov

Dalgard and Forken are fellow colonists or allies, sharing a common purpose on their world.

Soriki

Dalgard and Soriki are acquaintances from different groups, with limited direct interaction.

Lablet

Dalgard and Lablet have a strained professional interaction, marked by cultural misunderstanding.

Sssuri

Dalgard and Sssuri share a deep, cross-species bond of trust and companionship, forged through shared adventures and mutual understanding.

Raf Kurbi

Dalgard and Raf develop a strong alliance and mutual respect as they bridge their two worlds.

Soriki

Dalgard and Soriki are acquaintances from different groups, with limited direct interaction.

Sssuri

Dalgard and Sssuri share a deep, cross-species bond of trust and companionship, forged through shared adventures and mutual understanding.

Pax

Dalgard shares a close, almost familial bond with Pax, a native creature or companion.

Star Born

Explores the alien city and reflects on the history of his people's colonization of Astra.

Shooting Star

Leads the outrigger into the cove, sets up camp, trades beads with a hopper, and decides to investigate the runners' migration with Sssuri.

III: Snake-Devil’s Trail

Tracks a snake-devil and investigates signs of Those Others with Sssuri.

V: Banded Devil

Tracks the snake-devil, uses a bow with poison arrows, and climbs walls to pursue the creature.

Many Eyes, Many Ears

Debates strategy with Sssuri, recalls childhood warning about alien knowledge, and participates in covering their tracks and sending a warning.

Sea Gate

Flees with Sssuri through underground passage, fights off a hunter at the sea lock.

XI: Espionage

Dalgard is awakened by the merpeople's excitement, learns of the strangers from the spy Sssim, and agrees to go ashore to observe them. He also discovers a slain merman and climbs the island with Sssuri.

A Hound Is Loosed

Infiltrates the alien city alone, evades a flying box hound, and senses Raf's mind but cannot establish contact.

XV: Arena

Captured and imprisoned by Those Others; communicates telepathically with Raf; stands trial before the alien tribunal.

XVI: Surprise Attack

Dalgard leads the escape from the arena, communicates with the mermen, and tries to persuade Raf to help in the fight against Those Others.

XVII: Destruction Unleashed

Leads the mermen to the globe, persuades Raf to act, and later devises a plan to net the mechanical hound.

Not Yet—

Explains his people's need for isolation and growth; guides Raf and coordinates with the mermen for communication.