# Dalgard Nordis — Star Born character guide > Dalgard Nordis in Star Born by Andre Norton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dalgard **First appearance:** 0002-i-shooting-star ## Snapshot A wiry, sun-browned son of Astra's lost Terran colony, walking his man-journey with a bone-armed merman at his side. ## Who they are Dalgard Nordis belongs to the second generation born on Astra, descended from outlaws who fled Terra and now answer to the Council of Free Men. His wordless rapport with Sssuri crosses species lines, but the question of what he and his people are becoming haunts every choice he makes. When a wounded off-worlder falls into his care, Dalgard becomes the bridge between two branches of humanity that no longer recognize each other. ## Relationships ### [Sssuri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/sssuri) _friendship_ Dalgard and Sssuri share a deep, cross-species bond of trust and companionship, forged through shared adventures and mutual understanding. ### [Raf Kurbi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/raf_kurbi) _friendship_ Dalgard and Raf develop a strong alliance and mutual respect as they bridge their two worlds. ### [Pax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/pax) _friendship_ Dalgard shares a close, almost familial bond with Pax, a native creature or companion. ### [Captain Hobart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/captain_hobart) _professional_ Hobart and Dalgard interact cautiously as representatives of different cultures, maintaining a diplomatic distance. ### [Forken Kordov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/forken_kordov) _friendship_ Dalgard and Forken are fellow colonists or allies, sharing a common purpose on their world. ### [Soriki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/soriki) _social_ Dalgard and Soriki are acquaintances from different groups, with limited direct interaction. ### [Lablet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/lablet) _professional_ Dalgard and Lablet have a strained professional interaction, marked by cultural misunderstanding. ### [Sssuri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/sssuri) _friendship_ Dalgard and Sssuri share a deep, cross-species bond of trust and companionship, forged through shared adventures and mutual understanding. ### [Raf Kurbi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/raf_kurbi) _friendship_ Dalgard and Raf develop a strong alliance and mutual respect as they bridge their two worlds. ### [Soriki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/soriki) _social_ Dalgard and Soriki are acquaintances from different groups, with limited direct interaction. ### [Sssuri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/sssuri) _friendship_ Dalgard and Sssuri share a deep, cross-species bond of trust and companionship, forged through shared adventures and mutual understanding. ### [Pax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/pax) _friendship_ Dalgard shares a close, almost familial bond with Pax, a native creature or companion. ## In the story ### [Star Born](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/star-born) Explores the alien city and reflects on the history of his people's colonization of Astra. ### [Shooting Star](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/iii-snake-devil-s-trail) Tracks a snake-devil and investigates signs of Those Others with Sssuri. ### [V: Banded Devil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/v-banded-devil) Tracks the snake-devil, uses a bow with poison arrows, and climbs walls to pursue the creature. ### [Many Eyes, Many Ears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/vii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/ix-sea-gate) Flees with Sssuri through underground passage, fights off a hunter at the sea lock. ### [XI: Espionage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xv-arena) Captured and imprisoned by Those Others; communicates telepathically with Raf; stands trial before the alien tribunal. ### [XVI: Surprise Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/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—](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xviii-not-yet) Explains his people's need for isolation and growth; guides Raf and coordinates with the mermen for communication. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/dalgard_nordis - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters