Stark

Biodata

Background

Stark was born in the Warrior’s Village and escaped alone when demons attacked. His father and older brother died, leaving him troubled by his survival. He later became Eisen’s apprentice, but Eisen beat him and drove him away 24.

For three years, Stark lived in a village near the Red Mirror Dragon. The villagers believed he had driven the dragon away and treated him as a hero, though he was too frightened to fight it. After Dugu Qing killed the dragon, Stark confessed the truth and accepted Frieren’s invitation to travel, as Eisen had wanted him to see the world 24.

Appearance

Stark is introduced as a red-haired boy wearing a red jacket 24.

• He wears a yellow robe associated with the Hero after Dugu Qing gives it to him 39.
• In old age, he has thin, withered white hair and a careworn appearance 165.

Personality

Stark is fearful of powerful enemies and often doubts his worth as a warrior. He nevertheless wants to prove himself: he attacks monsters to dispel his reputation as a coward and imagines the acclaim he might receive as a hero 24 36 37.

He is prone to jealousy when Dugu Qing receives attention or glory, but he values his companions’ care. After leaving with Wirbel, he quickly missed the party’s warmth and returned to apologize; their welcome made him feel that he had found a family 55 88 89.

Abilities & Skills

Axe Combat

Stark fights with a battle-axe and serves as the party’s vanguard 36 41.

• Drove back a pack of wolf-like monsters with a strike that stirred up a blizzard 36.
• Severed the demon Revolte’s tail and blocked an attack aimed at the injured Genau, though Dugu Qing delivered the killing blow 105.
• Defeated four Spotted Demon Tigers after asking Dugu Qing to leave them to him 127.
• Could not damage anti-magic ore with a full-strength axe strike 87.

Training

• Trained under Eisen and later received a lesson from Voll, who made him run mountain paths carrying a large rock 24 52.
• Studied martial arts with a hidden master in Auwest, where his skills and composure improved 59.
• After being knocked unconscious by a powerful monster, he adopted a more aggressive fighting style and began charging into battles despite repeated defeats 94 95.

Equipment

• Battle-axe — Stark’s primary weapon, used against monsters and demons 36 105.
• Yellow robe — A symbol of the Hero that Dugu Qing passed on to Stark 39.

Relationships

• Eisen — Stark’s teacher. Eisen asked Frieren to take Stark on her journey so he could see the world 24.
• Frieren — Invited Stark into her party and cared for him throughout their travels. She gave him half her savings when he briefly left with Wirbel 24 88.
• Dugu Qing — A companion whose strength and popularity sometimes make Stark jealous. Dugu Qing also reassures and heals him on several occasions 24 42 94 95.
• Fern — A fellow traveler who encourages Stark to try the Sacred Sword and welcomes him back after his departure 37 89.
• Voll — An elderly dwarf warrior who trains Stark during the party’s week in his village 52.
• Wirbel — A warrior who invited Stark to fight on the northern frontier. Stark accepted, but abandoned the trip and returned to Frieren’s party 88 89.
• Dawson — Stark’s grandson, whom the aged Stark reprimands for deploying Lynn Army troops without permission 165.

Story Role

• Sword Village: Stark joins the line to try drawing the Sacred Sword but cannot move it. He also cannot lift it when Dugu Qing hands it to him 37 38 39.
• Eighteenth birthday: Frieren prepares an extra-large meat patty and explains its significance as a gift for a hardworking warrior. Stark realizes that similar meals from his brother and Eisen were expressions of affection 40 41.
• Departure and return: Feeling overlooked, Stark accepts Wirbel’s invitation to the northern frontier. He regrets leaving almost immediately and returns to the party, where his friends welcome him without punishment 88 89.
• Lufen Region: Stark fights Revolte alongside Genau, protecting the mage before Dugu Qing kills the demon 101 105.
• Golden Land: Stark charges Macht to defend the exhausted Dugu Qing, but Macht turns him to gold. Frieren restores him less than an hour later 117 118 120.
• Imperial capital: A Shadow Warrior’s poisoned arrow wounds Stark; Sein reunites with the party and heals him. Stark later takes the front against an assault by Shadow Warriors and is wounded 133 137.
• Aureole: Stark and Sein activate the Stairway to Heaven with the party, but a divine general stops them from entering Aureole for being impure of heart 141.
• Later life: Stark says he wants land, a house, marriage and children. Decades later, he has married and raised five sons and two daughters; he reunites with Frieren and Dugu Qing at Sein’s memorial reception 145 165.