Disma

Biodata

Background

Lucian found Disma abandoned as a baby beside the Dragonmere, brought him to the Purple Dragons, and named him. Disma has no surname and refuses to take Lucian’s, though Lucian regards him as partly an adopted son. Lucian says Disma has been strong enough to pass the knight’s assessment for years, but his temper and disregard for knightly manners have held him back 34.

Disma first meets Aaron Salian at the Purple Dragons’ practice range when a bolt from his hand crossbow grazes Aaron. Their argument becomes an unscheduled duel. Disma, an elite-tier warrior with Ranger magic, fights Aaron to a draw; afterward, he concedes because his greater experience and rank gave him an advantage. He then helps Aaron find recruit registration 30 31 32.

As Aaron’s senior apprentice under Lucian, Disma regularly joins him for dinner, though he waits for Aaron to make the invitation. He later accompanies Lucian to meet Aaron’s sorcery mentor and is among those Lucian calls on to follow Aaron’s first adventure, with orders to intervene only if Aaron faces serious danger 35 38 48.

Appearance

Disma has dull eyes that Aaron likens to those of a dead fish and muscular bare arms. During their duel, his arms flush and his veins stand out with the effort of fighting 30 31.

• He is sometimes seen with his arms folded and a blade of foxtail grass between his lips 38.
• His long-used sword and curved blade have small nicks along their edges 31.

Personality

Disma is proud, combative, and quick to answer provocation with force. He calls Lucian “stinking old man,” ignores instructions to address him by rank, and resents the more favorable treatment he believes Lucian gives Reynard and Aaron 31 32 44.

He is also capable of acknowledging another fighter’s skill: after clashing with Aaron, he concedes the uneven match and becomes more welcoming. His guarded manner persists—he seeks Aaron’s company without openly asking for it, and when he accompanies Aaron to meet Charlotte, he insists he did not come for Aaron’s sake 31 35 38.

Abilities & Skills

Martial Combat

• Disma has entered the elite tier as a warrior and fights with a sword and curved blade. He can switch to a small round shield for defense 31.
• His attacks are fast enough to interrupt Aaron’s attempt to cast Chaos Bolt at close range 31.
• Lucian considers his combat ability sufficient to pass the knight’s assessment, but identifies his lack of restraint as the obstacle 34.

Ranger Magic

• Disma casts Ensnaring Strike, raising thorn-covered vines that pin Aaron’s legs during their duel 31.
• His Ranger abilities give him magical options beyond his swordsmanship, although Rangers generally know only a limited number of spells 31.

Equipment

• Hand crossbow — the weapon involved in his first confrontation with Aaron 30 31.
• Sword and curved blade — his weapons during their duel 31.
• Small round shield — used to block two of Aaron’s three magical bolts 31.

Relationships

• Lucian Bachmann — mentor and the man who raised him after finding him by the Dragonmere. Lucian worries that Disma’s temper will prevent him from becoming a knight 31 34.
• Aaron Salian — junior apprentice. Their first meeting leads to a duel, then a guarded friendship marked by shared meals and Disma’s reluctance to admit he wants Aaron’s company 30 31 35 38.
• Reynard Grosskreutz — fellow trainee raised under Lucian. Disma resents Reynard’s promotion to full Purple Dragon Knight and believes Lucian favors him 34 44.

Notable Quotes

“Hmph. There’s nothing to brag about. I’ve just entered the elite tier, and you’re only an apprentice. I had the advantage from the start.” 31

“That stinking old man’s rank is Stinking Old Man!” 31