Dakkan

"One would expect Dakkan to be both a skilled warrior and a well-disciplined soldier. Much to his father’s dismay, he only exhibits the former."- Character Bio

Dakkan
Pronunciation: Rhymes with 'bracken' Age: Early-mid twenties Gender: Male Family: Kenosh (Father) Occupation: Soldier Rank: Courier Weaponry: Staff Status: Alive Appearances: Beyond the Western Deep

Dakkan is a Lutren courier in his early-to-mid-twenties. He is Kenosh's son and a close friend of Quinlan's.

Personality

An adventurous soul, Dakkan is energetic and impulsive. He has a penchant for getting into trouble, often because of his quick temper, and a tendency to show off. However, Dakkan is also deeply loyal, and is good at lifting the moods of others. His natural tendency is to take charge and surge forward. When in a negative mood, Dakkan isn't always willing to talk- even to the people closest to him.

While he’s seen his share of combat and isn’t afraid of fighting Dakkan has a severe fear of blood. Seeing it makes him nearly pass out, although he can force past it under certain circumstances.

He enjoys eating salmon, and prefers warmer climates. Like most Lutren, however, he is very fond of the water.

Relationships

Quinlan

Dakkan and Quinlan have been close friends since they were young, due in part to their family connections. Dakkan considers Quinlan to be his best friend. Dakkan is able to lift Quinlan's spirits no matter how low Quinlan is feeling.

Quinlan and Dakkan met shortly after Kenosh returned from Ermehn captivity. Initially, due to his timid nature, Quinlan was shy around Dakkan. Since Dakkan and Quinlan live in different cities, they usually see each other only when their elders need to meet for diplomatic reasons. It is rare for visits to happen back to back. However, despite these sporadic visits, Dakkan considers Quinlan to be his best friend.

When they are together, Dakkan's playfulness brings Quinlan's more cheerful side out. Conversely, Quinlan is able to temper Dakkan's hot-blooded nature, sometimes with as little as a gesture. However, if Dakkan has his mind absolutely set on something, he's not above overruling Quinlan's concerns.

They engage in good-natured banter and look to each other for backup in sticky situations. Dakkan took part of Quinlan's watch the first night over the Sunsgrove-Aisling border.

Dakkan and Quinlan are very protective of each other. When Crim tried to humiliate Quinlan by being excessively rough in a Tesque demonstration, Dakkan started to lose his temper on Crim. He only calmed down when Quinlan signaled that he would be fine. Furthermore, during the Sratha-din Attack on Deltrada, Dakkan was able to force through his crippling hemophobia to attack the Rhosyn who shot Quinlan. On Quinlan's part, when Clovis was humiliating Dakkan by nettling at his insecurities, Quinlan went against his nature to speak up and defend his friend. When Quinlan realized how badly the Canid had treated Dakkan in the aftermath of the Sratha-din attack, he became uncharacteristically outspoken and commanding, to the point of forcing General Tosch on the defensive.

Kenosh

Little is known of Kenosh and Dakkan's relationship before the Oran Uprising. Dakkan eagerly greets his father when he returns home after his year of captivity, but Kenosh returned a different person than the father Dakkan knew and was unable to return his enthusiasm.

Since then, Kenosh and Dakkan's relationship has grown more complicated and rocky. Kenosh had hoped that Dakkan would serve as a suitable replacement for him when he retired, but he has been constantly disappointed by his son's unprofessional demeanor, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by others. Clovis believes that Dakkan's name- meaning 'proud leader'- is an indication of what Kenosh wanted his son to be. Kenosh tried to cover up his son’s blood phobia, but could not sustain the secret. Kenosh was instrumental in his son’s transition from bladed weapons to the staff, rationalizing to himself and others that it would be easier to interrogate live Polcan than dead ones.

Dakkan dislikes travelling with his father because he is so grim. They also greatly disagree on politics, holding opposing views on the Ermehn and their place in the world. Kenosh is also not above hitting Dakkan if he is pushed far enough, although the frequency with which he does so is uncertain.

However, despite their difficulties, Kenosh and Dakkan care deeply for one another. When in a good mood, Kenosh will laugh at Dakkan's jokes. When the envoy was ambushed on the Sunsgrove-Aisling border, Dakkan angrily protested when the Ermehn bandits went to wake his father despite his position as a hostage. At Deltrada, Kenosh did not stand for Clovis' cruel ribbing at his son's shortcomings.

Once the attack began, Kenosh left to investigate but told Dakkan and Quinlan to stay put. When Dakkan protested, Kenosh snapped at him to follow orders, but showed a bit of vulnerability by reminding Dakkan that he wasn't just his superior. Dakkan was concerned about his father throughout the attack. Once the Ermehn attack forced him and Quinlan to abandon their position in the tower, Dakkan immediately resolved to locate him although helping Lady Canid check the aviary was a more tactically sound action.

Dakkan was stunned to witness Kenosh's betrayal, and was frozen in shock until Quinlan got shot. When Kenosh realized Dakkan was on the verge of being killed by Rathik, he reacted in fear and pled for his son's life. Despite the necessity of a quick escape, Kenosh spoke to his son one last time. He told Dakkan this was the last time they would see him and that he was proud of Dakkan. Hugging his son, Kenosh told him how to treat Quinlan's wound and asked him to get to Sunsgrove as quickly as he could. Dakkan tries to protest, but Kenosh leaves with Hardin, escaping out the front gate into the wild.

Janik

Dakkan and Janik are familiar with one another.

Crim

Dakkan was unfamiliar with Crim and his tense history with Quinlan. Although they did not directly interact, Dakkan quickly grew to dislike Crim because of his conduct during the Tesque demonstration, and attempted to call him out on his dishonorable actions. Crim seems to believe that Lutren- and therefore Dakkan- are inferior to the Tamian.

General Clovis

Clovis paid Dakkan little mind when they were met, realizing Dakkan was along for experience and therefore no one important. When Dakkan asked why the Canid were worried about one Ermehn tribe, Clovis humiliated him by ribbing at his lack of experience and his father's disappointment in him to make a point about legacies.

Skills

He is a skilled warrior, but has seen little active combat and works as a courier for his father. He oversees a division of catapults that aren't used often, indicating that he has training but little experience. He is skilled enough to make the journey from Lutra to Terria with only one companion. He has spent enough time in the wilds to know a reliable night watch in proper shifts is the best way to stay alert to danger.

Although all Lutren children have a basic knowledge of the Lutren Martial Art, it has been deliberately left unknown for now whether or not Dakkan is well-versed in it.

Dakkan has also displayed knowledge of the politics concerning Sunsgrove.

Dakkan plays the fiddle and has dueted with Quinlan, who plays the penny whistle.

History

Backstory

When Dakkan was young, Kenosh was taken as a prisoner of war during the Oran Uprising. When Kenosh returned, the war had changed him.

Dakkan met Quinlan shortly after Kenosh returned from his time as an Ermehn prisoner because Kenosh brought Dakkan along when Dabheid summoned him to Terria.

Dakkan’s mother died a couple years later.

Kenosh returns

Dakkan meeting Quinlan in Terria

Dakkan had recently completed a visit to Terria only a few days before returning with his father for an urgent meeting.

Chapter One

The Audience with the King

When Quinlan arrives at the King's palace, Dakkan is waiting outside for him. He accompanies Quinlan into the audience chamber and is present when Dabheid decrees that Quinlan will accompany them to Deltrada.

The Tesque Demonstration

He is with Quinlan when the latter is accosted by Crim. He watches the Tesque demonstration and quickly loses patience with Crim's lack of sportsmanship, but a gesture from Quinlan silences his objections.

Adieu

Later at Land's End Tavern, he recounts the fight between Quinlan and Crim to Kenosh and Janik and learns more about Crim's history with Quinlan. Talk turns to their respective political missions, Janik asks how long Quinlan and his companions will be gone on their mission. Dakkan thinks the entire affair will take no more than a fortnight, with Kenosh agreeing with this assessment. Janik reveals her diplomatic assignment with the Vulpin and they drink to the success of their missions.

Chapter Two

The Road to Deltrada

Dakkan travels with the envoy. The envoy stops when they pass the border, and Kenosh tells Dakkan and Quinlan that they are both taking a watch that night. Dakkan takes second watch. When sunlight starts coming over the horizon, Dakkan wakes Quinlan for his watch. Quinlan notes that Dakkan woke him late. Claiming he wasn’t tired, Dakkan stretches his legs then Quinlan asks Dakkan why they’re going to a military garrison instead of the Canid capital. Dakkan explains that the Canid King has no real power, and the Generals who are at the garrison are the real leaders.

A trio of bandits- a brother and sister duo of Ermehnand a Felis- enter the campsite, and tell them they want everything the group has. Enraged, Dakkan attacks. Dakkan knocks the sister back, but is grabbed from behind by the Felis and quickly disarmed. Aiming an arrow at the bandits, Quinlan tells the bandits to let him go. The bandits put a spear to Dakkan’s throat, and tell Quinlan that if they give up their valuables, Dakkan will remain unharmed.

Reluctantly, Quinlan begins to let up tension on his bowstring. The Felis bandit tells the sister to wake the Kenosh so they can finish their business, but when she goes to do so, Kenosh is not in his pallet, and emerges behind the Felis with a drawn sword.

Argument

Kenosh let Quinlan choose what to do with the bandits, and Quinlan chose to let them go. Dakkan is upset that Kenosh let the bandits go. When Kenosh reminds him that he gave Quinlan the chance to pick, Dakkan says he thinks that they should have captured the Ermehn and brought them to Deltrada so the Canid can throw them back over the border. Kenosh disagrees and Dakkan asks if he’s going to keep defending the Ermehn even though they both know about the terrible things the Ermehn warriors did during the uprising. Dakkan insists the Ermehn got what they deserved. Quinlan backs Dakkan up, but Kenosh claims the uprising was more of a massacre than an uprising.

Kenosh tells them that before the Uprising, the Canid lied to Sunsgrove to get them to helping the Canid fight the Ermehn, and that Sunsgrove didn’t realize the truth until many innocent Ermehn were dead. Kenosh adds that Sunsgrove helped destroy the Ermehn, but won’t shoulder the blame. Dakkan claims there’s too many stories for them all to be false, and that the past is in the past and they can’t worry about it. Kenosh points out they are on the brink of the third war resulting from their ancestor’s mistakes. Dakkan asks if Kenosh blames his ancestor’s mistakes for his own war.

Kenosh replies that he does, because they’ve done nothing to right those wrongs, and that inaction makes them guilty. Dakkan insists that they’ve done nothing wrong, and asks why he can’t just let the Ermehn suffer the results of their own actions. Kenosh loses his temper and goes to hit Dakkan, but restrains himself at the last moment and lowers his hand. Kenosh tells his son they’ve all suffered for their ancestor’s mistakes. Kenosh begins to mention the things he’s seen, but trails off and apologizes to Quinlan for their debating. Dakkan snorts at his father’s back. Quinlan starts to ask him a question, but Dakkan tells him not now and keeps walking.

General Clovis

A couple days after the bandit incident, the envoy approaches the walls of Deltrada Garrison. Kenosh reminds Quinlan how much power Clovis and Tosch have in Aisling, and warns Dakkan to behave himself due to the nonexistent Canid sense of humor. The envoy gets closer to the garrison wall.

When they reach the gate, Dakkan removes a missive from Kenosh’s pack, which is looked over by a Canid guard before they are let in. Once inside, they see Canid soldiers training in the bailey. They walk through Deltrada Garrison, and the envoy finds General Clovis critiquing the form of the Deltrada bowmen, and Clovis greets Kenosh as an old friend.

Kenosh returns the greeting and introduces Quinlan. Then Clovis invites the envoy to walk with him. He hangs in the background as Kenosh introduces Quinlan to Clovis, and as Clovis corrects one of the trainees. Clovis returns to the envoy, and takes note of Dakkan, whom Kenosh introduces to Clovis. Clovis notes Dakkan is along for experience, then asks the envoy what brought them north. Kenosh tells Clovis they received word that the Ermehn conflict had escalated. Clovis tries to avoid the subject, but admits the Ermehn have increased their attacks on Canid Patrols in the Wastes, prompting Quinlan to ask what Canid Patrols are doing in Ermehn land. Clovis claims that while it is Ermehn land according to the Treaty of Cenolau, the reality is more complicated than that.

Clovis goes on to say that the Ermehn should have been content with their lot, but since they keep fightng back, the Canid are only doing their part to keep them contained. Kenosh reminds Clovis that the Canid once lived in the wastes. Clovis acknowledges that, but says the Ermehn should have accepted their fate by now and that the Canid have the upper hand even though the Ermehn are showing some fight. Dakkan asks how the Ermehn pose a threat to the Canid.

Clovis tells the envoy that the Canid have been hearing reports of a curious Ermehn tribe that’s been gaining strength over the past few months. Dakkan asks why one tribe is concerning to the might Canid army. Irked, Clovis tells Dakkan that his name is derived from Ancient Lutren for “proud leader”, meaning that Kenosh wanted a successor. However, since Dakkan is along for experience at his age, Clovis surmises that Dakkan is a disappointment to his father. Quinlan tries to confront Clovis but Kenosh cuts him off and tells Clovis that’s enough as Dakkan looks away, ashamed. Clovis says his point is that names tell a lot- and the Ermehn tribe is called the Sratha-Din. It starts to rain.

Diplomatic Differences

When the storm breaks, Dakkan follows Clovis inside the keep. He starts to make a sarcastic comment when Clovis comments on Quinlan's intolerance for rain but his father cuts him off and asks Clovis to continue. Clovis tells them that the name “Sratha-din” means “Sratha’s Tribe” and that when the Ermehn ruled Aisling, Sratha the Warlord oppressed the Canid cruelly.

Dakkan looks at a Canid tapestry as Clovis leads them an inner room.The General tells the envoy that Sunsgrove’s intervention was the only thing that kept the Canid from being destroyed. Kenosh comments that it can’t be the same tribe, and Clovis agrees, saying hs ancestors killed Sratha in open combat. Quinlan asks if that means someone is using his name as a symbolic guesture, and Clovis tells them that Sratha is a name they forbid the Ermehn to use, because they will rally behind it.

At that moment, a Canid soldier enters with news of a sighted campfire. Clovis decides he needs to attend to the campfire, and tells Captain Kenosh that since he’s spent time among the Ermehn, Clovis wants Kenosh to stay at Deltrada to help him. Quinlan asks Dakkan what Clovis means, and Dakkan says nothing. Kenosh tells Clovis that his cause is peace, and Clovis tells Kenosh that he must help the Canid keep it.

Clovis tells the envoy that if they leave the garrison, it will be in defiance of the Treaty of Cenolau, and that they are required to lend aid. Clovis orders his soldiers to make the envoy comfortable, as they will be there for a while.

Time With the Ermehn

As the envoy is being held in a tower, Dakkan reclines on one of the beds without his armor on. Quinlan is composing a letter to King Dabheid when water drips on it. Annoyed, he looks at the dripping water while Dakkan stifles a laugh.

Quinlan asks Dakkan what was so funny, and Dakkan replies that the most powerful army in the Four Kingdoms can’t fix a roof. Sitting up, Dakkan asks what Quinlan is writing, and Quinlan tells him it’s a mission report to King Dabheid. Sobering, Dakkan reminds him the Canid will never let Quinlan send the letter. Quinlan says he knows.

After a pause, Quinlan asks Dakkan what Clovis meant when he said Kenosh had spent time among the Ermehn. Dakkan hesitates, and Quinlan begins to ask if it’s why Dakkan and his father were arguing on the way, but Dakkan roughly cuts him off, telling Quinlan they argue all the time and that wasn’t anything special. After a beat, he apologizes to Quinlan, then asks him if he remembers the Oran Uprising that happened when they were kids.

Dakkan tells Quinlan about the Oran Uprising, and reveals that Kenosh was captured by Ermehn near the end, and came back changed. Dakkan also mentions that his mother died a couple years later, and Quinlan says he remembered Dakkan’s mother dying, but never knew Kenosh was a prisoner of war.

Dakkan also mentions that they met just after Kenosh came back. Quinlan starts to comment, but a bell rings, cutting him off. Quinlan and Dakkan rush to the window, but can’t see anything. The alarm bells awaken Kenosh, who instantly recognizes them as alarms.

Getting out of bed and drawing his sword, Kenosh tells Quinlan and Dakkan to stay put while he goes to have a look. Dakkan protests, but Kenosh shouts at him, telling him it’s an order. Kenosh calms, and tells him the order is from his father. Kenosh leaves, and Dakkan and Quinlan gear up.

Rooftop Confrontation

Once he’s dressed, Quinlan looks out the window and tells Dakkan he hears fighting. Dakkan notes the alarm was sounded. Joining Quinlan at the window, Dakkan hopes his father’s alright, and starts to ask Quin a question, but Feyn and two Ermehn- one with an axe, and one with a katar- break into the tower. The Ermehn with the axe surprise at the Sunsgrovian presence in Deltrada, and Feyn says they should kill the Sunsgrovians. Surprised, Dakkan tries to protest, but is attacked by the Ermehn with the axe.

Dakkan grapples with his enemy as Quinlan defeats the one with the katar. When Feyn comes up behind Quinlan to attack him, Dakkan throws his enemy into Feyn, knocking both Ermehn down. Dakkan tells Quinlan they need to go. Quinlan agrees and ties his sword on his belt as he follows Dakkan into the rain.

They peer over the wall and see heavy fighting between Canid and Ermehn. Dakkan finds a grappling hook on the wall, and guesses that’s how the Ermehn got to the tower- probably before the alarm bells rang, too. Quinlan asks what they should do. Dakkan hesitantly says he wants to find his father, but he is interrupted by the same Ermehn who attacked them in the tower. Dakkan tells them they aren’t working with the Canid,and begins to tell the Ermehn the envoy’s true purpose, but is cut off when Feyn calls Dakkan a liar. The duo are attacked.

Feyn quickly disarms Quinlan. Dakkan sees Quinlan is in trouble, but is too busy with the other two Ermehn to intervene. Dakkan fells his opponent with a final strike as Lady Canid comes on the scene and saves Quinlan.

Finding Kenosh

Dakkan tells his unconscious opponent to stay down, and turns to ask Quinlan if he still needs help. When he sees the blood from the Ermehn that Lady Canid cut down, he sways and falls onto Lady Canid, who asks what’s the matter with him. Quinlan tells her that Dakkan has a problem with blood. Lady Canid tells Dakkan that he picked a bad time to be squeamish. Starting to leave, she tells Dakkan to stay out of the fighting and that he should be safe, but he asks her if she’s seen his father. Lady Canid tells him that Kenosh went to help General Clovis rally at the front gate.

Dakkan thanks her. Quinlan asks if they can follow her there, but she tells them she’s going to check the aviary next. Dakkan insists they can’t wait, and tells Quinlan to come. Quinlan starts to protest, but Dakkan glares at him. Cowed, Quinlan follows Dakkan down the trapdoor into the keep. Dakkan and Quinlan run down the steps to the outside As they run toward the gate, they hear Kenosh telling Clovis to hold. Dakkan recognizes his father’s voice, and pushes his way into a ring of Canid surrounding Kenosh, Clovis and a seemingly unarmed Hardin held at spearpoint.

Betrayal

Quinlan and Dakkan watch Clovis tell Kenosh to go home, and try to kill Hardin, but Kenosh stabs Clovis in the back before he can kill Hardin. Quinlan and Dakkan are stunned by this turn of events. Stunned by his father’s actions, Dakkan stands still as Quinlan steps forward and gets shot by Rhosyn. Quinlan falls back onto Dakkan and says his name. Quinlan’s blood stains Dakkan’s hand. Dakkan’s phobia emerges again, but his rage cancels it out and he rushes at Rhosyn. Bevan intervenes, trying to calm Dakkan down, but Dakkan strikes him down with his staff.

Dakkan tries to attack Rhosyn, but Rathik intercepts him and grabs him by the throat. Disarming Dakkan, Rathik carries him over to Hardin and asks if he can kill him. Kenosh notices the situation, and asks Rathik not to hurt him. Kenosh tells Hardin that Dakkan is his son and Hardin tells Rathik to let Dakkan go. Disappointed, Rathik lets Dakkan fall. Dakkan wheezes for breath, and starts dragging himself through the mud toward Quinlan. Kenosh gets Dakkan’s attention, and kneels next to him.

Apologetically, Kenosh tells Dakkan this is the last time Dakkan will see him. Kenosh tells Dakkan that he’s proud of him, and repeats himself to make sure Dakkan understands him. Kenosh hugs Dakkan, then stands. Looking at Quinlan, Kenosh tells Dakkan to keep pressure on Quinlan’s wound and get back to Sunsgrove as quickly as they can. Dakkan tries to say something to his father, but Kenosh turns away and leaves before he can finish. Dakkan tries to look at Quinlan’s wound, but the Canid catch up to them. They pull Dakkan off of Quinlan and restrain him.

Description

Dakkan wears lamellar armor made from sharkskin over a blue shirt and pants. He also has a black baldric, which holds his staff on his back, and a blue ascot affixed by a medallion enameled with the Lutren symbol. Dakkan chose the staff as a weapon because he can’t stand the sight of blood.

Dakkan speaks with a bit of an Irish accent.

Appearances

• Beyond the Western Deep
  • Chapter One: The Forests of the Western Deep
    • Pages 16-18, 20-30, 32, 34-35, 37-38, 40-46 (present)
    • Pages 6-7 (mentioned)
  • Chapter Two: Northward
    • Pages 1-16, 28-33, 36-41, 55-71, 77-82, 85-96 (present)
  • Chapter Three: Outcasts of the Western Deep

Trivia

• Dakkan was originally created by Rachel Bennett as a fan character for the Redwall Series. When Alex Kain knew he wanted to work with Rachel, he decided it would make sense to ask Dakkan to "join the party". Dakkan fit well into the role Alex had determined for the main character's best friend and he enjoyed writing Dakkan's character.