Good news, folks — the beta reader draft of The Whitemaiden is finished and has been sent to volunteers!
To celebrate the release, here’s a profile of one of the side characters — Dirmad Canda-Rell, Catirna‘s friend and our heroes’ most steadfast ally.
Annnd here’s a list of Whitemaiden characters already profiled on this blog:
- Catirna, the protagonist
- Axel, the secondary protagonist
- Alruna / Kitty, the link between them
- Galyek, the villain (or one of them, anyway)
Like the others, Dirmad grew out of an earlier character — or two of them, actually. And that’s where we’ll begin!
Dirmad’s Origins, Part One: A Long-Lost Scottish BFF
In the old story, where all the characters were dead, the heroine Caitir had a childhood friend named Diarmad MacCandlish. He wasn’t really part of the plot, but he played a key role in her backstory (and came on stage at the end). The two of them had grown up together as best friends, flirted sometimes, and might have fallen in love — if Caitir hadn’t betrayed her clan.
In the new story, Dirmad Canda-Rell reprises his role as Catirna’s friend and confidant, but without the long history between them. He has also kept most of his forebear’s appearance and temperament. (He’s solid and steady, yet playful, and he has the same fair hair and beard.)
Dirmad’s Origins, Part Two: A Lovelorn Japanese Immortal
In life, Dorian Murata had been an outcast half-Japanese man in love with a wealthy Japanese girl, Misaki. After committing suicide in despair, he’d fallen sideways into a bad part of the afterlife and was cursed with 1) constant physical pain and sadness, and 2) immortality. Basically, no matter what you did to him, you couldn’t kill him — he would just hurt.
But what does this have to do with Dirmad?
Well, in the old story, Dorian was the wisest of Caitir’s little household, so he often played the role of confidant, counselor, and peacemaker. Dirmad plays the same role in the new “household” with Catirna and Alruna.
Dirmad also has a tragic love story in his past. He’s a widower, and his grief over his wife’s suicide was what sent him to Catirna and Alruna’s door in the first place.
New Dirmad: The Steadfast Soldier and Friend
Okay, so, Dirmad’s not actually a soldier — he’s a hunter and fisherman. All the same, he’s honest and loyal, and he’s an expert bowman who can really kick ass when he needs to.
But a marksman? Forget it. He won’t touch a gun. (Backstory there.)
One of the things I love about Dirmad is that, expert bowmanship aside, he’s ordinary. Most of the major characters have supernatural gifts or important spiritual callings of some kind, but Dirmad is a simple man trying to take care of the people he loves. He doesn’t speak multiple languages. He hasn’t traveled, except to emigrate with his wife to Myelna. He’s not even all that religious, outside of a basic sense of faith and general adherence to orthodox culture.
Unfortunately for him, though, he’s in love with a lady who is decidedly NOT ordinary, and given the rules of their particular society…well, poor guy. We’re back to Dorian and Misaki once again.
That’s why Dirmad has this terribly apt theme song:
And finally…if I had to name some of his foibles, I’d say he’s pretty stubborn, and he’s also kind of a gossip. xD
You can see a picture of him here.
Who wants to meet him? 🙂
