Explore the profile below. Later developments and revelations are gathered in the expandable story section.
The companions first find Darik wounded and pursued by shadow hounds in the Eldergreen. He urges them toward the Allfather Oak and warns that a working deeper in the forest is cutting roots and feeding darkness into the lines. Ael’Tharun’s roots shelter him and slow his bleeding while the others act on that warning.[2]
Appearance at first meeting[1]
Darik first appears covered in mud to the knees, with a torn sleeve and a green-gray field coat cut open across his ribs. His speech comes in broken, dry fragments, and his attention repeatedly jerks toward the trees behind him. Elara judges the cut survivable, but sees panic and a deeper strain alongside the blood loss. He can barely keep himself upright, making his first impression one of acute distress rather than a clear account of who he is.
BONDS story revelationsEvents through the epilogue · Open to read
Leaving the Shroud[2]
Darik admits that he served the Shroud and fled after understanding what its circles were doing. He explains how its readers follow resonance and why taking the Heartwood into an already prepared binding could let the enemy catch its song.
Choosing to remain[2]
He stays in the Eldergreen to recover and offer knowledge of the Shroud’s workings, supply circles, and test sites. Although the Oak lets him witness the nexus battle through its wider network, he never enters the six companions’ Heartwood counter-cadence.
Story revelations are closed. Open this section on the website before printing to include them.
Sources & appearances
BONDS: The Tale of Sylas · B.K. McSherry
BONDS · Final Draft 1.0
Referenced chaptersChapters 17–18, 20
- [1]BONDS · Chapter 17
- [2]BONDS · Chapters 17–18, 20