Appearance

Physical Description

Very tall and lean, at least by dwarf standards. Could almost pass for a particularly short and stout human to casual observers.
 
Messy black hair that would reach his shoulders if it ever laid flat, and similarly messy short beard.

Mentality

Personal history

Dalmir grew up comfortably as the eldest son of the blacksmith Hortharm Blackanvil, learning his father's trade so he could continue the business someday. He was not enthusiastic about his fate, but did not rebel agaisnt it either, and readily helped out his father in the smithy.
 
One day, an adventurer came to the smithy and presented an ornate sword to Hortharm, asking for it to be examined. The blacksmith agreed and bade the adventurer return in a week. Hortharm stored the sword in his smithy, where Dalmir came across it.
 
Intrigued, he approached to examine the sword: it looked to be of elven make, lightweight and inscribed with symbols of nature. It also looked extraordinarily fine, inlaid with gemstones and platinum and gold filigree. As his hand approached, the sword whispered something in Elvish; Dalmir, startled, jumped and cut his hand on the sword. In the following days, his eyes became painful and his vision blurry, until it faded away completely: Dalmir had contracted sight rot at the tender age of twenty-two.
 
Thus began the three worst years of Dalmir's life. A physician would arrive, then rapidly (and correctly) diagnose sight rot. The physician would then cast a standard spell, or prescribe a standard ointment or tincture, to treat the disease. The treament would appear effective at first, but soon the disease would take hold and strike Dalmir blind again. This process repeated itself many times; Dalmir first lost count, then lost hope as well. His family was likewise in turmoil, as Dalmir could no longer be expected to follow in his father's footsteps.
 
This torture was ended by the latest physician to visit Dalmir, a Cobalt Soul scholar named Adelmar Bloch. He too began with the standard treatment, but unlike most of the others, he stayed to observe the results,, intrigued by what he'd heard of this incurable case of sight rot. Sure enough, the disease returned, again and again each time after it was supposedly cured. After two weeks of this experimentation - Dalmir had long since given up complaining -, an idea struck him. He requisitioned a periapt of health, intending to see how its curative magics would affect the disease. He found that while the amulet did not fully negate the disease, it did stop the progression. So, after applying one of the standard cures - a restorative spell - once more, he left the periapt to Dalmir, who could now see again. In return, he asked only to be allowed to call upon Dalmir in the future in order to examing his peculiar disease in more detail.
 
Dalmir spent a solid month in disbelief, expecting his vision to start deteriorating again any day now. But as his eyes stubbornly continued to function properly, his spirits lifted and he began once more to contemplate the future. By now, his younger twin brother Dolmer had well and truly taken Dalmir's place as their father's successor in the blacksmithing trade; in addition, Dalmir was left weakened by his years of illness and depression. Eventually, impressed by the scholarship that saved his sight, he resolved to study at the Library of the Cobalt Soul, so he too could one day change a life with feats of erudition. A few exchanged letters and nervous meetings with Adelmar later, Dalmir indeed began his studies at the Library.
 
But all was not well yet. Struggle as he might, Dalmir could not turn his mind to academic scholarship; but in the halls of the Library of the Cobalt Soul, he heard whispers of Ioun, the Knowing Mentor, goddess of knowledge. After four years of fruitless studies - the last of which was spent mainly coasting while once again debating his future - he became an acolyte of Ioun, devoting himself to studying the goddess and her worship. He had finally found his calling, or so he thought. After five years of further study and devotion, he could call himself a priest of Ioun.
 
Dalmir's life changed again when, to their mutual surprise, he met his aunt Lesdelle in the library, in his eighth year of service. The two had been distant for some time, although Lesdelle retained an inexplicable fondness for Dalmir. Probing carefully, Lesdelle learned that Dalmir might very well be sympathetic to the Golden Grin's cause; their preexisting relationship would make him a perfect match for the contact she was here to find. With great care, revealing as little as possible to Dalmir, she and the local group of Grinners set about testing Dalmir's sympathies and capacity for secrecy. After three long years, they decided that Dalmir could be trusted and would be a good ally for the Grin.
 
When this was revealed to Dalmir, he was first shocked - to learn that this secret society existed, and also to learn that they wanted him to join - and then elated, as he found himself resonating greatly with their ideology. He accepted the invitation, and was confirmed as a full member of the Golden Grin after another year spent learning its secret protocols and rites.
 
Dalmir spent the next two decades truly coming into his own, both as a Grinner and as a priest of Ioun. He cautiously probed other candidates for Grinner contacts in the Library of the Cobalt Soul, intending to recruit them like his aunt had recruited him, but none panned out. He and his Grinner comrades met frequently, debating how they might one day overthrow the empire, or how they might turn the people more sympathetic to their cause. More rarely, they took direct action: helping to conceal each other as well as out-of-town Grinners from the authorities' prying eyes, subtly influencing various governmental figures, and rarely outright attempting to turn an official or install one of their own in such a position. During this time, Dalmir came to be respected by his fellow Grinners, despite initial suspicions.
 
Most recently, however, the Grin's fortunes in Zadash took a downturn, and the authorities were on their trail. The group of freedom fighters had caught wind of this and discussed countermeasures at their last meeting, but still believed themselves safe for now. In the night after that meeting, Dalmir was visited by his brother Dolmer, behaving very uncharacteristically - almost as if possessed. Dolmer came to the foot of Dalmir's bed, and spoke a cryptic warning: "The time is soon." He ignored all Dalmir's attempts to question him or engage in conversation, and vehemently denied having even been awake at that time when Dalmir questioned him the next day. Primed to think about the Grin's fate after the last worrying meeting, Dalmir felt a growing sense of unease and interpreted this cryptic warning as applying to his situation. He made up his mind and fled the following night without notifying another soul.
 
Dalmir first hid in the most unsavory and filthy parts of Zadash's Outersteads, hoping to aboid any notice, for two days. Spotting a broadsheet detailing the arrest of his Grinner companions on the front page - "Dangerous Revolutionaries Arrested!" -, he immediately decided that he had to leave Zadash entirely, leaving his past life behind, in order to be safe. He began the long journey towards Deastok, hoping to meet up with the Grinners there and perhaps plan a rescue of his companions.

Education

Dalmir spent his childhood learning the trade of blacksmithing under his father Hortharm, until he was struck blind at twenty-two.
 
After his sight was restored three years later, he went to study at the Library of the Cobalt Soul. It took him three years to accept that he wasn't cut out for academics, and another year to make up his mind and become an acolyte in the cult of Ioun. He spent the usual five years learning the faith and began serving as a priest at the age of thirty-two.
 
In his eighth year serving Ioun at the Library, Dalmir was recruited as a contact by his Grinner aunt Lesdelle. After three long years of cautious probing and testing, he was accepted as a prospective member of the Golden Grin, and learned the secret society's rites and protocols in another year.

Employment

Age 12-22: apprentice blacksmith under Hortharm Blackanvil (his father), Zadash.
 
Age 32-66: Priest of Ioun at the Library of the Cobalt Soul in Zadash.
 
Age 44-66: Grinner agent and contact with the Library.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Advanced far enough in the worship of Ioun to be granted access to her mix of divine and arcane magic.
 
Successfully joined the Golden Grin and rose to prominence among its Zadash group, serving its goals in various ways.
 
Only Grinner to escape the arrest of the Zadash cell of Golden Grin.

Failures & Embarrassments

Touched a (probably) cursed sword in his father's workshop and was struck by a particularly persistent strain of sight rot. If only he had been more careful!
 
Failed the general academic studies at the Library of the Cobalt Soul, somehow.
 
Fled first his home and then Zadash without even informing his Grinner comrades, whose arrest he might have been able to prevent.

Mental Trauma

Spent three years blind, repeatedly having his hopes of regaining his vision brought up only to be dashed again. As a result, he is extremely protective of his eyesight and of the amulet that allows him to keep it. Also, he is distrustful of anything that seems like a clean solution to a large issue.
 
Survived and escaped from the arrest of all his Grinner comrades in Zadash, leading to a (un)healthy case of survivor's guilt.

Intellectual Characteristics

Not particularly book-smart, but extremely perceptive and great at reading people. Also quite convincing and an adept liar when he needs to be, although he doesn't like it.

Morality & Philosophy

Opposed to oppressive monarchies like the Dwendalian Empire. Believes in individual self-determination and choosing one's own path. Strong anarchist leanings. Conflicted between desiring free exchange of knowledge, and wanting to keep powerful/dangerous knowledge out of the wrong hands.

person.sexuality

Never put much thought into it, as he was always absorbed by other pursuits. Perhaps one day he will meet the right person, but until fate wills otherwise, Dalmir is uninterested in romantic and sexual pursuits.

person.gender_identity

Dalmir hasn't put a great deal of thought into it. When asked, he shrugs and identifies with his birth gender (male), but without showing a strong preference.

Known Languages

Common, Dwarvish
 
A few (~50) scattered words and phrases in Sylvan.

Personality

Motivation

Bring peace, freedom and knowledge to the people of the Dwendalian Empire and the rest of Wildemount.
 
Rescue his arrested Grinner comrades.
 
Someday permanently cure his sight rot.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Great with people, especially adept at reading them.
 
Inept at dry intellectual task, only able to recall some few things from his long-ago studies.

Likes & Dislikes

Loves Dampfnudel - a regal steamed roll served in sweet custard or with savory potatoes. His childhood sweet tooth never quite went away.
 
Dislikes unjust hierarchies.

Hygiene

Prefers to be clean, but abstains readily if he needs to blend in or if baths aren't available.
 
Cultivates an intentionally messy hairstyle and beard.

Social

Birthplace

Zadash

Current Residence

On the road to Deastok

Contacts & Relations

Friendlly contact: his aunt Lesdelle, fellow Grinner, who recruited him and is currently imprisoned.

Family Ties

Father: Hortharm Blackanvil, blacksmith in Zadash. Once very close, they have grown more distant over the years as Dalmir was unable to learn the family trade.
 
Mother: Noradra Blackanvil, wife of Hortharm. A loving mother, he tries to distance himself from her so she doesn't worry as much. It only sort of works.
 
Younger twin brother: Dolmer, who has taken up theirfather's blacksmithing trade in Dalmir's stead. They get along well, as twins often do, but move in very different circles nowadays.
 
Younger siblings: Bustran (m, 42), Dwodreline (f, 40), Sarfaelydd (f, 27). They are much younger than Dalmir and Dolmer, and as such their relationships are more distant.
 
Aunt: Lesdelle Blackanvil, Hortharm's younger sister. Served as a scout in the army for some time, before becoming disgusted with the empire and joining the Golden Grin. Very fond of Dalmir, although he doesn't quite return the familial love with the same enthusiasm.

Social Aptitude

Excellent at reading people and a great listener. Also quite convincing.