Scavenger Hunt Stop #4: Gweld, Ralda, Tordug & Makwi

Next, I’d like to introduce you to four more secondary characters you can meet in The Bow of Destiny:

Gweld

Gweld is an elf who is a fellow ranger in Auguron with Athson. He’s known Athson since he arrived in Auguron City and been his mentor as well as friend. Gweld is highly regarded as among rangers with a reputation that spreads further than just the elves. He’s capable, steadfast and often serious but also watchful of Athson. I though Christopher Rawlins captured Gweld’s angular features rather well. I could easily liken Gweld to one of the elves portrayed in The Lord of the Rings movies but I think he should stand on his own as a character – but you should find out why for yourself…

Ralda

Ralda is a giant with somewhat murky intentions mainly due to the fact that few people understand his culture well enough to grasp the meanings behind what he readily says about himself.

To understand Ralda, one must understand some of the ways of giants. First of all, giants in The Bow of Destiny are not the slow-witted louts of humongous size that you see in other books. For a size reference, Ralda would look down on someone mounted on the tallest of horses. Also, he’s not like Andre the Giant but rather faster, bigger and stronger. He’s something similar Clancy Brown’s portrayal of The Kurgan in Highlander. Ralda, though fierce when necessary, is not so grim in comparison but much bigger. However, don’t let that fool you – he’s rather bright too. For at least some perspective on how large yet nimble Ralda would be see the final fight scene from Highlander:

Ralda – and all giants – speak with their hands too, like a form of sign language. They use this hand-speech as a supplement to what they are saying. In addition to moving their fingers, they also have tattoos on their digits and hands which are a code that further enhances what they indicate with their hands. So among giants, if someone says they want to eat, everyone knows that the speaker may indicate far more details about what they like, how hungry they are and many other thoughts. As such giant culture can have a broader intimacy than what a western mind might accept since everyone can see all the added thought and feeling expressed by the speaker.

Tordug and Makwi

Tordug and Makwi are dwarves of who serve as guides for the characters along the quest. These two are experienced fighters and rather interesting examples of dwarven culture which I’ve taken some pains to detail in the book. They are also members of the Chokkran diaspora, refugees who’ve spread far and wide after their kingdom fell in a sudden conflict with trolls and Rok. As you can imagine they aren’t too fond of trolls or people from the land of Rok. I won’t share much more about these two though they are important characters and I don’t want to reveal any spoilers. However, I will say that dwarven culture is rather complex with designations of honors, rank and class (the latter being more of who you are). Dwarves of Denaria are easily visible by beard style and trinkets displayed in hair, beards or on clothing.

Scavenger Hunt Questions:

What is Gweld’s relationship with Athson?

What does Ralda use to supplement his speech?

How does a dwarf indicate what he/she is in dwarf society?

Let’s move onto the next page and learn about the antagonists…