Jump to content

Ser Gerold Dayne aka Darkstar: Character Analysis


The Taxman

Recommended Posts

"Or perhaps this is why he is "the most dangerous man in Dorne". What does Darkstar have to do with the Lannisters? And what exactly is Darkstar and Arianne talking about? Whose the lioness that they are referring to?"


The lioness is Queen Cersei. Since she is both Myrcella's mother and Tommen's mother, Arianne is stating who is to say which "cub" or child she will favor sitting on the throne, to which Darkstar replies "the one in her den" meaning the one at home who she has her hands on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

90% of the readers hate this dude. They hate his character, they hate his name, they hate his wannabe badass shtick, and the fact that he failed to kill an unharmed girl. With that being said, I do not think Darkstar will end up being Red Viper or Quentyn Martell 2.0.

Darkstar will have an important part to play and his role will only get bigger as the story pushes forward.

This is the infamous line that has the forums abuzz with laughter. Is it really that bad? The Dayne doesn't call himself Darkstar despite what most people think. The Red Viper, The Mountain, The Hound, The Knight of Flowers... all of these nicknames are corny in their own right. No need to single out Ser Gerold Dayne in this regard.

A very interesting exchange between Oakheart and Darkstar. Given how little we know of House Dayne, I believe it is of great importance to read between the lines each time that it is mentioned. At this point in the story I think we can all agree that House Dayne produced some of the best knights and swordsmen in Westeros given Ser Arthur Dayne's renown.

Darkstar believes that Ser Arthur Dayne was only impressive and renown due to his sword, Dawn. This may sound like a ridiculous statement, but think about it for a minute here. Are there any stories of Ser Arthur before he inherited Dawn? He has been known as the Sword of the Morning since his introduction to the story so we don't know how capable of a swordsmen he was before Dawn, but we can assume he was pretty damn good as the title of Sword of the Morning is only bestowed to the finest knight.

With that being said, we know in the world of ASOIAF that having a unique type of sword (Valyrian, Dawn, Lightbringer, etc.) will grant you a commanding advantage regardless of the difference in skill. Now I ask, if Arthur Dayne was truly the finest knight in the land, the "I can kill 5 guys while I'm pissing with one hand", hell even old man Barristan Selmy thought he could kill 5 members of the KG without caution, why did he die to the hands of Ned Stark and 6 other men when he had Dawn, the LC of the KG, and Oswell Whent?

During the battle at TOJ, Howland Reed must have somehow through whatever means gotten Dawn out of the hands of Ser Arthur Dayne. Perhaps when Ser Arthur Dayne was slain in battle, he died with a regular sword in hand and not Dawn? Maybe the legend of Ser Arthur Dayne is a bit exaggerated? Darkstar knew as much. Darkstar knows that he is just as good of a swordsmen as Arthur Dayne, if not better, should he ever get a hold of Dawn.

So apparently the Daynes and Oakhearts have been at each other's throat since the beginning of time.

Obviously Darkstar isn't as big a fool as Ser Arys Oakheart. As a matter of fact, after Darkstar maimed Myrcella, he escaped Areo Hotah and his men unscathed. Keep in mind that when Areo Hotah and his men pursued Darkstar on horses, they had crossbows and spears on hand and still couldn't catch Darkstar.

More proof of Darkstar's swordsmanship...

Arianne believed that the KG are the finest knights in all of Westeros. Ser Arys Oarkheart was a member of the KG that was handpicked to escort Princess Myrcella to Dorne and to be her protector. But, given that, she is still uncertain if a knight of the KG could best Darkstar.

So not only does Arianne need Darkstar's sword, but she will also need his castle. Darkstar is head of the cadet branch of House Dayne in High Hermitage. Darkstar is the best swordsmen in all of Dorne... and possibly all of Westeros. Take a look at this:

Apparently Darkstar is capable annihilating an entire branch right off the map. But just who are the Yronwoods?

Is this why Darkstar is the most dangerous man in Dorne?

Or perhaps this is why he is "the most dangerous man in Dorne". What does Darkstar have to do with the Lannisters? And what exactly is Darkstar and Arianne talking about? Whose the lioness that they are referring to?

I have no doubt that Lady Obara and Ser Balon Swann will be killed by Darkstar by POV of Areo Hotah. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised if Darkstar took out all three.

I don't think Darkstar is the type of guy to defeat his foes by way of poison a la The Red Viper. Ser Gerold Dayne of High Hermitage doesn't have to resort to poison... he has a reputation to live up being a Dayne.

Ser Gerold Hightower, LC of the the Mad King's KG.

Ser Arthur Dayne of the Mad King's KG.

Ser Gerold Dayne... aka Darkstar.

I'm honestly not one to accept hype to validate things, especially in these books because GRRM is such a deceptive writer. He loves to pull the complete opposite trick on what was implied, but because of the amount of praise and hype Darkstar recieves from different POV's I'm gonna go ahead and believe the hype. I won't be disappointed if he isn't what people claim he is in the sense of combat prowess, but I won't be surprised if he is indeed a true badass. I see Balon Swanns time nearing an end, Hotah and Obara I'm not too sure about. Either way I don't get the sense that Darkstar will die quickly as most would like...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One of about eight...sadly, until he is validated as a badass and then there'll be no room on the bandwagon...

Let's just hope for that. All I can say is that right now even if he kills Areo hotah, I'll be happy. That Hotah guy is as morose as Damphair, some distant cousin maybe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like Darkstar, I do (although trying to kill my favorite princess is fucked up) but just like Bloodraven, I hate his nickname. I cannot take either seriously when people call him that. Could you imagine having to go up to someone and refer to them by either of those nicknames. Sword of the Morning, Knight of Flowers, those are both titles. But Darkstar and Bloodraven are nicknames. People actually call them that. As I've said in previous threads, they both sound like metal bands. But that's also not a reason I would judge someone for liking him, it's messed up to be ostracized for liking a character, if you all think it's a cool nick name that's fine by me :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let's just hope for that. All I can say is that right now even if he kills Areo hotah, I'll be happy. That Hotah guy is as morose as Damphair, some distant cousin maybe.

I definitely see your point. Hotah was tolerable for me as I actually enjoyed his continuous suspicious gauging of others around Doran. I liked the insight of the Sworn to protect mindset he has, but I'll agree he is far from a good POV. I don't see Hotah dying because he's one of few Dorne POV's, but I've been wrong before and I wouldn't care much if Darkstar killed him as he isn't a standout POV at all.

I 100% agree that Damphair was god awful tho

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Although I think the jury is out on how "dangerous" Darkstar is, I am hoping he proves to be an intelligent badass.



I was just thinking, maybe harming (or perhaps even killing if the opportunity had been better) Myrcella was his way to throwing Arianne under the bus - he knew anything he ended up doing to Myrcella would discredit Arianne in Doran's eyes. My crackpot guess is he has a huge chip on his shoulders - not just about Sir Arthur Dayne, but it might also include the Martells (especially if the forum theory that he could be Oberyn's son could be proven).



I also thought it was pretty lame that he couldn't even kill a defenceless girl when he's suppose to be a great swordsman, but maybe his plan was only to discredit Arianne and get a rise out of Doran Martell.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

"No. Men call me Darkstar, and I am of the night."



"Oooooh, what a Drama Queen!" was what I thought when I encountered him during my read. If he'd just said. "No. Men call me Darkstar." I'd be OK with it. But no, he had to go that extra bit.



"Men call me Dookie, and I'm of the toilet"


Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think way too much is made about the horse shying. GRRM consistently hammers home the point that single moments do not define a warrior's skill, as so many nothing-to-do-with-their-skill things can happen in a flash. If GRRM has decided that Darkstar is a badass with a blade, he is. This is not like morality where the reader is free to judge for himself.

Relative martial skill is a quality that exists exclusively within the mind of the author.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think way too much is made about the horse shying. GRRM consistently hammers home the point that single moments do not define a warrior's skill, as so many nothing-to-do-with-their-skill things can happen in a flash. If GRRM has decided that Darkstar is a badass with a blade, he is. This is not like morality where the reader is free to judge for himself.

Relative martial skill is a quality that exists exclusively within the mind of the author.

Preach!🙌

The thing that really makes me doubt Darkstar is all hype even beyond all the speculation is...

would Darkstar attack Myrcella so openly(ensuring it's a given he'd face consequences if not from Doran then definitely from KL) if he wasn't exceptionally skilled and/or very well prepared to handle any blowback?

All of the speculation just adds to confirmation for me honestly as nobody in their right mind would bring so much heat onto their house intentionally as Darkstar did indeed do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like Darkstar, I do (although trying to kill my favorite princess is fucked up) but just like Bloodraven, I hate his nickname. I cannot take either seriously when people call him that. Could you imagine having to go up to someone and refer to them by either of those nicknames. Sword of the Morning, Knight of Flowers, those are both titles. But Darkstar and Bloodraven are nicknames. People actually call them that. As I've said in previous threads, they both sound like metal bands. But that's also not a reason I would judge someone for liking him, it's messed up to be ostracized for liking a character, if you all think it's a cool nick name that's fine by me :)

Speaking of horrible nicknames, Damphair truly takes the biscuit for me.

As for how Darkstar can be the most dangerous man in Dorne, it really gets me wondering. A faceless man is probably the most dangerous individual known in the series. Arianne knew Gerold when he was younger which doesn't imply he took a major sojourn learning how to assassinate in Braavos. Plus- he's retained his identity, and has built a reputation, which is not in line with becoming "noone". That said, should Arya break her training and return to Westeros, having taken a few years out to learn their ways, then she will probably be considered the most dangerous girl in the North. "The Sword of the Morning" "I am of the Night" "The Long Night" and "A dream of Spring" all seem too heavily connected for me as related to the Song Of Fire and Ice in some way, and makes me think that there is something magical/religious to the counterbalance of dawn/night- such as love vs fear, protection vs sacrifice? life vs death? Of the Night meaning "of the underworld?" hmmm. Apologies for rambling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm honestly not one to accept hype to validate things, especially in these books because GRRM is such a deceptive writer. He loves to pull the complete opposite trick on what was implied, but because of the amount of praise and hype Darkstar recieves from different POV's I'm gonna go ahead and believe the hype. I won't be disappointed if he isn't what people claim he is in the sense of combat prowess, but I won't be surprised if he is indeed a true badass. I see Balon Swanns time nearing an end, Hotah and Obara I'm not too sure about. Either way I don't get the sense that Darkstar will die quickly as most would like...

The hype may not be justified yet but it is highly legitimate. I have NO doubts whatsoever that Darkstar will be taking some lives in TWOW. I see him taking out one of either Obara, Areo Hotah, or Balon Swann. Maybe 2/3 or all 3 characters will die to the hands of Darkstar or because of Darkstar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The hype may not be justified yet but it is highly legitimate. I have NO doubts whatsoever that Darkstar will be taking some lives in TWOW. I see him taking out one of either Obara, Areo Hotah, or Balon Swann. Maybe 2/3 or all 3 characters will die to the hands of Darkstar or because of Darkstar.

I totally agree...

I just hope Darkstar introduces dawn to the story..."officially"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Opinions are mixed about darkstar, but I think everyone likes Ned dayne. Homie has been "missing" since game of thrones, who is holding starfall in his name? Maybe his aunt? But that's not much. Darkstar definitely feels entitled to dawn, and probably thinks he has a claim to starfall as well. I think aero hotah is a pov to give us a window into this fight, rather than dorne at large. Remember, we learn about the Daynes before almost all other characters, and starfall is on the original westeros map before so much else. Grrm has been building this subplot since the very beginning, and I think dawn is Lightbringer, even if darkstar sucks now this plot is gonna get awesome real quick.

Also, starfall isn't too far from oldtown, were we think the ironborn might attack soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think GRRM created DarkStar when he discarded the 5years gap idea, since he intented Edric Dayne (12yo at the time) to become some awesome Dawn weilder. Since Edric will be 13-14 by the end of the story now, it is stupid to think he can be of any great use on the battlefield. The he created Gerold and hid his potential inside a big jerk douchebag image.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll not take Gerold's word that the renown of Ser Arthur was purely down to his sword at face value seeing as he comes off a bit like a bitter relative jealous at the success and due to the fact that everyone who did see Arthur in action has nothing but good words to say.



Also Dawn only goes to a Dayne who has proven themselves worthy of it so Arthur must have done something for and and/or Darkstar got turned from having it and is pissy over the whole situation


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...