Daggler

**D****aggler** was the leader of Winslow Joveson's Black Band. He was a handpicked assassin in charge of making sure there were no disturbances in the First Warren, and led the fight against the Resistance.

## Biography

### Early life

**Daggler**: I'm not troubled by their deaths. I have executed so many myself, including your young niece, Layra.

—*Ember Rising*, p. 310 |  | ”

Daggler was part of the same unit as Helmer, whom he saw as a rival, in the old army of King Jupiter, but was discharged for torturing a new recruit. However, after the Lords of Prey took over First Warren, Daggler became lieutenant governor of the city under Prince Winslow. Among his tasks were leading the Black Band, a secret police force charged with suppressing any signs of insurrection within the city. In this capacity Daggler killed numerous innocents, including Helmer's brother-in-law Snoden and niece Layra.

Daggler's wickedness was such that the resistance forces of First Warren took to spitting whenever they spoke his name or heard it spoken by others. Captain Moonlight, one of the many affected by Daggler's misdeeds, swore to bring an end to the villainous captain. However, Daggler's abilities far exceeded that of his would-be executioner, and their first encounter resulted in near disaster for Moonlight. Daggler, for his part, regarded Moonlight as a nuisance, and relished the prospect of one day being able to kill him.

### *Ember Rising*

Picket Longtreader saw Daggler at a gathering in First Warren, with Winslow noting that Daggler was not responsible for the explosions that are being blamed on the city's resistance fighters. Daggler later commanded the Black Band in a mission to Helmer's Farm, where he encountered his old adversary Helmer. Revealing that he was in command of the armed rabbits of the city, Daggler ordered his bucks to subdue Helmer. When they failed, Daggler went to face Helmer himself, but then turned his attention to Picket when the younger buck decried his cowardly action.

Helmer managed to divert Daggler's attention, and Daggler admitted to his foul deeds against Helmer's own family. Tricking Daggler into attacking him, Helmer took him prisoner, holding him at the point of his own sword. After striking Daggler in the throat to display his commitment, Helmer forced the Black Band back, promising to release Daggler and surrender himself if they allowed Picket to leave. After Helmer was struck down and rescued by Moonlight's rabbits, Daggler pursued Picket, but was thwarted when Moonlight got the younger rabbit to safety.

On Victory Day, Daggler was present on the old palace balcony when Helmer, Picket, and Whitbie Joveson arrived to deliver Princess Emma Joveson's ultimatum. He was prevented from attacking them by Winslow, for whom he displayed contempt, and was confrontational towards Whit. When Helmer, finished with the message, warned Daggler that that day would be his last, Winslow again prevented Daggler from attacking the ambassadors. Daggler then sent a number of rabbits to follow the trio, but they were tricked by a set of decoys.

When the Battle for First Warren broke out, Daggler attempted to strike Helmer from behind in a fight atop the balcony, but ultimately fled after Picket interfered. He later joined his bucks in attacking Moonlight's forces, and was preparing to finish the heroic captain when Picket and Coleden Blackstar arrived. Daggler proved more than a match for Cole, but was then confronted by Helmer, who he warned would be crushed by the Preylords even if their forces achieved victory. The two then engaged in a savage duel, and Daggler was slain by Helmer.

### *Ember's End*

Picket recalled Daggler's misdeeds, with his dungeons being emptied of prisoners except for one captured member of Longtreader Command, whom Picket initially mistook for a surviving member of Daggler's Black Band.

## Personality and traits

Practically raised into his profession, Daggler was of a horrible nature. He enjoyed torturing and killing others smaller than he, and took great pleasure in causing pain of any sort. He supported Morbin Blackhawk's tyranny as well as Winslow Joveson's reign over First Warren, proving that he could be loyal to a cause he believed in. Daggler considered his "accomplishments" praiseworthy, and was quick to insult others he believed beneath him.

When frustrated, Daggler was quick to accuse others of pride, and was so devoid of honor that he confronted unarmed opponents and even children with his sword drawn. Easily angered, Daggler also had little loyalty to those under his command, having a soldier executed simply for making an obvious statement. Though a large rabbit and a skilled fighter, defeating both Moonlight and Cole with relative ease, he proved to be no match for his former comrade Helmer.

## Trivia

* S. D. Smith stated that he "feels strong anger" towards Daggler.

## References

1. ↑ [1]

*This article has received The Green Ember of excellence.*

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