Dastan Zhandos

Dahlia (*Sister*)

**Dastan Zhandos** is a former Young Warrant Officer from Sanshu. He is now a slave in the service of Falling Rain.

## Appearance

Wearing an unadorned lamellar breastplate over a modest hemp robe, there’s little to differentiate him from a common soldier aside from the decorated golden hand-axe hanging at his waist. His stern features, scruffy sideburns, and developing mustache make him seem older than his twenty-two years, the lines around his eyes etched into his skin.

## Personality

Dastan initially appeared juvenile, disciplined, servile. He seemed to loyally serve the Golden Highlands Coalition. However he had dreams of reformation and equality for all.

## Background

A low born warrior from Sanshu with ties to the Golden Highlands Coalition. He grew up as a servant's son, and groomed as a private guard, showing great skill in cultivation and combat.

He joined the Coalition out of a misguided sense of loyalty. When a bandit group called the Immortals attacked the convoy he was guarding, Dastan played a pivotal role in defeating the bandits by first rallying the guards to form an effective defence, and then killing their leader, the Highlander Headsman, in single combat.

His duel against the infamous Highlander Headsman earned him rank, an overnight success. He chalks the win up to luck, thanks to the Highlander Headsman's monologue giving him a last minute chance to strike.

Major XiaoGong was his idol, a disciplined warrior he aspired to emulate, a noble of the ruling class who didn’t mistreat those beneath him. Under XiaoGong's tutelage, Dastan rose to excellence, eschewing traditional teachings for more radical practices.

## Chronology

Dastan joined eleven other Warrant Officers to ensure supplies to the Bridge. He later participated in the Purge along with three other young Warrant Officers capable of displaying Purity: Rain, Han BoShui, Situ Jia Zian. After Rain was abducted by the Shrike, he aided Tong Da Fung in retrieving Rain.

During the Battle for Shanshu, he joined his fellow Coalition members to betray the Empire, killing everyone in Fung's retinue.

After the Imperial forces emerged victorious, Dastan was enslaved by orders of the Magistrate along with his retinue and their families to serve under Rain. He was initially unhappy with his lot in life, even after finding out that he was actually helping the Defiled. This changed when he was Cleansed of the Defiled Taint by Rain, leading him to believe Rain was the Mother's Chosen Son.

## Power and Abilities

* **Aura**: Condensed at or before 22
* **Natal Palace**: Formed at 22
* **Domain**: Developed at 23

Dastan Formed a Natal Soul after hearing Rain talk about his while drunk. Its features weren’t younger, but smaller, with a head and eyes too large for the body it sat on and stubby arms and legs to boot. Childish and simple-minded his Natal Soul was always practicing the Forms and had long since surpassed him in mastery and Insight. It represents everything he lost and wished to take back, his freedom and innocence.

Dastan Developed a Talent he calls Severing Cut. When he focuses on his Intent to Cut while Honing his weapon, his Domain bursts forward like an invisible blade, flowing around runic equipment like a liquid before continuing on at the target.

### Equipment

* Axe
* Runic Shield

## Relationships

### Family

**Danikov**: Merchant/bookkeeper father. After being saved by Rain, he left for Shen Huo with the rest of his immediate family members.

**Dahlia**: Little sister who loves horses. Advises Rain's cavalry on horses.

**Diyako**: Tinkerer Uncle.

### Friends

**Falling Rain**: His Master.

**Han BoShui**: Consulted with him about the Martial Path which requires great trust.

### Retinue

Of the hundred warriors who pledged themselves to his service in Sanshu, there are now only a mere six survivors.

**Sahb**: His former Second.

**Camsul**, **Balta**, **Rithy**, **Khin**: Surviving male members.

**Saida**: Sole surviving woman.

**Tarsov**: Killed by Pudge.

## Trivia

* Was given a chance by Tong Da Fung despite his misguided actions.
* Fans call his Natal Soul Chibi Dastan.

## Reference

1. ↑ Chapter 531
2. ↑ Chapter 173
3. ↑ Chapter 753
4. ↑ Chapter 128, 132, 171
5. ↑ Chapter 237
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chapter 268
7. ↑ Chapter 470
8. ↑ Chapter 429
9. ↑ Chapter 453
10. ↑ Chapter 628
11. ↑ Chapter 255
12. ↑ Chapter 279
13. ↑ Chapter 238
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Chapter 509
15. ↑ Chapter 577
16. ↑ Chapter 532
17. ↑ Chapter 232