Dilge was born into a humble farming family in the underground city of Xirklx, a vibrant community of skeva nestled beneath the surface, where his parents toil diligently in their mushroom farms, cultivating crops that sustain their family and the wider skeva community. Growing up in the warm, earthen confines of Xirklx, Dilge was nurtured by the values of hard work, unity, and resilience his parents instilled in him from an early age.

As the eldest of five siblings—two brothers and two sisters—Dilge felt a profound sense of responsibility toward his family. He learned to help out on the farm before dawn, ensuring that the crops were tended to and the harvests brought in. But he also heard the call that all in Xirklx hear about helping defend his home in times of need. To this end, despite the demands of his day, Dilge always found time to hone his skills in swordsmanship and combat whenever he could.

From age six, his father told him stories of legendary skeva warriors who fought bravely to protect their people. Inspired by these tales, Dilge began to fashion crude wooden swords from fallen branches and practiced in the fields during his spare time. Friends and siblings often joined in these imaginative battles, but even then, it was clear that Dilge had a natural aptitude for combat. He moved with fluidity and grace, demonstrating an innate ability to wield his improvised weapon.

Dilge took a step toward his fallen comrade, but Istan stopped him. Fire and heat continued pouring from the crack in the forge, obscuring what remained of the acolyte from view. The metal doors held but bulged from the unimaginable heat and pressure unleashed by the Inferno. There was no time for grieving and no time to retrieve the body.

“Let the fire take him,” Istan said as he and Dilge ran for the exit.

- THE ALCHEMIST’S FORGE

As he grew older, his talent for swordsmanship did not go unnoticed. At thirteen, Dilge was invited to train with the shodeth, the elite cadre of warriors in Xirklx sworn to protect their people from above-ground threats. This offered a chance to escape the monotonous life of farming and embrace the noble calling of a warrior.

Under the guidance of experienced fighters, Dilge’s skills flourished. He dedicated himself to mastering the blade and honing techniques crafted through generations of skeva history. His determination and an unyielding hunger to prove himself propelled him to become a full-fledged member of the shodeth. Dilge embraced the rigorous training, confident that one day he would stand alongside the finest warriors of Xirklx.

As a new member of the Shodeth, Dilge quickly learned that life as a warrior was not just about combat but camaraderie, strategy, and sacrifice. He formed bonds with fellow warriors, sharing their aspirations and fears, united in a shared purpose to protect their home from the humans who threaten their existence.

FIRST APPEARANCE

Dilge first appears in The Inversion Solution (The Alchemancer Book Three).