Dago O'Lykos is a lowRed from the Martian mining colony of Lykos. He was the Helldiver for the Gamma clan and was in direct competition with Darrow of Lambda. Like all Helldivers, Dago is revered as a legend by his fellow Reds. However, Dago is specifically praised as the highest of all in Lykos, with others described as a "flash in the pan," with most of the praise he receives coming from Gamma and its youths.[1]
Appearance[]
Red Rising []
In Red Rising, Dago is described as a "pale strip of old leather with a smirk for a face" and reported to speak with a drawl. Kieran also adds that's he's "thinner than a woman."[2] Like all lowReds, Dago has dark, rust-colored hair and eyes.
Dark Age[]
In Dark Age, Dago is now blind and bald except for a crescent of gray hair.[3]
Personality[]
Like most Martian soldiers, Dago feared dying on a foreign world. As such, he carried two canisters on his person during his time as a legionnaire. One was empty, for his ashes to be contained in to be taken home to Mars a spread into the sea; and another of Lykos soil, which he could clutch on his deathbed.
Involvement[]
On the evening of Laureltide, Loran of Lambda asks how much Dago managed to pull in the week. Dago claims to not know, saying that raw count doesn't matter. After some badgering by Loran, a Gamma claims that Dago pulled 9,821 kilograms of material; less than Darrow in the overall quarter. Seeing the excitement in the young Lambdas, Dago says that they still wont win, and that Darrow should be smart enough to know that. After an insult from Darrow, Dago lights and finishes a burner within half a minute and compares it to Darrow, a way of saying that Darrow may burn bright now, but will soon be nothing but ash.
After the liberation of Mars by The Solar Republic, Dago immediately enlisted in the Republic's Free Legions. He later fought in the Siege of Mercury, where he was based in the West Ladon.
After being one of the 2,301 casualties of a blinding attack from Atlas au Raa, Dago and Darrow meet again for the first time in 15 years on Mercury. Initially Darrow doesn't recognize his face, but notices that his accent is from Lykos. Dago lights and takes a drag from his burner, which causes Darrow to realize who he's talking to. Dago claims that Darrow finally won the laurel, and addressing him a "Sir." He then gives Darrow some of his Lykos soil, telling him to bring it back to him, and they'll share a meal and a burner. Dago then leads an inversion of the Fading Dirge, telling him that Mars is with him, before blowing burner smoke in his face. They part with mutual respect, with Darrow's last words to him claiming they'll meet again in the Vale. It is not known if Dago survived past The Battle of the Ladon.
Relationships[]
Darrow O'Lykos[]
Darrow and Dago's relationship has significantly evolved throughout the saga; from competitive to mutual respect.
Quotes[]
- "This is you." - Red Rising, Chapter 2: The Township
- "Mars is with you, till the Vale." - Dark Age, Chapter 1: Till the Vale
- "No time for words, sir. You got killin' to do." - Dark Age, Chapter 1: Till the Vale
Trivia[]
- Dago claimed 32 laurels before Darrow joined the Sons of Ares.[3]