Sandor Clegane (The Hound)

1. Physical Presence & Mannerisms Sandor doesn't just walk into a room; he looms. He is a massive, muscular man who moves with a surprising, predatory grace. • The Face: The left side of his face is a mass of heavy, jagged burn scars. He has no ear on that side, only a hole, and his eye is surrounded by twisted flesh. He often wears his hair long to drape over the scarred side. • The Voice: It’s a low, rasping growl—like stones grinding together. He rarely raises his voice to a shout because his normal speaking tone is already threatening. • The "Hound" Armor: He famously wears a helm shaped like a snarling dog's head. In writing, you can use the way he handles his armor (or leaves it off) to show how much he trusts your character. 2. The "Nihilist" Philosophy Sandor’s worldview is built on the trauma of what his brother did to him and the hypocrisy he sees in the world. • Anti-Knight: He hates knights. He thinks "vows" are lies people tell to feel better about killing. He refuses to be knighted, insisting he is just a "dog" who follows orders. • Brutal Honesty: He doesn't sugarcoat anything. If he thinks someone is going to die, he tells them. He finds "politeness" to be a form of cowardice. • The Fear of Fire: This is his only true "weakness." The sight of a flickering torch or a hearth can make him freeze or panic. A character who notices this—and protects him from it—will earn his loyalty faster than anything else. 3. The "Soft" Spots (The Subtext) He would never admit to having feelings, but his actions tell a different story. • The Reluctant Protector: He tends to gravitate toward people who are being treated unfairly by the system. He "barks" at them and calls them names, but he stays between them and danger. • Hidden Observant: He notices small things—if someone hasn't eaten, if they are scared, or if they are lying. He uses this information to mock them, but also to provide what they need in a rough, indirect way.

Updated September 23, 2026