Gloria Sparklebright
Princess of the Rumbling Deeps and daughter of King Thrumbar
Gloria Sparklebright is a dwarf princess, daughter of King Thrumbar the Adequately Bearded, ruler of the Rumbling Deeps. She wears her copper-red hair in fourteen braids.
Personality
Confident, strong, and completely unaware of Borin's romantic feelings — or, if she is aware, she gives no sign. She once arm-wrestled a goat and won. She steals Borin's lunch without guilt. Her laugh is bright and distinctive, described by Borin as "like someone dropping a bag of gold coins down a very pleasant staircase."
At the Academy
Gloria shares a desk with Borin in Advanced Rune Studies at the Underpeak Academy. She calls him "Bore" — whether this is a nickname or an insult, Borin is still analyzing the inflection. She views him as a convenient source of lecture notes and reliable furniture, though she seems to genuinely like him in her own way.
Notable Moments
She punched Borin's shoulder once and said "you're alright, Bore." He couldn't feel his arm for two days. It was the best two days of his life.
When Borin's catastrophic anvil toss at the Ironarm Tournament destroyed the Grandmaster's portrait, Gloria was the only person who laughed. She mouthed "Nice throw" as he was marched away.