Feldspar frowns, confused. "I ask again, soldier, what has happened here?"
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"What has happened here?" Feldspar exclaims as he kneels beside the woman to be sure she's dead. "Why did you kill her?"
Feldspar quickly pockets the padlock and key as he turns and makes his way toward where he'd heard the cry of alarm.
Satisfied that the others would look after the mysterious doctor, Feldspar kneels on the floor beside the corpse of the creature he'd been forced to help destroy. He takes a moment to examine the body more closely, looking for anything of note before moving on.
Feldspar reacts almost by instinct. Since he was already so close to the newly spawned undead creature, he simply thrust his hands out against its chest. "In Torag's name, begone from the world of the living!"
Feldspar is careful to keep any reaction from the stench from showing on his face and studies the man carefully.
After his initial study from a distance, he steps closer and uses a more traditional approach, listening to the man's heart, his lungs, checking the pulse in his wrist and examining his eyes.
Feldspar listens to the judge's response with open amazement. "Just out of curiosity," he asks, "with which church do you intend to indenture him?"
"You have whatever assistance I can offer, sheriff. I am at your service." He inclines his head.
Once safely away from an prying ears, Feldspar nods gravely. "The sentences were certainly harsher than I had anticipated. But I am new to this place and it is not for me to question how the local laws are applied. I do not think it is likely that anything can be done at this point; once a sentence is announced publicly, it is improper to change it. To do so would create an unfortunate precedent that could work against people as well as for them. After all, if after public announcement, a harsh sentence can be exchanged for a lesser one, what's to stop an authority from doing the opposite to appease an insulted party?" He tugs thoughtfully at his beard, considering. "Still, your ways are different from my own. If you think such an opportunity exists...well, I cannot think of a more proper environment for the lad. My own people would likely put him to work in the mines, to re-temper his body as well as his soul at the earth's forge, digging or hauling ore. The sea is more like to be to the lad's taste where at least he'll have the sun and wind upon his face." The dwarf heaves a sigh and meets Tania's eyes. "If you can offer a better option, I will do what I can to support you should it be an appropriate one."
Feldspar listens to the announcement with an impassive face, though he isn't pleased by the announcement. Justice is often hard, he reminds himself and though the sentence isn't one he would have passed it is not for him to choose. He'd done what was necessary and that was all there was to it. Later, at Idrian's announcement, he shakes his head sadly. "Have they learned nothing? How many more are there for us to be watchful for?"
Feldspar's Testimony: Feldspar walks into the chamber, resplendant in his armor and cloak, helm carried in one arm so that his head is bare. His beard is well groomed and his hair pulled back so that the mark of Torag's blessing showed clearly upon his brow. With a nod to the justice, he clears his throat and speaks in a deep, sonorous voice, "I am Feldspar the Flamebeard, Paladin of Torag and a defender of Sandpoint. As all men know, the word of a chosen of Torag is as strong as steel." He speaks briefly of the attack on Sandpoint by the goblins and the clues he and his fellows had uncovered that led them to the caves outside of town. "The Creedy lads were there as we'd expected. They attacked us at first but wisely stood down when we demonstrated our superior forces. We questioned them and they told us they'd been hired to steal a shipment of fireworks on behalf of a man they named as Lonjiku Kaijistu." "We also found in their possession a number of items such as payment for their crime, and evidence that they'd been involved in smuggling alcohol to avoid the local taxes on imports. Later we were able to confirm that Kaijistu was indeed involved in the attack on Sandpoint. There has been no further evidence that the lads had greater knowledge of his plans." With that he places his hands behind his back. "Though the lads are clearly guilty of smuggling and theft, they cannot in truth be blamed for the attack on Sandpoint itself. It is my belief that whatever their punishment it should be delivered with that in mind. The youngest, at least, is largely an innocent that has been misled by his elders. The eldest shows considerable lack of foresight and understanding of the consequences for bad choices. This is an opportunity to teach both of them the penalties for stepping beyond the law." He pauses a moment, considering the last of the three. "As for the other lad...Torag has shown to me that he has allowed evil to twist his heart. Several times he threatened me retribution for his imprisonment. But I am unaware of any other crimes he has committed that require harsher punishment. Have you any further questions for me?"
Feldspar nods at what Tania had to share about Thassilon. "I suspected it might be as bad as that. The sigil we encountered has to do with seven 'sins'. Any people that would put such great value in sins as opposed to virtues is one that I am glad to see gone from the world."
Feldspar accepted the summons to give testimony at the town hall with mixed feelings. That the Creedys had earned their punishment there was no question, but he had little appreciation for the manner in which the Hellknights wrought their justice. He had a bad feeling for what the day would bring. Nonetheless, he made sure his armor and shield were well-tended and clean, drawing a clean cloak over his shoulder embossed with the hammer of Torag before making his way over to the town hall. He would do honor to his God this day, no matter how distasteful he might find those he must work with.
Feldspar nods at Durik's words. "I am willing to see whoever brought such dark knowledge to taint Nualia's soul cast down to the judgement of the Gods. Until our tasks here are complete, however, our duty must come before our desires." He takes a long pull at his beer before speaking again. "I did what I could to learn more of the dark powers the woman had been drawing upon. I wasn't able to learn much, but I did get a hint that may lead to greater information. It seems that evil symbol we encountered on Thistledown is from some ancient empire or nation known as Thassilon. It is not a word I've heard spoken of before. Have any of you perhaps heard tell of such a realm?"
Feldspar frowns uncertainly at Maree's latest vision. "'Fallen maid?' That reminds me of Nualia but she's no danger now. Perhaps the Gods will give us more to go on in the future. I'll not forget your words." He felt a great relief at draining the power from the arcane pool beneath Sandpoint with Father Zanthus. The presence of all that evil energy so close to the town was a constant worry for him and it was only after it had been contained that he was finally able to rest easily. The knowledge he was able to unearth regarding the Siehedron rune was curious but he wasn't sure how it might apply to what they'd encountered. These Thassilon must have been evil, or certainly misguided but he couldn't quite guess as to what their significance in current events might be. He resolved to discuss it with the others when he had the opportunity.
With the battle for Sandpoint seemingly done, Feldspar settles down to help Father Zanthus with any repairs that need to be made and tending to the village in general. He also takes the time to check in on Maree and see how she's doing. When he has a few free moments, he also talks with Zanthus about what they'd found, both below Sandpoint itself and the corruption the woman Nualia had embraced. He wants to know if there were any records of Sandpoint's past that might be illuminating.
Feldspar continues his attacks, hammering at the beast with renewed fury as it savages his comrade. Realizing the danger Idrian is in, he decides to call upon Torag to aid him.
Feldspar doesn't let the thickness of the dog's hide deter him. He simply brings the hammer around again for another blow.
Flush with satisfaction at destroying the evil woman, Feldspar turns and eyes the foul hound that was giving Idrian such trouble. Raising his hammer high, he strikes at the creature.
Feldspar pays no mind to anything else going on around him, focusing purely on the evil woman before him.
The negative energy tearing through Feldspar makes him grit his teeth with pain, however, even as he brings his hammer around again. "Your dark God will not save you now, tainted one!"
Sickened by what he sees and feels radiating from the woman, Feldspar recoils a moment, arms raised instinctively. "There is nothing but evil within her," he says almost surprised at how steady his voice sounds to his ears. "Evil, hatred and rage!"
His voice ringing with certainty, Feldspar cries, "This woman is at the heart of the evil that has come to Sandpoint! She must be destroyed!"
Feldspar, hearing the voice within and surprised at the recognition in the woman's voice, immediately calls upon Torag to grant him sight into souls as he steps into the space Tania has vacated.
Feldspar moves a little closer and peers around the area with a frown. The notion of such a cowardly trick such as a trap offends him greatly.
"I fear I have not been taught to recognize such things." He grumbles in his version of a whisper.
Feldspar steps aside to give Tania room to enter first before following.
After determining the man's evil and lack thereof, Feldspar nods curtly. "Show us this door you speak of. You have a great deal to do to atone for the evils you have committed here."
Feldspar shakes his head at the blow he'd received, sending droplets of blood flying. "A man who follows dark orders will come to a dark end." Raising his hammer over his head, he strives to bring it down on the warrior without hitting the barrier this time.
Feldspar moves forward to directly engage the warrior, trusting Torag to guide his blows. "What manner of man allies himself with goblins?"
Feldspar nods grimly as he raises his shield at the ready before reaching out to open the door.
Feldspar frowns briefly at Idrian's mocking tone but he shakes it off and turns toward the darkened corridor, hammer in hand and shield upraised to ward off trouble.
Feldspar cleans his hammer with satisfaction and turns to the group. "Whatever the beast was, it's dead now. We should continue but the question is where? I'm still inclined to see where this passage leads." He points to the door Tania had opened for him earlier.
"Foul beast," Feldspar growls as he brings his warhammer around and attacks.
Feldspar nods grimly as he too recognizes the remains. "What we are dealing with here goes far beyond goblins, I think. Goblins might be so cruel but they do not have such...skill." Mouthing a quiet prayer, Feldspar calls on Torag to allow him to see clearly.
Feldspar grits his teeth with anger. "They're ready for us now. I do not fear what they have waiting for us, but I'm not eager to follow the path they've set either. What of the other door?" He gestures to his right.
Feldspar rises to his feet, strapping his shield to his arm and lifting his hammer high. "Torag will be with us this day."
"Sounds like a plan." Feldspar approves with a nod. "Of course, the problem is that we can no longer risk camping away from the fort. We're still not rested and we're going to have to find a less secure position and make the most of it."
Feldspar nods grimly to Idrian and pulls his warhammer free, not bothering with his shield this time. "For Torag!" he roars and begins to race across the bridge with all the speed his short legs can give him.
Hit Points: And half for me too. Btw, I probably won't be able to get my character updated until tonight when I get home from work. Sorry about that.
Feldspar smiles and grips Durik's shoulder with one large hand. "I thank you for your help, friend Durik. I will now be ready to face whatever may come for us."
Feldspar looks mildly conflicted, but he nods in agreement with Jo'no. "Goblins are filth scarcely worthy of air but there is no honor in killing defenseless women and even Torag would frown upon such a cowardly act. Better to arm them and allow them a chance to fight for their lives. Given our present condition, however, I think it best we leave them where they are. Their masters can see to them or not; if we're forced into battle with them later, then I will not hesitate to end them."
"If there is any healing remaining to the group, I have need of it. Even rest will not allow me enough time to recover from the wounds I suffered from those hellish dogs. In the meantime, I'll be happy to keep watch, especially after dark."
With the battle done, Feldspar droops, lowering his warhammer and breathing hard. "The evil in this place is strong," he says, turning to look upon his companions. "We can overcome that evil but we must fight wisely. I am in no condition to continue without rest or at least healing. Perhaps we should find a place that we can hold secure while we recover."
As the flames wash over the dogs, Feldspar smiles. "Bless my companions, Torag." He says softly. Then he turns to the final dog, calling upon Torag's healing might one last time.
Emboldened by the positive energy that has flooded his body, Feldspar attacks once again with his powerful weapon.
Feldspar takes a deep, shaky breath as he taps his chest with his shield arm once again. "Torag grant me strength to stand and destroy my enemies."
He releases the breath as the energies surge through him and wearily swings his hammer at the already wounded dog once again.
Once again, however, the dog easily dodges the attack and Feldspar's mouth twists with disappointment. "This battle goes against us," he shouts. "I will hold them off as long as I can."
Feldspar grits his teeth as the foul beast's bite gets past his armor. He lowers his shield as he calls upon Torag to heal his wounds. As the surge of positive energy rushes through his form, he stands straighter, twists his torso and swings the hammer around to strike the dog.
"Yeth hounds," Feldspar grumbles and spits as he lifts his warhammer. "Stay close to me or their presence may fill your souls with terror!" He moves forward to just behind Idrian and brings his warhammer to bear on the first.
"Ware that symbol, friends," Feldspar says quietly. "It is of most dire evil." For the moment, he has little thought for anything but the symbol itself, and a desire to see it destroyed.
Feldspar nods in agreement with Idrian and moves forward, warhammer and shield at the ready. He waits until Tania has had time to replace her armor and then opens the door.
"Those goblin wenches are trying to stab me!" Feldspar shouts, stepping to the side to get out of their reach.
"Now it's my turn, bugbear," Feldspar growls, raising his warhammer overhead and bringing it down at the creature.
Feldspar growls at the bugbear, lifts his hammer and charges forward. "For Torag!" He roars.
Feldspar nods in agreement with Idrian and leads the way, not bothering with attempting to hide his movement.
Feldspar looks himself over. "I've got a scratch but otherwise I'm fine. We should distribute these potions before we continue on. I have a feeling there is more waiting for us."
Feldspar brings his hammer around again in another crushing blow as the Goblin King stands.
By instinct, he shifts his feet at the end of the swing and twists his hips to swing the hammer in a return arc.
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