Davard

Background

Davard was the Captain of the Taladorian Guard for decades, and he had fallen in love with Cosima, the beautiful daughter of the nobleman Lord Thermon, who helped rule most of Talador for a time. After Baron Kuligar was assassinated at his coronation by the urnon golem Madelyne Cross and exposed to be a shapeshifter planted by Mayor Walkar, Davard was knighted and led an army to attack Wehnimer's Landing. The tones of religios fervor began to build shortly before Davard's invasion, and Prelate Chaston Griffin even annointed Davard's blade and armor, claiming he fought a holy war against the out of control darkness in Wehnimer's. Davard was promised the hand of Cosima in marriage by her father, if he was successful.

For over a month Sir Davard besieged Wehnimer's Landing, once even murdering healers and clerics in the middle of town, capturing the Gryhon Holding which belonged to the Silver Gryphons, and even going toe to toe with Mayor Walkar in combat, along with countless other heroes. In response to Davard's invasion, Drangell and the Brotherhood of Rooks worked with some adventurers, many unknowingly, to abduct Cosima from her home in Talador and hold her hostage until Davard retreated. He did not, and Drangell had Cosima displayed in a wedding gown, gutted and burned alive. Davard snapped, and forged a dark alliance with the witch Raznel to help battle Wehnimer's Landing with curses and other dark magic. This partnership was eventually exposed, and Davard surrendered outside of the orphanage in Wehnimer's Landing, finally coming to his senses and refusing to slaughter children. He was arrested and placed on trial. The Church of Koar condemned him and his alliance with the blood witch Raznel, and they publically burned him alive outside of Moot Hall in Wehnimer's Landing.

Davard's Speech

Just before his trial began, Davard was asked by Lheren Hochstib if he wishes to make a statement.

Lheren

Sir Davard Priot you are hereby accused of association with forbidden magic, specifically for your involvement with the witch Raznel and her necromancy and blood rituals. These deplorable acts are seen as grave affronts to both the Church of Koar and the Turamzzyrian Empire.

Such crimes can be punishable by death.

You have bared witness to three evenings of your trial, as many were brought before the court to testify for, or against you. You have heard the allegations, and now you will be presented with your chance to refute those claims, or admit your guilt.

Are you prepared to speak then to the charges? Bear in mind, that Koar above watches and will judge your words, should you speak anything but the truth.

Davard

Koar does not watch. Koar does not listen. He is as silent and afraid as a frail woman hiding behind the walls of House Phoenix. He has abandoned his followers, yet only you still blindly believe you bask in his glory, when it is just dust that you wallow in.

Davard spits.

Shadows no longer creep along this land, they race across it. They blacken the seas with bodies, of both krolvin and man. They descend from the mountains, driving civilization inward. They grow orchards of blood trees, then raise the dead and march to war. Yet you stand here in judgment of me, when it is YOU who should be on trial.

The Church of Koar has failed, so occupied with praising themselves and building their halls of gold that the darkness they claim to oppose has rooted and spread. When I am gone then, who will sit in judgment of you? When will you answer for the thousands of lives lost because of your inaction and arrogance?

You have accused me of associating with a witch? Of permitting dark magic? Why stop with me? This goes far beyond me. I did not want to bring that wretched woman with me, and her cursed wagon. Lord Thermon Chisholm of the ruling council of Talador demanded I drag that witch along. Him, not I.

It is said her dark powers were used against Talador, and even aided Jantalar in taking the Barony in the first place. She was used by Thermon, and he by her. There should be no doubt. I did as commanded and hauled her wagon, unknown to many in my ranks. It was not until your precious Koar failed me and my love was torn from this world, so viciously and unfairly, that I fell to the corruption.

The crimes I am accused of? There should be no question, for I am guilty. I gave the witch my blood. I gave her the bodies she so gleefully needed. I watched as she bred maggots from flesh, and spirits from bones. I could have raised a hand to stop her, but instead my inaction only spread the darkness. You see, I am as guilty as you are. I deserve to die, and so do you, right by my side.

And who are you three, to preside over my fate?

A local judge, who had no influence or power to stop an abomination from taking over. A mad wizard who betrays his empire by aiding Wehnimer's when his stance is demanded to be neutral. The bastard son of a Luukos worshipping Baron who was no stranger to the ends justify the means. Even now, you come to this town under the disguise of justice, when you are simply trying to crawl out of the dark shadow of a man who should have thrown you on the edge of a spear.

My only regret is I should have taken Cosima far from Talador, far from your politics, far from your church. Again, my inaction cost her life. She is gone now, as dead to this world as I am. Her father traded her left and right for power. But in the end she is a corpse, and you will likely give him a crown.

I do not care what punishment you bring to me. Life? Death? Without Cosima, neither matter to me. Burn me, flay me, or send me to a watery grave. It does not matter. The only consolation I can hope for is that the people of this town turn on you. Because neither of us deserve to walk away.