Falstad

Biodata

Appearance

• Bushy beard: His heavy beard is repeatedly emphasized, and it bristles when Kreel angers him 14 18.
• Powerful build: On first meeting him, Aaron thinks he looks strong enough to carry his own gryphon for a few steps 14.
• Booming voice: Keeping his voice down requires effort; Aaron later compares Muradin Bronzebeard’s loud voice to his 22 37.

Personality

Falstad is boastful, outspoken, and fond of rough humor. He jokes with Murok about hammers attracting women and proudly declares that his force needs only a day to deal with two dragons. His admiration for Vereesa is equally direct: he introduces himself with a clumsy bow and repeatedly addresses her as a beautiful lady 14.

His confidence is tempered by practical judgment. He reprimands Aaron for exhausting his gryphon through unnecessary climbing, ends the pursuit of Deathwing when darkness makes it untenable, and insists that Vereesa rest before continuing the search for Rhonin 15 17.

Falstad readily quarrels with Bronzebeard dwarves and initially dismisses Krasus’s magical communication as “Witchcraft!” Nevertheless, he accepts help from the resistance and follows Krasus’s directions. By the end of the expedition, he openly praises Aaron and Rhonin for having the hearts of warriors 20 21 25.

Abilities & Skills

Gryphon Riding and Aerial Combat

Falstad uses his mount’s maneuverability to fight much larger opponents 15 16.

• Evasive turns: While carrying Vereesa, he makes a sharp turn that causes a pursuing red dragon to overshoot 16.
• Dispersed formation: His riders scatter when two dragons approach, preventing the enemy from attacking the entire group together 15.
• Ground attacks: During the battle at Grim Batol, he repeatedly attacks orcs from the air 24.
• Pursuit limits: His gryphon is described as the strongest among the pursuing dwarves’ mounts, but the riders still cannot keep up with Deathwing 17.

Melee Combat

Falstad fights with both a warhammer and an axe 21 22.

• Coordinated attacks: After Aaron knocks an orc down, Falstad strikes the orc’s belly with his warhammer, allowing Aaron to finish him 21.
• Axe fighting: He engages the flame golem directly, though it catches his axe and requires Aaron’s intervention to release it 22.
• Weapon limitations: An orc battle-axe shatters when he uses it against the Dragon Soul, leaving the artifact undamaged 25.

Field Leadership and Mount Care

Falstad manages his riders’ safety, travel, and rest during the expedition 15 17.

• Warns that high-altitude flight consumes a gryphon’s stamina more quickly 15.
• Sends Rhonin’s former rider back to Aerie Peak after Deathwing injures the rider’s gryphon 17.
• Selects a landing site, participates in the night-watch arrangements, and opposes traveling while exhausted 17.
• Removes his gryphon’s saddle so it can forage independently; the mount returns after feeding 17.

Equipment & Mount

• Gryphon — His flying mount and combat partner. It carries Vereesa during the journey and later transports Rhonin down from the mountaintop at Grim Batol 16 24.
• Gryphon-calling whistle — Produces no audible sound when blown, but promptly brings his nearby mount back to him 24.
• Warhammer — Used against an orc guarding an entrance to Grim Batol 21.
• Axe — Used in the fight against the flame golem 22.
• Seized orc battle-axe — Briefly used in an unsuccessful attempt to break the Dragon Soul; destroyed by the impact 25.

History

Hasic and the Flight to Khaz Modan

Falstad and his riders fight the red dragon witnessed by Duncan and Aaron, then intervene when two dragons attack Hasic. Falstad reports that the dragons were defeated, although Gorodin died. He also jokes about Murok losing his battle-axe in the earlier fighting 7 14.

With Rhonin’s ship destroyed, Vereesa persuades the three remaining gryphon riders to carry her, Rhonin, and Duncan toward Khaz Modan. Aaron initially stays behind because the mounts have no room for him, then catches up on a summoned snowy gryphon. Falstad carries Vereesa during the subsequent encounter with two orc-mounted red dragons 14 15 16.

Pursuit of Deathwing

After Deathwing captures Rhonin, Falstad joins the pursuit. The riders become scattered, leaving only Falstad following Aaron by nightfall. Unable to continue effectively in the dark, he calls for a halt and lands with Aaron and Vereesa 17.

Vereesa and Falstad capture Kreel, who claims to know where Rhonin has gone. Falstad accompanies the search despite distrusting the goblin. When the companions decide to proceed to Grim Batol, Kreel warns that flying directly there would expose them to patrolling dragons and instead guides them along a concealed route 17 18.

Infiltration of Grim Batol

After Kreel disappears, Falstad, Vereesa, and Aaron fall through a quicksand trap. Falstad and Vereesa remain unconscious while Aaron defeats three Vilebranch trolls. Lom’s Bronzebeard resistance fighters subsequently lead the companions through secret passages toward Grim Batol, despite frequent arguments with Falstad 19 20.

Following Krasus’s directions, the group enters through an abandoned mine tunnel. Falstad helps Aaron kill an orc guard, then spots Kreel inside the mountain. When Krasus stops responding, the companions capture the goblin and force him to lead them to Rhonin 21 22.

During the rescue, Falstad fights a flame golem. Aaron shields him from its fire, but the golem’s eventual explosion leaves him bruised and battered despite a Blessing of Sacrifice. Aaron heals him afterward and asks him to retrieve Kreel’s pendant—the object later identified as Deathwing’s means of contacting Rhonin. Rhonin then teleports the party out 22 23.

Battle and Departure

Falstad recalls his gryphon and flies Rhonin down to the battle, leaving the injured Aaron with Vereesa. He attacks the orcs from above and later attempts unsuccessfully to smash the Dragon Soul with a captured axe. Rhonin ultimately breaks the artifact using Deathwing’s scale pendant, restoring the Dragon Aspects’ stolen power 24 25.

While Aaron and Rhonin recover from exhaustion, Falstad and Vereesa continue helping the mountain dwarves fight. After the orcs’ defeat, Falstad leaves to report the recapture of Grim Batol to his clan and locate a subordinate with whom he has lost contact. He embraces Aaron and Rhonin, promises to spread word of their deeds, and becomes flustered when Vereesa kisses his cheek goodbye 25.

Relationships

• Aaron — Traveling companion and fellow combatant. Falstad corrects his inexperienced handling of a gryphon; Aaron protects and heals him during the Grim Batol rescue. They part with mutual admiration 15 22 23 25.
• Vereesa — Passenger and rescue companion whom he openly admires. He respects her need for rest despite her urgency to find Rhonin; she kisses his cheek at their farewell 14 17 25.
• Rhonin — Initially a passenger in his riders’ care, then the focus of their rescue expedition. Rhonin personally thanks him for his help before he departs 14 17 25.
• Murok — Fellow gryphon rider and a partner in bawdy banter about weapons and women 14.
• Lom — Bronzebeard resistance leader and reluctant ally. Their exchanges reflect the hostility between their dwarven groups, but Lom still provides passage and supplies 20.
• Kreel — Distrusted captive and guide. Falstad threatens him over Rhonin’s whereabouts and nearly attacks him after being mocked 18.
• Krasus — A guide Falstad distrusts from the outset. When Krasus falls silent inside Grim Batol, Falstad calmly concludes that the companions must rely on themselves 21 22.

Notable Quotes

“The higher it flies, the faster a gryphon uses up its stamina. You'll wear it out!” 15

“Young knight, and you, mage, I haven't met many of your kind, but I still have to say that at least a few of you have the heart of a warrior!” 25