Balthar Ironshield
Overview
Balthar Ironshield, also known by the honorific title the Granite Hand, was a Master Stonemason and a member of the Stonemasons' Covenant based in Petra Magna. He is remembered in A History of Rislandia as a figure of exceptional courage and self-sacrifice, and his family's craftsmanship left a lasting mark on Rislandian architecture.
History
The Night of Shattered Crystals
During the Night of Shattered Crystals, Balthar led the defense of the Stonemasons' Covenant hall in Petra Magna. According to A History of Rislandia, "Balthar held the hall until his apprentices could escape through underground tunnels." When the situation became untenable and all apprentices had reached safety, Balthar collapsed the hall upon himself and the attackers, dying in the process. He was remembered thereafter as a hero of the Covenant.
The Crystal Spire
According to A History of Rislandia, Balthar himself was associated with stonemason work connected to the Crystal Spire. The sourcebook records that "Master Stonemason Balthar's son completed the tower using traditional techniques—no magic, just engineering and sweat." The completion of the Crystal Spire tower thus fell to his son, who honored his father's craft by relying solely on engineering skill.
Legacy
Balthar Ironshield stood as a symbol of the Stonemasons' Covenant's values: disciplined craft, protection of those in one's charge, and willingness to sacrifice oneself for others. His title, the Granite Hand, evoked both his mastery of stone and his unyielding resolve. His son's completion of the Crystal Spire tower without the use of magic further cemented the Ironshield name as one associated with traditional excellence in Rislandian construction.