My Story Starts Here
If you’re reading this then I have to assume you’ve heard of my grandfather, Ulfgar Stonefoot. I may not be as well-known, but I promise one day my name will be just as renowned as his. So read on, new friend, and learn how my story began.
I was born in the City of Iron to Osha Blackhammer and Horvar Ironmane. Osha, my mother, is the head of the Blackhammer Smithing Guild, one of the most well-respected Guilds in the city, but we’ll get to that later. Horvar, my father took after his father Ulfgar and became a traveler, adventurer, and merchant. I don’t particularly like to talk about my father, he died when I was only a boy and the circumstances surrounding his death are, once again, a story for a different day.
I was born on Dhagitsday, the festival devoted to the Golem of Fire and my mother has always said I am marked by Dhagit, a born smith, destined to use the mountain’s fire to shape the metal that my kind was said to have been made from. I’m not so sure if this is true, my mother is far more pious than me, but I do know that I have loved metalworking since I was a small boy, perpetually sneaking into my mother’s workshop and firing up the forge that I could scarcely reach. At first she tried to keep me out of her forge from fear I’d hurt myself, but after I broke the lock she put on the door (one she’d spent nearly two years crafting) she gave up on keeping me out and began to teach me instead.
Those were the happiest days of my life. Learning the craft that would become my life’s passion from my mother. Squealing in excitement whenever my father returned home from a trip, heaping presents from his journey on me and his wife. My grandfather dropping by the forge or our home to watch me, regalling me with tales of his adventures, imparting pieces of wisdom, or just letting me sneak puffs of his old ebony pipe.
I think here, with everything still whole and happy and perfect is where I’ll stop this first story. But know, dear reader, that there is tragedy ahead, and that all good things must come to an end. Although I suppose I am being unfair, there are good times ahead too. I suppose you’ll just have to wait and see.
