Oskar Oathbinder

Oskar was born the third son of Khorim and Helgrid Skaldir. Khorim Skaldir was a reknown warrior and leader of dwarves in the Borderwars. He lost his left arm in a clash with an orc mercenary band, and eventually retired, marrying a woman of some means to raise a family. Helgrid was something of a warrior herself, but as she was born to a fairly wealthy smithing family, she was expected to help with the family business. As dwarves tend to do, she put her own desires behind those of her family and clan. Khorim and Helgrid's first two children were all that any dwarf couple could ask for. Karl and Volf were burly lads, getting into mischief, but always minding their parents. Karl (the eldest) became a smith in his grandfather's smithy. Volf became a warrior for the church and served his diety and people as a paladin.

Oskar however, was different. Even as a child he was scrawny. Bright and inquisitive, he didn't seem a proper dwarf at all. Never sickly, but weak. He showed no interest or aptitude in sword or axe. He did not like being around the forge. He even had no interest in the church. It wasn't until Oskar was in his early twenties before he discovered his true calling.

A traveling human mage passed through town. He had merely been stopping by to reprovision and sell some sundries he had picked up, when the town was raided. Before the town guard could even assemble, the mage had single-handedly eliminated the bandits. Oskar was stunned. He had never seen arcane magic before, and he was instantly curious. He approached the mage and asked his name. "Raelith" was the response.

For the next few days that Raelith stayed in town, Oskar followed him everywhere. Asking questions, requesting demonstrations... Oskar had never been happier in his life. Raelith was actually amused by this young dwarf's antics. Oskar's parents however, were extremely displeased. "Magic is not a proper dwarven pursuit," his father would exclaim. "A proper dwarf belongs at home with his family," his mother cried. But Oskar didn't care.

The night before Raelith was to leave town, Oskar begged the mage to take him on as an apprentice. Raelith agreed, surprised at his own answer. He had never wanted an apprentice before, yet something told him this young dwarf had 'the spark'. Early the next morning, the pair set off. They hadn't made it even half a day from town before Oskar's father came for him. Khorim rode with four other dwarves from the town guard, geared for battle. He was certain that his son had been kidnapped, or ensorcelled, or somesuch. And even though the boy was odd, Khorim would be dead before he'd see some human adventurer steal his flesh and blood. As they approached with bloodyminded purpose, Raelith was alerted to their presence. With a few gestures he immobilized them all and demanded the meaning of this attack.

Khorim's accusations spilled forth, accusing the mage of all manner of crimes against his family and nature. When Raelith patiently explained that Oskar had asked to become his apprentice, Khorim became apoplectic. "No son of mine would ever consider being a wizard; you must have twisted his mind with your magic." Oskar declared that no such thing was true, that he wanted to learn the secrets of the arcane, and that he wanted to become a powerful enchanter like Raelith. Silence settled over the scene. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, Khorim said the words that forever marked Oskar, "Then you ARE no son of mine. I cast you from family and clan. Before these witnesses here, I swear there is no Oskar Skaldir."

Since that day, Oskar studied the ways of tome and scroll. He learned quickly under Raelith's tutelage. Soon, Oskar was ready to take his steps into the wider world, having excelled as an apprentice. On the day Raelith declared that there was no more he could (or indeed would) teach the young mage; Oskar took the last name 'Oathbinder'.