As rare as giantkin are in the world, there was once a rather large nomadic tribe that roamed around southern Epressa, close to the icy reaches of the Spine. Though Orandyr doesn't remember such an event, the dwarves of Belgrath drove his people from the area, scattering them in all directions, and leaving him alone with his uncle, Tosik and his cousin, Brandt at the base of the dwarven stronghold during his early childhood. His uncle had made a good fortune selling his weapons to the dwarves in relative solitude, teaching the boys his craft as they aged, and taking them hunting on weekends for food.

It was a simple life, and by the time his uncle grew old and died around his early 20s, Brandt would trek north to find a new life away from his icy home, and Orandyr would be left to his own devices. However, the giant was fearful of abandoning the only life he'd ever known, and with that, stayed behind at Belgrath to continue his uncle's work. Thankfully, his weapons ended up surpassing his uncle's in quality, and he still raked in a good amount of coin by supplying the dwarves. He even managed to befriend a few, something his uncle refused to do.

After a few years of being on his own, he decided to pay a few of his friends a visit within the stronghold itself, surprised to find the guards gone for some unknown reason. Upon entering, he found Belgrath in chaos, dwarven warriors battling in a bloody skirmish while the stronghold burned. Completely unaware to the civil uprising occuring without his knowledge, Orandyr paid witness to rebel leader Ashgor the Brash standing atop a few dead dwarves, twin hammers raised high as he challenged the bravest dwarf to a one-on-one battle to the death.

Orandyr, stepping forth, nonchalantly accepted the challenge, completely unarmed as the other dwarves, both rebels and defenders of Belgrath simply laughed at him. Ashgor didn't take the giantkin seriously, rushing forward in a thunderous battle cry. Sending one of his hammers into Orandyr's gut and the other into the side of his skull, Orandyr went tumbling to one side, standing groggily and cracking his joints as the other dwarves looked on in utter shock. As Ashor rushed in a second time, angered over having his attacks be so easily shrugged-off, Orandyr was ready.

Raising his massive foot, it connected with the dwarf's face, sending him into a backflip, his hammers falling to the ground as he did so. Orandyr retrieved one of the weapons, Ashgor quickly grabbing the other, blocking Orandyr's strike, but with a cost. The handle of the hammer snapped in two, leaving the dwarf without protection as Orandyr brought his own hammer back up, catching Ashgor in the chest, practically shattering the warrior's sternum as the impact concaved his iron chestplate. The other rebels looked on in shock, turning tail and running from the stronghold as the defending dwarves cheered in praise for the blacksmith.

That night, a feast and celebration were held for the victory against the rebels, Orandyr invited as their guest of honor. It was at this feast that dwarven general Sojir Lionsmane would pull the giantkin aside, bringing him to the armory, where he presented an ancient weapon. A greataxe, larger than any dwarf could wield on his own, and a fearsome sight for most men.

"An instrument of destruction to rival a dragon's fiery breath... One designed to take down the giant warchief, Uglaan, several centuries ago. Just as this weapon was used in war against your own, now you will claim it. Not only as your prize for fighting off the traitors with us, but as an apology for years' worth of injustice. Mooncleaver is yours."

The axe felt natural in Orandyr's hand, and with a smile, he began to realize what his life was truly meant to be. No longer simply a blacksmith for the dwarves, he began to entertain twice a week, fighting whatever monsters the dwarves dragged up from the mines in an arena specifically designed for him, an audience cheering him on with every beast he slayed. As he slowly got accustomed to the title of champion, Orandyr also grew bored, finding that the monsters didn't satisfy his full potential.

With that, Orandyr would take his leave from Belgrath, but promised to someday return, bringing trophies and stories of his adventures in the stronghold's honor. Though they were saddened to see him leave, they toasted in his honor, the giantkin leaving his forge and Belgrath behind to fight bigger and better opponents in lands far from the Spine.

Greg Opalinski