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Storvauld Hammergrim

Brother to Belvaun, Hoarvaunt and Dagskon, Storvauld is the third son of Malcer Hammergrim and Numestra Forar.

Of Storvauld’s brothers, Belvaun resides in Waterdeep and is a successful investigator for hire. Hoarvaunt yet lives, though none know his whereabouts, while the eldest brother Dagskon died a relatively peaceful death in Baldur’s Gate within the last year.

The Hammergrims are descended from Mintaran raiders and mercenaries. Their father sailed up and down the Sword Coast, first as a raider, then as a merchant when he found his taste for profit outweighed his desire for mayhem and plunder.

Malcer came to settle in Waterdeep and married the daughter of an impoverished wheel right. The mother of the Hammergrim boys is a stern, unflinching disciplinarian who did not fear her husband and was quite capable of whipping four gangly youths into shape, even when her eldest son towered over her at the ripe age of twelve.

The elder Hammergrim would tell stories of his adventures to his wife at night after the boys were put to bed, spinning tales of daring do, tests of valor and honor, the fall of deceivers and liars, romance and the capture of beautiful woman from all over the Sword Coast; the women meant to be the pleasure slaves of their seafaring masters but instead tamed the hearts of their lords, becoming wives of equal power and influence.

The four Hammergrim brothers—Storvauld in particular—would strain their ears to hear these stories told one room over, and then fall asleep to dream about wild adventures on the sea.

Growing up, Storvauld would tell the tales he’d heard as a boy to a young woman he fancied. The stories did not win him her affections, but did earn him an audience of several women--the sisters, friends and aunts of the one he sought, all eager to hear his stories. Storvauld did not have an orator’s voice, but on a lady's suggestion took the few coins in his possession and chapbook published the stories most requested by the young ladies, giving them such titles as “The Bold, Brave Blade” and “Seafaring Strongheart”.

These he managed to sell quickly to factors of the idle rich who frequent the Market at the heart of Waterdeep—and daily collect all the written "gossip and doggerel" (one rich noble’s description of all the broadsheets and chapbooks published in Waterdeep collected by his wife) to be found in the city.

Storvauld found a ready clientele not just amongst rich noblewomen, but the common folk as well. Both populations were eager to read and hear the stories of honest, seafaring plunderers who live by their wits and blades, capture women and riches with equal gusto, cross swords with arrogant nobles, flaunt the laws of the sea and thwart the despicable aims of the greedy rulers along the Sword Coast.

Foolishly Storvauld let it be known that perhaps some of these tales were based off of his own exploits, just as certain of the characters in his chapbooks were based off of recently bankrupted and disliked nobles of Waterdeep. Storvauld ignored the quiet threats leveled at him and crossed swords with bullyblades hired by unknown nobles who intended to assault him and burn his home to the ground.

He continued to publish his chapbooks at the rate of one a month until the sudden death of his father left Storvauld wallowing in anguish, and unable to write. At the urging of his mother, Storvauld set sail on a merchant boat headed north, that he might see the wider world beyond Waterdeep’s walls and come to know the places his father once called home.

It was not until he found himself in Neverwinter that the desire to write returned to him. Storvauld returned to his worth with an enthusiasm he thought lost to him, intending to send his works back to Waterdeep for printing and distribution. Only one completed chapbook was sent, however, as the arrival of Waterdeep’s Open Lord in Neverwinter soured Storvauld’s mood a second time.

Lord Neverember’s transparent desire for power and abdication of his responsibilities in Waterdeep ignited a hate in Storvauld for all men of wealth who lack principle. Storvauld has come to frequent establishments unfriendly to Lord Neverember and listens closely for complaints and rumor of Neverember's worst doings in the city for inspiration.

Storvauld has since written several broadsheets telling the story of "Lord Neverenough", for whom greed stands above responsibility and honor, caprice is perfectly excusable in the pursuit of wealth and lies told are acceptable for glossing over an illegitimate claim to the throne of Neverwinter.

Even when writing, Storvauld is alert and ready to defend himself with sword and wit should anyone try to silence him a second time.