Hirad Bolheim, a proud member of the Fire Rock clan, was born in the rugged mountains of Emberstone, renowned for their rich veins of precious metals and the forges that buzz with the sounds of hammers striking hot iron. From a young age, Hirad was steeped in the traditions of his people, learning the art of warfare and the craft of blacksmithing, both revered in his clan. His father, a respected warrior and smith, often shared tales of heroic battles, igniting in Hirad a longing for glory and adventure.
As Hirad matured, he developed a fierce loyalty to his clan and an underlying sense of morality that often put him at odds with the more ruthless members. He respected the strength and bravery of his kin, yet he struggled with the idea of pillaging peaceful lands. As one of the younger warriors in the clan, he was eager to prove himself but increasingly wary of the violent path laid out by his clan leader, Kelgin.
When Kelgin ordered the raid on Norwynne Keep, Hirad was torn between clan loyalty and his principles. He knew the raid was less about survival and more about the glory and wealth it would bring the clan. However, his personal code of honor prevented him from fully embracing the idea of attacking a fiefdom that meant them no harm. Nonetheless, the weight of his family’s expectations and the fear of dishonoring his name led him to join the assault, albeit with a heavy heart.
Hirad leaned back in his chair. “A bit testy, are we? No wonder, I suppose. A little while ago you looked like a man who just had his arse handed to him.” The dwarf looked him up and down, including a quick peek under the table. “Looks like you’ve all your limbs, and not even a bruise on that pretty face of yours, so what’s your worry?”
“My worry is that I was almost killed.”
Hirad shrugged. “Yet here you are, breathing, talking, and drinking. Barkeep, another!”
- THE NULLIFICATION ENGINE
After the raid, Hirad needed time to reconcile the choice he had made, so along with his companions, Ardus and Kimlor, he came to the nearby city of Brighton to do as any good dwarf would by seeking answers at the bottom of a mug of ale. Hirad hasn’t found those answers yet, but he intends to keep drinking until he does.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Hirad first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).