Born into the rugged peaks of Heidelheim, Thorvid Kelm was the product of a proud dwarven lineage known for its resilience and martial prowess. The Kelm family had long served in the dwarven army, defending their mountain stronghold against external threats. From a young age, Thorvid was immersed in tales of valor and honor. He firmly believed in the dwarven code of loyalty and strength. However, the realities of life in Heidelheim were stark. While the dwarves were brave warriors, the struggle for resources and wealth was a constant battle.

As he reached adulthood, Thorvid enlisted in the dwarven army. He quickly rose through the ranks due to his strategic mind and combat skills. The discipline and camaraderie he experienced in the military shaped him. Beneath the surface, however, lay a growing frustration with the constraints of his world. Thorvid witnessed rampant inequality and corruption in the stronghold, leading to his disillusionment with the notion that honor always guaranteed respect and success.

In the shadows of Heidelheim, Thorvid discovered a flourishing black market. Driven by necessity and ambition, he began to dabble in illicit trades. What started as small-time smuggling quickly escalated into a robust enterprise, attracting the attention of both local criminals and the military. Although he reveled in the power it brought him, he felt guilt for drifting away from the values he had been raised on. However, the black market was a means to an end, nothing more, because it provided the wealth and influence he could never achieve through conventional means. He justified his actions as survival in a corrupt world where the strong thrived and the weak were left behind.

The thugs lined them up in a row, all facing the water. They pushed each of them to their knees as Thorvid Kelm came out onto the dock and made a cursory pass in front of them. The dwarf’s attire, a dark formal suit with necktie, gold buttons, cuff links, and polished shoes, looked entirely out of place given their current venue and the occasion. Unless, Jacob thought, he believed in dressing up for executions. Thorvid looked them each in the eye, which was possible because he stood taller than them now. Jacob met his gaze but didn’t hold it. Tippin maintained a straightaway stare that did not waver. A military man to the last. Only Lundy looked back at the dwarf with defiance. Dougal, the last, was too busy fidgeting, his eyes not looking at any one place for long. With his pass completed, Thorvid stopped and spoke.

“My men have informed me of what you tried to do.”

- THE NULLIFICATION ENGINE

Despite his growing notoriety, he was also profoundly lonely. During one of his many trips to the human outskirts of Heidelheim, he encountered a young human girl named Bella. She was abandoned and alone in the alleyways. Her innocence tugged at his heartstrings and reminded him of his lost childhood. Abandoning his ambitions of wealth, he adopted Bella and vowed to protect her from the harsh realities of the world.

Eventually, Thorvid decided to leave Heidelheim in search of new opportunities. He sought to escape the cycles of violence and power struggles that defined his life. He moved to Brighton, a bustling river city rife with opportunity and chaos. Here, Thorvid hoped to rebuild his life and start anew. Brighton was a place where crime thrived, making it the perfect setting for someone with his background.

In Brighton, Thorvid quickly established himself in the city's underbelly, seizing half its organized crime through violence and intimidation. He built a network of allies and dealers while establishing a veneer of legitimate business to protect his illicit activities. Despite his past, he never lost the goal of creating a better life for Bella, who became his driving force. However, he faces a formidable rival in Bekjris, a crime lord who thrives in the same dark corners of Brighton. Bekjris has built a reputation for ruthless tactics and cunning moves, and his rivalry with Thorvid has become intensely personal. Their clashes are a violent testament to their competing ambitions and visions for power in the city.

FIRST APPEARANCE

Thorvid first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).