Raised amongst towering mountainsin the frigid north, Oswald is the product of a totally unique pairing. Unlike most half orcs, his father was a human barbarian named Unther and his mother was an orc named Teelash. Oswalds clan had wiped out a nearby orc tribe after a bitter war. They spared only one orc, a young female that they took as a prisoner. This orc was kept by Unthers family as a slave. To their horror their teenage son and the female orc became companions, and then lovers. Professing he loved his orcish woman for her "fire" Unther married Teelash despite protests from his fellow clan members and family. Two years later Oswald was born.

Although never quite accepted Oswald grew up amongst the other clans children learning to fight and to hunt. At age 12 Oswald took his manhood tests and officially became a warrior of the clan. He also took up the family trade, blacksmithing.

When he was 15, the clan was viciously attacked by yet another orc tribe. Only Oswald and his parents managed to survive. Leaving the smoking ruins of the clans fort they headed to the nearest civilized town for safety. During the journey they were attacked yet again but this time by bandits. Already wounded and tired they barely managed to kill or drive away the highwaymen. Badly wounded Unther could travel no more. He sent Oswald on to the town to get help from the Athenian monks. The last time Oswald saw his parents alive, Teelash was tenderly cradling his fathers head in her lap.

Because of his heritage and mixed race, Oswald had a hard time convincing the guards at the town gates to let him enter. When he was finally permitted inside, it took more precious time for the wild youth to find the Athenian monastery and convince the monks to come to his parents aid.

When Oswald returned to the scene of the attack with his monks, he was distraught to find them both dead. A patrol of local soldiers had come upon the scene and found an orc woman surrounded by dead humans and holding yet another dying man in her hands. They had jumped to conclusions and attacked killing her. Unther, who was weak and dying, tried to come to her aid was slain as well.

Oswald flew into a rage and attacked the very surprised patrol leader pulling him off his horse. In the midst of attempting to beat the man to death the Athenian monks put Oswald to sleep with a spell. The monks explained to the patrol what they had done was a horrible mistake. They begged to take the youth into their care, which the patrol leader allowed grudgingly.

The following year was understandably a rough one. Oswalds smouldering rage continued to burn in him. The kind patience and understanding of monks did finally pay off. Oswald began to settle down and listen to what the monks had to teach him. They taught him to read, write and speak common. He learned about the Athenian religion and worked in the monastery smithy. Although he was grateful for the monks care and teaching, Oswald longed to strike out on his own and see the world. On his 18th birthday he left the monastery to do just that.

For his very first journey he decided to travel by sea. Booking passage on a ship he set sail with a group of strangers. Unfortunately the ship was sunk during a storm. Banding together with the survivors Oswald has begun his most difficult adventure yet.

Although still feeling like an outsider Oswald considers his new friends his "clan" and will fight to the death to protect them. Jacia the warrior priestess is upright and law abiding, something that Oswald can respect even if his own morals are not as stiff. Justinia the sorceresses confuses Oswald to no end but he does like her infectious optimism. He has never met any woman so bouncy and bubbly. Tanaris the dwarven cleric was stand offish at first because of Oswalds heritage. Eventually he began to regard her as his battle sister. Her skill in battle and her ability to heal even horrific wounds she has won his respect. As for the others, he has not decided as of yet.

Oswald's latest obsession is to establish a freeholding of his own by either reconquering his old home, or carving out a new one. Although unsure of how to do that, he is hoping that he can count on the help of his friends.

Half orcs are immune to the ole hand in the water trick.