Growing up in the Coppershield Clan enclave of Bolgyth, Balik had always known that he and his brother, were different.  Even at their young age, they were significantly larger and stronger than those around them.

When their adoptive father, and Clan Elder, Dalrin Coppershield, deemed that they were of sufficient age to understand, Balik and Nalik were told who they were, and how they came to live among Mountain Dwarfs.

Dalrin told them how, almost sixteen years before, a small patrol had stumbled across two infant Goliaths near to a rockfall in an area known to be frequented by ogres. The patrol attempted to search for more survivors, but with a storm blowing in they had to give up the search and return to the enclave.

When questioned further, Dalrin explained that after the storms had passed, Dwarven scouts were sent out to try to locate any Goliath Tribes nearby in the hope of returning the two infants to their own kind. When the scouts returned unsuccessful, Dalrin made the decision to raise the two infants as his own.

Confused, the brothers asked why the scouts could not find any tribes. They were told that Goliath tribes are naturally nomadic and the possible presence of Ogres in the area would have likely triggered their innate urge to move away from unsafe lands rather than risk losing more of their tribe in a war. It was unlikely they would ever return.

Filled with a deep longing to learn more about themselves, they asked to be taken to where they were found. But Dalrin was reluctant; eventually, after much pleading, he agreed, and the following day Dalrin led a small group out into the mountains, just as he had done all those years before.

After two days journey, the group finally stopped in a clearing at the base of a cliff.  A large rockfall dominated the bottom of the cliff wall. Dalrin, showed them where exactly they had been found and Balik was first at the rocks trying to see if there were any more clues. Nalik quickly joined his brother, and between them they cleared a pile of rubble in 2 hours that would have taken 10 dwarfs 3 times as long.

Suddenly, Balik cried out. He had found a mummified hand. Believing this could belong to one of their kin, the brothers focused their efforts on that area of the rockfall, gradually uncovering more of the remains. One of the Dwarves in the party was a cleric, and he confirmed the remains to be that of an adult Goliath.

While the discovery that one of their kin had perished there was upsetting, it was nowhere near as rage inducing as realising that this was no accident; for the remains were entangled in a large net. It appeared that the Goliath had been trapped before the mountain came down on top of it.

The brothers completed excavating the remains of their kin and the Cleric organised a funeral pyre, while Dalrin examined the net that had been found. After consultation with Dalrin, the Cleric called the brothers to the funeral pyre and in honour of their slain kin, conferred on them the clan name Giantborne, that they may always remember their heritage.

Closer investigation of the net revealed that it was of Giant origin.  Moreover, the construction of the net itself, suggested that it may have been crafted by Ogres.

That night, after Dalrin disclosed the origin of the net, and confirming his earlier supposition as to why the Goliath tribe had moved on, the brothers had a massive argument over what course of action should be taken to avenge this murder.

They could not agree so Balik gathered his things, took the net, and stormed off into the darkness; in search of the murderer of their kin.

16 years has passed, not knowing where to start, Balik decided to ask questions in the nearest taverns and inns.

Eventually, he started to get answers, but they only confused him more as they were not what he was expecting.

An old man huddled by the fire in one of the inns directed him to an Ogre hunter. This hunter confirmed what everybody else had been saying.

An Ogre had NOT committed this act.  Yes the net LOOKED like it was of Ogre origin, but the problem was it was trying too hard.

The net was a fake, someone was trying to either blame the Ogre's, or simply cover their tracks.

There had been similar attacks over the last 16 years, and while there had been Ogre sightings, no one outside of a few mile radius of the attack had any idea.

Finally, in the last town he frequented, a young urchin claimed to have some news.

Less than 2 hours after a similar attack, with no "Ogre" trail to be found, the urchin  claimed he saw an Ogre walk into a cave.  What emerged however, was a shuffling creature heavily disguised in a hooded robe. He headed towards the West Marches.

After the creature had gone, the urchin checked the cave, and it was empty.

With this sketchy information, Balik decided it was now time to find his brother before heading into the untamed lands to the west.