Salix was born during the worst storm in all recorded history. The elders say the gods themselves were walking that night, but whether or not that is the case, the boy showed an affinity for storms from a very young age. His parents paid little attention to it, and he followed his father's footsteps into the ship-building trade.
He was talented at the work, and would have gladly made a life of it, until the Baron Cuttlefish came to see the progress on his new warship, the kraken's revenge. He brought his daughter Marina with him, and Salix fell completely in love. It was obvious that his feelings were reciprocated. During the next few weeks, they found every opportunity to meet, but there was no way she could ever marry a commoner, even a ship-builder. For the first time, Salix considered another life.
Another storm blew in. Salix stood in the rain, watching the waves breaking furiously against the shore. Thunder and lightning flashed everywhere, and he decided. He would become a man Marina could marry. He would win a title, or enough gold to buy one. The storm would help him....
The next day, he went to see Gundren Rockseeker, who his father had done business with in the past. The dwarf needed some sort of help, and ten gold pieces for a few day's work seemed like a start.