When asked about himself, usually by non-dwarves, Hardek Khaylstrom tells a modest tale. He is a priest of Moradin, the Dwarffather, and lives to inform and return his race to its former glory.
Dwarves know better - and that no individual dwarf can truly be known until one knows his clan. The following "history" was compiled from notes taken by visiting dwarven scribes from the lectures of Hardek Khaylstrom, Adept of the Anvil, while residing at the Temple of Avandra in Restwell Keep:
Hardek Khaylstrom (Full Name: Hardek Khaylstrom, son of Loedunn, son of Kazador, son of Hardek, great grand nephew of Khidrek Khaylstrom - first of the Crystalmist Mountain Khaylstroms) was the fourth son of his father. According to family tradition, the roots of Clan Khaylstrom are in the Lortmil Mountains, though the clan's patriarch Khidrek is not championed in the histories of the current dwarves in that area. Khidrek claimed the title Battle Bard, and while a typical stout and gruff dwarf to outsiders, he was seen as an eccentric among other dwarves. Khidrek's older brother Hardek (our Hardek's great grandfather) ruled as Clan Khaylstrom's patriarch in the Lortmils for nearly 30 years - most of which Khidrek was absent adventuring for glory. Approaching Hardek's 30th year of rule, the usually scattered groups of evil humanoids in the Lortmils rapidly organized and multiplied, attacking the dwarven lands and Clan Khaylstom's stronghold. The resilient dwarves fought valiantly but were not prepared for their enemies siege tactics, and soon they found themselves desperate and short on supplies. Hardek organized his elite guard and the best of his infantry to try and break the siege for scout troops to call for help. The attack was successful and the vanguard scouts escaped through the enemy lines, but Hardek's guard was flanked and captured in their retreat to the stronghold walls. All of Hardek's rescued guard claim they witnessed Hardek perish in a rigged 'duel' with the a hobgoblin chieftain.
Khidrek learned of the attack and death of his brother through the scouts that escaped the siege. His rage and dwarven blood trumped any aloofness his kin may once have perceived in his character, and Khidrek immediately organized his closest adventuring allies to free his people. Khidrek and the other allies of Clan Khaylstrom broke the siege in a matter of days - but the greater effects of the attack were devastating. Nearly the entire clan was dead or dying, and the only true heir to the throne, Kazador, was still in infancy. As the only brother of Hardek to survive the attack, by dwarven tradition Khidrek was left to keep the Throne of Khaylstrom until Kazador was of age.
Regardless of his recent bravery, the proud dwarves had reservations toward their new, untrained and aloof leader - but vulnerability and tradition won over even the most stubborn of Khidrek's clansmen. After a modest appointment, he immediately tested the authority of his new position by ordering a full evacuation of Clan Khaylstrom from their ancestral hall. Even the daftest among them knew if another attack came they would all be doomed. While some may have preferred this fate to flight, Khidrek convinced them that the only way for the Khaylstrom's to regain their former glory was the relocate to the south west - the the Crystalmist Mountains. The clan had traded with mountain dwarves in the area in the past, and as they packed what important belongings they had left, they hoped only for a safe place to reestablish their once strong roots.