Saab was born in a small farming town in the north of the Frost Barbarian Kingdom. He was born with white eyes. A sign that he has been 'touched by Telchur', destined to be a great cleric or champion of the god. As is custom he was immediately taken from his parents a raised by the clerics of Telchur in the capital of the kingdom. His parents did not weep as this was a great honour. It is extremely rare to be blessed thus by the god. Saab grew up to be a champion of Telchur.
Many years later when Saab was in his middle years a dragon started menacing the villages along the base of the mountains that form the Northern border of the kingdom. The dragon appears impervious to arrows and the blades of the few brave northmen who have managed to strike it. The villages have requested help from the king. The clerics and champions of Telchur prayed to their god for guidance.
In response Saab received a cryptic dream-vision from Telchur. "Seek the hand of Telchur by the lesser horn of Porcons helm." The clerics were quickly able to decipher part of the riddle. The Hand of Telchur was the name of the sword wielded by Rurkaar a legendary champion of Telchur. The legends talk of Rurkaar slaying dragons.
It was with greater difficulty that the clerics deciphered the last part of the riddle and only then with the help of a traveler from distant lands, Tellius. With Tellius's help they determined that they should seek the sword on or near Woolley Bay.
Though a stranger, Tellius appeared eager to help the kingdom in its plight and agreed to travel with Saab in search of the sword. Tellius was well traveled and would be a great help to Saab, who knew little of Woolley Bay and distant lands. Saab and Tellius set out South West across land for Woolley Bay. They soon became friends.
While traveling on a river boat from the city of Greyhawk to Hardby Saab and Tellius meet Lucien. Lucien was a passenger also bound for Hardby who was searching for his father, a man with a mermaid tattoo on his upper left arm. Lucien did not seem to be an experienced traveler for he asked many questions about traveling in general and the lands to the South particularly the Wild Coast. Saab and Tellius told him of their own quest and the three agreed to help each other in Hardby by keeping an ear and eye out for any information that may help the other in their search.
At Hardby the three got lodging at the same inn. For the next few days Tellius and Saab searched for information about the sword and Lucien searched for information about his father and they met each night to share any news.
One night, while seeking information at a tavern, Lucien heard a bard tell a story involving a "a magic sword of ice from the frozen lands at the end of the world". Lucien arranged for the bard to meet Tellius and Saab later that night. The bard explained that the story was his creation inspired by a conversation he had with a stranger in Safeton. The stranger possessed a magnificent sword which he says he recovered from the bottom of Woolley Bay when it was caught in his net. The sword was enchanted, dealt deadly cold to enemies and was carved with strange runes. The bard made a copy of the runes and later discovered they were of the type used by the Barbarian kingdoms of the North. The stranger had the tattoo of a mermaid on his upper left arm!
The three bought passage to Safeton on the ship Mandragora. The ship was a private vessel but appeared to be gearing up for some sort of military action. A small compliment of mercenaries boarded before it departed Hardby. One of the crew, Edgaar, recognized Saab as fellow native of his homeland and asked for news of that kingdom. Edgaar was concerned when he learnt about the dragon threat and was curious about the quest for the sword.
Once the Mandragora docked at Safeton the crew were left to their own devices for a few days while the captain had business to discuss with his employer. Keen to rid the menace to his homeland, Edgaar spent those days helping the three in their search. Tagging along with Edgaar was one of the mercenaries, Rondo, recently befriended by Edgaar. Each night Edgaar and Rondo would retire to sleep on the ship. Tellius, Saab and Lucien had lodgings at an inn.
On the third night in Safeton the Mandragora caught fire and burned to the waterline. Rondo and Edgaar stored their rescued gear in your rooms and crashed there for the night.
The next morning the devastated captain disbanded the crew. That day while Lucien was seeking information about his father around the docks he learnt information that indicated his father, and perhaps the sword, may be found in a fishing village to the South. Later that evening after some discussion it was agreed that Rondo and Edgaar would join the the three of you on your quest.
Just after daybreak the next morning the group goes to the market square to purchase a pack mule and supplies before heading to the village.