I still remember it, to this day. Decades ago, this axe I wield was wielded by my father as well. I remember why it is called the Steelcleaver, and why I am also known as Steelcleaver. I was six, and my father found me attempting to swing his axe around. He took the axe from me, and knelt down to look at me face to face.
"My son," he said, "do you know why this is called the Steelcleaver? Or, more importantly, why we are known as Steelcleaver?"
I shook my head, and gazed at the axe for a few moments, before my father continued talking to me. He said,
"Let me tell you of your heritage, and the weapon you will wield someday. Sit, my son, and listen."
I sat on the floor, as my father stood and leaned against the wall, holding the axe to his side.
"Long ago, my ancestor-Your ancestor, Torthar Steelcleaver, lived here, among the ancestors of our friends and family. Among the clan, Torthar was known to have a bitter rivalry with another orc in the same clan, though his name has been lost to the ages."
I listened intently.
"One day, Torthar and his rival fought, though who started the fight is unknown. His rival wielded a mace and a large steel shield, while Torthar wielded only the axe I hold at my side now. The onlookers believed Torthar would lose, as he had no defense!"
For a moment, I wondered how my ancestors after Torthar existed, as I could not believe he would win without defense of some sort.
"But Torthar was unafraid. He dodged his rival's blows, and in one mighty swing, he cut his rival's shield in half, as the spectators gasped. Taken by surprise, his rival was quickly cut down and killed by Torthar. Those who had watched gathered around Torthar, and one orc exclaimed, 'Torthar wields an axe powerful enough to cut down steel!"
I gasped in the same disbelief as the watchers would have.
"After a few moments of silence, the orcs around Torthar called both Torthar and his axe, the Steelcleaver. My son, this is the very axe that Torthar himself wielded, long ago. And someday, when I am gone, you will wield the Steelcleaver."
I loved my father very much, and exclaimed that I wished he would never die, saying that with the Steelcleaver, no one could ever kill him.
"Horthok," he said, "I do not know if I will die on the battlefield, or if I will die peacefully in my home, but I will die someday. But know this: When you take ownership of the Steelcleaver, you will carry me and your ancestors with you in this axe. As long as you wield this axe, I will always be with you."
And that is why I, and my weapon, are known as the Steelcleaver. My father did die, and I proudly took up the axe, and I have used it ever since.