Hreiðmars

Hreiðmars is a fictional dwarf from Icelandic sagas. He is primarily known from the Völsunga saga, where he appears as the father of four sons who are transformed into otters. These sons are Ótr, Fáfnir, Reginn, and Reginn. Hreiðmars is a wealthy dwarf who possesses a great hoard of gold.

The story of Hreiðmars and his sons is a tragic one. Ótr, his youngest son, is killed by the god Loki while he is in his otter form. Loki is forced to pay a ransom to Hreiðmars, which consists of a hoard of gold that has been cursed. This cursed gold becomes a source of great misfortune for Hreiðmars and his family.

Fáfnir, another of Hreiðmars' sons, becomes consumed by greed for the cursed gold. He murders his father and brothers to keep the treasure for himself. Fáfnir then transforms himself into a dragon to guard the gold. Eventually, Fáfnir is killed by the hero Sigurðr, who is aided by his foster father, Reginn, Hreiðmars' son. Reginn, having survived his father's murder and his brother's transformation, seeks to use the cursed gold to gain power. However, he too is eventually killed by Sigurðr.

The tale of Hreiðmars and his cursed treasure serves as a cautionary story about the destructive nature of greed and the tragic consequences that can arise from it. It highlights themes of family betrayal, divine retribution, and the inescapable nature of fate within the context of Norse mythology.