Hreidmar

According to the Volsunga Saga, Hreidmar was a father to four sons - Otter, Fafnir and Regin. However, in the Reginsmal, an Eddaic poem from the Poetic Edda, Hreidmar was also the father of two daughters - Lofnheid and Lyngheid.

Hreidmar was host to three Aesir gods - Odin, Hoenir and Loki - but they became his prisoners when he discovered that Loki had murdered his son, Otter. Otter had a shapeshifting skill that enabled him to transform into an otter. Loki had killed Otter, skinned him and fashioned himself a bag made out of otter hide.

Hreidmar refused to release them unless Loki filled the otter-hide bag with gold, hence this was known as Ottergild, or "Otter Ransom". Loki stole the red gold from Andvari, and filled the otter's skin with this loot, including the beautiful gold ring known as Andvaranaut. Andvari, however, cursed this ring, and that would bring about the downfall of any wearer and the wearer's family.

Hreidmar released his prisoners upon receiving the gold, but he did not enjoy his treasure for very long because the curse began working immediately. Hreidmar didn't want to share his treasure with his two surviving sons. So Fafnir murdered his father and took the whole treasure for himself, driving away his brother Regin. Fafnir transformed himself into a dragon and guarded the treasure, until he was eventually killed by the Volsung hero Sigurd, Regin's foster-son. The cursed Andvaranaut would eventually bring about the downfall of Sigurd and his wife's family in a further chain of events.

For the full story about Hreidmar and his family, see Ottergild in the Volsunga Saga page.