MASTER CRAFTSMAN HORACE BRONZEBEARD
Humans AzariaMaster Blacksmith and Weaponsmith
"Metal don't lie. It tells you everything you need to know if you know how to listen.""
Identity
- Residence
- El'goroth, Artisan Quarter
- Civilization
- Humans Azaria
Appearance
• Physical: Massive and muscular with arms like tree trunks from decades of swinging hammers. His face is permanently flushed from the heat of his forge, and his actual beard is singed short from countless accidents. His hands are calloused and scarred, missing two fingertips. • Clothing: Wears heavy leather aprons over simple woolen clothes, all bearing burn marks and scorch patterns. His boots are reinforced steel-toed and have saved his feet more times than he can count. • Distinguishing Marks: A burn scar covering most of his left shoulder from a forge accident in his youth; his eyebrows are completely singed off.
Relationships
- Family - Three apprentices he considers his sons; a daughter who married a merchant
- Allies - The Miners' Guild; military quartermasters; several noble houses
- Rivals - Younger smiths using "modern" techniques he considers inferior
Backstory
Horace apprenticed under a Dwarven master smith and considers that training the foundation of his success. He's forged weapons for generals and armor for kings, but his greatest pride is the simple tools he makes for farmers. He writes poetry about the beauty of metal and fire that he's too embarrassed to show anyone.
Daily Life
Rises before dawn to light his forge, spends the day crafting orders for clients ranging from common soldiers to noble houses. Evenings are spent teaching his apprentices and experimenting with new alloys. He sleeps in a small room above his shop, lulled by the cooling sounds of his forge.
Secret
He's discovered a technique for forging metal that could revolutionize weapon-making, but he's afraid of what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands.
Story Hooks
- 1 He needs rare ore from a dangerous mine to complete a commission for the Imperial Guard
- 2 Someone has been sabotaging his forge and he needs to find out who
Narrative Value
Equipment vendor; quest giver for material-gathering; master craftsman for special items ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════