Tarnking, The Frost Smith
As seen in
Master Smith Tarnking Ithe Desh (a.k.a. The Frost Smith)
High above, on the snowline of Frost Horn, lies a cave. As you travel through the damp chilled labyrint, you'll notice plenty of friendly signs pointing you in the direction of a grand iron door. Through the corridors, an elegant script, enchanted to be read by any, seems to hold a conversastion with you as you go. They say things like "Not far now, I know this part is a bit steep." Another farther on promises warm food and drink upon arrival. The next excites and tempts the vistors with the note "I hope you've brought me something fascinating. I always pay better the higher my curiosity is."
Once the ground has leveled beneath your feet, you'll come to a small, well lit cavern. Soft warm orange light shines from several cast iron hanging lamps, and a chain beckons you to pull upon it. Once you have, a few moments with pass until the enormous, heavy door swings open inward. A most welcoming sight, where so many home doors swing outward. It's an invitation, as sincere as it is strange. And the host extending it quickly ushers you in to a neat cozy parlor. Tea is always ready, and some warm honey mead for those who request it. Goat stew is often on the menu, and Tornking digs in heartily no matter the amount of guests in a day.
The large man looks almost dwarven, but far too large to be one of the lost races, and of course far too young. He invites guests to see his forge and shop, before a quick but fair bargain is struck. Some relics are received with great interest, while others, sometimes ones quite beautiful indeed are accepted with a polite smile and equally fair value.
The hammer in his hands is well formed to them; the masterworks he forges come alight with every blow. The cavernous hollow of the forge room glows at all hours, signalling the blacksmith's dedication to his craft. He takes great joy in his work, naming many of his finest creations.
The deep sense of stepping in to a hermit's home begins to set in, so many stay only the night in his guest rooms before packing up and going on to find their next set of treasure. These days, they must travel further and deeper to find things he'd like. Most anything nearby has been picked clean, unless it's been deemed far too dangerous.
But Tarnking prefers it so. Those who stay begin to get a little too friendly, a little too familiar. He's learned too much about too many people, and he'd rather not be put in a posistion where he is expected to return the unwelcome favor.
Tarnking's history starts roughly 30 years ago. Fliers began appearing in the sorrounding towns of the Frost Horn mountain, calling adventurers and collectors to come and bring trinkets of all kinds, even things one may not think has any value. Climb the mountain to the Height, and you'll find a large iron door. Pull the chain and you'll be welcomed into a parlor with tea and hot food. After you've warmed yourself by the fire, you'll be welcome into the shop. Offer up your artifacts in exchange for wonderous weapons and armaments, a fair trade for dirty work.
Over time, his open offer spread across the layers and soon many flocked to his icy home in search of powerful weapons. He became skilled in valuing trinkets, though the worth was determined by him along. He became known as a fair trader, turning none away. Even an old brooch was worth a simple dagger. But even that simple dagger was forged with care and respect; it would not fail its master.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
A healthy, vitality filled essence of a man, he exudes health and power.
Body Features
Thick muscles are proportionate to his size, and clearly define his work as a smith. Long copper hair and matching beard are kept neatly and simply plaited.
Facial Features
A strong jaw and square head attribute to his handsome stature. The voidlike eyes are perhaps the only perturbance to it. The easy smile and warm embers that burn when he's happy give a noble charm to him.
Identifying Characteristics
His salt and pepper copper beard is usually what most people see as they stand right about mid-chest to him. The intricate knotwork on the metal beads would be what most people identify him by, besides the height.
Special abilities
Adding heat-forged abilities to gear he creates and handles heat with ease.
Apparel & Accessories
Small metal plates, leather straps, and fur settle perfectly on his toned body, hiding the important parts, but still bare for the wintry sorroundings.
Specialized Equipment
His heavy hammer glows with a deep light, seeming to warm it and keeping the metal at a perfect working temperature.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Smithing pseudo-legendary weapons and armor in exchange for adventuring services, he does it mostly for the mortal connection to others. He strives every day to keep up with his constant orders from the Blacksmith's Guild. In his quiet moments however, he hunts and searches for something in particular which continues to elude him. He seeks an apprentice to take over his forging duties to free him up to study his trove. He has many many trinkets and artifacts which he has barely categorized, let alone intently researched.
He is a constant quest giver. While he started advertising his trade for weapons and equipment, now most people come to him offering something they've discovered. He'll give them a value and creates something to their liking in exchange, or they may choose something of slightly higher value from his pre-made collections.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
His smithing abilities and level head have given him a reputation of great quality within the adventurering community. It's a statement to have one of his peices; an envious exhibition to be completely geared by the elegant crafter. His peices exude power and majesty, a style of luxurious protection.
He fears his past and secret from being exposed. He likes the simpler reputation he has now, but worries that it has already caused questions to be asked in private. He knows that these travelers notice his lack of aging, and that a few seem to ask things they should have no knowledge of.
Likes & Dislikes
He's a fan of hearty goat and vegetable stew, with an even hearty tankard of mead beside him. Furs adorne his cavernous halls, and sculpted busts of marble stand in many an alcove.
Virtues & Personality perks
Considered to be extremely fair in all his dealings, the blacksmith is held in high regard. Amongst his peers and customers alike, he's universally well liked and quite fun to bargain with. His wisdom and treasure trove of knowledge points many an eager travler to riches' doors. They always seem to come back for more, and with more for him to peruse.
Vices & Personality flaws
He rarely gets to truly know anyone, though you probably wouldn't notice this trait unless you looked a little deeper. All his social dealings are just that, dealings. He's a workaholic, having taken nary a step down from his mountain since that venture, now some thirty years ago.
Personality Quirks
He is quite secretive about anything alluding to or regarding his own past. He dwells too much on it when alone, he'd rather not think of it when speaking with others.
Hygiene
A very clean man, apart from when he's in his forge. There the grit and grime hang heavy in the air. In the caverns of his labyrinth however is a bath room, a natural hot spring in which he enjoys cleansing himself from the day's dreck.
Representation & Legacy
A roaring bear head marks many of his created works, a stamp and seal of greatness. The more elaborate ones however are spared the stamp and simply marked with a T.T.K. upon the blade.
Soul-Rotted aspect. If you'd like a hint to this character's deeper lore, have a read! There are plenty of secrets to discover.
Alignment
Chaotic Neutral - Chaotic Monstrosity
Current Status
Looking for a specific artifact which is only special to him. He creates brilliant weapons and armor in exchange for adventurers and merchants' curiosities and relics they find.
Current Location
Species
Conditions
Ethnicity
Other Ethnicities/Cultures
Age
Middle Aged Appearing
Date of Birth
Unknown
Circumstances of Birth
Unknown
Birthplace
Unknown
Family
Children
Current Residence
Frost Horn's Height - Cavernous Fortress
Pronouns
He/Him
Sex
Male
Gender
Male
Presentation
Masculine
Eyes
A dark empty brown, with a dullness that only sparks to ember upon an item of interest.
Hair
Plaited dark copper hair, pulled back in a simple but styled braid system.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Tanned and warmtoned
Belief/Deity
The Enveloping Pantheon
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Appears in...
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