Ulric Arda

The dwarf himself

## Backstory

### Childhood and youth.

Like many fellows of his kin, Ulric Arda was born in the Kingdom of Druma, the lastborn son in a long line of Dwarven Blacksmiths, one where traditionally, only the firstborn was ever trained in the ways of the Forge. Thus, while his oldest brother was taught by the finest smiths in Druma, as well as their father, Ulric was left to find another profession. Thus, Ulric would have grown a completely different life, but for one small event. In fact, until this event, Ulric had never been inside a forge, as his father claimed only the firstborn had that privilege.

So, when one day Ulric heard the rhythmic sound of a hammer striking steel down an alleyway, the young, still beardless Dwarven child chose to investigate. Down this hidden alley, Ulric found a humble smithy, nothing compared to what he assumed his family's workshop looked like. Once he saw this place, the Hammer striking the Anvil, the roaring of the incandescent forge, he knew that this was where he belonged, nay, where he was destined to belong.

Thus, Ulric, at the tender age of eight, became an apprentice at this humble forge, ran by a mute old dwarf, who always seemed to be working on a new project, no matter the time of day. Under his silent tutelage, Ulric's skill grew, and grew, becoming almost an equal to his master, who always had a new thing to teach Ulric. Ten years after his training began, his master gave him a small, stone necklace with the holy symbol of Torag engraved on it, and left Druma the very next day, leaving Ulric in the forge.

### Confrontation and self imposed exile.

By this point, Ulric's brother, aided by the best teachers and gear money could buy, had become a well known, if not remarkable smith, using his family name to charge higher prices for gear. To Ulric, still in the same humble forge, producing the best work possible for the lowest possible cost, this was anathema to everything that a Blacksmith should do, so he returned to his clan's ancestral home, absolutely livid, and did what any proper Dwarf would do: He challenged his brother to a Smithing competition.

The competition was simple. Each brother was to spend a month making armor, a hammer and a shield, the quality of which would be tested by their father. Each brother took their month, and while Ulric's brother worked with exotic materials in their family's advanced forge, Ulric worked with regular steel, in the same humble forge he had started learning in.

At the end of their given month, both Brothers presented themselves with their creation in their family's ancestral home. The older, cocky and arrogant, presented his gear, made almost wholly out of Mithral, and inlaid with gold, creating a beautiful set, that at first glance would appear fit for a king.

Ulric, on the other hand, stayed true to his roots. The armor he made was in the traditional Druman style, emulating that of Torag himself. His shield was an impenetrable wall of steel, and the hammer he made, fit for both the forge and for the battlefield, emulated Kaglemros.

Seeing these two completely different sets, Ulric's father would not reach an immediate decision, so he decreed that both the brothers should duel each other wearing their own gear.

Thus, the two brothers fought. One aided by the finest teachers, materials, and tools money could buy, whereas the other had the skill earned with his own two hands, and an absolutely dogged determination to defend the profession of the blacksmith.

From the start, it was clear who would win. Ulric's brother struck Ulric's shield an uncountable number of times, yet the carefully treated steel, as if by magic, would not give. Meanwhile Ulric himself slowly destroyed every little bit of his brother's armor, shattering the ornate armor bit by bit, until his brother had nothing but his clothes and his damaged hammer.

### Wandering.

With a final, scathing remark to his family, he embed his hammer in the floor, and left Druma that very same day, much like his teacher had done before him.

His first stop was Highhelm, one of the largest Dwarven settlements, where he tried to settle down for a few years, working in a new, larger forge after proving himself to the monarchy. However, this was not to last, as jealous, some of his rivals wove a tale of lies, and, given Ulric's more straightforward personality, his detractors' plans worked, and he was cast out empty handed once more, resolving to never let himself be tricked or lied to again.

His second stop was Andoran, where the services of a fair, just Dwarven Master smith was much appreciated. Here, he was happy for a time, as he lived a decade, toiling, working, but never finding the work that he relished. Thus, he peacefully left, having made some good contacts, and he boarded a ship towards the center of the Inner Sea: The Great city of Absalom.

## The Story so Far

Ulric arrived in Absalom, and his first order of business was, well, to find one. He headed to the docks, and secured himself the ability to work at a forge at the time owned by a Half-Orc woman. From this forge, he worked to establish himself as a reliable smith, and one who would provide the finest quality of goods, for the lowest price he was allowed to sell them. Of course, establishing himself took time, significant amounts, so he took up his hammer and shield to earn the gold that would kickstart his business, helping thwart assassinations alongside the guard. This proved to be an unexpected boon, as he was able to kickstart manufacture of high quality gear for them at reduced cost, quickly establishing himself as a reliable worker, and earning some fame within the docks of Absalom. From here on, he pseudo retired, keeping himself busy by completing commission work for fellow adventurers. This further established his reputation, and allowed him to partially retire from adventuring, focusing wholly on his work.

## Appearance

Ulric is, like most members of his race, stout and heavily built, boasting of arms and an entire body tempered by thirty years spent in forges. His coal black eyes shine with a wary wisdom born of mistrust, and they shine in contrast to his long, red beard. These features frame a heavyset, square face, with a broad nose, usually partially hidden beneath his armor's helm. Speaking of his apparel, Ulric can normally be seen wearing his personally made, personally enchanted set of Adamantine Full Plate, Functional in its design, yet all the more beautiful for it. On his back he similarly carries a slab of Adamantine he calls a shield, and upon his hip rests his Hammer, modeled after Torag's.

## Personality

A no-nonsense dwarf, Ulric is generally a man of few words, cutting straight to the chase of any discussion or argument that he takes part in. He has little patience for anything outside a forge, and tends to be somewhat snappish at times. After he was ousted from highhelm, he has become a wary judge of character, and prefers not to associate with those he deems unsavory, although those who fully earn his trust find it hard to lose it.

However, within his domain in his forge, he becomes an extremely patient man, and an almost obsessive perfectionist, making sure all his work is up to his own unreasonably high standard, for during thirty years he has drilled into himself that any piece not up to par is nothing short of an insult towards all involved parties.

If incensed, as certain things tend to do, he will become a relentless force, charging forwards through any obstacle standing in his way, because he will believe that if you have to get something done, it's better to do it yourself. Things that anger him include shoddy craftsmanship, anyone shaming the profession of blacksmithing, anyone evil getting his mitts on any of his gear, and those who insult Torag.

## Relationships

Ulric prefers working relationships with his clients, providing their gear in a timely manner, and letting the quality speak for itself.

However, he does have one being that he cherishes beyond all. Huginn, his mechanical raven, is his ever stalwart ally and companion who helps handle customers before they see Ulric himself, and minimizes distraction, all while helping him with his work. Thus, Ulric adores his raven, and if anything were to happen to it, consequences would be beyond dire.

So far those who have made a positive impression upon Ulric are:

Verus, Paladin of Shelyn

Rook, the Barbarian

August, the spearman.

His teacher, who he still doesn't know the name of.

The Andoran people

Murdoc Sommers, the inventor.

The Absalom Guard.

So far, those who have made a negative impression upon Ulric are:

The Arda Clan

Anima.

The rulers of Highhelm