Ed

Ed has always been a man of simple pleasures.

A roaring furnace. A carefully selected piece of ore. The satisfying sight of impurities disappearing into a pool of molten metal.

And, ideally, absolutely nobody talking to him.

Growing up among a family of opinionated craftsmen and exceptionally vocal personalities, Ed quickly discovered that the furnace offered a degree of peace that family gatherings rarely provided.

Under the watchful eye of Thomas, he developed an impressive talent for smelting. While other apprentices were busy admiring their newly forged swords, Ed was more interested in the quality of the metal from which they had been made.

"A sword is only as good as its steel," he would explain.

"Yes, yes," Thomas would reply. "Now stop explaining and make some."

Over the years, Ed has become remarkably skilled at his trade. Adventurers regularly seek his expertise when they need to transform their freshly mined ore into useful metal.

Unfortunately, most adventurers appear to believe that smelting involves little more than throwing rocks into a fire and waiting.

Ed has spent an alarming portion of his career explaining otherwise.

His cousin Eddie frequently praises the quality of his metal, although Ed suspects that this is primarily because Eddie would prefer not to pay full price.

Dr Chris, meanwhile, has repeatedly warned him about the long-term effects of working near an extremely hot furnace.

Ed responded by suggesting that Chris stand closer to it.

The doctor declined.

Despite his quiet disposition, Ed is fiercely loyal to his family. He would never admit it openly, but he takes considerable pride in knowing that the steel he produces eventually finds its way into the weapons and armour used to protect Eldervale.

He simply wishes people would stop interrupting him to ask whether their copper ore has turned into gold yet.

It has not.

It never will.

And if one more adventurer asks, Ed may finally discover whether it is possible to smelt a person.

• One D is enough. Ed has spent his entire life explaining that his name has only two letters. His relative Edd insists that the additional D adds character.

• The family discount. Eddie once asked whether Ed could supply him with metal at a reduced price. Ed offered to remove half the metal from every bar. Eddie has not asked again.

• An unusual medical opinion. Dr Chris recommends regular breaks, proper ventilation, and plenty of water when working near a furnace. Ed recommends that Dr Chris find a hobby.

• The secret ingredient. Ed maintains that the most important ingredient in any good metal is patience. Adventurers insist that it must be coal.

• An unfortunate misunderstanding. Edd once advertised a special sale on Ed's finest metal bars without asking Ed. The subsequent disagreement is remembered locally as the Great Discount Disaster.

• Professional pride. Ed can identify a poorly smelted metal bar at a glance. He can also identify the adventurer responsible, usually by the expression of absolute confusion on their face.

• Thomas - The veteran blacksmith whose standards helped shape Ed's understanding of metalworking.
• Eddie - Ed's cousin and a regular beneficiary of his craftsmanship.
• Dr Chris - His cousin, who worries considerably more about workplace safety than Ed considers necessary.
• Edd - A fellow member of the extended family whose business decisions occasionally cause Ed considerable distress.
• Smithing - The craft that would be considerably less useful without Ed and his furnace.
• The Singing Vein - One of the adventures in which Ed plays a part.