Eddie

Eddie comes from a family in which practically everyone has made a career out of hitting things, fixing things, or telling other people how badly they've broken things.

The son of the renowned blacksmith Thomas, Eddie grew up surrounded by the ringing of hammers and the unmistakable smell of hot iron. While his father devoted himself to the forge, Eddie developed a particular talent for armour, eventually establishing Eddie's Arms & Armour.

Thomas maintains that his son still has much to learn. Eddie maintains that his father has been saying that for twenty years.

His brother, Dr Chris, took a somewhat different path, choosing to repair people rather than the equipment they insist on breaking.

The brothers share a healthy respect for each other's professions, although Dr Chris has repeatedly suggested that Eddie's weapons are responsible for a considerable portion of his patients. Eddie counters that his armour is responsible for keeping the other half alive.

Then there are his cousins, Ed and Edd.

Family gatherings involving all four of them are reportedly an exercise in confusion, particularly when Thomas begins shouting names across the room.

Eddie insists that the names are perfectly distinguishable, provided everyone speaks clearly, stands in the correct order, and refrains from answering on behalf of someone else.

Despite his gruff exterior, Eddie takes immense pride in his craftsmanship. When the village needed someone to reinforce the components of its Beacon, he approached the task with the same meticulous care he gives every piece of armour.

His final assessment was a single approving grunt.

Thomas later described it as unnecessarily enthusiastic.

• It's a family business. Eddie is the son of Thomas, brother of Dr Chris, and cousin to Ed and Edd. No one is entirely sure who decided that three members of the extended family needed almost identical names.

• An excellent business arrangement. Dr Chris repairs the adventurers that Eddie equips. Neither brother accepts responsibility for what happens between those two events.

• The family reunion incident. Thomas once called for Ed at a family gathering. Three people answered, Eddie dropped a hammer, and Edd insisted that nobody had pronounced his name correctly.

• A man of few words. An approving grunt from Eddie is considered high praise. Two grunts would probably warrant a public holiday.

• Professional advice. Eddie believes that adventurers who spend their entire fortune on expensive swords and absolutely nothing on armour are providing Dr Chris with job security.

• Thomas - Eddie's father and the family's renowned blacksmith.
• Dr Chris - Eddie's brother, who repairs people rather than armour.
• Ed - Eddie's cousin.
• Edd - Eddie's other cousin, whose name has caused considerable confusion at family gatherings.