# #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Edric Tormayne - **Race/Species:** Human - **Class/Profession:** Metallurgist/Scholar - **Alignment/Morality:** Neutral Good - **Age:** 47 - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (He/Him) - **Appearance:** A tall, lean man with the weathered hands of a craftsman and the observant eyes of a scholar. Standing just over six feet, he carries himself with a careful precision that speaks to years of working with dangerous materials and delicate instruments. His face combines rugged features—strong jaw and prominent nose—with an intellectual's thoughtful expression, often lost in contemplation of some metallurgical puzzle. His hair is dark brown streaked with premature silver at the temples, typically pulled back in a simple tail that keeps it clear of forge work. A neatly trimmed beard frames his face, more for protection against forge heat than fashion. His eyes are a striking amber color that seems to reflect the fires he works with daily. Burn scars mark his forearms—badges of his profession that he makes no attempt to hide. He dresses in practical clothing that blends human styling with dwarven-inspired functionality—quality materials chosen for durability and fire resistance rather than appearance, though he maintains a more formal wardrobe for diplomatic functions. He typically wears a single piece of jewelry—an iron pendant bearing a stylized forge hammer, marking him as an honored associate of House Garess despite his human heritage. #### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Edric embodies the ideal of knowledge transcending cultural boundaries—a human scholar who has earned the rare respect of dwarven metallurgists through both expertise and genuine appreciation for their traditions. He approaches both research and relationships with methodical thoroughness, valuing substance over appearance and practical results over theory. To his dwarven colleagues, he represents a bridge to human markets and perspectives, translating dwarven craftsmanship into terms humans can appreciate while maintaining its essential integrity. To human nobles and merchants, he serves as an interpreter of dwarven quality and methods, helping them understand the true value of what they purchase. Though lacking the natural lifespan of dwarves, he has adopted their long-term perspective on both craft and relationships, focusing on lasting quality rather than quick results. His genuine passion for metallurgy transcends cultural differences, allowing him to connect with diverse craftspeople through shared appreciation of the forge. Beneath his scholarly demeanor lies a deep commitment to preserving and advancing metallurgical knowledge across cultural boundaries, seeing it as a heritage belonging to all races rather than the exclusive property of any one tradition. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Metallurgical Expertise** – Exceptional understanding of metals and alloys from diverse traditions - **Cross-Cultural Translation** – Remarkable ability to explain technical concepts across cultural contexts - **Experimental Methodology** – Rigorous approach to testing and documenting new techniques - **Diplomatic Tact** – Carefully developed skill at navigating the complex politics of dwarven-human relations - **Teaching Ability** – Talent for making complex metallurgical concepts accessible to diverse students - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Obsessive Focus** – Sometimes becomes so absorbed in technical problems that he neglects social obligations - **Cultural Imposter Syndrome** – Occasional insecurity about his acceptance in dwarven circles despite evidence to the contrary - **Theoretical Bias** – Tendency to prioritize interesting metallurgical problems over practical applications - **Blunt Communication** – Often delivers technical assessments with insufficient diplomatic cushioning - **Physical Limitations** – Aging human body increasingly struggles with the demands of forge work - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - Speaks in precise, technical language that incorporates dwarven metallurgical terminology - Unconsciously examines and evaluates metal objects he encounters, often losing track of conversations - Uses his hands expressively when explaining concepts, mimicking the manipulation of materials - Maintains the direct eye contact and measured speech patterns he has adopted from dwarven colleagues - Frequently shifts between human and dwarven perspectives in his explanations, serving as his own translator #### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Born to a family of modestly successful human smiths in Brevoy, Edric showed early fascination with the properties of metals beyond their practical applications. While his parents expected him to continue the family trade, his intellectual curiosity led him to seek deeper understanding of metallurgical principles rather than focusing solely on crafting techniques. His defining opportunity came when a traveling dwarven smith from House Garess visited his family's forge seeking temporary workspace while in the human settlement. Young Edric's insightful questions and genuine interest impressed the dwarf, who mentioned the encounter to Howlan Garess upon returning home. Recognizing potential value in a human who could bridge cultural gaps in metallurgical knowledge, Howlan arranged an unprecedented apprenticeship for Edric with House Garess smiths. This arrangement faced initial skepticism from both communities—dwarves reluctant to share closely guarded techniques with a human, and humans questioning his abandonment of family traditions for foreign ways. Through persistence, genuine respect for dwarven methods, and exceptional aptitude, Edric gradually earned acceptance in both worlds. A pivotal moment came when he identified a flaw in a prestigious human noble's commission that would have caused catastrophic failure. By explaining the issue in terms the human client could understand while preserving the dwarven smith's reputation, he demonstrated his unique value as a cultural intermediary. This success established his permanent role as House Garess's human liaison and technical consultant. Over the decades since, he has built a reputation as both a skilled metallurgist in his own right and an invaluable translator between dwarven crafting traditions and human markets. Though never fully dwarven or fully integrated into human noble society, he has found his place in the productive space between cultures. - **Current Motivations:** - Documenting traditional dwarven metallurgical techniques for preservation and wider appreciation - Exploring innovative alloys that combine elements from diverse cultural traditions - Mentoring promising students from both human and dwarven communities - Establishing formal educational exchanges between human and dwarven metallurgists - Personally reconciling his human lifespan with the multi-century perspective of his dwarven colleagues - **Connections & Relationships:** - **[[Howlan Garess]]** – His primary patron and sponsor within House Garess - **[[House Garess]]** – The dwarven family that has become his professional home - **[[Jerrik Garess]]** – Young heir whose innovative ideas he finds intellectually stimulating - **[[Myrna Garess]]** – Diplomatic envoy whose cross-cultural expertise complements his technical focus - **The Tormayne Family** – His human relatives with whom he maintains respectful but distant relations - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **House Garess** – His primary professional affiliation and loyalty - **The Metallurgists' Exchange** – Cross-cultural association he helped establish - **Brevoy Scholars' Circle** – Human academic organization where he occasionally lectures - **The Dwarven Technical Academy** – Institution where he serves as special human advisor - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **Associate's Pendant** – Symbol of his honored status with House Garess - **Metallurgical Journals** – Extensive documentation of techniques and experiments - **Specialized Tools** – Collection of instruments from diverse cultural traditions - **Material Samples** – Comprehensive reference library of metals and alloys - **Translation Lexicon** – Detailed guide to technical terminology across languages #### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - The universal language of craftsmanship transcending cultural boundaries - Finding belonging through shared passion rather than shared heritage - The preservation of knowledge as responsibility to future generations - The balance between innovation and tradition in technical fields - **Player/GM Notes:** - Can serve as a valuable resource for characters interested in metallurgy or crafting - Might provide quests related to rare materials or ancient techniques - Could become a mentor for characters seeking to bridge cultural divides - His position between human and dwarven societies makes him a useful intermediary - Despite his scholarly focus, has extensive practical knowledge of forge work