Zambuk

 

History

Fourth Age

Zambuk was born in Orkeany, a small town at the marshland tip of the Trifolianda peninsula. With the gargantuan Lake Komla as good as surrounding the town on all sides but the thin strip of marshlands all the way to the Dreko Rough-lands.

The environment was beneficial for everyone, be they fishermen, boatmen or dockworkers, or craftsmen or traders of various sorts. Because it had become a natural reloading and trade hub due to the short distance to the eastern shore, where the caravans from Ebrar, Druoles, and Æbalgo saw fit to cut Lake Komla.

Zambuk showed an interest in the crafts at an early age, and he mixed childhood with learning several craft basics. In 1203, as he came of age, already quite crafty, he was apprenticed to three different masters, and his skills grew at a rapid pace. Cutting training almost in half, he became a novice in 1210. Not really interested in travelling, he instead spread his wings further, and at 30, in 1218, he had a handful of novice chips on his shoulder.

“With sharp eyes and determined mind, he cut through rank and time.”

Skjald El Mary

 

In 1220, he decided it was time to up his skills, and he went to Ladii, the capital of Ladris. During his 10 years in Ladii, he worked with many residents and travelling craftsmen, which made his works quite interesting. In 1231, he passed all five Journeyman tests.

With the last recognition of skills, he did an early celebration of his 43rd birthday and left the capital the next day. While travelling up Ladris, he passed by his town of birth and greeted his family. A week later, he continued eastward across Lake Komla and into Æbalgo, where he turned north and up into Druoles. The weeks of wandering took him to the roughlands of Dulchy Phûks, where he, in the town of Cypril, had a surprise.

There, he met Laira Van Kik, an already famed blacksmith, alchemist, and mechaniser. Impressed by her tools and items, he asked if he could stay. Together, they invented several things during the rest of the year.

In the spring of 1232, Gilion Ewitz passed by and was taken aback by meeting two such skilled crafters in a small place like this. He asked if he could stay to stay, and they spent the next two years sharing knowledge, greatly improving their skills.

In the autumn of 1233, Amarti Ansin, Gasse Grozol, and Herdsman passed by their town, and as they had their horses reshod, the blacksmith told them that their looks reminded him of another trio of fancy folks. So they visited Laira’s place, and they shared a few days of merry company.

“Shared mugs, meals, events, and laughs bond more than shared interests.”

Skjald [Sejrik

 

In 1234, Zambuk left Cypril and travelled to Tornix to see what he could learn from the Dawn Reborn, which the trio from last autumn had mentioned. If they cared to teach anything that was else, he would just pry on his own. Zizu was genuinely interested in this youngster’s talents, so he granted access to their workrooms. After spending the winter there, Zambuk went on a nine-year tour as a journeyman across The Isles, with chief examinations in mind.

At first, as he had met Mawmen at Dawn Reborn’s furnaces, he started out travelling to Darin. And after a year there, he continued onwards, and in 1238, one of his rest stops was in Puchaxa, where he met Jutai Fereira and stayed there for a full year. They have never revealed what they did in that time, but from the locals we learned it was something about purifying metals and creating alloys.

In 1243, he came back to Ladii and, exceeding the local chiefs’ and bordering the master crafters’ skills, he completed all 5 branches as chief. So, he bought a house on the outskirts of the town and set up his own workshop. In 7 years, he completed all 5 branches of crafting as chief while working for customers. His reputation was so high, and the quality of his items was so exceptional, that he was asked to help craft the armours for the high king's guard at the coronation in 1250.

Working with legends such as Lord Nam, F.F. Jaeger, and more, he advanced quickly as he learnt what was presented really fast. In 1258 he underwent quite a stress as he attempted to become master in all. In 1259 he succeeded at Mt. Vula’s forges and was graduated with honours. Thus, he was ready to work himself into the rank of Lord in all five branches, and with the Crafting Guild examination papers, he bought some houses and workshops in Grimsborg.

He then took the two apprentices allowed in each branch, and in 1260 he started to supply the capital of The Realm with items, tools, and wonders in his own name. None of the apprentices were, though, helping mix the metals he used for bars, balls, rods, and ingots. He melted and refined those metals with a select group of legendary crafters, including Jutai, who was otherwise rarely seen at a blacksmith’s meltings.

“His mawmen inspired and arcanely tainted alloy, known as the famous Zamaskus steel.”

Skjald El Mary

 

During his time working to become a crafter lord, heroes like Amras, Nahita, and Tuuna passed by his furnaces to discuss topics such as hilts and weapon balance. He also rose through the social ranks and gained wealthy and powerful friends. Which had taken long, as his neutrality during the 1st Alliance and not participating in the war.

But when The Great Invasion came and Ladii was sacked, he joined the fight against traitors and invaders and now continues the cleansing crusade as he travels the dusty roads and ends the lives of every enemy he meets.

“So much wisdom, so much status. Suddenly on warhorse back searching enemies to crack.”

Skjald Sigurd

 

Organisation

He was part of crafters’ guilds during his transition years, and during the time of the 1st alliance, he allegedly had ties to Jutai’s organisation. But after the great invasion he has been unaffiliated with any and merely travels the isles.

“He is now referred to as “the shattering bell” because of his quest to dissolve enemies.”

Skjald Kazumix

 

Special

He appears to possess a sensory ability known as structural sight. He doesn’t just see a wall, a shield, or an enemy’s stance; he sees the fracture lines. In a parley or negotiation, he can sense the “weak links” in a person’s argument or resolve, just as he senses dross in an ingot.

“The keen eye, ear, and intuition. Is what makes him truly legendary.”

Skjald Ulrich