In the cooling days of Vaaltír, local blacksmith of ClóchHorna, Talfyre Rùdhán, worked his forge before dawn when a letter arrived that would change his life forever. His old friend Lúchnyx wrote to him, claiming he had found the location of the Naaruhearth – the celestial forge which belonged to Igniscael. After a month passed with no sign of Lúchnyx, Talfyre’s intuition drove him to gear up and set out on the road.
He discovered a trail of blood and battle scars marking the road which led to a cave, inside a group of cloaked figures stood guard. Talfyre made his way through clashing with the figures, their weapons sparked with an unnatural heat as he fought them, his war axe and buckler clashing against the enchanted steel. Once he had defeated them all, he found Lúchnyx grievously wounded and bearing the marks of torture.
Talfyre was able to treat his friend’s wounds to a degree but they needed a Shaman to fully heal him. Before they set out, Talfyre discovered two journals – one was Lúchnyx’s that detailed information on the Naaruhearth, the other bore a strange sigil and suggested that they had been tracked for a while. Knowing they could still be danger, they swiftly head out to the nearest city, Clóchhavn.
They arrived in the bustling city of Clóchhavn and found themselves to be welcomed by the Shaman Seólán with an unsettling familiarity. He spoke with them as he healed Lúchnyx, revealing to Talfyre that the ‘instincts’ that have guided him through battle and as a blacksmith are the Fire Spirits.
He further informed them that the symbol belonged to a cult who believed that Igniscael must return and only through the Naaruhearth this was possible. However, they were being manipulated by a brotherhood who serve the Daemon Lord Embrakynvar. They desire the return of their lord and are obsessive in their goal to bring him back from his plane in the Void, The Smouldering Ruins and want to use the power of the Naaruhearth to achieve their desires.
Talfyre had no desire to involve himself in such matters, he only wished to fulfill his life’s ambition and find the Naaruhearth. “Ah, me dear friend, y’see, this search of yours for Naaruhearth... it’s gettin’ in the way of their wee schemes, so it is. They’re tryin’ to twist the Spirits, corrupt their very nature, all to be breathin’ strength back into their master who waits in the Smouldering Ruins. Like a pot of tea that’s been steeped too long in bitterness, they are,” Seólán explained. "Y'know, there's this old monastery, built by the hands of future Prince Aeloria and their loyal followers, so there is. 'Tis said it might be hidin' the forge you seek, tucked away durin' them Dark Times. Like a precious tea leaf protected from the harsh winter winds, they hid it away, they did—all to keep it safe from the clutches of them Eight Daemons.”
Armed with this knowledge and and greater understanding the challenges ahead of them, Talfyre and Lúchnyx journeyed toward the monastery. Talfyre's awakening senses warned him, he paused for mmoments arrows whistled past them struck a nearby tree. Their path through dense forest soon erupted into ambush and in the ensuing battle against cultists, he was separated from Lúchnyx.
Talfyre defeated the Pyroartisan leader but was unable to locate Lúchnyx. After searching the body, he found a note that confirmed the Brotherhood was coordinating this effort and the cult were merely their pawns. Alone, he continued through the dense forest and came across the moss-covered and run down ancient monastery where a stone eagle stood guard. Just as it was described in Lúchnyx’s book.
The old old gave a loud moan-like creak as Talfyre pushed them open. As he made his way through the dilapidated halls, Talfyre discovered a chamber with carvings honoring the Gods. When his fingers brushed Igniscael’s tribute, visions seared into his mind—a ghostly figure performing a ritual before a stone wall that concealed a hidden passage.
That night, Talfyre made camp to rest and search for more clues in the morning. As he slept among the ruins, his dreams expanded the vision. Upon waking, he attempted to recreate the ritual, sitting cross-legged before the carved wall, he began to trust the words of the Seólán and allowed himself to be guided by his instincts. Hours passed in deep communion until, at last, fiery runes ignited across the stone. The wall split apart, revealing a stairway into darkness.
He couldn’t hide the astonishment on his face, he began to truly believe that he would achieve his dream. Despite the palpable excitement, he rested for a while before descending the dark stairway. After some time, Talfyre began his descent and Lamps flickered to life along the path, guiding him to an enormous cavern where the legendary forge burned with an ancient heat that felt alive. Its mechanisms were unlike any he had seen, complex and ancient beyond reckoning.
As Talfyre approached the ancient forge, Lúchnyx's suddenly appeared from the stairwell. "Yer done well to bring us here," He said, his voice hardening. "The Brotherhood’s been keepin’ an eye on ya, waitin’ for those spiritweaver talents to show themselves," Drawing a curved blade from beneath his cloak, Lúchnyx revealed the brotherhood insignia burned into his forearm. "Yer potential’s wild as a rabid weevil, too dangerous to be left wanderin’ about! The elders, they sent ol' Lúchnyx here to make ye an offer. Either join our ranks proper-like, or by me ancestors, I’ll make sure those powers o’ yours never see the light of day again!"
The battle echoed throughout the cavern as Talfyre, driven by instinct and newfound power, fought desperately against his former companion's practiced skill. When Lúchnyx lunged forward with a killing strike, something awakened in Talfyre—the very power the Brotherhood feared. With an involuntary gesture, he channeled the forge's intense heat into a brilliant wave of energy that engulfed his attacker. Lúchnyx collapsed at the edge of the fiery pit, his final words barely audible. "Ya daft fool! Ya don’t understand what yer pokin’ yer nose into! Knowledge of this forge will send ya straight to The Crimson Vale!" As the life faded from his betrayer's eyes, Talfyre stood alone in the Naaruheath, the burden of his awakened power weighing heavily upon him.
Many years had passed since Talfyre had discovered the Naaruhearth, whilst he had come to terms with being able to commune with Fire Spirits. He was never able to form a full connection and become a spiritweaver. However, the bond he formed with Spirits saw his ability as blacksmith become unrivalled in the whole of Vaaltír, even reaching the ears of those in distant lands.
His skilled surpassed all in the end and was able to harness some of the power of the Naaruhearth. It was said that Talfyre could only use about 5% of its power when he was in his prime. But everything created using the ancient forge was far more powerful than any other forge could create.