The finest swordsmith in all Erenth is Aric Lark.
Larke was born to an innkeeper in a small village nestled in the Rampart Mountains of the Free Provinces. He first discovered his love and talent for metalwork by running errands for the local blacksmith. However, Aric's life changed forever when his father arranged to have him apprenticed to the famous Dwarven smith Gelen Prodanvel, then visiting from Talir.
Gelen taught Lark the art of sword-making and honed his already impressive natural ability. Aric learned to forge with his heart and soul. But when his father took ill, the boy was released from his apprenticeship and returned to the Provinces to care for his mother. When she also passed, Aric sold the inn and received the Legatia from a long term guest (a new owner). With it, he was able to attend the Bard's College at Ald Ciula.
At the Bard's College Aric completed his Opuscule in metal sculpting and then went forth to practice his tenure, eventually making his way back to Talir to continue his training with Gelen. There he helped Gelen rediscover the technique for making the sacred patterned steel of the Stoneborn. This became the subject of his magnum opus and he returned to the Bard's College to present it. There he was offered admittance as a Professing Master of Arts.
Aric remained for one year, but became obsessed with the function of his blades. He desired to know that his work meant more than a better decoration on the belts of certain nobles. Aric set out on his own to put his skills to the test. He traveled the Alds of the Provinces and the great cities of the Eight Kingdoms, seeking out challenges from swordfighters and blacksmiths alike. He quickly gained a reputation for creating the finest, sharpest, and strongest swords in all Westrun and beyond.
When the time came for Gelen to journey on, he sent for Aric and passed his makers mark unto him. Thereafter, Aric alone had the right to make swords which carried the Prodanvel mark. Aric settled in a small town outside of Treft where he established his own forge. He continues to produce masterpieces that are sought after by the bravest warriors and wealthiest rulers. He infuses each of his patterned swords with a piece of himself, imbuing them with not only strength, but also a sense of honor and integrity. He is widely known to have taken the Prodanvel swords to a new level of masterpiece, called the Larkblades.
Stories say that Aric's swords can cut through any material and that they never dull or break in battle. Others claim that when one wields a Larkblade, they wield the power of the mountains themselves. Still others claim to have the prowess of a master swordsman when using a Larkblade. Exaggerations aside, the name of Aric Lark is synonymous with some of the finest swords in all Erenth.
