[sblock=Firestarter]LOL, ok, so Richard is 23 and just shy of 5th level Fighter! Far from a 'boy'. =-)
He is just one of those guys that look like a kid even though they would be a college graduate and often have kids themselves for a comparison to RL. So I describe his looks as "boyish" to convey that, not so well apparently!
He's also the generally laid back, easy going type, which I play in contrast to the really crappy past he has survived. The scars look to be inflicted, as in from cuts and scrapes, even some fairly deep punctures... those are the evidence of his harsh youth.
The evidence of the forge-work is much more recent, and not really that heavy as he's only been at it about a month. Those signs are more in the callousing and various burn-callouses associated with regularly handling the forge equipment and red-hot metal day-in / day-out. It's hard to convey all we want to about our characters without really long-winded posts like this!
Thanks for your time,
RR [/sblock]
Richard leans back a bit, sips his dark stout and listens to the chatter of the younger fellows, better to let them take on a guard job, perhaps something more challenging would come along?
Focusing again on the young man before him, he nods his head, "I have been given the honor of watching over a prestigious local Smithy. You are welcome to stop by some time and we can see what arrangements we can come to. For now, sit if you would, tell me about yourself and how you came to forge weapons?"