Old Smith Black

Old Smith Black is the blacksmith of Rorikstead in 2E 411.

Background
Old Smith Black, born Smith Black, was born in Rorikstead during 4E 151, to Smith of Rorikstead and his wife. Smith of Rorikstead built the original Rorikstead Smithy, which Old Smith Black inherited upon his father's death.

Old Smith Black lived his life there, leaving only once in his youth to train in Whiterun with the Grey-Manes for five years, before returning home. In 4E 170, At age nineteen he married his childhood sweetheart, Helga Avrorik. The blacks planned to have a child right away, but in 4E 171 Old Smith was conscripted into the Imperial Legions to fight in the Great War. He was made a quartermaster of a cohort and a lieutenant in the Tenth Legion.

Their son, Smith Young, was born in 4E 179, four years after Old Smith's return from war. Young's mother died in childbirth, and the duty fell to Old Smith to raise his son alone. Although crushed by his wife's death, Old Smith did his best to provide a loving household for Young, and tried to give him the best life he could. He trained Young in the family's craft, blacksmithy, and made sure Young was highly educated. Old Smith's handiwork paid off when Young was accepted by the Companions to work at the Skyforge as a journeyman blacksmith.

Smith Young has always looked up to and admired his father and the two have a good relationship, despite Old Smith having not seen his son for some years.