It is said the legendary blacksmith was once just a normal bear and a normal blacksmith in a small village inside the North dragon's domain; but one day, the monstrous armies of a power hungry sorcerer razed his village while on the way to challenge the dragon.
it was during this that the blacksmith lost his arm, and first met with the dragon as the rightful lord of the north descended upon the invading forces as an unstoppable force of nature, saving the bear's life in the process.
It is unknown why to all but the dragon himself, but the lord of the north took special interest in the blacksmith, taking him to his lair in the north, healing his wounds and even giving him his new mechanical arm; all in exchange for the Bear to become his servant, to smith whatever the dragon desired using the tools he was provided with; and when questioned as to why he chose just a regular, wounded Bear for this task the dragon would simply reply that his will is not to be questioned.
And so did that regular bear, that regular blacksmith, would come to become the dragon's slave, and in time, to become a legend.

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Part of a birthday gift for  lokven
the story above is based on a bit of brainstorming we did together once for story settings.

Art by me,  arkanumzilong