Aravar Tillwood was born in the bustling city of Alchester, the capital of Kallendor, into a family of craftsmen known for their exceptional woodworking and metalworking skills. From a young age, Aravar exhibited a natural talent for creation, often fusing his family’s trade with his fascination for the arcane. This led him to explore the realm of an artificer and engineer. Guided by a deep curiosity and an insatiable desire to learn, he apprenticed under a renowned artificer, where he honed his skills in crafting intricate devices and mechanisms that blended magic with engineering.

As his skills grew, Aravar established his reputation, taking on commissions from noble patrons and everyday citizens, each seeking his unique touch in their projects. Despite his success, Aravar preferred a modest lifestyle, opting for simplicity over grandeur. His modest home, filled with tools of the trade and half-finished inventions, became a sanctuary where he could channel his creativity away from the bustling demands of city life. He cultivated a small circle of fellow artisans and a few trusted clients who appreciated his quiet nature and unwavering dedication to his craft.

Why was the Black Guard still interested in the scroll? Their involvement, as far as it was concerned, should have ended with their employer’s death. Unless their guarantee included recovering stolen items, which I didn’t think it did. Or unless Aravar hadn’t been their actual employer. The idea had merit. Aravar had money, but not the kind needed to maintain his own private security force. So maybe someone else had been paying the bills. Still was paying the bills, I corrected myself. Whoever this person was, he or she wanted the scroll as badly as all the other interested parties. But Black Guardsmen coming here didn’t change the job. It was still a sneak-and-grab.

- THE ASSASSIN’S BLADE

Though he remains primarily focused on his work, Aravar occasionally engages in the city’s vibrant community, participating in festivals and local gatherings where he might display his latest creations. Despite the larger world’s tumult, he finds solace in his workshop, believing that true innovation blossoms in moments of solitude and reflection. With every project he undertakes, Aravar aims to fulfill requests and inspire wonder and appreciation for the melding of craftsmanship and magic. As the years have passed in Alchester, he continues to contribute to Kallendor’s legacy of innovation while quietly forging his own path as an accomplished artisan, content to shape the world around him, one creation at a time.

FIRST APPEARANCE

Aravar first appears in The Assassin's Blade (Assassin Without a Name Book One).