Ronan Heithen was born into a family that had seen better days. His father, once a respected artisan crafting intricate clockwork mechanisms for the city's elite, had fallen on hard times due to a debilitating illness. Though his childhood wasn't marked by luxury, it was filled with love and a sense of community within their tight-knit Hammer neighborhood. His mother, a woman of unwavering strength and practicality, instilled in him a deep respect for hard work and honesty. These values became the cornerstones of Ronan's life. He apprenticed under a kind but gruff blacksmith who taught him the value of precision and discipline. While Ronan never possessed his father's talent for intricate detail, he excelled at forging strong, reliable tools - the backbone of Hammer's evolving industries. As Hammer transformed, Ronan saw opportunity amidst the change. He started a small workshop near the bustling public market, focusing on crafting custom tools for the new financial firms. His reputation for quality and his unyielding commitment to fairness earned him respect amongst Hammer’s diverse populace, from the sharp-suited bankers to the hardworking laborers. He believed in treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their social standing. This conviction resonated deeply within the community, forging strong bonds that transcended economic divides.