Hesphek
Hesphek in the Gindas
Biographical InformationPronunciationP: [‘çes.pʰɛk]
Chief EpithetThe Coppersmith
Other NamesFirefather, Many-Skilled
GovernancesFire, Stone, Metal, Crafts, Candor
LocationSpirit housed within Rennick
HouseAllhammers
AffiliationLaegos, Dwarves, Rennick
Physical DescriptionRaceKembar
GenderMale
Hesphek, or the Coppersmith, is the member of the Kembar most concerned with fire, rock, metal, the nature of substances, and works of craft. Much of the Wide World’s physical form is according to his design, and the Dwarves were his creations.
The Coppersmith has little interest in trickery or deception, for which reason he is always very forthright in his speech. He has a hard heart, and holds onto grudges forever.
The Last War, which split the Kembar apart, began due to an unknown conflict between Hesphek and Laegos, second chief of the Kembar. However, he and Laegos reconciled after the Binding, forming an alliance to restore themselves to the Earth. They succeeded in the Return of the Kembar, during which the Coppersmith merged his spirit with Rennick, his servant and chief architect of the Return.
From “Concerning the Kembar”
Greatest in crafts is Hesphek. Skill runs through his fingers, and his hands are strong. In fire and stone and metal is his dominion, though he cares not for their own worth, but only for how they can be bent to his service. It was he who carved the valleys and hollowed out the deep places. In them he planted gemlodes, and gold and silver, and many other materials besides; and with the slag from the burrowing, he built up the tall mountains and raised the islands out of the sea. All the foundations of Nīmlad are of his design, and he rejoices ever in hearing their praises, for pride is replete within him, and he loves firstly those things that he himself has wrought.
He is the Coppersmith, who used copper instead of iron for the blood of his living inventions, which many hold to be his greatest works—although he does not. Like fire, Hesphek is unsubtle and knows little of guile. And like stone, he is slow to change, being very rigid and stubborn in his beliefs. Therefore he is loath to forgive if ever he judges that he has been wronged. Nonetheless, he tried to order all things for good, insofar as he understood it. But in the end, he became overproud of his virtue and self-righteous; and the time of his rule made good seem like an evil, and order a tyrant.