Richard Smiddson was born into a commoner family in the City of Andria. They had succesfuly adapted to the Heartlander culture long before he was born. His father owned a small smithy in the city and his mother sew clothes. Growing up ,Richard worked long days in his father’s smithy as an aprentice to become a smith himself and take over the family business. His father was banished following a fraude scandal. His mother died of an illnes a few years later. After completing his aprenticeship Richard continued his work as a smith suplying the local garrison of King Marius II with arms and armor.