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This time, his guest is the blacksmith of D-Gen's marketplace, IronYggdrasil. The German dragon tells how he got into smithing blades, met his husband, and discovered D-Gen.\n\nApologies if I got the German wrong. I did the best I could. If any native German speakers wish to correct me, then please do!\n\n- - - - -\n\nA massive thank you to my top tier subscribers:\nSedyna | [fa]jafferroshak[/fa] | RoleplayCentral | [fa]Tierr[/fa] | [fa]akinkyyfox[/fa]\n\nIf you would like early access to my stories, weekly previews and updates, access to my private discord, chance to have your character become part of the lore, and other bonus content, please consider subscribing to my [url=https://subscribestar.adult/xp_author]SubscribeStar[/url]", "description_bbcode_parsed": "ColdCasey is back after a prolonged break! This time, his guest is the blacksmith of D-Gen's marketplace, IronYggdrasil. The German dragon tells how he got into smithing blades, met his husband, and discovered D-Gen.

Apologies if I got the German wrong. I did the best I could. If any native German speakers wish to correct me, then please do!

- - - - -

A massive thank you to my top tier subscribers:
Sedyna | \n\t\t\t\t\tjafferroshak | RoleplayCentral | \n\t\t\t\t\tTierr | \n\t\t\t\t\takinkyyfox

If you would like early access to my stories, weekly previews and updates, access to my private discord, chance to have your character become part of the lore, and other bonus content, please consider subscribing to my SubscribeStar", "writing": "\n[center][b][u]D-Gen Interviews[/u][/b][/center]\n[center][b]IronYggdrasil[/b][/center]\n[center]By XP Author[/center]\n\nAs the video started, the intro had been updated. Replacing the old 80's style synthwave neon pink and blue was a more minimalistic style opening. A solid blue background with a wireframe podcast microphone in cyan, with the words 'Starting Soon' in a bold impact font with a slight drop shadow. After a few seconds, the screen faded to black, soon replaced by the image of the postcast host, KC, or ColdCasey by his username. The grey-furred hair had a friendly smile on his face, his dark hair slightly longer than it had been in past episodes, but brushed neatly back. \"Hello everyone. It's been a while, huh? Had some issues getting a hold of some people, what with the... issues happening recently in Alta Ferro. I won't get into that. But I did manage to get one set up. Today, we have someone from our marketplace. D-Gen's very own bladesmith, Iron...\" He hesitated. \"uh... yeeg-drassil?\" There was a chuckle from someone else. \"Yeah, let's get him on.\"\n\nThe transition was a swish of white across the middle of the screen, turning vertical and splitting open to wipe in both directions at once. It now showed two feeds, KC on the left, a dragon with slightly shiny, metallic grey scales on the right. Unlike KC's setup, which looked like a recording booth, complete with foam sound-dampening pads on the wall, the dragon sat in what looked like a small bedroom, a bed visible behind him. The dragon was dressed in a loose fitting red t-shirt, but even with the loose fit, his fit tone was visible on his arms and broad shoulders. He had short horns atop his head, poking out just above his thick eye ridges, with another two protruding from just his jaw and curled slightly back under his chin, almost like a goatee. Though he had no actual hair to speak of. His eyes were jet black, yet had a soft, almost jovial nature to them, despite his hard scales and angular features.\n\nKC gave an awkward smile. \"Did I get that right?\"\n\nThe dragon chuckled again. \"Close. There are a few ways some say it. I go with ig-drah-sil.\" The man spoke with a pronounced German accent, but was mostly fluent in English and easy enough to understand. \"If it is easier, you can just call me Iron. Or Inon, which is my name.\"\n\nThe hare nodded. \"Yeah, I think I'll stick with Iron then. Are you okay saying your real name? I know some members are quite guarded about that kind of thing.\"\n\nThe dragon gave a big, toothy grin. \"Oh yes it is fine. Inon Ziegler. It is already known from my work outside of the site.\"\n\nKC nodded again, motioning generally in front of himself as he leaned back in his desk chair. \"Speaking of your work, why don't you tell everyone watching about yourself, in case they don't know who you are.\"\n\nIron gave a friendly smile. \"Oh, yes, of course.\" He cleared his throat. \"I am a blacksmith. I specialize in making blades. Swords, daggers, even the occasional spear tip. I do a lot of replica work. Things from television, movies, video games and anime. But I also do traditional, medieval weapons. The kind from around the 14th to 17th centuries. But I have done older works, too. Roman Imperial and Ottoman eras are fairly popular. As are some classic Chinese designs from around the... Han or Tang dynasties... I cannot remember.\" He chuckled. \"I am not as well versed on the Eastern eras.\"\n\nKC smirked. \"That is quite a lot of styles.\"\n\nThe dragon nodded. \"Yes. All of my work is made to order, so as long as I can find good examples I can probably recreate it using modern tools.\"\n\n\"And from what I've seen from the comments, people say your work is very good quality.\" The hare shifted a little. \"So, I have a few questions about that, but we should start at the beginning first. What got you into blacksmithing to begin with? I know a lot of the time it's a family business. Was that the case with you?\"\n\nThe reptilian laughed. \"No. My father did not approve. But it is... um... a long story.\"\n\nKC motioned with his hand again. \"That's what people are here for. Go ahead. The mic is yours, so to speak.\"\n\nIron nodded slowly. \"Alright. Well, I should say first that I am German. Born in Bonn in 1983, a little bit before reunification. In fact, 8 years to the day before Tag der Deutschen Einheit.\" He paused a moment. \"Uh... that is Unification Day in English. Sorry if I mess a few words up. English is not my fathertongue.\"\n\nThe hare chuckled softly. \"It's fine. We have a pretty international group of members, after all. So, you were born while Germany was still split east and west.\"\n\nThe dragon nodded. \"Yes. And since Bonn was the capital city before reunification, it was kind of a very busy place. My father moved there to open a business in the late 1970's. He was a butcher.\" He chuckled. \"Actually have a funny story how he met my mother.\"\n\n\"I'd love to hear it.\"\n\n\"Yes. So my father was a butcher. He was preparing some sausages one morning when three very pretty women walked in. He says actress pretty. So pretty he was too busy looking and CHOP! Hit his finger with the knife! Cut almost to the bone!\" He chuckles. \"So he ends up getting rushed to hospital, fingers wrapped in cold ham. They get him stitches and saved his finger, but the nurse tending to him scolded him every day she changed his bandages. 'Someone in your job should know better!' all the time. He liked how direct she was and asked her on a date. And that was my mother.\" He let out another chuckle. \"So he met his future wife because he was distracted by pretty ladies and nearly lost a finger. They are married a year later, and two years after that I am hatched.\"\n\nKC couldn't help but chuckle as well. \"That is kind of funny. Are they still around?\"\n\nIron nodded. \"Yes, but... I do not talk to them much. But it is part of story, so I will get there.\"\n\n\"Oh, sorry. Go ahead and continue.\"\n\n\"Yes.\" Iron cleared his throat. \"So, growing up, my mother got Satellite TV, so I got to see many shows from around the world. A lot of American cartoons, but also anime. And even some American movies when I was a teenager. I liked a lot of fantasy. Big swords and magic. Big fan of Uplander. First movie was the best, but the show was good, too.\" He gave a big grin, then cleared his throat. \"Anyway, just as I had finished school, 2003, I wanted to know more of these things. I heard about something happening soon. Mittelaltermarkt. Translates to Medieval Market. Mostly. Is basically German Renaissance Fair.\"\n\nKC perked up a little. \"Oh! I've always wanted to go to a Renn Fair. Are they different in Germany?\"\n\nIron shook his head. \"Don't know. I have never been to one in America. But from what I have seen online, not too different. Maybe smaller. Anyway, this one was in Cologne, big city just north of Bonn. My father was not happy with me spending time going to something like this instead of work, but he let me go anyway. Was amazing! So many in costumes, some very detailed! And I found it that I hate mead.\" He chuckled, as did KC. \"While I was there, I met two people. Most important people in my life. First was a swordsmith. Otami Mizrahim. Jackal from Egypt, but spoke German good enough. He had been in the country for about 20 years. Lived in Cologne. The swords he had for sale were amazing! Big broadswords, longswords, rapiers, even a pair of claymores! Let me try to hold one but it was so heavy I couldn't even lift it!\" He laughed again.\n\nKC laughed as well. \"Yeah, I've heard those can weigh something like 50 lbs. Uh... what is that, like 80 kilos?\"\n\nIron burst out laughing at that. \"NEIN! No. Claymore usually weighs only around 2 and a half kilos. That is 5 or 6 pounds!\"\n\n\"AH! Sorry, I thought there were more kilos in a pound...\" The hare blushed visibly through his fur at his embarrassment.\n\n\"No. You are probably mixing with centimeter and inches. More centimeter in an inch, less kilo in a pound.\" The dragon couldn't stop his chuckling. \"The problem is they are so heavy at the top it is heart to lift. Need a good sturdy base at your feet.\" He cleared his throat again. \"Anyway, I had to know how these things were made. So I asked Otami to teach me!\"\n\n\"And he said yes?\"\n\n\"Nein! Turned me down on the spot!\" He laughed again. \"But I kept begging him. Came back the second day and still begged. I wanted to know! So he told me of the hard work it was. Hot forge, hot metal, hitting with hammer over and over, working until your muscles burned and ached and working more. He was trying to scare off a stupid teenager with hard work, but it only made me more exited. I already worked out a little and rode a bike every day when I was as student. I eventually convinced him to let me see his workshop after the market was over. And he showed me how to make a simple iron nail. It was surprising how hard just that was, but I liked seeing how the metal turned into a shape. I'm not sure when he changed his mind and decided to accept me as his apprentice but he did after that. I guess I made a really good nail. Even though he said it was shit.\" He laughed again.\n\nKC smiled. \"You said you met two people at that mitel...\" he decided not to embarrass himself again. \"Uh... At the market event. Who was the other person?\"\n\nIron nodded. \"Yes!\" He held up one finger, then turned and called out. \"AH! Dünner! Komme her!\"\n\nAfter a moment, a second person came over. \"Was ist- OH! Hallo!\" The second man was a tall and skinny reptile with almost effeminate curves to his hips. He was also completely naked, those shapely hips right within the camera's view, as well as an impressive member hanging between his legs. It also showed some light tone to his otherwise thin belly and thighs. The two had a brief conversation in German before the lizard swatted Iron's shoulder, only to playfully drop down into his lap and almost lounge against him, one arm over the dragon's shoulder. \"Hallo, Heir Casey und D-Gen!\"\n\nIron frowned. \"Behave.\" He turned to the camera again. \"Sorry about him. This is my husband, Adelbard.\"\n\nThe lizard gave a big smile. \"Or Bard. Or Songmeister on the forums!\" He spoke with a much thicker accent than Iron. \n\nKc smiled. \"Hello, Bard.\"\n\nBard said something to Iron, once more in their native language. The dragon responded. \"I was telling them how we met.\"\n\nBard gasped. \"Oh! A fun story!\"\n\n\"Can I tell it?\"\n\n\"Ja!\" Bard giggled, somehow lounging even more against the man.\n\nIron rolled his eyes. \"So while I was begging Otami to train me, this tall, skinny boy walks up, just a bit younger than me, and starts looking at all the swords all lovingly like I was and we started talking and got along. He's good at making me laugh, even back then. So we became fast friends. He was... also a lot more open about being gay.\"\n\n\"Bi!\" The lizard corrected. \"I'm bi. I just prefer men.\"\n\n\"Close enough. So, we did what teenage boys do and found a nice spot to hide and make out.\"\n\n\"Not all we did...\"\n\nIron cleared his throat. \"Yes.\"\n\n\"He is very big!\" The lizard held his hands apart, around 33 centimeters, or just over a foot, while mouthing the word 'big' again. KC couldn't help but chuckle.\n\nIron cleared his throat again, clearly embarrassed. \"JA! Uh... Y-yes, we were close quickly!\" He regained his composure. \"But I had to go back to Bonn soon, so we got numbers and IM names for each other and started talking almost every day. And night. And doing things online with each other.\" Bard let out a girlish giggle. \"A year later we had decided to make it more official. I had been going back and forth to Cologne to learn from Otami and decided to move there to become his apprentice officially. I had already found a flat in Cologne, and Bard would move in with me as he started university.\" He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. \"So I also had to come out to my father...\"\n\nKC winced. \"I take it by the tone that didn't go well?\"\n\nThe dragon shook his head. \"No. He threw me out of the house. But I knew he would. He is... old fashioned. Always awkward when your father rants about how bad 'the gays' are when you are one.\"\n\nKC winced again. \"Oof. I can imagine that was pretty rough.\"\n\n\"It was not fun. But I knew he would, so I had already packed bags and was ready to leave. It still hurt a little, though. He has...\" He paused for a moment as he tried to think of the right word. \"...Disowned me. Still does not talk, but I speak with my mother from time to time.\" He moved on quickly. \"Anyway. So I moved in with Bard and started working under Otami. When Germany legalized gay marriage in 2017 we were officially married but have been together since the end of 2005.\"\n\nThe hare smiled. \"Aww, that's sweet! Almost 20 years! Congratulations. Good to see a relationship that lasts. So few do these days.\"\n\nIron nodded. \"Danke. I also officially took over the workshop from Otami in 2014. He was getting older and wanted to go back to Egypt and his family. So he proclaimed that I was no longer an apprentice and gifted me the workshop and tools... because shipping everything to Egypt would be kind of impossible anyway.\" He chuckled. \"I had also already been selling some of my own creations online under my own name, not just through him or at the markets.\"\n\nKC grinned wide. \"That's awesome! Do you still go to the market things?\"\n\n\"Oh yes! I sell swords there and Bard... shows off. He likes to dress up.\"\n\nThe green scaled lizard had been staying quiet until then. \"If you have it to show off, then show off. A crime not to!\"\n\nThe hare smirked. \"I'm sure most on D-Gen would agree. Speaking of, how did you start selling your swords on D-Gen? Jumping a little ahead, but I've had some people give me questions. One of the big ones is if you are a killer yourself?\"\n\nIron shook his head. \"No. I am not.\" He glanced at the lizard in his lap. \"That would be his thing.\" Bard gave a big smile and a little wave.\n\n\"Oh! Did you know that when you two first got together?\"\n\n\"No. I found out after we had been living together for a few years already.\" He frowned. \"Would have been nice to know earlier...\"\n\nBard giggled. \"You still like it!\" Iron rolled his eyes, but could not hide his smile.\n\nKC tilted his head. \"Care to tell how you found out?\"\n\nIron nodded. \"Sure. I came home to find him in the shower, covered head to toe in blood. He had just cut up a mouse, but I came home early. And he gets... um...\"\n\nBard interjected. \"I get frisky when I kill someone. I do not fuck the people I kill.\" He leaned over and kissed Iron's cheek. \"I save that for him.\"\n\n\"Yes. He was very... 'frisky' as he says. And even though I was worried, it was... very passionate. I questioned him for 3 days. It wasn't until I refused to have sex until he told me that he finally said what he did.\"\n\nKC blinked. \"How did you react? Not well?\"\n\nIron frowned. \"At first I was horrified. And he told me more that he had done, that it was not his first. He had actually killed three people before I even met him. And I was even more scared. That he might kill me.\"\n\n\"I would never!\" Bard proclaimed. \"If there is one person I will never hurt it ist mein Amboss!\"\n\nIron translated. \"Amboss is anvil. He calls me that. Anyway, I was still scared. But, uh...\"\n\nThe lizard giggled. \"He got hard.\"\n\nIron frowned. \"Yes. I didn't know what to think for a long time. But eventually I learned to accept it. And like Bard said, he has never hurt me.\"\n\n\"And I never will!\" Bard looked at the camera. \"That is one of the questions that is asked a lot, right? We won't hurt each other.\"\n\nKC nodded. \"Yeah, that was on the list.\"\n\nIron continued. \"Well, Bard is the one that found D-Gen. Of course. And he told me there were people on there asking about where to buy weapons. Not just guns but blades. So, I kind of offered to sell things there. BoxerBB221 was already selling drugs on the site, and DrLuminescence had just started selling things, so when I offered, they officially started a marketplace to make it more... official.\" He shrugged. \"I do like watching people use my blades in videos. I make sure everything is usable as soon as it arrives.\"\n\nThe hare smiled. \"Well, that answers another of the questions in my list. I suppose we should get to those now.\"\n\n\"Go ahead.\"\n\nKC nodded. \"Right. So, as I said, I asked the forums to submit some questions for you. I weeded out the worst of them, but some are a bit... odd.\" He chuckled. \"You know how our users are.\"\n\nIron smirked. \"Oh yes. Go ahead. I don't mind odd questions.\"\n\nKC took a breath. \"Alright. Might as well get one of the odd ones out of the way. 'What is up with your scales?' I think they mean are your scales different than other dragons? I noticed they have a bit more... shine. So~ what kind of dragon are you? And while we're at it, what kind of lizard is Bard, if you don't mind saying? I'm sure someone would have asked that if they knew he was here.\"\n\nIron chuckled. \"Yes, I get that a lot. So, I am an Eiserner Drache. Ahn... Iron Dragon. It is why I named myself that. Yes, I get the irony.\" He chuckled a little, emphasizing 'iron' in the world. \"But my scales are not pure iron or anything. Actually very little. Enough that I take care so they do not rust, but that is it. Unlike fantasy stories, dragon scales are very bad for crafting. Maybe embellishments on armour, but even then not good, and never weapons. Too brittle, and they cannot be tempered like steel.\" He then said something to Bard.\n\nThe lizard nodded. \"Me? I am a green anole. Just a skinny lizard, not a dragon. Nothing special about my scales other than how pretty they are.\"\n\n\"And smooth. His scales are very smooth.\" Iron ran his hand gently against his husband's shoulder, which got a sigh from the skinnier reptile. \"Very nice to rub against.\"\n\nKC smirked. \"I'll bet. Alright, well, you mentioned armor. Do you make armor, too, or just weapons? And do you only make blades, or other kinds of melee weapons?\"\n\nIron nodded. \"I have made armour before, but... I'm not good at it. I like blades more. I mostly make swords, daggers, a few axes, but I have made clubs, maces, and a couple hammers. But I think they are kind of boring most of the time. There are more fun blade styles.\"\n\nThe hare nodded back. \"That leads nice into the next question. Is there a favorite creation you've made? A least favorite? One you absolutely hated making?\n\nBard scoffed, grumbling something under his breath, which made Iron smirk. \"Yes, I have both. I'll start with the least favorite. Bard had to put up with me complaining the whole time, so he remembers it well, too. It was a really big and ornate sword from a fantasy video game. But it was so ridiculously overdesigned that it was very hard to make. It had holes all in the blade and spiky bits at the base, and a tiny handle. It kept bending and breaking and I had to keep starting over. Even just getting the blade to hold shape was difficult. I eventually had to use a frame and mold the steel around it and use hidden pins to keep it in place. Still fragile. Told the buyer it was NOT for use other than show for cosplay. One hard swing and the thing would snap at the handle. I'm never doing something like that again.\"\n\n\"Wow. What about your favorite?\"\n\nThe dragon smiled. \"That is... it's actually not anything fancy.\" He said something to Bard, the lizard nodding and slipping off of his lap and walking out of camera range. A moment later, he came back, dropping once more into Iron's lap. He also held up a long, straight-edged dagger with a black blade and a curved tip. \"This is the first dagger I made for Bard after I learned about his... hobby.\"\n\n\"It's my favorite, too!\" Bard giggled, turning the knife like he was presenting jewelry on a shopping channel.\n\nIron continued. \"It normally sits in a display near our bed. He has used it a few times.\"\n\nKC couldn't help but smile again. \"Very sweet.\" He looked back at the question list. \"In a similar topic, do you have any materials you like to work with? Any special materials you use?\"\n\nIron nodded. \"Yes. I mostly work with steel, of course. It is easiest. But there is a new one I have been playing around with. It was provided from a... friend on the forums, but they said not to say more.\" He didn't want to reveal the person calls themselves an alchemist. \"He has given me something called... uh... give me a moment. Nanocarbon Iron Tungstite weave.\" He shook his head and shrugged. \"It is an alloy of Iron, Carbon, and Tungsten, but... I don't know how it works, apparently mixed in some new way to make it lighter and have a bit more flexibility while maintaining its shape.\"\n\nHe saw the slightly confused look KC gave him. \"I should explain. Metal has many properties. More than 'is hard.' When making weapons, especially longer things like swords, you need to worry about how hard and also how flexible the metal is. Too hard and it will snap. Too flexible and it will just bend. And too heavy and you cannot lift or swing it. It is a balance. It is why real swords never got as big as anime shows. But this alloy is very helpful. It is strong to keep shape, but has enough flexibility so it will not snap. It is also resistant to chipping, which is good. And it is a lot lighter than just pure steel or regular iron tungstite alloy, which I have used, too.\" He smirks. \"It also looks really neat. The metal is black when cooled, and can have patterns etched into it to stand out. It has been a challenge to learn how to mold it. It has to be kept hotter or it will harden too fast. I have made a few shorter blades with it recently. Dagger, Kris blade. I do a lot of Kris blades. Uh... did a tanto disguised as a flashlight with it, that was an interesting piece to work on. Oh, I do hidden weapons, too. Lots of cane swords.\"\n\n\"Wow. That's pretty cool!\" KC looked back at his list. \"Uh... oh...kay, here is another odd one. You mentioned that you're not a killer, but have you ever killed anyone? And... the odd part... have you ever dropped an anvil on someone?\"\n\nIron could not help but burst out laughing again. When he explained the question to Bard, the lizard also suddenly started to laugh. \"I have never killed anyone myself. And no, I have never dropped an anvil like a cartoon. I have banged my foot against it a bunch.\"\n\nThe hare nodded. \"That's actually good for a follow up. I imagine being a blacksmith means you've hurt yourself more than a few times. Any really bad injuries?\"\n\n\"Oh yes, I have hurt myself many times. Banged a finger, stubbed a toe, more burns and cuts than I can count. Leaning over a furnace hot enough to melt steel, you get burned a lot. Dragon scales only help so much. Same with making blades. You get cut a lot. Scales help, but still hurts.\" He thought a moment. \"My worst...\"\n\nBard offered a suggestion. \"The clamps.\"\n\nIron nodded. \"Oh, yes. That would be the worst. Had a sword I was making slip out of the clamps holding it down. It was not a sword yet, just a red-hot piece of soft steel. I didn't secure it enough and when I hit it with the hammer, it slipped right out and flew right at me. Hit me in the chest. Burned through my clothing, scorched my scales. Good thing I do not have fur or I would have been on fire!\" He laughed.\n\nBard continued the story. \"I had to take him to hospital for that one. But~\" His voice got singsong. \"They gave him a burn cream that had to be applied everyday, which I did. So I got to rub his sexy chest everyday. That was nice.\"\n\n\"You do that anyway.\"\n\n\"Ja, but I got to care for you.\" He leaned up and kissed Iron's cheek.\n\nKC gave a wistful smile as he watched the couple be cute. \"Another... I guess strange one. Do you ship internationally?\"\n\nIron chuckled. \"Ja! Of course I do! D-Gen is easier, but I get a lot of customers from America and Britain. And quite a few from Japan... which always surprises me. Never for kananas, though. Normally anime swords for there. But yes. D-Gen shipping is always easier.\"\n\nKC nodded. \"That is true. Anyone that has ever ordered from the marketplace knows how the unmarked packages seem to discretely appear on their doorstep.\"\n\nBard chimed up. \"I still think they use fairies for deliverymen.\" Almost true. D-Gen used a magic gateway system and kobolds. Not that any of the men present in the interview knew this.\n\nKC looked through his questions. \"Well, I think that's all the important or notable questions. So I'll ask my usual ones. Do either of you have a favorite way to kill? Or I guess favorite kill to watch, in your case? And do you have a preferred way to get killed, if any?\"\n\nThe two spoke in German for a moment. Iron answered first. \"I like watching people use my blades. Cutting, gutting, chopping pieces. It's all good. Don't have any way I would want to go. Not my thing. Guess as long as I'm with Bard if it happened.\"\n\nBard answered next. \"Cutting. I like cutting necks open, watching cute boys squirm around and grab at their neck like they can stop it. Girls too, of course, but mostly cute boys.\" He thought a moment. \"Dunno about how I would want to go, either. Like the big man said, as long as we are together, then I'm find however it might happen.\"\n\n\"Alright. Do either of you have any favorite creators that you like watching?\"\n\nAfter another exchange, both shook their head. Bard spoke up first. \"I kind of like watching SamDBorse do things. She can be messy. I watched some of that big red dragon, but he went and got killed pretty quick. Um... I dunno.\"\n\nIron answered next. \"Same here, not really any one favorite. Like I said, I just like seeing my creations being used.\"\n\nKC nodded. \"So, Bard, you're the killer of the two, but I don't think I've ever seen you post anything. Do you have any videos or picture collections posted?\"\n\nBard shook his head. \"Nein. I save those for him.\" He bumped Iron with his elbow. \"They are private. But I don't do sex with my kills, so I don't post anything.\"\n\n\"Fair enough. Well, guess I'll skip if either of you have anything coming up then. So, I think that's about everything I have for today. I'm sure it's getting pretty late over there.\"\n\n\"Early.\" Iron corrected. \"It is almost 5:00 in the morning.\" Bard nodded, though still seemed to have quite a bit of energy.\n\n\"Oh! Well, I'll let the two of you go then. Thank you for joining me today. Both of you!\"\n\nIron nodded. \"Yeah. Not a problem. Thanks for asking me.\"\n\nBard smiled and waved. \"Thanks for letting me barge in!\"\n\nKC smirked. \"Not a problem. Glad you were able to be here, too.\" He looked more directly at the camera. \"And thanks to everyone watching this! I know I said I was going to interview our big mod Phantom_Stripe, but with everything going on with the member hunter in AF right now... mods are a little busy. Maybe once all of that is cleared up. I'll see if I can get someone else on. Until then, you all take care, and I will catch you in the next one!\"\n\nIron and Bard both waved again, the green lizard saying \"Tschüss!\" The view then shifted to a similar screen as the intro, only with the words 'Thanks for watching' at the bottom. The video ended a moment after that.\n\n[center]* * *[/center]", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
D-Gen Interviews

IronYggdrasil

By XP Author


As the video started, the intro had been updated. Replacing the old 80's style synthwave neon pink and blue was a more minimalistic style opening. A solid blue background with a wireframe podcast microphone in cyan, with the words 'Starting Soon' in a bold impact font with a slight drop shadow. After a few seconds, the screen faded to black, soon replaced by the image of the postcast host, KC, or ColdCasey by his username. The grey-furred hair had a friendly smile on his face, his dark hair slightly longer than it had been in past episodes, but brushed neatly back. "Hello everyone. It's been a while, huh? Had some issues getting a hold of some people, what with the... issues happening recently in Alta Ferro. I won't get into that. But I did manage to get one set up. Today, we have someone from our marketplace. D-Gen's very own bladesmith, Iron..." He hesitated. "uh... yeeg-drassil?" There was a chuckle from someone else. "Yeah, let's get him on."

The transition was a swish of white across the middle of the screen, turning vertical and splitting open to wipe in both directions at once. It now showed two feeds, KC on the left, a dragon with slightly shiny, metallic grey scales on the right. Unlike KC's setup, which looked like a recording booth, complete with foam sound-dampening pads on the wall, the dragon sat in what looked like a small bedroom, a bed visible behind him. The dragon was dressed in a loose fitting red t-shirt, but even with the loose fit, his fit tone was visible on his arms and broad shoulders. He had short horns atop his head, poking out just above his thick eye ridges, with another two protruding from just his jaw and curled slightly back under his chin, almost like a goatee. Though he had no actual hair to speak of. His eyes were jet black, yet had a soft, almost jovial nature to them, despite his hard scales and angular features.

KC gave an awkward smile. "Did I get that right?"

The dragon chuckled again. "Close. There are a few ways some say it. I go with ig-drah-sil." The man spoke with a pronounced German accent, but was mostly fluent in English and easy enough to understand. "If it is easier, you can just call me Iron. Or Inon, which is my name."

The hare nodded. "Yeah, I think I'll stick with Iron then. Are you okay saying your real name? I know some members are quite guarded about that kind of thing."

The dragon gave a big, toothy grin. "Oh yes it is fine. Inon Ziegler. It is already known from my work outside of the site."

KC nodded again, motioning generally in front of himself as he leaned back in his desk chair. "Speaking of your work, why don't you tell everyone watching about yourself, in case they don't know who you are."

Iron gave a friendly smile. "Oh, yes, of course." He cleared his throat. "I am a blacksmith. I specialize in making blades. Swords, daggers, even the occasional spear tip. I do a lot of replica work. Things from television, movies, video games and anime. But I also do traditional, medieval weapons. The kind from around the 14th to 17th centuries. But I have done older works, too. Roman Imperial and Ottoman eras are fairly popular. As are some classic Chinese designs from around the... Han or Tang dynasties... I cannot remember." He chuckled. "I am not as well versed on the Eastern eras."

KC smirked. "That is quite a lot of styles."

The dragon nodded. "Yes. All of my work is made to order, so as long as I can find good examples I can probably recreate it using modern tools."

"And from what I've seen from the comments, people say your work is very good quality." The hare shifted a little. "So, I have a few questions about that, but we should start at the beginning first. What got you into blacksmithing to begin with? I know a lot of the time it's a family business. Was that the case with you?"

The reptilian laughed. "No. My father did not approve. But it is... um... a long story."

KC motioned with his hand again. "That's what people are here for. Go ahead. The mic is yours, so to speak."

Iron nodded slowly. "Alright. Well, I should say first that I am German. Born in Bonn in 1983, a little bit before reunification. In fact, 8 years to the day before Tag der Deutschen Einheit." He paused a moment. "Uh... that is Unification Day in English. Sorry if I mess a few words up. English is not my fathertongue."

The hare chuckled softly. "It's fine. We have a pretty international group of members, after all. So, you were born while Germany was still split east and west."

The dragon nodded. "Yes. And since Bonn was the capital city before reunification, it was kind of a very busy place. My father moved there to open a business in the late 1970's. He was a butcher." He chuckled. "Actually have a funny story how he met my mother."

"I'd love to hear it."

"Yes. So my father was a butcher. He was preparing some sausages one morning when three very pretty women walked in. He says actress pretty. So pretty he was too busy looking and CHOP! Hit his finger with the knife! Cut almost to the bone!" He chuckles. "So he ends up getting rushed to hospital, fingers wrapped in cold ham. They get him stitches and saved his finger, but the nurse tending to him scolded him every day she changed his bandages. 'Someone in your job should know better!' all the time. He liked how direct she was and asked her on a date. And that was my mother." He let out another chuckle. "So he met his future wife because he was distracted by pretty ladies and nearly lost a finger. They are married a year later, and two years after that I am hatched."

KC couldn't help but chuckle as well. "That is kind of funny. Are they still around?"

Iron nodded. "Yes, but... I do not talk to them much. But it is part of story, so I will get there."

"Oh, sorry. Go ahead and continue."

"Yes." Iron cleared his throat. "So, growing up, my mother got Satellite TV, so I got to see many shows from around the world. A lot of American cartoons, but also anime. And even some American movies when I was a teenager. I liked a lot of fantasy. Big swords and magic. Big fan of Uplander. First movie was the best, but the show was good, too." He gave a big grin, then cleared his throat. "Anyway, just as I had finished school, 2003, I wanted to know more of these things. I heard about something happening soon. Mittelaltermarkt. Translates to Medieval Market. Mostly. Is basically German Renaissance Fair."

KC perked up a little. "Oh! I've always wanted to go to a Renn Fair. Are they different in Germany?"

Iron shook his head. "Don't know. I have never been to one in America. But from what I have seen online, not too different. Maybe smaller. Anyway, this one was in Cologne, big city just north of Bonn. My father was not happy with me spending time going to something like this instead of work, but he let me go anyway. Was amazing! So many in costumes, some very detailed! And I found it that I hate mead." He chuckled, as did KC. "While I was there, I met two people. Most important people in my life. First was a swordsmith. Otami Mizrahim. Jackal from Egypt, but spoke German good enough. He had been in the country for about 20 years. Lived in Cologne. The swords he had for sale were amazing! Big broadswords, longswords, rapiers, even a pair of claymores! Let me try to hold one but it was so heavy I couldn't even lift it!" He laughed again.

KC laughed as well. "Yeah, I've heard those can weigh something like 50 lbs. Uh... what is that, like 80 kilos?"

Iron burst out laughing at that. "NEIN! No. Claymore usually weighs only around 2 and a half kilos. That is 5 or 6 pounds!"

"AH! Sorry, I thought there were more kilos in a pound..." The hare blushed visibly through his fur at his embarrassment.

"No. You are probably mixing with centimeter and inches. More centimeter in an inch, less kilo in a pound." The dragon couldn't stop his chuckling. "The problem is they are so heavy at the top it is heart to lift. Need a good sturdy base at your feet." He cleared his throat again. "Anyway, I had to know how these things were made. So I asked Otami to teach me!"

"And he said yes?"

"Nein! Turned me down on the spot!" He laughed again. "But I kept begging him. Came back the second day and still begged. I wanted to know! So he told me of the hard work it was. Hot forge, hot metal, hitting with hammer over and over, working until your muscles burned and ached and working more. He was trying to scare off a stupid teenager with hard work, but it only made me more exited. I already worked out a little and rode a bike every day when I was as student. I eventually convinced him to let me see his workshop after the market was over. And he showed me how to make a simple iron nail. It was surprising how hard just that was, but I liked seeing how the metal turned into a shape. I'm not sure when he changed his mind and decided to accept me as his apprentice but he did after that. I guess I made a really good nail. Even though he said it was shit." He laughed again.

KC smiled. "You said you met two people at that mitel..." he decided not to embarrass himself again. "Uh... At the market event. Who was the other person?"

Iron nodded. "Yes!" He held up one finger, then turned and called out. "AH! Dünner! Komme her!"

After a moment, a second person came over. "Was ist- OH! Hallo!" The second man was a tall and skinny reptile with almost effeminate curves to his hips. He was also completely naked, those shapely hips right within the camera's view, as well as an impressive member hanging between his legs. It also showed some light tone to his otherwise thin belly and thighs. The two had a brief conversation in German before the lizard swatted Iron's shoulder, only to playfully drop down into his lap and almost lounge against him, one arm over the dragon's shoulder. "Hallo, Heir Casey und D-Gen!"

Iron frowned. "Behave." He turned to the camera again. "Sorry about him. This is my husband, Adelbard."

The lizard gave a big smile. "Or Bard. Or Songmeister on the forums!" He spoke with a much thicker accent than Iron.

Kc smiled. "Hello, Bard."

Bard said something to Iron, once more in their native language. The dragon responded. "I was telling them how we met."

Bard gasped. "Oh! A fun story!"

"Can I tell it?"

"Ja!" Bard giggled, somehow lounging even more against the man.

Iron rolled his eyes. "So while I was begging Otami to train me, this tall, skinny boy walks up, just a bit younger than me, and starts looking at all the swords all lovingly like I was and we started talking and got along. He's good at making me laugh, even back then. So we became fast friends. He was... also a lot more open about being gay."

"Bi!" The lizard corrected. "I'm bi. I just prefer men."

"Close enough. So, we did what teenage boys do and found a nice spot to hide and make out."

"Not all we did..."

Iron cleared his throat. "Yes."

"He is very big!" The lizard held his hands apart, around 33 centimeters, or just over a foot, while mouthing the word 'big' again. KC couldn't help but chuckle.

Iron cleared his throat again, clearly embarrassed. "JA! Uh... Y-yes, we were close quickly!" He regained his composure. "But I had to go back to Bonn soon, so we got numbers and IM names for each other and started talking almost every day. And night. And doing things online with each other." Bard let out a girlish giggle. "A year later we had decided to make it more official. I had been going back and forth to Cologne to learn from Otami and decided to move there to become his apprentice officially. I had already found a flat in Cologne, and Bard would move in with me as he started university." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "So I also had to come out to my father..."

KC winced. "I take it by the tone that didn't go well?"

The dragon shook his head. "No. He threw me out of the house. But I knew he would. He is... old fashioned. Always awkward when your father rants about how bad 'the gays' are when you are one."

KC winced again. "Oof. I can imagine that was pretty rough."

"It was not fun. But I knew he would, so I had already packed bags and was ready to leave. It still hurt a little, though. He has..." He paused for a moment as he tried to think of the right word. "...Disowned me. Still does not talk, but I speak with my mother from time to time." He moved on quickly. "Anyway. So I moved in with Bard and started working under Otami. When Germany legalized gay marriage in 2017 we were officially married but have been together since the end of 2005."

The hare smiled. "Aww, that's sweet! Almost 20 years! Congratulations. Good to see a relationship that lasts. So few do these days."

Iron nodded. "Danke. I also officially took over the workshop from Otami in 2014. He was getting older and wanted to go back to Egypt and his family. So he proclaimed that I was no longer an apprentice and gifted me the workshop and tools... because shipping everything to Egypt would be kind of impossible anyway." He chuckled. "I had also already been selling some of my own creations online under my own name, not just through him or at the markets."

KC grinned wide. "That's awesome! Do you still go to the market things?"

"Oh yes! I sell swords there and Bard... shows off. He likes to dress up."

The green scaled lizard had been staying quiet until then. "If you have it to show off, then show off. A crime not to!"

The hare smirked. "I'm sure most on D-Gen would agree. Speaking of, how did you start selling your swords on D-Gen? Jumping a little ahead, but I've had some people give me questions. One of the big ones is if you are a killer yourself?"

Iron shook his head. "No. I am not." He glanced at the lizard in his lap. "That would be his thing." Bard gave a big smile and a little wave.

"Oh! Did you know that when you two first got together?"

"No. I found out after we had been living together for a few years already." He frowned. "Would have been nice to know earlier..."

Bard giggled. "You still like it!" Iron rolled his eyes, but could not hide his smile.

KC tilted his head. "Care to tell how you found out?"

Iron nodded. "Sure. I came home to find him in the shower, covered head to toe in blood. He had just cut up a mouse, but I came home early. And he gets... um..."

Bard interjected. "I get frisky when I kill someone. I do not fuck the people I kill." He leaned over and kissed Iron's cheek. "I save that for him."

"Yes. He was very... 'frisky' as he says. And even though I was worried, it was... very passionate. I questioned him for 3 days. It wasn't until I refused to have sex until he told me that he finally said what he did."

KC blinked. "How did you react? Not well?"

Iron frowned. "At first I was horrified. And he told me more that he had done, that it was not his first. He had actually killed three people before I even met him. And I was even more scared. That he might kill me."

"I would never!" Bard proclaimed. "If there is one person I will never hurt it ist mein Amboss!"

Iron translated. "Amboss is anvil. He calls me that. Anyway, I was still scared. But, uh..."

The lizard giggled. "He got hard."

Iron frowned. "Yes. I didn't know what to think for a long time. But eventually I learned to accept it. And like Bard said, he has never hurt me."

"And I never will!" Bard looked at the camera. "That is one of the questions that is asked a lot, right? We won't hurt each other."

KC nodded. "Yeah, that was on the list."

Iron continued. "Well, Bard is the one that found D-Gen. Of course. And he told me there were people on there asking about where to buy weapons. Not just guns but blades. So, I kind of offered to sell things there. BoxerBB221 was already selling drugs on the site, and DrLuminescence had just started selling things, so when I offered, they officially started a marketplace to make it more... official." He shrugged. "I do like watching people use my blades in videos. I make sure everything is usable as soon as it arrives."

The hare smiled. "Well, that answers another of the questions in my list. I suppose we should get to those now."

"Go ahead."

KC nodded. "Right. So, as I said, I asked the forums to submit some questions for you. I weeded out the worst of them, but some are a bit... odd." He chuckled. "You know how our users are."

Iron smirked. "Oh yes. Go ahead. I don't mind odd questions."

KC took a breath. "Alright. Might as well get one of the odd ones out of the way. 'What is up with your scales?' I think they mean are your scales different than other dragons? I noticed they have a bit more... shine. So~ what kind of dragon are you? And while we're at it, what kind of lizard is Bard, if you don't mind saying? I'm sure someone would have asked that if they knew he was here."

Iron chuckled. "Yes, I get that a lot. So, I am an Eiserner Drache. Ahn... Iron Dragon. It is why I named myself that. Yes, I get the irony." He chuckled a little, emphasizing 'iron' in the world. "But my scales are not pure iron or anything. Actually very little. Enough that I take care so they do not rust, but that is it. Unlike fantasy stories, dragon scales are very bad for crafting. Maybe embellishments on armour, but even then not good, and never weapons. Too brittle, and they cannot be tempered like steel." He then said something to Bard.

The lizard nodded. "Me? I am a green anole. Just a skinny lizard, not a dragon. Nothing special about my scales other than how pretty they are."

"And smooth. His scales are very smooth." Iron ran his hand gently against his husband's shoulder, which got a sigh from the skinnier reptile. "Very nice to rub against."

KC smirked. "I'll bet. Alright, well, you mentioned armor. Do you make armor, too, or just weapons? And do you only make blades, or other kinds of melee weapons?"

Iron nodded. "I have made armour before, but... I'm not good at it. I like blades more. I mostly make swords, daggers, a few axes, but I have made clubs, maces, and a couple hammers. But I think they are kind of boring most of the time. There are more fun blade styles."

The hare nodded back. "That leads nice into the next question. Is there a favorite creation you've made? A least favorite? One you absolutely hated making?

Bard scoffed, grumbling something under his breath, which made Iron smirk. "Yes, I have both. I'll start with the least favorite. Bard had to put up with me complaining the whole time, so he remembers it well, too. It was a really big and ornate sword from a fantasy video game. But it was so ridiculously overdesigned that it was very hard to make. It had holes all in the blade and spiky bits at the base, and a tiny handle. It kept bending and breaking and I had to keep starting over. Even just getting the blade to hold shape was difficult. I eventually had to use a frame and mold the steel around it and use hidden pins to keep it in place. Still fragile. Told the buyer it was NOT for use other than show for cosplay. One hard swing and the thing would snap at the handle. I'm never doing something like that again."

"Wow. What about your favorite?"

The dragon smiled. "That is... it's actually not anything fancy." He said something to Bard, the lizard nodding and slipping off of his lap and walking out of camera range. A moment later, he came back, dropping once more into Iron's lap. He also held up a long, straight-edged dagger with a black blade and a curved tip. "This is the first dagger I made for Bard after I learned about his... hobby."

"It's my favorite, too!" Bard giggled, turning the knife like he was presenting jewelry on a shopping channel.

Iron continued. "It normally sits in a display near our bed. He has used it a few times."

KC couldn't help but smile again. "Very sweet." He looked back at the question list. "In a similar topic, do you have any materials you like to work with? Any special materials you use?"

Iron nodded. "Yes. I mostly work with steel, of course. It is easiest. But there is a new one I have been playing around with. It was provided from a... friend on the forums, but they said not to say more." He didn't want to reveal the person calls themselves an alchemist. "He has given me something called... uh... give me a moment. Nanocarbon Iron Tungstite weave." He shook his head and shrugged. "It is an alloy of Iron, Carbon, and Tungsten, but... I don't know how it works, apparently mixed in some new way to make it lighter and have a bit more flexibility while maintaining its shape."

He saw the slightly confused look KC gave him. "I should explain. Metal has many properties. More than 'is hard.' When making weapons, especially longer things like swords, you need to worry about how hard and also how flexible the metal is. Too hard and it will snap. Too flexible and it will just bend. And too heavy and you cannot lift or swing it. It is a balance. It is why real swords never got as big as anime shows. But this alloy is very helpful. It is strong to keep shape, but has enough flexibility so it will not snap. It is also resistant to chipping, which is good. And it is a lot lighter than just pure steel or regular iron tungstite alloy, which I have used, too." He smirks. "It also looks really neat. The metal is black when cooled, and can have patterns etched into it to stand out. It has been a challenge to learn how to mold it. It has to be kept hotter or it will harden too fast. I have made a few shorter blades with it recently. Dagger, Kris blade. I do a lot of Kris blades. Uh... did a tanto disguised as a flashlight with it, that was an interesting piece to work on. Oh, I do hidden weapons, too. Lots of cane swords."

"Wow. That's pretty cool!" KC looked back at his list. "Uh... oh...kay, here is another odd one. You mentioned that you're not a killer, but have you ever killed anyone? And... the odd part... have you ever dropped an anvil on someone?"

Iron could not help but burst out laughing again. When he explained the question to Bard, the lizard also suddenly started to laugh. "I have never killed anyone myself. And no, I have never dropped an anvil like a cartoon. I have banged my foot against it a bunch."

The hare nodded. "That's actually good for a follow up. I imagine being a blacksmith means you've hurt yourself more than a few times. Any really bad injuries?"

"Oh yes, I have hurt myself many times. Banged a finger, stubbed a toe, more burns and cuts than I can count. Leaning over a furnace hot enough to melt steel, you get burned a lot. Dragon scales only help so much. Same with making blades. You get cut a lot. Scales help, but still hurts." He thought a moment. "My worst..."

Bard offered a suggestion. "The clamps."

Iron nodded. "Oh, yes. That would be the worst. Had a sword I was making slip out of the clamps holding it down. It was not a sword yet, just a red-hot piece of soft steel. I didn't secure it enough and when I hit it with the hammer, it slipped right out and flew right at me. Hit me in the chest. Burned through my clothing, scorched my scales. Good thing I do not have fur or I would have been on fire!" He laughed.

Bard continued the story. "I had to take him to hospital for that one. But~" His voice got singsong. "They gave him a burn cream that had to be applied everyday, which I did. So I got to rub his sexy chest everyday. That was nice."

"You do that anyway."

"Ja, but I got to care for you." He leaned up and kissed Iron's cheek.

KC gave a wistful smile as he watched the couple be cute. "Another... I guess strange one. Do you ship internationally?"

Iron chuckled. "Ja! Of course I do! D-Gen is easier, but I get a lot of customers from America and Britain. And quite a few from Japan... which always surprises me. Never for kananas, though. Normally anime swords for there. But yes. D-Gen shipping is always easier."

KC nodded. "That is true. Anyone that has ever ordered from the marketplace knows how the unmarked packages seem to discretely appear on their doorstep."

Bard chimed up. "I still think they use fairies for deliverymen." Almost true. D-Gen used a magic gateway system and kobolds. Not that any of the men present in the interview knew this.

KC looked through his questions. "Well, I think that's all the important or notable questions. So I'll ask my usual ones. Do either of you have a favorite way to kill? Or I guess favorite kill to watch, in your case? And do you have a preferred way to get killed, if any?"

The two spoke in German for a moment. Iron answered first. "I like watching people use my blades. Cutting, gutting, chopping pieces. It's all good. Don't have any way I would want to go. Not my thing. Guess as long as I'm with Bard if it happened."

Bard answered next. "Cutting. I like cutting necks open, watching cute boys squirm around and grab at their neck like they can stop it. Girls too, of course, but mostly cute boys." He thought a moment. "Dunno about how I would want to go, either. Like the big man said, as long as we are together, then I'm find however it might happen."

"Alright. Do either of you have any favorite creators that you like watching?"

After another exchange, both shook their head. Bard spoke up first. "I kind of like watching SamDBorse do things. She can be messy. I watched some of that big red dragon, but he went and got killed pretty quick. Um... I dunno."

Iron answered next. "Same here, not really any one favorite. Like I said, I just like seeing my creations being used."

KC nodded. "So, Bard, you're the killer of the two, but I don't think I've ever seen you post anything. Do you have any videos or picture collections posted?"

Bard shook his head. "Nein. I save those for him." He bumped Iron with his elbow. "They are private. But I don't do sex with my kills, so I don't post anything."

"Fair enough. Well, guess I'll skip if either of you have anything coming up then. So, I think that's about everything I have for today. I'm sure it's getting pretty late over there."

"Early." Iron corrected. "It is almost 5:00 in the morning." Bard nodded, though still seemed to have quite a bit of energy.

"Oh! Well, I'll let the two of you go then. Thank you for joining me today. Both of you!"

Iron nodded. "Yeah. Not a problem. Thanks for asking me."

Bard smiled and waved. "Thanks for letting me barge in!"

KC smirked. "Not a problem. Glad you were able to be here, too." He looked more directly at the camera. "And thanks to everyone watching this! I know I said I was going to interview our big mod Phantom_Stripe, but with everything going on with the member hunter in AF right now... mods are a little busy. Maybe once all of that is cleared up. I'll see if I can get someone else on. Until then, you all take care, and I will catch you in the next one!"

Iron and Bard both waved again, the green lizard saying "Tschüss!" The view then shifted to a similar screen as the intro, only with the words 'Thanks for watching' at the bottom. The video ended a moment after that.

*     *     *
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