When Huo Tian-Zhe arrived in Willowshore with his blacksmith father from Karahai about five years ago to assist with the maintenance of Willowshore's dam, the urban-born son thought he was about to show the “second-rated smiths of the countryside” how to get things done. Quickly, Tian-Zhe realized his own skills were subpar to even the youngest apprentice of the Eternal Blaze and that his fancily-designed farm gadgets were more akin to toys than machines of marvels. Humbled, Tian-Zhe asked his father to stay in Willowshore so he could learn to be a “smith of use.” Begrudgingly accepting the abrupt request, Tian-Zhe’s father nevertheless gave his son a handful of gold to order a new shop sign. As a reminder to himself, Tian-Zhe boldly named his workshop “Second Best.”
In the last five years, Tian-Zhe's products have garnered some loyal customers, and his knowledge of machinery won over Yong Wu-Xiu such that the smith tasked him with the maintenance of the dam.