The capital of the Old World is a busy citadel where trades are refined and money is made. Being an apprentice to a gunsmith since he could walk, Grubby would always get his mitts on any gun or piece of machinery to take apart to try and put back together. His duties included making bullets, polishing and cleaning tools around the shop. In his off time he studied blueprints to become a proper blacksmith himself. Customers from all over the world came into the shop always with a grand story about their exploits and every time Grubby would listen in awe. Grubby earned little to nothing from his apprenticeship but he didn't mind. Garbage was always free and he didn't mind, a meal is a meal.
One day a retired guild member came into the shop, coming from the new world. He spoke of some organization called the Consortium of Artificers which researched alchemical and magical items. Enraptured Grubby spent what little he had saved paying alchemists to impart their knowledge unto him. Herbalists, alchemists, and even other gunsmiths would give small tid bits of knowledge for a couple gold. Grubby decided to quit his apprenticeship and head for the New World. His first stop would be the Consortium in the hopes they would let him join.