Ford is the son of a very capable blacksmith from Heldren and a waitress and daughter of a tavern owner. By all accounts, neither of them had a history of anything outrageous or magically potent in their heritages. So it was a bit strange when Ford was born and started changing the colors of his crib and conjuring balls of magical light before he could walk and talk. As he developed, he showed an affinity for fiery magic, conjuring flames from nothing, his hiccups sometimes setting things alight. His parents were soundly baffled at what had become of their son, worried something might have cursed him. Consulting with arcane scholars, his parents were markedly baffled to learn that the cause for Ford's strange behavior was not anything malicious, but hereditary: somewhere in Ford's family tree was a dragon. A red one, specifically. Yet something about him was distinctly unique. He didn't display the usual traits of those with arcane blood, but instead, seemed more in tune with his draconic ancestor's memories. Ford could recall things he never knew or learned before. He seemed almost primed for a fight, even at a young age, though mercifully, he was never violent. If anything, he was jovial, sociable, and more interested in conversation than picking a fight.
As Ford grew older, his arcane affinity grew... as did his forceful personality. He was regularly the leader of the kids in his neighborhood, sometimes getting into trouble, sometimes leading the charge against bullies. Ford had an insatiable lust for adventure (and by the time he was a teen, a lust for the ladies as well), but he also had a knack for blacksmithing like his father. If anything, he was a prodigy at it, and he developed a love of fine craftsmanship for metal items. Weapons in particular struck his fancy, and his room is a treasure trove of pieces he is particularly proud of or simply acquired in his time with his dad. He joined the town guard, hoping that a bit of duty would bring him some excitement to fill his palate, but in a small southern town like Heldren, adventure was a bit hard to come by. Maybe a good boar hunt or chasing some thieves now and again, but nothing to whet his whistle.
However, the sudden drop in temperature and the reports of snows at the height of a Taldan summer is an intriguing situation... but also a worrying one. As much as Ford is spoiling for a good mysterious adventure, the bizarre weather is hitting a touch too close to home. Ford likes danger, but not when it threatens his family and village. Even worse was the news that something had attacked a passing noble and her bodyguard was dragged in looking awful. Something is wrong in the woods near Heldren, and Ford has volunteered to lead in the investigation into the danger. While it may worry his parents, Ford knows that as a town guard and resident, it's his job to investigate.
And besides, who better to answer unseasonable cold weather than someone who has fiery magic coursing through his blood?