The Sword Smith

The Sword Smith is a low fantasy fiction novel by American writer Eleanor Arnason, published in 1978 by Condor.

Unlike other fantasy novels which follow the traditional quest-formula, this novel subtly examines various themes of prejudice, artistic aspirations versus pragmatism, stoic acceptance of life and the right of a man to enjoy simple freedom, without weaving a grand major plot.

Despite being not a fighter and having a limp, Limper demonstrates wit and a strong instinct for survival necessary in his pursuit to follow his own path.

In this world, adult dragons were the size of adult humans, but were supposedly more advanced, having built cities when humans were still living in crude mud huts.

It is revealed that dragons were sophisticated creatures and superior craftsmen compared to humans, but as the human race became dominant, many dragons sought to protect their culture by retreating underground.