Kovac was born to one of the last Kavosh tribes left in Arethil. The Seret Mountains were harsh and cold, brought up on root vegetables and whatever could be killed that wandered into the valley below. Like all of his kind, his magic abilities were apparent from a very early age, being able to conjure up fire and lift objects with his mind long before he could read.

His kin, however, had survived the many genocides of their kind through hiding such abilities. Very early on in his childhood, braces were placed on his wrists, restricting his magical abilities. Along with these braces, a hammer was gripped tightly in his hands, and his training as a Blacksmith begun.

In their tribe, they believed they were descendants of the great Orgoden, Smith of the Gods, the metal of his blood running through their veins. This was how they survived so long, they'd tell Kovac, posing as ordinary men, constructing weapons and armour for the varying armies of man. They believed their skills were the greatest in the world, swords so sharp that their steel could cut through stone, and armour so light that it made their warriors move faster.

Once he reached adulthood, he would often go with his father to Elbion to construct stave-caps and shields. His father, Edward, believed that by keeping busy and by working, they could tire themselves in order to further restrain their magical ability. There was rarely a moment in Kovac's life that didn't involve hitting steel with steel, and seeing sparks fly past his vision.

However, with the coming of Drakomir, the Dragon that rose from the Forbidden City, it was believed the Mountains would no longer be safe for their kind, most sailing to the unmapped lands. Kovac, however, desired to stay in Arethil, and see if he could carve a life out for himself elsewhere, and spread the experience of his kin, and the roar of their metal.