The older gent is Forgehand Breck’s father, Helvin Breck. Helvin is also a Forgehand of Deknar the Smith and is currently the most senior Forgehand in Andern.

I like Sentinel Hale so much I had to drop in an extra strip for his intro.

Carlos is working through some things.

Seems like a legit question. (Also, this is a bit of a nod to the original Karthun arc, as Rien and Jeda were the first to appear with the Iron King).