Andrei Ransom

Andrei Ransom, spouse of Maria and father of Marcus, was a little-known Pendragon of the Fourth Age. He is little celebrated outside of Arindell as he did not travel often. However, within the city, he is considered a legend.

Early Life

Andrei was born a Craftsmen and raised in their village outside of Arindell. While he showed great early skill at forging metal, he began training in weapons, and pursued traditional rolls more as a study than a true discipline. As a youth, Andrei refused to focus on any one aspect of crafting, instead studying everything with great vigor, but never developing a sizable level of skill in any one area. He was considered a skilled smith by normal standards, but qualified only as medicour to poor among his own people. For this, he was rejected, and spent many years estranged from his family.

At the age of 16, Andrei came to Stormwind Keep in order to take The Trials. During this time, he had little contact with his people. This was not uncommon, as craftsmen who left the village were often unwelcome.

But Andrei completed his Trials, and in A.Y. 4529, was annointed as a Slayer Dragon. His return home to be fitted for Regalia was bittersweet, as old family and friends still did not respect his life choices. Then Andrei surprised them all by taking up a hammer and assisting in the forging of his own weapons and armor.

Slayer Dragon and Pendragon

Andrei was extremely well-liked by the other Slayer Dragons even before his anointing. His knowledge of the making and design of magical weapons helped them improve their own equipment. His first act as Pendragon was to design all-new gear for his Slayer Dragons.

While the craftsmanship remained as high as ever, the general functionality and power of the crafted Slayer Dragon armor improved dramatically during Andrei's time. Before, craftsmen had little knowledge of how to use the weapons they made, while Slayer Dragons and the First File had no understanding of how they were created. Andrei bridged that gap.

He wrote numerous manuals and textbooks, and changed the Slayer Dragon training to include sections on crafting. These focused on theory and concept, giving future Slayer Dragons just enough understanding to properly instruct the craftsmen in what they needed.

Death

Andrei as mortally wounded in battle, and died shortly after passing the sword to his successor, one of the Slayer Dragons whom he had personally trained and groomed for the role. A great deal of public outcry surrounded Andrei's death, as it was thought he died because of a lack of skill in combat. The Pendragon is supposed to be a great warrior.

However, the Slayer Dragons who fought beside Andrei when he was injured maintained that it was by no lack of skill, but rather the simple overwhelming odds. The outcry died away quickly, and Andrei was buried with full honors in the Valley of Sleeping Dragons.