Andris Galati

Nicknamed the Black Snow and the half blood Prince, Andris is the father to two sons, Galiron and Garcia. He is a half elf, half human and was conceived in an act of cruelty during the time when the Atholians ransacked the Elvish Glades. His unusual raven hair is a reminder of his impurity and forever haunts his existence. He is notorious for his brash actions as a teenager that spread his name far and wide. Regarded as the greatest swordsman who has ever lived, he was considered to be the perfect warrior who fought with power and grace. He is the adtoped son of Darnell Tassinari and later Dalzell and is the blood brother of his adopted sibling and friend Damani Tassinari. Whilst he rejects his ties with Athol, he is the son of King Mateusz. He was killed during the siege of the Alpine garrison by his half brother Saturoz.

Early Years

Growing up Andris hated not only himself but also the man that bred his existence. This fuelled his desire to become a warrior in hopes of one day getting revenge. Andris stole a sword from the storage shed, an Atholian relic from the war and with his physique was able to wield it with ease. Quickly it was apparent that he had talent and his theft was forgiven by his adopted father who cited that Andris was free to use the sword to find his place in the world. His bulky figure along with his black hair made him stick out like a sore thumb. He was spared however from mockery by Maester Darnell who made it decree that the boy was innocent and that he would not stand for any intolerance towards the child. This gave Andris a huge admiration for the Maester and assured him that Leuven was and always would be his home.

A Legend is Born

At age 14, still Andris struggled whilst trying to grasp the use of alchemy. Whilst his teacher Dalzell never doubted his ability, Andris was adament his impure blood was holding him back and It wasn't until the promise of traveling with Darnell on a journey to Kona did Andris finally grasp the will of fire but he was too late the Maester had already departed.

Still Andris followed Darnell to Kona who was unaware that the boy was following him to the western capital. Mistaking a comment made by one of the guards, Galiron mistakenly assumed the Maester was in danger and quickly reacted injuring several guards and a royal member until finally he was subdued. He was pardoned by the man he injured Hadrian, Prince of Kona on three citations; One for his bravery, second for his skill with a blade and third for his dedication to his Maester. It was at this time Andris showed Darnell that he had indeed finally mastered how to cast fire.

Upon hearing that Darnell was not returning to Leuven but onwards towards somewhere dangerous it became apparent that Galiron would have to stay in Kona until such a time someone was able to bring him home. After the Maesters party left the city which included Prince Hadrian and Prince Karadin. Andris heard tell of a destination, Athol. Andris quickly rushed out of the castle and nestled himself slyly in the carriage carrying the royals. When he was discovered and abruptly woken by Hadrian, he realised that the Maester was no longer within the party. Hadrian cited a fourth reason why he was pardoned. His stupidity. Too late to turn back and no idea where the Maester had gone. It was decided that Andris would be brought to the Atholian capital with them.

Upon reaching the capital, it was decided that Andris be bound and hidden away for his safety in such a volatile area when it was apparent that Andris was certainly going to create a fuss. Burning his bounds he indeed managed to escape and whilst the royals were having counsel with the King of Athol, Andris was dragged in before them.

It was at this moment Andris learned of his heritage. Unbeknownst to him, his father was Mateusz, King of Athol who didn't help but gloat and mock the boy dubbing him the half blood Prince. Andris broke free and grabbed a sword, rushing Mateusz he was thwarted by the Prince of Athol who was his equal in strength. Besting Saturoz, Andris stopped only on the threat made to Hadrian's life by the Atholian King.

The Second Snow Elven Migration As the weather deteriorated on the mountain, it was decided that the Silver Mountains could no longer be deemed a safe environment for the Snow Elves. Even for them it the weather was too severe and thus a mass exodus was planned by Maester Dalzell. A new home was suggested by King Tobias who gifted land holding the old war garrison north of the alpine forest. This was deemed a suitable location by both the Maester who agreed to take his people and leave Leuven. Tobias sent his two sons Hadrian and Karadin, along with Princess Geraldin and Astrin ahead of time to assist with the migration off the mountain should they Snow Elves agree with his recommendation. Hadrian and Geraldin arrived in Leuven whilst Karadin and Astrin were to secure the garrison and wait.

As they passed through the mountain pass during their descent it became apparent that the the garrison had been attacked. From who or what it was unsure. Damani ordered Andris to assist Hadrian as they rushed to the aid of the garrison. Damani and his archer unit diverted up an adjacent path to a vantage point above the garrison whilst Andris rode straight for the western gate with his swords drawn and helped repel the fiends. The Northern Reaches

Andris was tasked to lead an expedition to the Northern Reaches to investigate the effects of climate change and took Garica and Darius with him. There they pinned a wooden post into the ground one hundred meters from the edge. A year later Darius and Garcia would return examine the same place and determine the outcome. Andris who had once trained here notes of how much more desolate the place has become.

The Siege of the Alpine Garrison

A year later as Darius lead the second expedition along with Garcia into the north to find the results of their test from a year before, the garrison was attacked by fiends. Attacking in unusually large numbers, the Snow Elves found themselves unable to drive back the overwhelming and found themselves at the mercy of outside help once again. Forced to ignite a smoke signal in hopes of reinforcement they could only hope to hold out until help arrived. Andris fought with little rest for a full day and found strength again that night to drive the enemy from the gates to allow the returning party of Darius and Garcia to safely get back in through the north gate. Returning confused what had happened in their absence both parties had answers but neither had the energy to ask the questions as Andris could but only embrace his son. Finally Darius broke the news of the sighting they had of a dragon up north.Soon after the Atholian's arrive on the north eastern cliff and it is revealed that Mateusz has somehow garnered the power to control the fiends of darkness. Threatening to burn the wooden garrison to the ground, Dalzell insists that he will go speak to Mateusz in a vain attempt to if anything buy time for reinforcements to arrive blaming himself for his decision to relocate his people to somewhere so vulnerable. Andris tells the elder not to be sorry and instead praises him on his foresight having see what became of the Northern Reaches there was no doubt that staying in Leuven would have resulted in certain death but pleas Dalzell not to throw his life away citing that even if he has to kill every one of the enemy himself. Dalzell laughs and says its been a while since I seen that side of you. Damani as acting Maester respecting his fathers decision agrees. Dalzell says that he believes everyone is born to do one great thing in our lives. Andris replies that Dalzell has done many great things no matter how small and thanks him for guiding him through his life.

The Old Guard and the New

When reinforcements come and Andris is reunited with Galiron. The three embrace and then decide to bring the fight by securing the fence around the garrison. Whilst fighting together Andris gets a glimpse of Saturoz in the wood and follows him down to the river. Garcia and Galiron quickly follow after him. Galiron is the first to come across the Atholian Prince and classes with him near the riverbed. Some fiends appear and the trio are surrounded but begin to fight off the horde. Still tired from almost two days of fighting Andris is blind sighted then he sees two incoming attacks coming on both his sons. Unable to react with his usual haste he can only throw him in front of the attack and his mortally wounded. Satuorsz deals the final fatal blow but not before Andris can drop his sword and grab his half brother by the neck. Summoning the last of his strength and casting a mighty flame, Andris delcared his unwavering loyalty to the Snow Elves of the Silver Mountains as his grip loosens and Saturosz holding his still burning neck retreats into the treeline. As Andris is bleeding out he tells his sons that fighting alongside them even for that short period was one of his proudest moments as a father. After the battle. Damani insisted that his blood brother Andris be taken with them as they retreated towards Kona and made it a priority to make a diversion so that Andris can be laid to rest beside his wife at the ancestral burial site within the elvish glades citing he forever walked as one of us and so he shall lie forever as one.

Legacy of the Black Snow

The sons of Andris finally avenged both their fathers killer but also the man that Andris hated most, his father during the siege of Athol. Garcia, like his father worked as the right hand man of Maester Darius as the Snow Elves returned to Leuven. Galiron rejected any claim he had to the Atholian throne and left the Knights of Cilbean to became a personal guard to King Hadrian of Kona who succeeded the late King Tobis who died at the battle for Lucere. Galiron's first born son named Calibor inherited the famous black hair of the legendary swordsman of Leuven.