Andras was a talented young man during the earlier days of his youth and soon gained the notice of his Clan’s spiritual leader. Deep within the heart of the Bitterfrost Mountains, these barbarians dwelled in comfortable but permanent settlements that were built to withstand the test of time and inclement weather. Through blizzards, hail, and ice storms, these tough and impossibly strong warriors survived the long winters until the melting of the snow gave way to their celebrations of life and renewal. It was during one such celebration that the aging shaman leader declared that the ills of the world were upon him and that he would soon be departing the realm of the living. This was a great exaggeration, as this ‘feeling’ was often followed by five, or even ten years of life, or longer.
As was customary among their people, the magic-wielding witch would choose three to four suitable heirs from the vast population of young and healthy, eligible males. For several years, up until the time of his death, these young men barbarians had no will of their own, and their sole purpose for existence would be to learn the art of communicating with the spirits. When the shaman felt that both were ready, one was chosen as his immediate successor to step forward into the role of spiritual leader over their clan while the other surviving barbarians became lesser shamans. All who undertook the training did not survive.
The clan was over seven hundred strong, and over a hundred were available men of an appropriate age for this great honor. The gift of magic was treated as a terrible and dangerous gift by the barbarians of Clan Stoneguard. This great responsibility as a possible leader, no matter the boon and the reward that he would gain, was not worth the sacrifice, and his refusal to accept the commitment into the Brotherhood resulted in immediate exile upon penalty of death if he were to ever return without returning to his people with a gift of great value to their people.
Many months would pass since then as longing for home and endless wandering soon paved the way to loneliness. Eventually Andras would stumble upon Nanthalion where he made his new home, acquired good friends, and became hopelessly devoted to the protection of a small pixie named Breena that did not view him as an uncivilized barbarian, but accepted him as her Master and a man of great honor.