Andrew

Andrew is a northern baron rescued from a werecreature siege by Leylin Farlier's party. Recognizing that the north cannot withstand the orc advance, he surrenders his remaining authority to Leylin and evacuates his family.

Biography

Rescue and hospitality

Andrew's northern castle is under siege by werecreatures when Leylin Farlier's forces arrive. After the attackers are swept away, the middle-aged baron opens the gates and thanks both Leylin and high-ranked wizard Cassley. Cassley claims the rescue publicly, but Andrew notices the soldiers' anger and the unresolved rivalry between the two wizards. He responds by ensuring that neither party is neglected rather than committing himself before he knows who holds the real advantage. (Chapters 907–908)

The hospitality costs him real resources. The northern war has depleted harvests and stores, yet Andrew provides lodging, retainers, and a generous banquet because alienating either armed faction would be more dangerous than scarcity. His political awareness keeps his household out of the wizards' immediate conflict, though it cannot preserve an independent position once Cassley is killed. (Chapters 907–915)

Leaving the north

After Cassley's death, Andrew joins other nobles in reporting that werecreatures killed the officer and signs Leylin's battle-merit account under obvious coercion. Leylin divides Cassley's troops, horses, and rations among the signatories after defeating their allied force, making them complicit beneficiaries as well as prisoners. Andrew understands the ruthlessness of the arrangement but recognises that refusal offers no protection. (Chapters 915–916)

Unlike nobles who still hope to bargain with the invading orcs, Andrew accepts that the north cannot survive the assault or the winter famine. He gives up the status of castle lord and remains with Leylin's departing force, asking only to retrieve fewer than one hundred family members with their own supplies. Trading land and title for a chance to resettle farther south is his one decisive independent choice, and it prioritises family survival over a doomed claim to authority. (Chapter 917)

Appearance and personality

Andrew is a middle-aged noble who repeatedly wipes his anxious face with a silk handkerchief. Fearful and eager to please stronger figures, he is nonetheless observant, hospitable despite scarcity, and decisive enough to abandon an indefensible title for his family's survival. (Chapters 907–917)

Magic, bloodline, and abilities

Andrew has no stated Professional class, spellcasting, martial technique, or supernatural bloodline. His effective resources are a fortified castle, retainers, soldiers, food stores, seals recognised by other nobles, and practical knowledge of northern politics. All are institutional and exhaustible: the siege requires outside rescue, famine drains his stores, and Leylin's stronger force can compel his signature and absorb his troops. His demonstrated skill is political observation and adaptation, not personal combat. (Chapters 907–917)

Relationships

• Leylin Farlier: Rescuer and later commander to whom Andrew yields his forces.
• Cassley: Silverymoon wizard whose rivalry with Leylin Andrew observes cautiously.

Items

• Silk handkerchief: Repeatedly used to wipe his face under stress. (Chapter 917)
• White horse: A conspicuous noble mount he brings while travelling with Leylin's force; no supernatural quality is established. (Chapter 917)