Androz Irontrunk

Androz Irontrunk was born to a poor family in the Styes, a dark and grimy neighborhood of Ravnica’s Tenth District. His father, a struggling fishmonger, worked tirelessly to make ends meet, while his mother battled a crippling illness—sewer plague—making it impossible for her to work. Despite their hardships, Androz was loved deeply by his parents, and they did what they could to provide for him, though their options were limited.   When Androz was just four years old, tragedy struck. His mother’s condition worsened, and his father’s small fish stall was failing. Desperate for a solution, his parents turned to the Simic Combine, the guild known for its biological experiments and mutations. Desperate to save his wife, his father agreed to the Simic’s terms—Androz would be the subject of a mysterious experiment in exchange for a sum of coin. The Simic Combine performed an arcane procedure on young Androz, altering his body and unlocking an ancient curse within him: lycanthropy. He was transformed into a werewolf.   Though the Simic Combine released Androz back to his family, it was clear that the experiment had gone wrong. His body became uncontrollable, and his lycanthropic urges were overpowering. After the transformation, Androz was no longer the innocent boy his parents had known. Unable to care for him and terrified of the danger he posed, Androz’s parents abandoned him to the streets, unsure of how to save him or what to do with their monstrous son. Cast out into the unforgiving world of the Undercity, Androz’s childhood ended in abandonment, and he began the lonely path of survival in a harsh, unforgiving environment.   Androz spent the next decade alone, wandering the dark alleys of Ravnica’s Undercity, struggling to control the new monstrous side of himself. As a young Loxodon, he was already far stronger than most, but his lycanthropy twisted his mind, and the curse made him a dangerous creature. He was a true “lone wolf,” never staying in one place for long and avoiding contact with others as much as possible. His presence scared people, and his uncontrollable transformations kept everyone at arm’s length.   Androz’s life on the streets was a harsh one. He learned to survive through scavenging and self-reliance, but he never made any meaningful connections with others. His lycanthropic urges became a constant battle, and he spent many sleepless nights hiding in the shadows, terrified of what he might do. His inability to control the transformation made him a pariah.   When he was 16, Androz’s life took a darker turn. Captured by the Rakdos Cult, he was thrown into a cage as part of their twisted exhibits, a spectacle for the depraved audiences who came to watch. The Cult threw buckets of blood into his cage, pushing him further into his werewolf form and ensuring his transformation remained permanent. His body became a grotesque display for their entertainment, and he was muzzled to prevent him from attacking the audience. His torment continued for years as he was abused, mocked, and displayed as an animal.   At the age of 22, Androz's life changed when the Boros Legion raided a Rakdos Cult performance gone wrong. As the Boros broke up the festivities, they discovered Androz locked in a cage, his body ravaged by years of blood-based experimentation. They realized something was wrong, especially when they saw him transform back into his Loxodon form upon being freed. Androz was grateful for his release, and he owed the Boros Legion a debt of gratitude.   Noticing his potential, a senior member of the Boros Legion invited Androz to join their ranks, recognizing him as an unusual and powerful asset. Androz, still haunted by his past, saw this as an opportunity to finally have some sense of purpose. He was no longer a helpless victim. The Legion’s structure and discipline provided him with the stability he had never known. His time in the Boros Legion helped him reestablish some sense of normalcy, although he continued to struggle with the duality of his nature.   The Boros trained Androz rigorously, and over time, he began to come to terms with his dual identity. His Loxodon nature made him a solid, steadfast soldier, but his lycanthropy was an unpredictable and dangerous side that he needed to control. He faced the toughest challenge of his life: reconciling his two selves. Some of his fellow soldiers looked at him with fear or disdain, but Androz formed close bonds with his platoon, who accepted him despite his terrifying nature. Among them, Androz found camaraderie and a sense of belonging.   Androz quickly rose through the ranks of the Boros Legion, his combat skills and knowledge making him an invaluable asset. By the age of 35, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. The discipline of the Boros helped him control his lycanthropic side, but it was still a constant battle. His identity became more and more intertwined with the Legion, and he came to associate his worth with his service to them.   However, Androz’s path took a dark turn when he participated in the Final Battle of the Ravnica Civil War. The conflict was brutal, and Androz’s involvement in the fighting changed him forever. The chaos of the battle unleashed something deep within him, and his split personality began to manifest in more troubling ways. In his Loxodon form, he became cautious, fearful, and reluctant to engage in the dangers of the battlefield. But when he transformed into his werewolf form, he became a fearsome, fearless commander who rushed headlong into battle without concern for consequences. This change in behavior caused a rift within Androz’s psyche, and he no longer felt whole. His duality threatened to fracture his ability to function, and it weighed heavily on his ability to mentor and lead his soldiers.   During the next decade, Androz became more introspective, reflecting on his life and the events that led him to where he was. Without the call of the battlefield holding his attention, the hatred toward the Simic Combine began to fester inside him. He blamed them for the horrific experiment that had changed his life forever. Androz's mental state became more volatile, and he could no longer avoid his anger. In his werewolf form, he secretly carved a vow into his skin, swearing vengeance against the Simic Combine. It was a reminder he could never forget, even when his Loxodon form tried to suppress it.   Androz's bond with Kaelen Vornsk, the soldier who had freed him from the Rakdos Cult, deepened during this period. Kaelen became a true brother to Androz, seeing past his werewolf form and understanding the pain that Androz carried. Together, they fought side by side in the Legion, and Kaelen helped keep Androz grounded during his darkest times.   But Androz’s inner turmoil continued to grow. His self-loathing and desire for vengeance against the Simic Combine consumed him. He began to distance himself from his comrades, unable to deal with the growing conflict within his own mind.   As Androz entered his 50s, his reputation within the Boros Legion began to shift. He had proven himself in countless battles, but the toll of his inner turmoil started to affect his ability to lead effectively. Androz spent more time reflecting on his actions, teaching the younger soldiers the importance of considering the consequences before diving headfirst into battle. His advice was met with resistance from his superiors, who criticized him for being too cautious and "soft." Androz knew, however, that his approach saved lives, even if his comrades couldn't see it.   His physical health remained robust, but his mental state continued to deteriorate. Some days, his Loxodon form dominated his mind, and he sought peace and contemplation. Other days, the ferocity of his werewolf form took over, leading him to make rash decisions. The struggle between these two identities made it increasingly difficult for Androz to find stability.   During this decade, Androz resumed his search for the Simic scientist who had altered his life forever. His investigation grew more obsessive, as he dug deeper into what information he could find of the Simics, trying to piece together the mystery of his transformation. At the age of 67, Androz found himself relegated to less active roles within the Boros Legion. His superiors, wary of his volatile nature, began to distance him from both battle and mentorship. Though he remained loyal to the Legion, his sense of purpose began to wane. He sought new meaning in his life, feeling increasingly lost and disconnected from the ideals he once held dear.