Branden Wolfheart

**Branden Wolfheart**, though also known as **Brendan**, is the eldest child of Elenora Wolfheart and Robert Reed. He attended the Andafort Academy, graduating from the departments of navigation and astrology, as well as a major in geometry and algebra. In late 1227 AL, he set out on his ship the *Lady Malentine* to try and discover the eastern side of the continent of Lynd under the banner of Northgard, but ended up discovering the continent of Ardland

He later co-authored and published a series of books alongside his wife in the mid-thirteenth century, called *The Voyages of Saint Branden*. After posthumously labeled as a saint of both the Nordling Pantheon for his expeditions to Ardland and discovery of new lands, as well as charity work.

## Biography

### Early life

Branden was born in 1197 AL, to Elenora Wolfheart and Robert Goldhand. He was conceived the year prior just before his father left to fight in the first Crown War. Robert however died just before Branden was born. When Branden's uncle, Rhorak, ascended to the Northgardian throne a few months later, he celebrated Branden's birth, though Elenora felt that Rhorak's decision to announce his wife Malene's pregnancy at the same time was a poor choice.
In 1198 AL, Branden's cousin Elsmira was born. During the year 1199 AL, Elenora announced her marriage to Merlan Rayle and her pregnancy. However, Rhorak soon thereafter announced that Malene was expecting a another child, which Elenora was infuriated once more that he felt the need to overshadow her accomplishments. Branden later reflected that he doesn't blame his mother for being angry. Elenora gave birth to Rachael Wolfheart in Arianl.
Two years later, Elenora gave birth to a daughter named Madyson. Later on in 1203 AL, another daughter came, named Ashlyn.
### Attending Andafort

Branden became a student at Andafort Academy in the year 1216 AL, shortly after his eighteenth birthday. He studied within the Department of Astrology for four years, graduating with *summa cum laude* honors before moving to the Department of Navigation and taking a minor in the Arts, also graduating with honors.
During a brief return home to Blackspire in 1218 AL, Branden told his uncle Rhorak I that he had plans to sail west of Elathia. At this same time, he noticed that his younger sister Ashlyn was brooding by herself after an argument with Elenora and Madyson, so he tried to talk to her. Ashlyn recounts that Branden was "never good with words", but he tried to comfort her, and then gifted her a model ship from his time at school. He then tussled her hair and referred to her as "little sister", and is a memory that Ashlyn holds fondly.
### Expedition west

In late 1227 AL, Branden, with the backing and funding of the crown, announced his intention to sail west and find both the eastern side of Lynd and a trading route across the world. The loss of Harkland about a century prior, and the loss of the island of Kelgata to the Velanian Empire had prompted Branden's uncle, King Rhorak, to set sights on aquiring more land.
### Later life and death

Branden died in 1292 AL due to ailing health while visting his sister Rachael. His body was secretly brought back to the Blackspire Catacombs. A great-grandson of his and Kara's was Adam of Beckenlade.