The nation of Andor has its roots in the reign of Artur Hawkwing, when the land around Caemlyn was known simply as the province of Andor. Endara Casalain, the daughter of the last king of Aldeshar, oversaw the province as Hawkwing's governor. After Hawkwing's death, when the nations brought together under his power began to splinter and scratch to take what parts of his empire they could, Endara's daughter Ishara began to take control. With her husband Souran Maravaile, one of Hawkwing's greatest generals, she took Caemlyn and the land immediately around it. Her own mother resigned as governor and knelt to her as a Queen. Ishara became the first in the long line of Queens of Andor. In all the years since, only women have sat the Lion Throne. Ishara also began another of Andor's longest traditions -- she promised that the eldest daughter of Andor's Queens would be sent to the White Tower to study. This gained her the support of the Aes Sedai, and she became the first ruler to have an Aes Sedai advisor. The Queen of Andor has had an advisor from the White Tower ever since.
Andor became the rock around which the turmoil of the War of the Hundred Years raged. Those that tried to reform Hawkwing's empire often found themselves at the mercy of Andor's Queen. In those days, few royal sons lived beyond their mid-twenties, with the constant fighting and defending of Andor's borders. What would have been House Maravaile was wiped from history in this era, though even to this day, every Queen has been a descendant of Ishara. Matters of succession are determined solely by how many lines of descendancy a candidate to the throne has to Ishara -- how many of the woman's ancestors are descended from Ishara and her sons, and how closely they are related. Each House of Andor has at least some of Ishara's blood running through its veins, though the highest Houses have many more lines than the minor Houses do. Obviously, these determinations of lineage are complicated and twisted, and each House often maintains staff dedicated solely to preserving records of family histories, should a succession arise.
The two highest-ranking Houses in Andor at the current time are Meriaven and Betaila. House Meriaven has held the Lion Throne for the past four generations and is likely to continue their hold through the Daughter-Heir Miranda. The rivalry between the two Houses is very well-known among the nobility of Andor, and has existed for eight generations. Long enough to become so deep-seated as to be considered a part of Andoran history.
The two Houses were once the same, under the name of House Alemis, and once stood a chance of gaining the throne for their own. There was no question that Alemis wanted the Lion Throne -- their campaigning among the Council of Lords was public and quite vocal. Alemis' candidate was their eldest daughter, a woman by the name of Ontera. Her choice as the next Queen would have been simple, save for one fact -- she was married to the last Queen's Captain-General. A commoner. While not unusual among the Andoran nobility, it was seen as a sign of weakness in a royal house. Ontera's brother Roland, ambitious much like the rest of his family, saw his opportunity to advance his own interests in the unmarried daughter of a rival House. In a stroke of the Great Game that would alter Andoran history for hundreds of years, Roland made his split with his own House and attached himself to their rivals through marriage.
Predictably, perhaps, this caused sudden turmoil in the succession. The Andoran nobility is often looked down on by the Cairhienin and Tairens for a perceived inability to play the Great Game, but they proved them wrong on at least this occasion. Assassinations were not uncommon, and there was a very real danger of a civil war for many months. Not until House Alemis disowned Ontera and renounced their claim to the throne did the danger pass. Roland's move proved the best, as his new wife Rycha then became the Queen. Irrevocably damaged by Roland's defection and Ontera's disgrace, House Alemis passed into the history books years later and is no more. Roland and Rycha formed their own House, the progenitors of House Meriaven, while Ontera became the founder of House Betaila. It is Ontera's disgrace that has kept Betaila one step below Meriaven all these years, and no one in either House has forgotten it.
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The following houses are those that are active factions within the city of Caemlym, but they are not the *only* houses in the city. If you'd like to be from a house not listed here, contact Regulus, the Area Wiz. If you'd like to create your own faction, please see the Characters page.
Person to contact: Miranda
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Culture
When taken in comparison to some other nations, Andor might be considered prim, reserved... even stodgy. And of course there's some truth to these observations. In dress, appearance and manner, Andorans are typically serious, hard-working, upstanding folks. Naturally, there are exceptions. Some have equated the Andorans to the English in our world, which is a safe comparison to make when looking for a quick understanding of Andor.
Appearance:
Andorans are typically pale to medium of skin tone, usually with dark hair and eyes, and of medium height. Blondes and light-eyed people are rare, and usually would indicate the presence of another nationality in their ancestry. The Andoran royal lines are a possible exception -- several close descendants of Ishara have been known to have red hair. Dress is typically conservative -- men wear trousers, shirt and high-necked coat with a cloak for warmth, while women are garbed in high-necked, demure dresses often with lace or other embellishments. Rank is typically observed through the quality of clothing and other accessories (jewelry and so on).
The Nobility:
Despite the privileges of rank, Andoran nobles are not so different in demeanor than commoners. Perhaps this is why marriage between a noble and a commoner is not often cause for scandal in Andor, although other countries have been known to make fun of such nobles. Most families have estates in the countryside as well as in the city, and some never leave the countryside at all -- typically only those with an interest in politics spend a great deal of time in Caemlyn. Another source of difference between Andorans and nobility from other nations such as Cairhien is the way they play politics. Most Andoran nobles will profess to be talented players of the Great Game, they simply choose not to play, avoiding the use of such tactics as assassins and poisons whenever possible. Neighboring nations, especially Cairhien and Tear, think less of them for it.
The Queen and Royal Family:
Andor has always been ruled by a Queen. It is one of the longest-standing customs in any nation. The heir presumptive to the Lion Throne is typically the Queen's eldest daughter, titled the Daughter-Heir. For nearly as long as Andor has existed, it has been tradition to send the Daughter-Heir to the White Tower for education and training, even though few have had any ability to channel the One Power. It is this bond that gives Andor an Aes Sedai advisor to the throne. The Queen's husband is titled Prince Consort, not King, as there can never be a King of Andor. Her eldest brother is usually given the position of Captain-General of the Queen's Guard and commander of Andor's armies. The Daughter-Heir's brother, on the other hand, is titled First Prince of the Sword and accompanies her to the White Tower, where he undergoes training with the Warders.
Etiquette:
Women are expected to show respect to the Queen by curtseying and bowing at the waist simultaneously, while men show honor by dropping to their right knee, bowing their heads and placing the knuckles of the right hand on the floor. The left hand rests on the pommel of sword or dagger, if one is worn. The Queen's official title is 'By the Grace of the Light, Queen of Andor, Protector of the Realm, Defender of the People, High Seat of House (name)', though unofficially, it is usually safe to call her 'Your Majesty'. It is a palace custom to escort guests only as far as the gates, but not watch them leave, choosing instead to remember the joy of a visit rather than the sadness of parting. Some in the nobility follow the custom as well in their own estates.
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Recent Events
The following information is intended as a primer on recent events in Caemlyn, to enable new players to have some idea of what's going on in the area when they start playing.
The Throne:
House Meriaven, as they have for four generations, currently holds the Lion Throne. Queen Amayne has worn the Rose Crown for over thirty years now, though in her advancing age, it is becoming more and more likely that her daughter Miranda will be ascending to the throne before long. As many Andoran Queens have been, Amayne is notoriously sharp-tempered and sharp-witted, a combination that has served her and the nation of Andor in good stead for the most part. The past thirty years have been prosperous for the nation, with only the occasional border conflicts with Cairhien and Murandy marring the peace.
Other Houses:
It is little secret that House Betaila would be next in line for the throne should a succession come about by some twist of fate. It was House Betaila that came up second when last the matter was up for debate, and there are still members of this esteemed House that can remember those days.
Other Recent Events:
The southern borders have been plagued in the past year by bandit raids, and there is some call in Caemlyn for the crown to take a larger role in putting down these ruffians. In addition, the border with Cairhien, always under some amount of dispute, has seen greater activity in the past months. Armies from both nations have been amassing nearby and hold exercises meant as warnings to the other nation to stay put. Whispers are already beginning that perhaps it is time to teach the Cairhienin a lesson. Western Andor is also in a state of mild unrest -- the miners in Baerlon and the Mountains of Mist, always a stubborn and rowdy bunch, are beginning to rumble about independence again.
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Wanted
Characters below are listed by category -- those that require an application and those that don't. While every attempt is made to keep this file up to date, it may occasionally fall behind. After each character, a contact name is listed. Before you start developing any of the characters listed, contact that person to make sure it's still available and also to get some extra information that may exist.
Application Characters:
Queen's Guards: Of all ranks! All the way from bannerman (the grunts) to
Captain (one step below the Captain-General). The soldiers of cavalry and
infantry are commoners, while the ranks of Lieutenant and higher are
generally of noble birth though they can also be commoners. As Andor is
threatened on its eastern and southern borders, there is a great deal of
opportunity for an enterprising soldiering type to make a name for
himself! One can either be a member of either of the two major PC noble
houses, or an independent house of your own devising.
Diplomats: With war comes the opportunity for diplomacy between the
nations. With diplomacy comes the opportunity for spying and
intrigue. With spying and intrigue comes the opportunity for great
RP! Enjoy travelling, meeting a number of people in all the areas? This
is the job for you! Either of the major houses have positions available
for this type of character.
Independent Nobility: The Lion Throne is up for grabs, and with the
Cairhienin and Murandians threatening invasion, whoever holds on to the
throne will need support from the nobility of the nation if they expect to
hold it long. Curry favor, plot against the frontrunners, demand
concessions for your support, make and break alliances when the need
arises! This will require developing a bit of history for the house you
choose to portray.
High-Ranking Merchants: These days, the business of Andor is war. And
what better way to make a fortune than off the war
effort? Enterprising merchants can easily find ways to make money off all
sides of a conflict and end up richer than they ever imagined. As with
the independent nobility, this sort of character can also influence the
state of the Lion Throne. Everybody needs money, right?
Palace Staff:
Now that the crown has come into the hands of Faera Betaila and her
House, there are many openings for palace staff members. We are looking
for two positions in particular, though if others come to mind, we're very
open to suggestions.
First Maid: The First Maid to the Queen acts as an informal advisor,
personal secretary and maid, and is also responsible for keeping order in
the palace so that the Queen herself does not have to bother with
day-to-day routine matters. This is a wonderful position for someone
wishing to get deep into politics in Andor, or to play the outsider that
simply must deal with them.
Royal Treasurer: With two wars and a succession, one of the busiest people
in Andor is the royal treasurer. Another advisor to the Queen, the
treasurer's duty is to make sure the crown doesn't go bankrupt. Of
course, there are -many- treasurers that find a way to... pad their own
fortunes, shall we say?
Children of Eward Betaila:
The High Seat of House Betaila and uncle to Andor's new Queen has four
children which are available for players to take over. The characters are
application-based, and interested players should consult Eward to assist
in developing their ideas.
Eward Betaila (the Younger): 18 years old, and currently a political
prisoner of Cairhien by virtue of his capture on the border during the
war with the Cairhienin. In the course of roleplay, he has been
characterized as the Dutiful Son, though that is open to change. (Note: This character's name will be changed when he's created to prevent confusion with the elder Eward)
Eamonn Betaila: 16 years old, and the second son. Again, through the
course of roleplay, he has been characterized as the so-called Sword Nut
that wants to come to Caemlyn to join the Queen's Guard. By request of
Eward Sr.'s player, he asks that anyone considering playing one of his
sons take this character first, it being the simplest to fit in to the
current plot threads that are in existence.
Jorinn Betaila: 13 years old, third son. A budding scholar, with a great
deal of room for development of character and personality.
Rikart Betaila: 11 years old, fourth and last son. The baby of the
family, there is not much written for this character other than that he's
his late uncle's namesake and that he's the typical youngest child of a
large family.
Members of House Corvail:
A wealthy but land-poor House from the west of Andor, House Corvail
has made its fortune from ranching, farming and a bit of mining. The
political situation has provided new opportunities for previously
independent houses. Currently House Corvail has two IC members: the High
Seat, Weilam, and his niece (the daughter of his late older
sister) Cecilia. There are many opportunities for enterprising and clever
characters to fill in the ranks of this House, both as family members
and as house staff and and interested parties should contact Regulus or
Weilam.
Other Characters: There are always openings for House guards, stewards,
and servants in all the Houses. Contact the heads of the Houses for more
information about what's specifically needed.
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