In one Age, called the Fourth Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the Land of the Crystal Throne. It sped across the great Aryth Ocean to the Tai’Seanchan coast. It continued over the Mountains of Mist, picking up the scent of Two Rivers fine tabac and singing along to a tune made by a Tinker’s tea kettle. It swirled around the vast prairie known as the Caralain Grass, with it’s Black Tower fortress, and the island city of Tar Valon, home of the fabled Ogier-made White Tower...The wind swept through the valleys, skimming along the lake that once was Shadar Logoth, lifting the raven in flight. It howled through the Blight past the snorts and bellows of Trollocs, carrying on it the stench of their cookpots and rot as it whipped by a Myrddraal without creating so much as a ripple in its dark cloak. If you listen closely to the wind you can hear the sound of “friends” whispering in the dark as it whistles by you. The shadows beckon you to their warm embrace; where will the wind take you? For you must know, the wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was A beginning.
Andor
The central province of Artur Hawking’s empire, Andor has historically been the most powerful of countries, politically, economically and militarily, among the nations south of the Borderlands. After the Last Battle, strong leadership by Elayne Trakand for the next two decades made Andor the undisputed leader of the non-Seanchan led nations of the Dragon Pact as she forged alliances not only with Cairhein, but also with the Two Towers, the Two Rivers, Saldaea and Ghealdan. Her successors however, were unable to maintain hold over such a wide region, especially after the chaos of the Great Seanchan War, and slowly the Lion Throne has relinquished its outlying regions, becoming more insular as the royal line attempts to consolidate their power. However, the blood of the Dragon flows within the descendants of Elayne, and they command influence, if not land, greater than the days before the Last Battle.
Geography
Holding territory in the center of the Westlands, Andor holds some of the most fertile of fields and temperate lands that, supplemented by both Cairhein and Caralain, makes it the breadbasket of the region. Most of the land was spared from the ravages of the Great Seanchan War, and the landmarks of the region are therefore more natural and even. Bounded by Caralain to the north, Cairhein to the east and Manetheren to the west, Andor has also become a major trading network, the taxes of which have filled the coffers of the royal throne, allowing major expansion and renewal of their cities and townships. Though relatively cold in winter, Andor’s climate is still considered mild compared to the Borderlands and is considered a beautiful place to live in by nobility and commonfolk alike.
Caemlyn is the capital of Andor and the seat of the Royal Line, currently held by House Trakand. While it was burnt to the ground during Tarmon Gai'don, it was rebuilt in the following decade with the assistance of Ogier stonemasons, Asha'man of the Black Tower, and the Kin who had taken up residence in Andor. Connected to almost every major city in the surrounding nations by both Gateway and roads, trade has become the lifeblood of the city and a source of wealth for the nation, something that the Lion Throne has taken great care to preserve. Many of the wealthiest merchants make their home in the grand city, sprawled along the outskirts in impressive estates. Further into the lands, agriculture provides revenue, managed by various minor houses that have been rewarded this prime land for their loyalty to the nation over the years. Caemlyn is also home to the Academy of the Blooming Rose, which focuses on the study of history and politics.
Aringill is Andor’s largest port city and the seat of House Taravin. Located on the River Erinin, it straddles that border between Andor and Cairhein and is a major trading center for ships that move from Tear to Tar Valon and the Borderlands beyond.
Whitebridge now denotes the western border of Andor against the nation of Manetheren. Midway between both Caemlyn and Emond’s Field, the city, like so many others of Andor, has prospered greatly due to trade.
The Hills of Kintara were claimed by Queen Moranna several years after the secession of both Manetheren and Cairhein. Heavily damaged during the Great Seanchan War and scarred by battles using the One Power, the monarchs of Andor have thus turned much of their efforts towards resettling the land and restoring it to its former glory as another potential source of farmland. The results seem promising, but several generations of unforeseen conflict throughout the Westlands has slowed Andor’s reclamation efforts.
Braem Wood was once divided between Andor and the fledgling nation of Caralain as per agreement between M’Hael Logain and Queen Elayne. Now after the Tower Wars, Braem Wood has been completely subsumed by Andor as repartration for the Black Tower’s crimes under Rahlin Dovreh. Andor has since eagerly tapped upon the full bounty that the wood can provide in an effort to boost its economy and the recovery of the Hills of Kintara.
Caemlyn is the capital of Andor and the seat of the Royal Line, currently held by House Trakand. While it was burnt to the ground during Tarmon Gai'don, it was rebuilt in the following decade with the assistance of Ogier stonemasons, Asha'man of the Black Tower, and the Kin who had taken up residence in Andor. Connected to almost every major city in the surrounding nations by both Gateway and roads, trade has become the lifeblood of the city and a source of wealth for the nation, something that the Lion Throne has taken great care to preserve. Many of the wealthiest merchants make their home in the grand city, sprawled along the outskirts in impressive estates. Further into the lands, agriculture provides revenue, managed by various minor houses that have been rewarded this prime land for their loyalty to the nation over the years. Caemlyn is also home to the Academy of the Blooming Rose, which focuses on the study of history and politics.
Aringill is Andor’s largest port city and the seat of House Taravin. Located on the River Erinin, it straddles that border between Andor and Cairhein and is a major trading center for ships that move from Tear to Tar Valon and the Borderlands beyond.
Whitebridge now denotes the western border of Andor against the nation of Manetheren. Midway between both Caemlyn and Emond’s Field, the city, like so many others of Andor, has prospered greatly due to trade.
The Hills of Kintara were claimed by Queen Moranna several years after the secession of both Manetheren and Cairhein. Heavily damaged during the Great Seanchan War and scarred by battles using the One Power, the monarchs of Andor have thus turned much of their efforts towards resettling the land and restoring it to its former glory as another potential source of farmland. The results seem promising, but several generations of unforeseen conflict throughout the Westlands has slowed Andor’s reclamation efforts.
Braem Wood was once divided between Andor and the fledgling nation of Caralain as per agreement between M’Hael Logain and Queen Elayne. Now after the Tower Wars, Braem Wood has been completely subsumed by Andor as repartration for the Black Tower’s crimes under Rahlin Dovreh. Andor has since eagerly tapped upon the full bounty that the wood can provide in an effort to boost its economy and the recovery of the Hills of Kintara.
Governance
Andor is governed by a feudal monarchy, where the main power rests in the Queen that sits on the Lion Throne and nineteen major noble houses that ostensibly run their lands on behalf of the Queen. For nearly two centuries now, House Trakand has sat on the Lion Throne, their reign maintained by a combination of legacy from the blood of the Dragon Reborn, backing from the White Tower for the Aes Sedai Queens of the Trakand line, and a prosperous (if not necessarily entirely stable) rule from the time of Queen Elayne. The Queen is openly advised by an Aes Sedai from the White Tower as a signal of the good relations that have been maintained by the two nations since the Hundred Years War.
The Queen is also aided by the First Prince of the Sword, who is often brother to the Queen. The First Prince of the Sword is also responsible for acting as the commander-general of the Queens's armies and as her military advisor. However, since the Trakand line has assumed the throne, the long-lived nature of their Aes Sedai Queens means that the title of First Prince has often been passed down to their descendants over the course of their reign, or another male who has proved competent enough for the role.
The Queen is also aided by the First Prince of the Sword, who is often brother to the Queen. The First Prince of the Sword is also responsible for acting as the commander-general of the Queens's armies and as her military advisor. However, since the Trakand line has assumed the throne, the long-lived nature of their Aes Sedai Queens means that the title of First Prince has often been passed down to their descendants over the course of their reign, or another male who has proved competent enough for the role.
Domestic Affairs
Before the fourth succession war that saw Queen Elayne on the Lion Throne, there were nineteen major noble houses. After Elayne stripped Marne, Sarand and Arawn were stripped of their titles and lands, they were granted new holdings in Cairhein, and several Cairheinin noble houses themselves obtained Andoran holdings. Despite the fact that Cairhein now exists as a separate entity from Andor, several noble houses with roots in Cairhein continue to have holdings inside of Andor. These Houses are Hamarashle, Aesnan, Osiellin, Mavabwin, Riatin and Damodred. Despite these holdings, as part of the agreement that resulted in an independent Cairhien, they no longer wield political influence inside Andor, though their presence helps to ensure a strong continued relation between nobles of the two nations.
Despite the close ties between Elayne's Andor and M'Hael Logain Ablar, the Black Tower moved out of Andor proper and into the unclaimed Caralain Grass during the reconstruction era to establish themselves as a neutral, independent nation.
Andor was also the first nation to adopt the Dragon Reborn's push to ensure schooling for future generations. A number of Rose Bud Academies were formed in the early years of the Fourth Age, dedicated to providing a free foundational education to the children of Andor.
Despite the close ties between Elayne's Andor and M'Hael Logain Ablar, the Black Tower moved out of Andor proper and into the unclaimed Caralain Grass during the reconstruction era to establish themselves as a neutral, independent nation.
Andor was also the first nation to adopt the Dragon Reborn's push to ensure schooling for future generations. A number of Rose Bud Academies were formed in the early years of the Fourth Age, dedicated to providing a free foundational education to the children of Andor.
International Relations
With many lines of alliances forged by different nations of the Dragon Pact, it is of no surprise that because the blood of the Dragon runs through House Trakand, that Andor features most prominently among the nations of the Dragon Pact. Though under Moranna Trakand relations between the Throne and the other major Andoran noble houses cooled, she was wise enough to maintain strong ties to many foreign nations.
Andor has secured strong alliances with the nations of Cairhein, Tar Valon, Manetheren, Saldaea, Malkier, and the Aiel. Cairhien, in particular, remains a close friend and ally due to cultural and blood ties that remain between both nations. Due to the Tower War, relations with Caralain have been relatively strained compared to the past, particularly along the border in Braem Wood. Originally given to Caralain through the alliance between Queen Elayne Trakand and M'Hael Logain Ablar, the territory reverted to Andor as part of Caralain's reparation's following the Tower War, something that was not entirely welcomed by the people living there. Once firmly against the Seanchan and all they stood for with regards to channellers, Andor has since slowly warmed to the Tai’Seanchan and now maintains official diplomatic channels with them, though tensions and disagreements still occasionally rise to the surface. Andor remains neutral, if friendly, towards most other nations among the Dragon Pact, though they are a frequent target of Far Madding's ire, given their close ties to the White Tower.
Murandy remains a close partner of Andor's but that hasn't stopped factions within the nation from using the spectre of Andoran invasion or cultural control to rally and unify their own people, resulting in tensions that are frequently difficult to dissect from the Andoran side.
Manetheren became an independent nation under Andor, and as a result still maintains strong ties to the Lion Throne. While Manetheren took Baerlon, an agreement was signed ensuring a favorable trade partnership with Andor into perpetuity which has continued to prove very beneficial to Andor. Kandor is a similarly beneficial trading partner, particularly as it's become more affluent following a rebuilding period.
Ruled by Aes Sedai Queens for over the last century, Andor is tightly tied to the White Tower, but holds power of it's own as well. By the end of the Last Battle, Elayne Trakand and the Lion Throne were in possession of not only a large cache of ter'angreal from the Kin, but also a Seed from the Age of Legends, given to her by Rand al'Thor, capable of creating angreal. The cache was studied by her and her sister Aviendha until their death during the Seanchan war. They made many copies of the Ter'Angeal and those were distributed to various channeling organizations. Following their deaths, most of the original cache, along with the Seed, was sent to Tar Valon, while a small portion of the originals remained with the Throne and later ended up at the Academy of the Blooming Rose.
Andor has secured strong alliances with the nations of Cairhein, Tar Valon, Manetheren, Saldaea, Malkier, and the Aiel. Cairhien, in particular, remains a close friend and ally due to cultural and blood ties that remain between both nations. Due to the Tower War, relations with Caralain have been relatively strained compared to the past, particularly along the border in Braem Wood. Originally given to Caralain through the alliance between Queen Elayne Trakand and M'Hael Logain Ablar, the territory reverted to Andor as part of Caralain's reparation's following the Tower War, something that was not entirely welcomed by the people living there. Once firmly against the Seanchan and all they stood for with regards to channellers, Andor has since slowly warmed to the Tai’Seanchan and now maintains official diplomatic channels with them, though tensions and disagreements still occasionally rise to the surface. Andor remains neutral, if friendly, towards most other nations among the Dragon Pact, though they are a frequent target of Far Madding's ire, given their close ties to the White Tower.
Murandy remains a close partner of Andor's but that hasn't stopped factions within the nation from using the spectre of Andoran invasion or cultural control to rally and unify their own people, resulting in tensions that are frequently difficult to dissect from the Andoran side.
Manetheren became an independent nation under Andor, and as a result still maintains strong ties to the Lion Throne. While Manetheren took Baerlon, an agreement was signed ensuring a favorable trade partnership with Andor into perpetuity which has continued to prove very beneficial to Andor. Kandor is a similarly beneficial trading partner, particularly as it's become more affluent following a rebuilding period.
Ruled by Aes Sedai Queens for over the last century, Andor is tightly tied to the White Tower, but holds power of it's own as well. By the end of the Last Battle, Elayne Trakand and the Lion Throne were in possession of not only a large cache of ter'angreal from the Kin, but also a Seed from the Age of Legends, given to her by Rand al'Thor, capable of creating angreal. The cache was studied by her and her sister Aviendha until their death during the Seanchan war. They made many copies of the Ter'Angeal and those were distributed to various channeling organizations. Following their deaths, most of the original cache, along with the Seed, was sent to Tar Valon, while a small portion of the originals remained with the Throne and later ended up at the Academy of the Blooming Rose.
Flag
Map
Ranks
This is not an exhaustive list, feel free to apply for something not detailed to be considered by the Admins.
You may apply for any of the Adoptable or Restricted ranks, but only superior applications will be considered and must pass through Admins before being accepted.
Queen Talana Trakand
Prince Consort
Daughter Heir
First Prince
Captain General
Queens Guard
House High Seat
Lesser House Noble
Commoner
Gleeman
You may apply for any of the Adoptable or Restricted ranks, but only superior applications will be considered and must pass through Admins before being accepted.
Captain General
Queens Guard
House High Seat
Lesser House Noble
Commoner
Gleeman
