ANDOROTH

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BRIEF HISTORY OF ANDOROTH

The full history of the Realm of Andoroth stretches back into the dim mists of antiquity. The oldest written records belong to the dwarves and elves. They indicate that the first peoples of Andoroth were the dwarves, elves, and orcs. Gnomes are mentioned in passing in some of their older writings, but it is unclear if they have been in Andoroth as long as the other races. Some gnomish scholars even contend that the gnomes were already present when the “big folk” came to Andoroth.

At the time of their earliest records, dwarves were clearly already established in mountainous holds, elves in forested courts, and orcs in roving tribal bands. These records indicate that a rough equilibrium existed between the three races. Andoroth was largely peaceful, with only occasional feuds between the different peoples of Andoroth; indeed, most conflicts occurred within a given dwarfhold, elven court, or orcish tribe. Then the humans came.

The first humans to enter Andoroth were the Kellid, a fierce, barbaric people who came in waves of immigration, often accompanied with violent conquest. The dwarves retreated to their holds, and the elves to their forests, abandoning many of their former residences and holy sites. The orcs, however, met the humans head on, resulting in centuries of endemic warfare, resulting in a new, but precarious, equilibrium. Then the Azlanti came.

The Azlanti were a new group of humans, the Men From Across the Sea, who came from the isle of Azlan. They brought with them strange and terrible new weapons and magics, and a new religion. They swiftly conquered Andoroth and many lands beyond, in the Azlanti Empire.

Under the Azlanti, new waves of human immigrants came to Andoroth. The Chelexians and Taldan were hybrid cultures, formed from the interaction of the Azlanti and various subject peoples. “Pure” Azlanti were always comparatively few in number, but the Chelaxians and Taldans came in increasing numbers, displacing both the Kellids and the orcs, and driving the dwarves and elves deeper into their mountain and forest havens.

It was also during this period that halflings are first mentioned in written records. Scholars still debate whether they had been present previously, but simply unnoticed or unrecorded, or if they accompanied Chelaxian and Taldan immigrants. Halflings tend not to care.

Then, at the height of the power and glory of the Azlanti Empire, disaster struck. The Cataclysm sunk the isle of Azlan. The Azlanti Empire fell apart as Azlanti nobles, wizards, and priests vied for control of ever shrinking domains, until the Azlanti themselves disappeared from history as a distinct people.

In Andoroth, the pieces of the Azlanti Empire were picked up by the Chelaxians and the Taldan, each of whom considers themselves to be the true heirs of the Azlanti Empire. Over several centuries of constant turmoil, various Chelaxian and Taldan warlords and would-be kings contended with each other, often dragging in dwarfholds and elven courts. From the Wild North, Kellids and the few remaining orc tribes tried to push south. And a new group of humans, the Ulfen, appeared, first as raiders and traders, then as colonists and conquerors. Andoroth was a land consumed by war.

However, a combination of orcish and Kellid tribal traditions, and the memory of a unified Azlanti Empire kept by the Chelaxians and Taldan, led in Andoroth the concept of a “High King”. The High King of Andoroth would, in theory, rule over the entire Realm, uniting it and bringing peace. Over the centuries, many claimed the High King’s Throne, but none were accepted by all of the feuding factions. None, that is, until Arcturus.

Arcturus was, according to most stories, a humble knight who rose to become a mighty warlord, fulfilled many prophecies, and claimed the High King’s Throne. Unlike all of his predecessors, through a combination of diplomacy, warfare, and the power of prophecy, Arcturus truly united Andoroth into a single Realm. Even most of the dwarfholds, elven courts, and orc tribes recognized his authority, and respected the High King’s Peace. Andoroth entered a new golden age. Alas, it was not to last.

Treachery, infighting, and conspiracy plagued Arcturus’ court. He was betrayed first by his greatest knight, then by his own son. The resulting civil war resulted in the deaths of Arcturus and his son, and the sundering of the Realm.

Now, over a century later, Andoroth is a land of petty realms scattered amid a vast landscape. Dwarfholds, elven courts, human kingdoms, and a few surviving orc tribes contend with each other for power, wealth, and resources. And the land itself rebels, sending forth monsters to plague the common folk. Andoroth is a Realm under siege, in dire need of heroes.

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THE ELDAR

Even the oldest writings of the elves and the dwarves mention the ruins of the vanished Eldar civilization. These cyclopean ruins, built of basalt or unknown materials, are scattered across Andoroth.

No one knows who or what the Eldar were. Many of their ruins appear to be built far larger than human scale, and none appear to be built for human proportions. The few artifacts that are found are usually made of strange materials for unfathomable purposes. In all, Eldar ruins seem wholly alien.

Indeed, such ruins seem to warp nature itself. Animals, plants, even the very ground, near Eldar ruins often seem warped and distorted. Such ruins often give rise to strange and horrible monsters, even in otherwise placid and happy lands. Rumors say that such ruins often also hold untold riches for those brave, or mad, enough to claim them…

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CHELAXIANS

Chelaxians are a hybrid people, formed from the mixing of the ancient Azlanti and some of the subject peoples. Believing themselves to be the true heirs of the Azlanti Empire, they are haughty, cultured, intelligent, ambitious, organized, and ruthless. Chelaxians are by and large an industrious, aggressive, selfconfident people, with a flair for organization and refined cultural taste.

The inherent self-confidence of the Chelaxians, instilled from birth, has served them well through the fall of an empire, and the comings and goings of High Kings. They believe they are inherently more capable of handling any situation than are other human groups—this might take the form of either helpful, positive advice or arrogant dismissal of rival viewpoints. This aggressive attitude causes them to persevere even in desperate straits. When faced with an insurmountable challenge, where a Taldan might seek easier paths or a Kellid might grumble about the will of the world and move on to other matters, a Chelaxian re-evaluates a situation and seeks not only the most expedient answer, but also the most advantageous one.

This self-confidence is bolstered by a great heritage and a love for learning, which manifests in theology, arcane studies, and mechanical invention. Chelaxian specialists are particularly capable in discovering, developing, and adapting new techniques revealed by their own research or learned from other cultures.

Chelaxians favor rich trappings both in their homes and on their persons, and even the meanest of them dresses to the best of his ability. Popular outfits include velvet doublets and silk leggings with rich brocades and lace trim, often covered with a cloak of rare and valuable color or made from the hide of some uncommon creature. In more hostile climes, they prefer inscribed armor (often of dwarven manufacture) and filigreed weapons with rich and detailed provenances. This is not to say that, when money is tight or circumstances dictate, they are not above traveling in mufti or mixing with the hoi polloi in order to avoid difficult circumstances. They never sacrifice their bearing, however, and cannot hide their confidence.

Chelaxians venerate those heroes who embody their values: strength, nobility, ambition, and—most of all—success. Chelaxian heroes tend to be accepted into the larger community with titles, grants of land, and marriage into the more respectable houses. By the same token, those heroes deemed a threat to the local ruling class are watched and, if necessary, removed, either by sending them on quests to other areas or—if necessary—in the dead of night.

As a people, Chelaxians are serious about oaths, contracts, and promises, and they believe in playing by the rules, all the while checking for loopholes to best subvert those rules. In urban centers, numerous lawyers, justices, and bureaucrats have Chelaxian blood in their veins. As a result of this inherent lawful tendency, they often have difficulty with other races and ethnicities with more flexible attitudes to property and socially acceptable behavior

Family Names: Alazario, Albus, Ambusta, Baradin, Charthagnion, Crispin, Fullonna, Galonnica, Jeggare, Krupt, Leroung, Pindleloric, Ratarion, Rugatonn, Tauranor, Thrune, Voralius, Wardroxan, Wintrish

Male Names: Aerodus, Alexite, Gellius, Grachius, Gruckalus, Lurconarr, Manius, Marcellano, Morvius, Pavo, Pellius, Petronicus, Rutilus, Solangus, Ursion

Female Names: Asmodia, Aspexia, Aula, Boudra, Drulia, Imperia, Korva, Noravia, Novennia, Pavanna, Pontia, Quinta, Rulla, Valeria, Vibia

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KELLIDS

Kellids were the first humans to come to Andoroth. They were originally a barbaric and savage people, living in semi-nomadic tribes, and armed with crude iron weapons. However, centuries of Azlanti rule and Chelaxian and Taldan cultural influence have partially civilized them.

Although Kellids are still considered uncouth barbarians by Chelaxians and Taldan, they live much like their southern brethren. Kellid commoners live in farming and fishing villages, while their nobles build castles and field armored knights. Kellids retain a distrust of “kings”, and their nobles style themselves lords and clan chiefs, but they are kings in all but name. Their villages and castles are smaller and cruder than those found to the south, but to a dwarf, elf, or orc, they appear much the same.

Kellids also tend to be superstitious, and distrustful of magic, whether arcane or divine. Although suspicious and violent toward most magic, Kellids are more respectful toward druids. They still don’t necessarily like druidic magic, but they sometimes see it wielded usefully.

Tribes made up the main cooperative unit for Kellids for centuries. Although their society is no longer truly tribal in nature, the clans which derive from those tribes still hold their main allegiance. Clans clash over hunting and grazing rights, cattle herds, or anything else they can find to disagree on. While most disagreements and clashes resolve over the course of a few years, some clans are ancestral enemies and continue to feud and war for reasons neither side can recall. Particularly powerful clan chieftains often style themselves as kings, and rule over less powerful client clans.

Despite this, Kellids have a tradition of rough hospitality. Although they would kill an armed warrior shouting and charging, that same warrior, half-frozen and near death, would be taken in and cared for. Dying of exposure and starvation is considered a death too grim and dishonorable for anyone, even if it means giving succor to a sworn enemy.

Traditions and quirks can vary widely from clan to clan, but for all of them strength, bravery, and guile are winning traits. Most Kellid clans hold yearly contests to test each of these virtues. The prizes for the winners varies from a valuable piece of art to a prized magical weapon to the hand of the clan chieftain's daughter.

Kellids tend to dress in simple clothing appropriate to the climate of their homelands. They favor durability and ruggedness, and therefore tend to wear hides, leather, and furs made into loose clothing. In the coldest areas they claim, Kellids line their leather and hides with furs and wear layers of linens or silks underneath. Where the climate turns warmer, Kellids favor the lightest, most supple leathers they can acquire.

Family Names: Kellids do not use family names. Rather, they identify themselves by their clan, with males appending "mak" to the clan names, and females appending "nik". Hence, Barek makAhnohse or Annik nikAhnohse. It is also common practice for a Kellids to use nicknames rather than "true" names, and in some clans only nicknames are ever given to outsiders.

Clan Names: Ahnohse, Duhsohwe, Hohohka, Ihkohsa, Kohwehso, Mihsehwi, Shohsihki, Tehnohwe, Wahkahsa, Wehzihka

Male Names: Barek, Dolok, Dorn, Gannok, Ganef, Gurog, Holg, Jokum, Karth, Kod, Kronug, Nonek, Roga, Takek, Zoresk

Female Names: Annik, Belka, Dagur, Fasha, Inkit, Jalket, Kala, Lesit, Luka, Nalket, Selka, Sheleg, Varka, Valki, Yala

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TALDAN

The Taldan people are known throughout Andoroth for being among the most accomplished scholars, artisans, and practitioners of exotic martial skills. They are also known to be perhaps the most arrogant, self-important, and dismissive culture in the Realm. Both these reputations are well deserved.

The Taldan are a hybrid people, growing from an interaction between the ancient Azlanti and some of the their subject peoples. The Taldan consider themselves to the true heirs of the Azlanti Empire.

Despite the fall of that empire, Taldan retain an arrogance and aloof spirit befitting a people at the height of their power and inf luence. Blessed to be a beautiful people with long, flowing brown hair and naturally bronze skin (gifts from their non-Azlanti ancestors), Taldans frequently adorn themselves in fashionable clothing. Wealthy merchants, royals, and land owners across the Andoroth do their best to cultivate the style, air, and sophistication of the Taldan, but observers can always tell the difference between a poseur and the genuine article. The way a Taldan man wears his neatly trimmed beard is as much a birthright as a matter of grooming. And the elaborate, ribbon-festooned wigs worn by the women are heirlooms passed down from generation to generation.

Taldan arrogant pride manifests differently for the two sexes. Regardless of the specific details of their ethnic elitism, Taldan haughtiness tends to wallow in shallowness. Obviously, not every Taldan exhibits the most extreme arrogant personality traits described here, but enough do to make the pride of Taldan an unfavorable stereotype known throughout Andoroth.

Male Taldans exhibit an arrogant machismo that usually falls just shy of outright misogyny. They speak of conquests and territorial disputes when they discuss Taldan women, and of “bringing civilization to the barbarians” to brag of their exploits with women of other ethnicities or races. This insular fraternity leads to extremely close relationships between men, such that observers from other ethnicities often mistake these bonds as more than just friendship—an assumption that occasionally holds more than a shred of truth.

Women express their ethnic superiority complex via biting commentary of the dress, hairstyle, body shape, or facial features of other females they see. Although they tend to focus their overly critical judgments on women from other ethnicities or races, when bored or among only close friends they sometimes casually insult one another (albeit with considerably less bile than when their attentions are drawn outside their close circles). Taldan women take great pride in their appearance, and frequently do everything in their power (including spending more than they can truly afford) to attain a nebulous level of beauty that differs by individual. In general, Taldan women tend to treat men as attractive playthings meant to entertain, buy perfumes and beauty aids, and then leave when they become boring.

On the other hand, when moved to better emotions, Taldan express their concerns with nigh-unparalleled charity of time and wealth. In fact, the success with which hard-luck tales and wide-eyed impoverished children (especially those of obviously Taldan descent) can convince a Taldan to donate hard-earned coins further leads to the view of others that Taldans throw about their wealth with little concern for the future. This hedonism, critics observe, frequently is the reason why many adults fall on hard times and must turn to their fellows for additional aid.

Family Names: Surnames often allude to a family’s holdings or past glories, evoking place names, victorious battles, or even valuable treasures. Examples include Merrion (after the famous battle), Albercroft (after the border county of the same name), Neverion (after the legendary castle near Yanmass), and so on.

Male Names: Domitian, Eudoxius, Galadon, Iacobus, Ioseph, Marcian, Menas, Narses, Olybrius, Origen, Stilicho, Theodric, Vors, Xanthan

Female Names: Adula, Charito, Eudocia, Euphemi, Ionnia, Kale, Komana, Pasara, Salvianella, Semne, Viviana, Xene