Amanandar

Amanandar

(Nation)

Alignment

Lawful neutral

Capital

New Oppara

Government

Military monarchy

Demonym

Amanandarans, (Taldans)

Adjective

Amanandaran, (Taldan)

Languages

Taldane, Tien

Religions

Abadar, Irori, Pharasma, Shizuru

Images of Amanandar

Source: Dragon Empires Gazetteer, pg(s). 18 (1E)
Tian Xia World Guide, pg(s). 130–137 (2E)

The nation of Amanandar was a colony of the Empire of Taldor located on the opposite side of Golarion in the heart of the continent of Tian Xia. It served as a center of Taldan culture until its people declared their independence on 23 Kuthona 7220 IC and formed the nation of Linvarre.

History

Amanandar's history began in 4606 AR with the Eighth Army of Exploration. Before this, the region had merely been another province of the empire of Imperial Lung Wa. With the fall of Lung Wa, chaos engulfed the region much as it did across the rest of Tian Xia. Unbeknownst to the people of the land that would become Amanandar, months and months before this on the opposite side of Golarion, the Eighth Army of Exploration, led by General Orphyrea Amanandar, had set out in search of new lands. This army's mission was ostensibly in honour of the return of Aroden but, more specifically, it was an attempt to revitalize the failing nation of Taldor, which had been in decline for centuries.

While the army set out with an optimistic goal, with the unexpected demise of Aroden, terrible and destructive storms battered the fleet. After a harrowing journey, the survivors of the Eighth Army of Exploration made it to Tian Xia landing on the northernmost reaches of the nation of Shenmen. From there, Orphyrea Amanandar led her forces north along the Gan-Tzou River where they encountered the city of Kamikobu. The city was being fought over by twelve different bandit lords who all sought sole rulership of Kamikobu.

Despite being exhausted from their unimaginable journey they had endured, Orphyrea Amanandar and the remnants of the Eighth Army of Exploration were able to overcome all of the bandit warlords. Kamikobu's people rejoiced and appointed Orphyrea Amanandar its new governor, who then renamed it New Oppara in 4608 AR. This act officially established the colony of Amanandar.

Geography

Amanandar was located to the north of the centre of the continent of Tian Xia. It was a landlocked country, but its largest river, the Gan-Tzou River, connected it to the Sea of Ghosts to the south. Amanandar occupied a large land gap between two imposing geographical features, the Kelsang Mountains to the north and the Gossamer Mountains and Specterwood to the south. Amanandar also had many political neighbours: to the north, the mountainous kingdom of Zi Ha; to the north-east, Wanshou; to the east, Kwanlai; to the south, Shenmen; to the south-west lies Songbai; and to the west, the elven kingdom of Jinin.

Due to its central position, the city of Kamikobu, now named New Oppara, was considered a vital trade city along one of Imperial Lung Wa's most important trade routes. As such, the entire province was thought of as a rich breadbasket for the empire, making it a tempting target for bandits as soon as Imperial Lung Wa fell.

Government

Under Taldor, Amanandar was ruled by an absolute monarch, but unlike most nations the position was not hereditary. Instead of the usual familial connection, the rulership of Amanandar was passed down to the next highest-ranking member of Amanandar's military, and for this reason the highest military positions were restricted to Taldans. This ruler was known as the General of Amanandar and was advised by the General Staff, a group of senior advisors who helped run the country.

As of 4711 AR the colony was ruled by General Audrya Vannisar, who ruled until her death. Her daughter Jiayi Vannisar succeeded her and subsequently led the nation's declaration of independence from Taldor and reformation as the nation of Linvarre.

Inhabitants

Amanandar was unique in among the nations of Tian Xia as the only nation where humans of Taldan ethnicity lived in any significant number. In fact, the highest positions in the military, and therefore the government, were restricted to Taldans. After Taldans the next most common ethnicity was the Tian-Shu people, and beyond humans Amanandar was also home to significant populations of elves, samsarans, and tengus.

Regardless of their heritage, every citizen of Amanandar was expected to serve in Amanandar's military for at least five years between the ages of 16 and 45. Because of this law, all Amanandarans kept weaponry in their homes and regularly drilled with them as part of their normal lives. As a result of this focus on military excellence, many Amanandarans found work as mercenaries or caravan guards for the frequent caravans that pass along the nation's trade routes.

Religion

Many of the deities worshipped in Amanandar were also those popular in Taldor and Avistan. The only deity prominently worshipped in Amanandar not also commonly worshipped in Avistan was Shizuru, the Empress of Heaven. Besides Shizuru, the most popular deities were Abadar, God of Walls and Ditches; Irori, the Enlightened One; and Pharasma, the Mother of Souls.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.