Andor

Ref: DragonTales

The Kingdom of Andor

A wealthy land which stretches from the Mountains of Mist to the River Erinin, at least on a map, though the queen's control has not reached further west than the River Manetherendrelle in several generations. See also Daughter-Heir.

There are still a few debatable elements in there, but this is what almost everybody agrees about the history and politics of Andor from it's peoples:

• About 1000 years ago, Andor is formed, with the help of AesSedais, and a queen is set on the throne

• Since then, Andor always has queens, and the custom is to send the first daughter of the queen (called the Daughter-Heir of Andor) to Tar Valon (where the Aes Sedai have their HQ) for study there even though none of them can channel. The custom is also to send the first brother of the Daughter-Heir, called the First Prince of the Sword, with her for apprenticeship with the warders, who are supposed to be among the finest Blademasters of the world.

• Around 500 years ago, the savage Aiels of the Waste make a gift of a sapling of the legendary tree Avendesora, called Avendoraldera to the nation of Cairhien for reasons unknown, and give the right to pass through the Waste to trade with the fabulously rich lands on the other side. Cairhien becomes unbelievably rich...

• Around 25 years ago, queen Mordrellen of house Mantear is reigning, and has an Aes Sedai advisor called Gitara Moroso Sedai.

• She has two children, Tigraine the Daughter-Heir and Luc the First Prince of the Sword.

• Tigraine is married to Taringail Damodred, from House Damodred in Cairhien (then the House of the King of Cairhien), they have a son, Galadedrid.

• Unfortunately, Luc disappears in the Blight, some say after talking to Gitara Sedai.

• One year later, Tigraine vanishes, some say after talking to Gitara Sedai.

• As a result, house Mantear is finished and a war of succession ensues when queen Mordrellen dies. Gitara Sedai goes back to Tar Valon.

• During this war, Taringail tries to use his connections with Cairhien and his uncle the king of Cairhien, Laman also of House Damodred, to influence the result of the succession.

• Morgase of House Trakand takes the throne and marries Taringail Damodred.

• But Laman of House Damodred has intrigued too much. To restore his influence, he cuts down Avendoraldera to make himself a throne.

• Around 20 years ago, the Aiels invades the westlands, and the Aiel War lasts 3 years where every nation is pulled into the conflict to try and stop them, even WhiteCloaks fighting in AesSedai controlled areas.

• Finally, at the battle of the Shining Walls, just below Dragonmount and the walls of Tar Valon, in three days of bloody battle, the Aiels are vanquished and turned back, although King Laman is killed on the last day.

• Taringail and Morgase give birth to Gawyn, the current First Prince of the Sword, and Elayne, currently the Daughter-Heir of Andor.

• Elaida Sedai attaches herself to Morgase as an AesSedai advisor.

• Around 5 years ago, Taringail is killed in a hunting accident.

So, at the current time, Morgase of House Trakand rules Andor with the advice of Elaida Sedai, and Lady Elayne and Lord Gawyn,as well as Lord Galadedrid their Half-brother are preparing to travel to Tar Valon. Coupled with the general situation, some people are very much afraid of a repeat of the bloody history that began 25 years ago...

Here is a small family tree (probably incomplete) to get ideas right...

                                                     Ishara (first Queen of Andor)
                                                                   

                                                                   .
                                                                   .
                                                                   .
                                                                   

                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       


                                                                                                       


             Mantears (Andor)                      Damodreds (Cairhien)                           Trakands (Andor)
                    .                                                                                  .

                    .                          ---------------------------                              .
                    .                                                   
                              .

                                              ?                        Laman                           


                Mordrellen                                                                             


          (Advisor Gitara Sedai)                                                                       


                                              
                                                        


          ---------------------          --------------                                                 

                             
          
                                                              


                             
   (1)    
                              (2)                             


         Luc              Tigraine = Taringail ===================================================== Morgase
                                                                        
                    (Advisor Elaida Sedai)

                                                                        


                                                          ------------------------------

                                                          
                            


                              Galadedrid                 Gawyn                       Elayne

Similarities

For ambiance (from the visual and intrigue perspectives), the earth culture that resembles Andor the most is england in the Elizabethan period, ruled by a queen, with court intrigues but frank willing and free-spirited commoners. Be careful, though, everything is not the same, but it can give some references.

Player's Notes