Amanandar
The nation of Amanandar is a colony of the Empire of Taldor, located in the heart of the continent of Tian Xia,1 serving as a center of Taldan culture on the other side of the world.2
History
Amanandar 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. With this act, the colony of Amanandar was established.31
Geography
Amanandar is located to the north of the centre of the continent of Tian Xia. It is a landlocked country but its biggest river, the Gan-Tzou River, connects it to the Sea of Ghosts to the south. Amanandar occupies a large land gap between two imposing geographical features: the Zi Ha Mountains to the north and the Gossamer Mountains and Specterwood to the south. Amanandar has a lot of 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 Shokuro; and to the west, the elven kingdom of Jinin.4 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.1
Government
Amanandar is ruled by an absolute monarch but, unlike most nations, the position is not hereditary. Instead of the usual familial connection, the rulership of Amanandar is passed down to the next highest ranking member of Amanandar's military and for this reason the highest military positions are restricted to Taldans only. This ruler is known as the General of Amanandar and the nation is currently ruled by General Audrya Vannisar. The General is then advised by the General Staff: a group of senior advisors who help run the country.1
Inhabitants
Amanandar is unique in all Tian Xia as it is the only nation where humans of the Taldan ethnicity can be found in any significant number. In fact, the highest positions in the military, and therefore the government, are restricted to Taldans only. After Taldans, the next most common ethnicity is the Tian-Shu people and, beyond humans, Amanandar is also home to significant populations of elves, samsarans, and tengus. Regardless of their heritage, every citizen of Amanandar is expected to serve in Amanandar's military for at least five years between the ages of sixteen and forty five. Because of this law, all Amanandarans keep weaponry in their homes and regular drilling with them is just a part of normal, day-to-day life. As a result of this focus on military excellence, many Amanandarans find work as mercenaries or caravan guards for the frequent caravans that pass along the nation's trade routes.1
Religion
As is to be expected from a nation with such a heavy Taldan influence, many of the gods worshipped in Amanandar are also deities popular in Taldor and Avistan. The only deity prominently worshipped in Amanandar who is not also commonly worshipped in Avistan is Shizuru, the Empress of Heaven. Besides Shizuru, the most popular deities are: Abadar, God of Walls and Ditches; Irori, the Enlightened One; and Pharasma, the Mother of Souls.1
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 18. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
- ↑ Mark Moreland. (2017). Taldor, the First Empire, p. 10. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-999-8
- ↑ Mark Moreland. (2017). Taldor, the First Empire, p. 11. Paizo Inc. ISBN 978-1-60125-999-8
- ↑ James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 47. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8