Andorra Fic World

 Andorra - A Shared Fictional World

The Andorra shared fictional world is alternative history, and any factual congruence between this concordia and the Real World (tm) is strictly accidental - Except for the fact that Andorra is a country that actually exists. I hope to capture some of the flavor and charm, but let's face it - I'm a weak vessel, and the real country of  Andorra has a rich heritage, culture, and history that puts anything I might write to shame.

Andorra

Andorra has an oceanic climate, with warm days and cool nights in summer, and chilly to cold, snowy winters. Andorra is bordered to the north by the militant  Grand Empire, and to the south by the sophisticated and slightly decadent Emirate of Basra. The primary language is Catalan, although most of the inhabitants speak a smattering of Gallia (Descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, which the  Grand Empire replaced). 

Andorra was founded as a province of the  Grand Empire, and was the base for military action against the Emirate of Basra. The disturbing of the ancient Roman tomb unleashed the vampire Vaesna, who spent 20 blood-soaked years tossing the  Grand Empire out of the country. He declared himself the Duke of Andorra, and took the name Valdemar.

The Duchy of Andorra




There are several places of interest in Andorra:

  • Andorra La Vella - Capital city, ducal seat. A little of everything, including embassies from Basra and the  Grand Empire. It is home of the Church of Saint Stephan. 
  • Sant Julia -  Closest city to the Emirate of Basra. Imports luxuries from Basra. 
  • Escaldes - Economy defined by the Hot Springs, and hedonism.
  • Encamp - Craftsmen and guilds, commercial center.
  • Canillo - The religious center of Andorra with the Cathedral of Our Lady of Meritxell, patron saint of Andorra.
  • Ordino - Dwarven village, iron mines surround the area. The mountains around are filled with myriad goblin tribes. The dwarves herd dwarf aurochs, characterized by long horns and a long shaggy coat. It is a hardy breed, able to withstand the intemperate conditions in the region. The dwarves use large mountain goats as mounts and draft animals.
  • Soldeu - The bandit village populated by the local Hidati highlanders. 
  • Castlemount - The gateway to the  Grand Empire, which once ruled Andorra as a province, but lost it with the coming of the Duke. There is a Templar monastery, part of the peace settlement with the Duke. 
  • Ruins of Cragmoor - Once a Monastery under the  Grand Empire, this  was built upon a ancient Roman crypt, into which the vampire Vaesna had been sealed. The monks broke the seal, releasing the vampire, who killed the monks, drinking them dry in a orgy of blood-hunger. The slaughter spawned numerous undead creatures. Decades passed, and the ruins have become home to Urgal the Bloody, a Hill Giant leader of a group of gnolls, goblins, and ogres.


Andorra Cuisine (All taken from the Real World)

  • Escudella - A traditional Andorran stew made using white beans, ham bone, veal or beef marrow bone, chicken, pork sausage, cured ham, cabbage, potatoes, rice, noodles and chickpeas.
  • Trinxat - A meal of chopped and mashed cabbage, potatoes, mushrooms and garlic.
  • Embotits - An Andorran sausage from pork and seasoned with salt and red or black pepper. These sausages, often enjoyed cold as an appetizer, come in various forms like white and black sausages and fuet, a type of dry-cured pork sausage. They’re typically accompanied by pa amb tomaquet, a tasty bread with tomato.
  • Truites de Carreroles - A mushroom omelette made with eggs, butter, mushrooms, scallions, tarragon, and grated cheese.
  • Trucha - Grilled trout or salmon wrapped in pork ham. Since Andorra doesn't have a coastline, the fish are usually sourced from local rivers. The fish is seasoned and grilled, then wrapped in ham for a mix of flavors. It's often served with a special almond sauce made from parsley, hard cheese, white almonds, and olive oil. Other ingredients include pork or bacon, pepper and olive oil. The name of this dish in Catalan actually refers to ‘sliced, minced or chopped.’
  • Torrijas -  Made from slices of bread or buns, soaked in a mix of milk or wine, honey and spices, then dipped in egg and fried.
  • Merienda is a light meal, the equivalent of "afternoon tea". It consists of a piece of fruit, bread, biscuits, yogurt, and other snacks accompanied by fruit juice and coffee (or tea).

and of course...

  • Andorra Goat Cheese - This is served as a soft or hard cheese, with the soft cheese often consumed as part of a fresh, seasonal goat cheese salad.   

Andorra Military

Andorra Soldier
The military forces of Andorra is small, but as tenacious as badgers when called upon to fight. Their Commander is Renard Ransol, and each of the villages have a local Captain, who command small garrisons 6-10 men and a Sergeant) who also act as a police force. 

Andorran soldiers are usually clad in chainmail, with a teardrop-shaped shieldm helm with nasal guard, and a steel longsword (made by Dwarf weaponsmiths in Ordino). As a rule they do not carry crossbows or other misste weapons.

For internal matters, they usually attempt to capture and not kill, as whether justified or not, nobody wants to begin a blood-feud between the guard's and victim's families.


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