| Andermark | |
|---|---|
| |
| Vitals | |
| Emblem | 
|
| Government | Monarchy |
| Leadership | House Andergard |
| Head of State Title | King |
| Head of State | |
| Citizenry | Anderian |
| Capitol | Deepwall |
| Population | 136,680 |
| Largest City | Kourne |
| Established | |
| Allies |  
|
| Rivals | 
|
| Currency | 
|
| Languages | Anderian, Canderian |
| Industry | stone craft, mining, Byrridium |
| Historical | |
| Old Maps | File:Andermark purge.png |
Andermark is one of the oldest and wealthiest nations in Lesser Galwyndor, having persisted in various forms since before the Great Purge. It is a mountainous realm, rich in minerals and ancient traditions. The country is ruled by House Andergard from the fortified stronghold of Deepwall.
People of Andermark are called "Anderians."
History
During the time of the Great Purge, Andermark was known as Anderval—a city-state centered around the ancient metropolis of Anderval, which eventually became Vasolo. The native people called themselves Anders, and their legacy has shaped the language and culture of much of the continent. The country's longevity has afforded it a unique influence across eras of collapse and renewal.
Anderval and the Purge
Anderval’s ancient defenses and mountainous geography allowed it to survive many attacks throughout history. Over time, Anderval expanded and solidified into the modern Andermark, retaining its reputation for self-reliance, wealth, and martial restraint.
Geography
Climate and Terrain
Andermark’s terrain is dominated by the Atlica Mountains, with jagged cliffs, sheer valleys, and snowy peaks defining much of the landscape. Due to elevation, the climate is generally cold, with short, mild summers and long winters. Vegetation is sparse, with mosses, lichens, and cave crops supplementing the food supply. Fresh water is sourced from glacial melt and underground cisterns. Canderian, an old offshoot of the Anderian language, is the most common language in the known world. During the time of the Purge, Andermark was known as Anderval, a city-state based around the ancient city of Anderval, which ultimately became Vasolo. The inhabitants called Anders.
Provinces
Andermark is broken up into six provinces:
Major Settlements
- Ashbraid
- Bariton
- Deepwall - capitol stronghold carved out of the Atlicas; said to be impregnable
- Eastwale
- Goodglen
- Gutler
- Hoker Bluffs
- Ironwell
- Kourne
- Leviston
- Locust Point
- Maymullen
- Milkner
- North Ledge
- Price
- Pulder - Anderman Company hq located here until defunct
- Ruan
- Tenshaer - home of the Andermark Atlicans overball club
- Tronwell
- Vasolo - home of Blash University
- Yarrow - Anderman Company founded here
Politics
Government
Andermark is ruled by the noble House Andergard, which operates under a hereditary monarchic system. While it retains old feudal traditions, it incorporates an advisory circle of landowners and mining barons.
Law
Justice in Andermark is swift and severe. Sentencing often involves hard labor in mines, which the populace sees as both punitive and redemptive. Lethal punishments are rare but are usually carried out by sealing the condemned in a stone cell with no door—"returning them to the mountain."
Allies
Andermark is closely allied with Lothlan and Gruenormark, bound by old treaties and shared religious values.
Rivals
Andermark prefers to remain neutral in most conflicts. However, it has no diplomatic ties to the Vurg and refuses to host a Vurg ambassador due to deep alignment with the Tethuric Church, which views the Vurg as theological rivals.
Military
Andermark’s military is small but elite, made up mostly of mountaineers, tunnelers, and siege specialists. Their forces are known for defensive tactics and holdouts in fortified strongholds. The Deepwall Guard is one of the most disciplined forces on the continent.
Economy
Mining and Industry
Andermark’s economy is dominated by mining. It contains the world’s largest deposits of byrridium, a valuable and rare substance. By tightly controlling its export, Andermark has maintained significant economic leverage. It also supplies iron, copper, gold, and a wide variety of stone materials. Craftsmen here are renowned for making tools and weapons that last generations.
Trade
Most trade routes lead out through Pulder and Ironwell, with goods transported by narrow rail and gravity-powered carts down mountain inclines. Merchants often require special permits to enter the inner provinces due to treacherous conditions.
Demographics
Language
The dominant language is Anderian. While similar to modern Canderian, it retains many archaic pronunciations and idioms. Scholars from other nations often come to Vasolo to study linguistic evolution.
Religion
The Tethuric Church has deep roots in Andermark. Temples to the Trine and lesser saents are found in almost every settlement. Religious festivals are held underground, where mirrored domes redirect sunlight into sacred chambers. There is no tolerance for alternate religious practices, and the Vurg are banned outright.
Culture
Andermark’s people are proud, stoic, and meticulous. Life in the mountains fosters resilience, and most citizens are taught basic survival, smelting, and stonecraft from a young age.
Death
Anderians believe that the mountain remembers. The dead are cremated, and their ashes poured into deep fissures so they may "rejoin the stone." Tools and heirlooms are passed down to carry the spirit of the dead forward.
Rites of Passage
Young Anderians must descend into the mines at age 15 and emerge carrying a byrridium shard. This ritual—called the Proving—marks the passage into adulthood. Failure to retrieve a shard results in postponement of inheritance and rank.
Superstition
- Never speak a lie in a tunnel, or the stone will collapse to silence you.
- To spit on copper is to curse your own fortune.
- If a light flickers near ore, it means the mountain approves—miners will not dig until it flickers again.