Andalusia is a neutral kingdom located in the southernmost region of the continent. It is  surrounded on all sides by a natural border of mountains that separates it from the kingdoms to the north and the sea to the east, west, and south. Andalusian lands are temperate and fertile, abounding in natural resources.

Informally, the region is referred to by its ancient name, the Vale, for its position between the great mountains and its abundance of dense, green vegetation.

Government

Each of the three kingdoms is overseen by a monarchy – a king who passes his rule on to his next oldest male heir. Where the kingdoms differ is in how their individual cities and districts are managed.

Andalusia is divided into four major regions named for their location: North-vale, South-vale, East-vale, and West-vale. Regions are overseen by Governors appointed by the Royal Throne. There are several cities and villages headed by Mayors and Chiefs who are nobles of the court and are awarded their position due to status, exceptional leadership ability, or as special recognition for contributions to the kingdom.

Andler, The Royal Family

Since the onset of the war in the north some thousand years ago, it has been the desire of every Andler king to be the one to bring peace back to the continent. And while every king recognizes the importance of peace for the common good, there is another factor that motivates them: whoever ushers in a new era of peace will leave behind an immortal legacy. Andalusian history is littered with attempts to work out a treaty between Espinosa and Portia, most of them spectacular failures. In the last two reigns, however, there have been signs of progress as the two warring countries have agreed to at least entertain negotiations.

Rainier Andler (Previous King)
Father to current king, Garon Andler, and Grandfather of Prince Christian Andler, King Rainier is best known for constructing “Accordance Hall” and establishing the Accordants. A marvel of Andalusian engineering and wealth, Accordance Hall is a massive stone and marble compound in the capital where representatives from Espinosa and Portia (called “Accordants”) live as they negotiate terms for a lasting peace in the north. There are roughly 20 – 30 Accordants for each side present in Accordance Hall at any given time. Hearings and sessions are held daily where the Accordants debate terms and polices that often affect Andalusia’s role in the conflict (in terms of aid, support, and political alliances).

Accordance Hall was seen as a victory and a true first step toward establishing a treaty. However, that perception would soon change. Upon arriving in the posh living quarters of Accordance Hall, Espinosian and Portian representatives alike were accused of forgetting the plight of their home countries as they indulged in the many peaceful luxuries Andalusia had to offer. Cliques and sects formed among them, even reaching across enemy lines, as these lifelong politicians sought only to maintain their status as ‘honorary nobility’ and their spot in the Hall. “This is no monument of peace, but a monument to pointless beuraucratic oration and bloated opulence,” an outspoken critic of the royal family once wrote. “I wonder, were its goblets and platters forged in the same fires as the swords and axe-heads we graciously sell our brothers to the north?”

Garon Andler (Current King)
Garon ascended the throne when his father passed away at 89. By the time he took power, the public had lost confidence in the efforts of Accordance Hall. Fearing the conflict would never end, there was an outcry that more resources be spent toward securing Andalusia from any potential invasion or spill-over from the war. King Garon, perhaps the greatest speaker and political campaigner in modern history, was able to convince his people that stockpiling weapons and amassing armies would only fan the flames of war. He instead turned his energy toward reforming Accordance Hall. While his efforts bore fruit early on, he soon became dismayed at the amount of power these diplomats had amassed unto themselves, even among his own counselors. Change would be possible, but very, very slow. Garon then began looking for ways to bring the nations together symbolically, through numerous festivals celebrating the diversity of the kingdoms and what he felt would be his masterstroke – the first ever union between an Andler and someone of mixed blood.

Prince Christian Andler (missing)
After months of researching records and archives, Garon and his team discovered a merchant family who had blood-ties to all three of the ancient families. They even had cousins (a few times removed) who held high positions in both Portian and Espinosian nobility. Garon arranged for his oldest son and heir, Christian, to marry their daughter, Countess Malessa, in a controversial bid to bring the three kingdoms closer together. The decision caused quite a stir among some of his closest counselors who thought the move weakened the kingdom and the Andler line, but that was nothing compared to Prince Christian’s reaction. The young Prince flatly refused the union, asking instead to select his own bride. As if that wasn’t enough, he wanted to marry a commoner with no documented ties to the three families. When King Garon refused his son’s request, the boy fled the capital and disappeared into the Vale.

Seeing it as an omen, King Garon decided to end any marriage talks regarding his younger son who now sits as the heir to the throne until Christian is found.

Military

The Royal Guard
The Royal Guard is Andalusia’s standing army who, in the absence of war, serve as defenders of the capital and top-level peacekeepers who answer directly to the throne. Known as “Royals” for short, these soldiers are stationed mostly within the capital and at strategic outposts along the Andalusian border. Upon the request of regional Governors, Royals may be dispatched to handle threats, crimes, and disturbances too great for lower-level peacekeepers to handle.

The Outrunners (Full Article)
Six hundred years ago, the Outrunners were established as roaming peacekeepers tasked with assisting local law-enforcement, aiding citizens as needed, and being the eyes and ears of the throne. The Outrunners are comprised mostly of young soldiers with aspirations of joining the Royal Guard or entering military administration.