Andoran

Andoran is the first democratically governed republic in the Inner Sea region, and as a result is perhaps best known for its message of freedom. Though a young nation, having broken away from Chelish rule only 50 years ago, Andoran has earned its place among the recognized political powers through a strong economy, a powerful navy, and bold efforts to combat the practice of slavery even beyond its borders.

Perhaps due to its youth, Andoran keeps a close eye on its neighbors. Taldor’s revitalization under Grand Princess Eutropia is not as welcome in Andoran as in other countries: despite Eutropia’s many reforms and improved diplomacy, she’s still a hereditary monarch who prevented a people’s rebellion. Andoran has also taken note of Cheliax’s recent weaknesses, and rumors abound that the two nations may be headed for war—a sentiment encouraged by Andoran’s leader, Supreme-Elect Andira Marusek, a retired general of the Steel Falcons known for her opposition to the Chelish slave trade. Last but not least, prudence leads Andoran to carefully observe the follies of its cousin nation of Galt in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes, lest bloody revolution undermine all that Andoran has achieved over the past decades.

The Eagle Knights of Andoran, state-funded soldiers and spies dressed in iconic blue-and-gold uniforms, are often associated with abolitionist efforts, though the various divisions within the organization are seldom understood beyond the nation’s borders. The Golden Legion is composed of elite soldiers who fight alongside TALDOR

Andoran’s standing military. The Steel Falcons (and their naval counterparts, the Gray Corsairs) operate independent of the regular military, specializing in battling slavery and tyranny both at home and abroad. Most secretive of the knights are the Twilight Talons, who provide intelligence and espionage for a government that officially disavows any knowledge of their existence.

Yet not every organization in Andoran lives up to the nation’s lofty ideals. Renowned across the Inner Sea region, the innocuous-sounding Lumber Consortium was originally a criminal syndicate predating Andoran’s independence, and the consortium’s financial influence remains unparalleled. Ties between the consortium and several longstanding members of the People’s Council have raised questions about whether the nation needs safeguards in place to prevent corruption of elected officials, yet somehow these measures never seem to come to fruition.

Darkmoon Vale

An infamous region tucked along Andoran’s northern border, Darkmoon Vale is one of the nation’s few patches of truly dangerous wilderness. Its distance from Almas allows the Lumber Consortium to operate nearly unchecked here, claiming the city of Oregent as its headquarters. But the area’s riches—from darkwood and other lumber to silver and access to the Isgeri border—are not easily claimed. Centuries of logging have strained relations with the woodlands’ fey protectors, while bands of predatory lycanthropes and flame drakes hunt the lonely hills. More perils come from the nearby Candlestone Caverns, an extensive cave system home to kobolds, duergar, undead, and more, made all the worse by deep passages to the Darklands that allow even more dangerous creatures access to the surface.

Magical Eagle Knight Epaulets

Epaulets are part of nearly every Eagle Knight uniform, so enchanted versions of these items are common among the Eagle Knights. toiling in worship of Droskar under Ordrik Talhrik.

4081 ar

Cheliax breaks away from Taldor in the Even-Tongued Conquest, also annexing the provinces of Andoran and Galt. 4606 ar

The god Aroden dies, causing worldwide disasters and plunging Cheliax into civil war. 4667 ar

The first Revolutionary Council forms in Galt after rebelling against Thrune-dominated Cheliax; the final blades are commissioned and put into service.

4669 ar

Andoran declares independence from Thrune-dominated Cheliax and forms a fledgling democracy. 4717 ar

Andoran establishes a successful colony on the shattered ruins of Azlant.

4718 ar

Grand Prince Stavian III of Taldor has half the Taldan senate murdered. The ensuing War for the Crown is dramatic and bloody, with Eutropia eventually claiming the throne as grand princess.

NOTABLE FIGURES

The following are key public figures in the Shining Kingdoms.

QUEEN TELANDIA EDASSERIL Always a formidable figure in elven politics, Kyonin’s queen has capitalized on the return of the Whispering Tyrant to strengthen ties with other nations.

GRAND PRINCESS EUTROPIA Despite a blood-soaked ascension to the throne, Taldor’s first empress has proven to be a ruler devoted to moderation and well-considered improvements to the nation.

HIGH PROPHET KELLDOR The current head of the Prophets of Kalistrade commands near-total control over the affairs of both the Kalistocrats and Druma’s Resplendent Bureaucracy.

SUPREME-ELECT ANDIRA MARUSEK An experienced general known for years of abolitionist military efforts, Andira Marusek was elected to lead the People’s Council of Andoran in 4716 ar.

Golden Legion Epaulet

ITEM 3

Traits: uncommon, enchantment, magical, invested

Price 55 gp

Usage worn epaulet; Bulk L

These gleaming golden epaulets are issued to Eagle Knight officers and worn as part of the uniform. While they can be enchanted to provide a variety of effects, the Golden Legion epaulet remains the most common.

Activate ◆ (Command); Frequency once per day; Effect Issue an order as part of the command. You and each ally within 60 feet who follows that order gain a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws against fear until the beginning of your next turn.