The Confederated Clans of Andalovii

History

The Confederacy of Andalovii is made up of primarily citizens of Gallic, Celtic and Pictish descent and is one of the only civilisations on Earth that remains true to its ancestral roots. The Andalovian people arrived on the islands they currently call home in waves throughout 500-800 AD. They were the result of a small group of Northern Britons (Primarily Pictish Scots and Celtic Irish), who fled Britannia due to the arrival of the Angles, Saxons and Vikings in the British Isles. After a long, hazardous journey across the world known as "The Turos" (pulled off in a same manner as the Polynesian settlings of various Pacific Islands, including Hawaii and Easter Island), during which over half of the settlers (7,000 lost) died. Miraculously, the island that they found to settle on was in a similar climate to the Highlands and Glens of Scotland, mountainous and forested, thus suitable to the future Andalovians.

After arrival on the island, tiny cultural differences set in, with most of the Gallic settlers being loyal to the Christian God, and most Celts and Picts following their Pagan Pantheon of gods, and soon, multiple tribes had been established on the islands, with frequent warring between them over matters such as religion and land. However, by about 1300 AD, that all changed with the arrival of a warrior of the small Erigantes tribe, Calgaccus. Calgaccus was originally of low birth, but he was powerful with a sword and bow, and was soon able to take the title of Chief for himself (He was Chief of the Erigantes by the age of 16). Once he became Chief, he embarked upon a process of unifying the warring tribes into one embodied confederacy, which remains to this day, establishing the official religion as Christianity but with Celtic lore fused with it, including state symbols representing the figures of the old Pictish and Celtic gods. This Confederacy, dedicated to peace and internal cooperation, remains to this day, and Calgaccus is a national legend.

The arrival of the British in the late 1700s was a surprise to the Andalovians, who had not been present (in fact totally oblivious to) the Renaissance and the arriving Industrial Revolution. They did not even know of gunpowder of muskets, but they acquired small amounts of Brown Bess muskets from the British in return for brass and silver jewellery. The British were largely tolerant of the island, having them become an unofficial protectorate of the Empire (Similar to native protectorates in EU IV). We would have their protection and they would have access to the gems and minerals on the island, which there was an abundance of, making Andalovii rather rich, Andalovian Sapphire is still one of the bluest and most valuable gems on the planet. At the end of WWI, Britain cancelled this Patronage, due to financial issues and focussed more on retaining their large colonies (Ie. India and Australia). However, the arrival of WWII, also saw the arrival of German soldiers with the intent on securing the Sapphire, Iron and Coal mines on the island. This infuriated the locals who fought back ferociously, using their traditional guerrilla tactics to drive the Germans away for good, thanks to the continuation of arms trade with the British to acquire Lee Enfield rifles, which suited the marksmanship of the locals.

Leadership Structure

Andalovii is a confederation of many clans and tribes that were once all ruled by the High Kings. However over the past 200 years Andalovian politics changed forever when various political reforms were passed giving the vote to the middle classes, working classes and eventually women in 1854, 1867 and 1920, respectively. Now sovereign power lies with the Prime Minister of the elected Council of Representatives.

As for the Andalovian monarchy, they are still around. Although the High King is officially declared the Head of State his role is only ceremonial as the Council holds the true political power.

Andalovian elections work similarly to the British Parliament, in that voters do not elect men or women, they vote for parties and their policy and the leaders of those parties will become Prime Minister. The current electoral system of the CCA is Single Transferable Vote, so coalition parties have formed up to 95% of the nations governments over the past 100 years.

Culture

Andalovian culture is both passive and warlike, due to the period of warring between the many tribes, but also remaining true to the war band tactics of the people who left Britain. Because Andalovii has a smaller population than most nation, it was always necessary of warriors to be in the best quality as all citizens, including women, are trained from a young age. We perform many old Celtic practices, celebrating Sam Hain to worship the harvest, and also Christian traditions such as Christmas and Easter. The old differences of the old Andalovians that Calgaccus unified are largely gone, as culture integrated to suit the new confederacy. Monogamy is not widely practiced among Andalovian pagans.

Society

Andalovii is very liberal in its mindset. Society as a whole is very reminiscent of Wester culture, with egalitarian, pluralism and tolerance being very beloved aspects of life. Many liberal policies are in place in the country. Same-sex marriage is legal, cannabis is legal and the nation has even given in to a socialist policy and has a successful and efficient welfare system that includes pensions, benefits and health care.

Military

As stated above, the small population of Andalovii has left us with a small militia based army of elites, dedicated to the guerrilla warfare style of our ancestors. Each citizen is trained to be of adept skill with accuracy, weapon handling and melee combat, all of which we are renowned for.

The arms trade with Britain resumes to this day and as a result:

The official standard issue assault rifle of Andalovii is the L85A2 (SA80) media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/5736/8633076_2.jpg?v=8CE70FDFAF1B540

The official side arm of Andalovii is the L9A1 9mm pistol upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Pistol_Browning_SFS.jpg

We have two close quarters weapons, one is a stainless steel adaptation of the old Celtic short sword and a ceremonial Celtic dagger. www.outfit4events.com/runtime/cache/images/productFull/Celtic-Short-Sword-Ogilvy-3505_01.jpg and s257.photobucket.com/user/haw_thrn/media/gwensdagger0172.jpg.html

'''Landscape '''

Andalovii a group of islands, the largest of which is called Carlodan. It is very similar in climate and terrain to the mountains of the Scottish Highlands and the glens of the glens of the North-East of Scotland. Where there are no mountains or towns there are forests, which are rich with strong oak and pine trees. The largest mountain in Andalovii is called Toutatis, in tribute of the head deity of the Celtic pantheon.

National Heroes and Legends

Andalo (Unknown - Circa 800AD) - Andalo was the leader of the first wave of Celto-Pictish settlers who arrived on the island. He is treasured for his risky and ambitious leadership of the settlers as the navigated the dangerous Sea of Tears and founded the first settlement on the island, the future site of New Caledonia. The unified island was named after him by the first High King, Calgaccus.

Vulgratti (935 - 960AD) - The second son of and Andalovian Chief, Vulgratti was renowned for his good looks and skill at archery. After being refused the hand of the daughter of a rival tribe in marriage, Vulgratti, under the ruse of a travelling bard, seduced the daughter and her sister and eloped with both of them during the night, leaving only a stag's horn in each of their beds. He was eventually murdered by an assassin of that Chief, starting a bloody war between that tribe and the tribe of Vulgratti's father, which laster for 67 years, known as the War of the Horn. Vulgratti is renowned as a legend among the Andalovian people, and some of the island's current remaining Pagan's worship him as the demigod of seduction and also the patron of bowmen.

Calgaccus (1284 - 1358AD) - Having been born of low birth in the small Erigantes tribe, Calgaccus was born with immense strength and wisdom, and by the age of 16, he usurped the throne of the tribe, despite receiving little opposition. A devout worshipper of the Christian God, Calgaccus claimed to receive a divine message from God himself, who stated that it was his destiny to rule the entire land. Around about 1300AD, Calgaccus embarked upon his long campaign of unification that would last him 15 years. After achieving this "destiny", Calgaccus was revered as a leader, being both just and cunning, he established Christianity as the official religion of the monarchy but established a tolerant, secular state throughout the realm, so as to avoid destabilising peace among the Northern, Pagan tribes. Calgaccus died a peaceful death at age 74 and, despite his belief in Christianity, many Pagans believe that, upon his death, he ascended to position of a god, serving as the head commander of the Chief of the gods, Toutatis.

Ronegal I (1502-1532AD) - Ronegal I is famous for being the first Andalovian High King to be assassinated, he died of poisoning, when a disloyal servant sabotaged his wine. Under torture and pressure, the servant revealed that she had been ordered to do so by the High Chief of Ravenscar, who had his own claim to the High King's throne. The High Chief was imprisoned in his own keep and murdered by royalist assassins. Ronegal himself was given a national day by his successor, his brother, Calgaccus III.

Ronegal III (1759-1803AD) - Ronegal III was the first High King of Andalovii to make contact with the British. He started a period in which Andalovii's economy thrived under British rule and British economic prosperity. This period also revolutionised Andalovian warfare as the guerrilla styles of combat were amended to incorporate tactics with firearms. Andalovii thrived for the next 110 years.

Doril AcDoril (1924-1968AD) - By 1924, Andalovii had been granted its independence by the British but still maintained close trade and political links. During the Second World War, in 1941, German forces landed on Andalovii to secure the sapphire, iron and coal mines. However, due to the thick forestation and mountainous terrain of the island, were unable to deploy heavy vehicles or tanks, proving to be their weakness and leaving them reliant on foot soldiers. The Andalovian defenders, led by Doril AcDoril, fought valiantly to repel the Fascist invaders and lost about 10,000 men in the process. But the use of guerrilla tactics, aided by British weaponry, paid off and the German invaders were repelled from land, where they remained on their ships until the British fleet relieved the blockade in November 1944. Doril's most famous raid took place on December 25, 1942. While German soldiers were celebrating Christmas with vast quantities of alcohol, Doril and 20 irregulars sailed out to and snuck aboard the German flagship, the Wittelsbach, and sunk it using timed explosives, seriously denting the German efforts on the island.

National Treasures, Monuments and Fabled Items

God's Tear - Andalovii is world renowned for the beautiful and excellent quality sapphires that it produces, however none is more-so than the God's Tear, the jewel of the Andalovian monarchy. Legend tells that it was handed to High King Calgaccus in 1300AD, when God himself anointed him as rightful ruler of all of Andalovii. The location of the jewel is currently confidential to outside knowledge, but be rest assured, it is safe.

Mount Toutatis - Andalovii is also world famous for being a land of dense forests and mountains. The largest mountain on the island is hard to miss. Mount Toutatis stands 7,734 metres tall and is often nicknamed "the lance of the gods". The name Toutatis comes from the name of the head god of the Pictish Pagan pantheon.

The Temple of the Lance - At the very tip of Mount Toutatis stands the Temple of the Lance. A monastery for devout worshippers of all religions, the function of this temple is not for a deity but purely for worship and appreciation of the land and the natural world, a value held dear to all Andalovians.

The Legendary Horns of Vulgratti - Remember the tale of Vulgratti and the Chieftains' two daughters? Well the Horns are the fabled objects that Vulgratti left in the daughter's beds the night he eloped with them. There is much speculation about their actual existence, but many have given up their whole lives to find them, some even lost them...

The Andalovian Onyx - Andalovii is a nation that values green trees and blue sapphires, but the Andalovian Onyx is the royal blade used by the High King. Once it actually saw combat, ever since it was found in a cave by High King Calgaccus II, grandson of the first Calgaccus. Now it sits by the side of the Woven Throne, the official seat of the monarch. It is named for its deep black blade, although it has a carefully gilded gold and sapphire hilt.

The Saviour's Coin - In 1853AD, High King Irendil II was enjoying a time of prosperity under British protection. However, an assassin who supported Andalovian economic independence attempted to assassinate the King, and fired a shot at him with a pistol in front of the whole court. Ironically for the assassin, it was British economics that saved the life of the High King, as the bullet was stopped by a British half-pence coin in the King's coat. The assassin was hanged from a gibbet outside of New Caledonia and kept alive for over 6 months. The coin is now held in the pocket of all monarchs of Andalovii, as it is seen to protect them from negative forces.