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Orandel is the northeastern portion of Tora Danya. 

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-GEOGRAPHY-

 

Landscape

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To the north, the seacoast is rocky, strewn with cliffs and crags. This makes it less attractive for settlements than the sandy coasts of Oceanward and limits its ability to hold ports. The eastern seacoast is much flatter, but rough waters deter foreign ships. The only notable seaports in Orandel are North Haven, a small oasis between the northern cliffs, and the cape of Sandyneck, which sees a decent amount of trade from the east.

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Orandel’s inland regions are filled with fields, meadows, and moors. The southern-central region features the largest freshwater body on the landmass, Lake Marith Elyn, which feeds the coast via the Starborne River and various other streams. The lake valley surrounding Marith Elyn is formed by two massive hills, Naida and Glyndan, and is home to the Greenmist Forest. Its thallow trees are unique to the province, featuring thick, knotted bark and bright green leaves the color of celery.

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Further west, the Antinee River, which begins in the highlands of Galanie, acts as a border between Orandel and Oceanward. It can be crossed by way of the Saxhorn Bridge to the north or the Angel’s Crossing Bridge to the south. The southernmost point of the province holds a forest called Fox Hollow, known for an abundance of wildlife, and the mysterious Bunson Wood can be found near the western edge of Orandel.

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Major Settlements

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Up until 1547 TA, the capital city was Dunstol, located on the western tip of Marith Elyn, but when the ruling nobles were assassinated and their manor was burned, the center of power was moved a short distance across the western neck of the lake, to Parabella. Regarded as a resort by most of the kingdom, Parabella acts as a summer home for many who live outside Orandel, and the city has developed zoned neighborhoods that are defined by communities of people from all around the kingdom. As such, it has become a booming economic center. Dunstol, by contrast, has seen a massive drop in population since the assassination and by 1561 TA was nearly abandoned.

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-HISTORY-

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Formation

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Even during the FA, the northeast was an attractive destination. Its forests and fields attracted adventurers, while its extensive lakefront property attracted prospectors and aristocrats. 

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At the end of the FA, the north was held by the trusted Ladinian General Sorian. Following the king’s assassination, conflict rose between the affluent northeast and pious northwest. The anti-Monarchy revolt that killed Sorian is said to have arisen just east of the Antinee River, but citizens of the region insisted the violence was sparked by insurgents from the west seeking to besmirch them.

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After the demise of Ladinia, when the adventurers left in search of battle and glory, Orandel’s wealthy and bitter community showed little interest in the political drama of the landmass. Sorian’s surviving brother, Lord Dustin, was left in command. Dustin was a military fop who was more interested in the polish of his armor than the bite of his sword, but he hunted down as many dissidents as he could find and executed each one.  Following that, he reached out to the royal city, only to find that chaos and conflict had torn the kingdom apart. Placing blame for the kingdom’s collapse on the stupidity of other regions, Dustin became the first leader to publicly declare Ladinia dead.

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When citizens came to him for help, he preached that he and his contingent were above the madness that had killed Ladinia and had no further interest in their insipid schemes, but he understood that regional defense was needed to guard against treachery. In return for protection and guidance, the local aristocracy agreed to call him their king. Dustin declared an immediate secession from the rest of the landmass, set up watches and walls around the marches, and advised the region to keep to itself.

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For generations hence, Orandel’s armies trained to defend their land, but until the end of the SA, they never campaigned beyond their own borders. When territories to the south, became increasingly militant, Dustin’s grandson, Keiran of Orandel, built The Great Watchtower, which stands to the west of Fox Hollow. The 500-foot garrison survived the creation of Tora Danya and still stands as a tourist attraction.  

 

Tora Danya

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Despite their separatism, Edgar the Great convinced Orandel that rejoining with the rest of the kingdom would help to repair their stagnating economy and undiversified culture. But perhaps the rise of powerful warlike nations to the south, who sought to conquer the landmass, were an even greater impetus to form alliances.

 

The Trade War and Assassination

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From 1539-1541 TA, Orandel was the main site of an invasion during The Trade War, when Tora Danya fought with Gaventel, the nation to the north. The conflict began over a matter of taxation stemming from disagreements about which nation controlled the sea between them, a merchant route known as the Straits of Ellice. King Oswald of Gaventel demanded tax and tribute for the usage of the strait, but Jared II of Tora Danya refused to bend to his demands. Diplomacy deteriorated between the kings. In the month of Laghn’s Blessing, 1539 TA, Gaventel ordered the Tora Danyan ship Sea Wayfarer not to enter the Straits of Ellice. When the ship attempted to cross, it was attacked. For the first year, the conflict unfolded as a naval war, but in 1549, Gaventel’s forces, led by the ruthless Prince Torquil, made landfall in Orandel and fought his way to Dunstol. He killed Duke Amos Tanarak and his wife Violet, captured their children, Adan and Isabelle, and held the province for a year and a half. Adan was freed with help from the MacDougals of Arinnley, but Isabelle was killed. Adan then went on to defeat Torquil, removing the invaders from Tora Danyan shores. Soon after, King Jared II and King Oswald of Gaventel signed a cessation of hostilities.

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Adan inherited the title of Duke and married Selena Hastings of Oceanward Province, sister of Duke Philip and cousin of King Jared II. They ruled well until their assassination by an unknown bandit in 1547 TA.

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Politics

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For centuries after the rise of Tora Danya, the Tanarak family, distant cousins of Lord Dustin, ruled in Orandel. Possessing considerable wealth, they purchased a greater share of land than they were originally offered by King Edgar of Bowen at the dawn of Tora Danya, demanding that they be recognized as earls --as opposed to barons-- if they were to join the new kingdom. But over the years, the Tanaraks became true supporters of the Bowenian Monarchy, always defending them when possession of the throne came into question, and constantly donating wealth. This eventually led to their elevation to dukedom in 1043 by King Griffith the Fat, who valued money and gluttony above all else. Sadly, the Tanarak lordship ended in 1546 TA, when Duke Adan was assassinated and the family home was burned. Adan, a hero of the people, was difficult to replace; therefore, rather than rush to name a new family to the peerage, King Jared II temporarily granted administration of Orandel to Duke Phillip Hastings of Oceanward, making the Hastings family the first and only members of the peerage to administer two provinces at once. The problem was inherited by Jared’s son, King Joseph I, who is known for his lack of resolve, and the matter is not yet settled.

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By 1561 TA, Phillip had elevated Parabella’s mayor, Paul Charon, to Governor of Orandel. They still wait for the Monarchy to choose a new family of nobles.

 

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-ECONOMY-​

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Most of Orandel’s economy is dependent on Parabella and the Marith Elyn Lake Valley. Not only does the city draw merchants and aristocrats from outside the region, but it attracts artisans, performers, and tourists as well, making entertainment a prime source of sustenance for the region. The Greenmist Forest provides valuable export in thallow wood, and the lake itself is an endless source of fish. Onions and mushrooms also grow easily in Orandel and are popular exports.

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Many of the more scattered and detached communities have proven to be self-sufficient, if poor, and live by farming, fishing, and logging.

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-DEMOGRAPHY AND CULTURE-

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A census as of 1561 counted roughly 2,000,000 heads, half of which were centered around Marith Elyn and its surrounding farms. The rest are scattered in communities that have settled the fields, moors, and eastern seacoast. Some of the more remote communities still retain the detachment of their ancestors and have little care for monarchial business.

 

The small village of Algrove is also in Orandel, situated near the southern corner of the Bunson Wood.

 

Religion

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Citizens of Orandel are still dedicated to worshipping the Konalira, but no longer give the Erythira much thought. Kole is especially popular in communities around the lake. The more remote villages worship gods of nature and weather, as their survival depends on the environment.