Andalus Isles

The Andalus Isles are a secretive and mysterious nation founded on a large archipelago in the northeastern seas. The nation is made up of 13 major islands, having been settled in 200 HE by a group of colonists from Messembria who resisted the cultural homogenization of emerging Hemeran society and wished to preserve the culture, religion, and traditions they brought with them from Earth. A number of cultures are represented, typically one for each island, though no one outside the Andalus Isles is very sure of the details. There is little interaction between Andalus and foreigners, and although the governments of the other four nations do have diplomatic relations with Andalus, even they know very little. The islands to this day are very insular and secretive, with strictly controlled borders and a vigilant fleet that patrols the seas of the northern Andric Ocean. Andalusians are quite polite to outsiders, but strongly discourage too much outside influence and strictly control trade. They keep traditions from Earth alive, but over time have developed a strong cultural identity of their own. Emigration is extremely rare, and natives of Andalus may travel, but seldom move away from the islands. It is sometimes called the Andalusian Empire, though the accuracy of the name is in dispute. Boreas is the nation on the best terms with Andalus, though even the Boreans know little of what truly goes on there.

Most people of Messembria and the other nations know very little about the Andalus Isles, learning in school only that there are three rulers and no one is entirely sure how they are chosen or exactly how the government works, only that heredity is somehow involved. The prejudice is usually that Andalus is a backwards nation, its people clinging to cultures and systems from Old Earth that have been rendered obsolete by Hemeran society. It's widely believed that Andalus shuns much modern technology and is highly religious, with strict laws governing personal freedoms and morality. It's often said that women are an oppressed class in this society, although in truth they enjoy many freedoms and almost equal standing with the men, holding power at all branches of government. Still, misinformation and stereotypes are difficult to combat when the nation keeps so much to itself and is so very secretive.

Those involved in higher levels of government and the military in other nations will know more about the realities of the Andalus Isles, though Andalus keeps many secrets even from them.

(Please contact Amy for more information if you intend for your character to come from the Andalus Isles.)