Andaen, The Free City of ('an.den / 'æn.den)
Overview
Built upon the ruins of a Crusader citadel by the same name in the aftermath of the Assault on Andaen, the Free City of Andaen is an economically powerful and politically prominent city-state straddling the Strait of Andaen of Andaen, thus controlling access to the Haifatneh Sea from the vast ocean to the north. Andaen is known across the Continent for its vibrant international trade, its prime location for maritime travel, its double walls and sizable standing army and navy, and its status as the premier center of learning across the Haifatneh Basin. Though there are kingdoms and empires which surpass Andaen in sheer military power, Andaen's prestige and formidability are such that its inhabitants have enjoyed relative peace since well before the beginning of the Revival Era. However, Andaenis' fixation on material success, plus the nature of Andaen's sensitive religous history, also give the city a reputation for being spiritually impoverished despite life there being relatively stable and comfortable. By virtue of being a mercantile hub and thus a popular destination for temporary visitors and laborers, Andaen is also one of the only settlements across the Continent with a booming service industry.Demographics
Full article: Demographics of Andaen
Legally speaking, Andaen's inhabitants are divided into three groups: land-owning Citizens with full civil rights, Residents (those with writs of residence but who have not earned the right to purchase real estate), and Sojourners (migrant workers and others who have been granted entry to the city, usually for a stay of indeterminate length).
While virtually anyone who enjoys access to gainful employment or the city's services can expect to live at least a comfortable and secure life, there are multiple highly visible tiers of social status in the city, these tiers mainly being tied to wealth.
Government
Full Article: Governance and Legal Administration of Andaen
Being a city-state, Andaen is a self-governing entity and not under the rule of any kingdom, empire, republic, or the like. The City-State of Andaen itself does have jurisdiction over tracts of land beyond its city walls, as well as either hegemonic or direct administrative control of several other locales within the Haifatneh Basin and Near Takhet.
Andaen's rulership consists of a bureaucratic administration headed by the Council of Andaen, a small, self-elected decision-making body of eight prominent citizens plus a Chief Magistrate who leads their meetings and discussions. Andaen's Council and bureaucracy govern the city-state according to the rule of law, as legislated through Council meetings and decrees and adjucated through proceedings of the High Court and Petty Courts.
Andaen's rulership consists of a bureaucratic administration headed by the Council of Andaen, a small, self-elected decision-making body of eight prominent citizens plus a Chief Magistrate who leads their meetings and discussions. Andaen's Council and bureaucracy govern the city-state according to the rule of law, as legislated through Council meetings and decrees and adjucated through proceedings of the High Court and Petty Courts.
Districts
The city proper straddles the narrowest length of the Strait of Andaen, with additional defenses and maritime facilities set at either entrance to the Strait.
The Haifatneh Harbors District is situated on the west bank of the southern mouth of the Strait. Numerous docks and massive dry-dock operations line the harbors on a scale unseen elsewhere in the Continent, partially ringed in by the city's sea walls; included among these are more than half of the city's naval defense facilities. Past the docks, many government offices and guild houses are based here since the facilitation and regulation of maritime business is key to the city's interests. A few estates are situated in strategic spots on the district's highest reaches to maximize the view of the sea yet remain distant from the smells and noises of the fishing and shipping activities below. A number of sea walls dot the perimeter of the harbors, attesting to the city’s past troubles with pirates on the Haifatneh Sea.
Situated at the southern land and southeast maritime entrances to the city, the Sojourners' District is bustling with inns, market squares, and lower-end to mid-range taverns and street food stalls where patrons carry out extended business negotiations or catch up with old friends from afar. It is by far the district which sees the heaviest foot traffic, with Sojourners' Boulevard being a vital artery for the flow of wagons, draft animals, and the like. The district has something of a reputation for drinking, gambling, and prostitution but is seen as offering relatively reputable alternatives to the more illicit activities in the Underchannels. The city's bathhouses, varying in decor and accommodations for all walks of life, are mainly situated here as well thanks to this district's proximity to the city's triple aqueducts. Though life here can get a little too exciting on occasion, the Sojourners’ District is widely regarded as the ideal place for anyone with wanderlust to meet like-minded individuals, share stories of their travels, and seek out contracts or unusual jobs.
The Strait, running north-south from the vast ocean to the Haifatneh Sea is lined with entrances to the canals permeating the city as well as cafes and other entertainment venues. These cafes are the haunts of students, academics, and artists throughout the day, and entrepreneurs and relatively well-off busybodies frequent them in the evenings. Higher-end venues can be found where the views are most picturesque from the mid afternoon to night, or else where the din of the city's traffic and commercial activity is the most subdued; these are frequented by the wealthy merchants, politicians, and intelligentsia, many of whom can spend half a day idly chatting and dining or drinking while boats drift by. No residential properties exist here aside from a handful of exceptionally high-value estates which were built within context of the overt corruption of the city-state's early military government. The width of the Strait necessitates a ferry system to transport residents, visitors, and goods from one side to the other; the multiple ferry stops along the Strait, plus the ferry boats' access to the canals, have produced what is arguably the Continent's first noteworthy public transit system.
Branching out from the main Strait- and harbor-linked canals are the Underchannels. Despite the name, the Underchannels exist both above and underground; what differentiates above-ground “underchannels” from the mainstream above-ground canals is that the above-ground underchannels mostly lie under bridges and overpasses or are concealed by adjacent cliffs or construction, as opposed to the open-air designs of the main transportation canals. Either way, they are relatively hidden from the prying eyes of import regulators and city security personnel. The Underchannels, both those above and below ground, function as the hubs of smuggling and other illicit activities which facilitate the movement of illicit goods from the two harbor districts, both into the city and into the city’s next exports.
The Middle Districts are residential and light commercial zones comprising the western and northeastern flanks of the walled city, being in the “middle” in respect to socioeconomic situation rather than location. These districts feature much of the city’s new construction, reflecting the growth of the mercantile middle class; many buildings here, especially along major roads, are two- or three-story shophouses. Owners or leasees of these shop-houses conduct business on the open-air first (ground) floor, making these districts quite lively during the day but comparatively tranquil once most workers are finished with their dinners. The upper floors of these shophouses are typically the residences of these businesspeople, but owners will sometimes rent out a floor to apprentices, students, and the like. A few guild houses and estates of moderate wealth are present here, too, often featuring enclosed courtyards where residents and visitors can enjoy considerable comfort and privacy in the midst of the heat and business of the city. These districts’ needs are met partly by the presence of several cisterns of ancient Shadrusun design, which keep sources of potable water within walking distance for residents and businesses.
Situated in the mid-northwest of the city is the Galleries and Gardens District. In contrast to the efficient crowdedness of much of the city, the sprawling Galleries and Gardens feature ample green space which spaces out a number of monuments and museums to the city’s history. This district’s expansive, almost palatial design owes itself to having previously been the site of the Holy Order’s headquarters during Andaen’s days as a Crusader citadel. While the grounds run by the Holy Order were cramped with drill yards, barracks, and places of worship, much of this was utterly destroyed during the inordinate devastation wrought during the Assault on Andaen. A number of structures do survive from that era, however, with former fortifications and a few other constructions now serving as administrative spaces. Those who work in these buildings, however, often complain of the heat every season outside of winter, as the buildings feature foreign designs suited to some more exotic climate. In a number of the administrative buildings and museums, interior walls have been added to reduce room sizes; in others, entire wall sections have been knocked out and roofs have been redone for the purpose of improved ventilation and heat management. The exterior spaces of the Gardens exhibit a Crusader legacy as well, if one looks closely: The culturally Haifatnehti and Shadrusun garden aesthetics overlay squarish layouts, likely where drill yards or public squares for outdoor preaching and ceremonies once stood. More conspicuously, five triumphal arches with no obvious architectural function surround Armistice Square, an outdoor monument commemorating the signing of the so-called First Armistice, which in official histories marks the end of the Crusade and the Resistance.
Off to the east, the University Outcrop sits atop cliffs jutting out from the edge of the city. The most prominent feature of this district by far is the University of Esoteric Arts and Lore, a fortress-like place of learning which originally doubled as a deterrent to potential invaders on account of its reputation for training dangerous mages. The University’s architecture hints at a number of other practical concerns, too; for instance, many windows, especially in dormitories and offices, face eastward or northward so as to intake the most light, especially in the morning to encourage studiousness and consistent schedules. Whereas the Galleries and Gardens exhibit Northerner-style architecture to a significant extent, the Esoteric University and its immediate surroundings are of largely Shadrusun design: Though the campus lacks any ziggurats or other storybook staples of Shadrusun architecture, its buildings are topped with painted or glass domes unseen elsewhere in the city, and the curious angles and odd numbers of walls composing many buildings are thought to cause visitors and faculty alike to get lost easily. The Outcrop has since extended beyond the space originally dedicated to the Esoteric University, as several other institutions of formal and higher education have sprouted up in proximity to it at the encouragement of the city-state’s civilian government. Space here, too, is greatly valued, with some of the alleys separating campus buildings so narrow that students of one institution can toss notes through their neighbors’ windows, and in the evenings, a punchy waft of fried foods and seasonings makes its way skyward through the narrow lanes.
On the west side of the Strait along the northern coast, Northharbor District welcomes traffic from the vast ocean beyond. Whether this district looks welcoming, however, is another question: Access to the harbor is restricted by two lines of sea walls on account of Northharbor having been a key weak point in both of the two greatest battles over Andaen’s future. Visitors will also observe that the water here is considerably murkier than elsewhere around the city because metal forges and refineries, glassworking facilities, and other heavy industries pepper this district. On top of this, the air here is sometimes visible with sawdust, on account of the lumber shipping and shipwrighting operations here. Northharbor’s residential areas are almost exclusively home to these industries' laborers, for the environment here is decidedly undesirable to anyone else. For travelers seeking cheap accommodations irrespective of the environs, however, the boarding houses and hostels that typically host sailors and petty merchants are quite economical, at least as long as one keeps one’s eye on one’s purse.
Beyond the city walls, additional residences, small businesses, and cheap inns line the main roads leading into the city. Dispersed among these are the scattered remains of ancient outer walls and the stumps of old watch towers, all remnants of more difficult times for the city’s residents; little remains of most of these fortifications, and their ruins are often picked through for building materials for use in current projects. Further afield, the Haifatneh Basin’s distinct olive trees grow in pleasingly organized groves, and further still are farming villages producing flax for linen, herbs and spices such as bay leaves and cumin, and the wheat and other staple crops that support the city’s dense population; along the shores of the Haifatneh Sea, one can also watch pearl harvesters at work, even as the pearl harvesters themselves watch cargo ships pass them by on the way to the Strait.
The Haifatneh Harbors District is situated on the west bank of the southern mouth of the Strait. Numerous docks and massive dry-dock operations line the harbors on a scale unseen elsewhere in the Continent, partially ringed in by the city's sea walls; included among these are more than half of the city's naval defense facilities. Past the docks, many government offices and guild houses are based here since the facilitation and regulation of maritime business is key to the city's interests. A few estates are situated in strategic spots on the district's highest reaches to maximize the view of the sea yet remain distant from the smells and noises of the fishing and shipping activities below. A number of sea walls dot the perimeter of the harbors, attesting to the city’s past troubles with pirates on the Haifatneh Sea.
Situated at the southern land and southeast maritime entrances to the city, the Sojourners' District is bustling with inns, market squares, and lower-end to mid-range taverns and street food stalls where patrons carry out extended business negotiations or catch up with old friends from afar. It is by far the district which sees the heaviest foot traffic, with Sojourners' Boulevard being a vital artery for the flow of wagons, draft animals, and the like. The district has something of a reputation for drinking, gambling, and prostitution but is seen as offering relatively reputable alternatives to the more illicit activities in the Underchannels. The city's bathhouses, varying in decor and accommodations for all walks of life, are mainly situated here as well thanks to this district's proximity to the city's triple aqueducts. Though life here can get a little too exciting on occasion, the Sojourners’ District is widely regarded as the ideal place for anyone with wanderlust to meet like-minded individuals, share stories of their travels, and seek out contracts or unusual jobs.
The Strait, running north-south from the vast ocean to the Haifatneh Sea is lined with entrances to the canals permeating the city as well as cafes and other entertainment venues. These cafes are the haunts of students, academics, and artists throughout the day, and entrepreneurs and relatively well-off busybodies frequent them in the evenings. Higher-end venues can be found where the views are most picturesque from the mid afternoon to night, or else where the din of the city's traffic and commercial activity is the most subdued; these are frequented by the wealthy merchants, politicians, and intelligentsia, many of whom can spend half a day idly chatting and dining or drinking while boats drift by. No residential properties exist here aside from a handful of exceptionally high-value estates which were built within context of the overt corruption of the city-state's early military government. The width of the Strait necessitates a ferry system to transport residents, visitors, and goods from one side to the other; the multiple ferry stops along the Strait, plus the ferry boats' access to the canals, have produced what is arguably the Continent's first noteworthy public transit system.
Branching out from the main Strait- and harbor-linked canals are the Underchannels. Despite the name, the Underchannels exist both above and underground; what differentiates above-ground “underchannels” from the mainstream above-ground canals is that the above-ground underchannels mostly lie under bridges and overpasses or are concealed by adjacent cliffs or construction, as opposed to the open-air designs of the main transportation canals. Either way, they are relatively hidden from the prying eyes of import regulators and city security personnel. The Underchannels, both those above and below ground, function as the hubs of smuggling and other illicit activities which facilitate the movement of illicit goods from the two harbor districts, both into the city and into the city’s next exports.
The Middle Districts are residential and light commercial zones comprising the western and northeastern flanks of the walled city, being in the “middle” in respect to socioeconomic situation rather than location. These districts feature much of the city’s new construction, reflecting the growth of the mercantile middle class; many buildings here, especially along major roads, are two- or three-story shophouses. Owners or leasees of these shop-houses conduct business on the open-air first (ground) floor, making these districts quite lively during the day but comparatively tranquil once most workers are finished with their dinners. The upper floors of these shophouses are typically the residences of these businesspeople, but owners will sometimes rent out a floor to apprentices, students, and the like. A few guild houses and estates of moderate wealth are present here, too, often featuring enclosed courtyards where residents and visitors can enjoy considerable comfort and privacy in the midst of the heat and business of the city. These districts’ needs are met partly by the presence of several cisterns of ancient Shadrusun design, which keep sources of potable water within walking distance for residents and businesses.
Situated in the mid-northwest of the city is the Galleries and Gardens District. In contrast to the efficient crowdedness of much of the city, the sprawling Galleries and Gardens feature ample green space which spaces out a number of monuments and museums to the city’s history. This district’s expansive, almost palatial design owes itself to having previously been the site of the Holy Order’s headquarters during Andaen’s days as a Crusader citadel. While the grounds run by the Holy Order were cramped with drill yards, barracks, and places of worship, much of this was utterly destroyed during the inordinate devastation wrought during the Assault on Andaen. A number of structures do survive from that era, however, with former fortifications and a few other constructions now serving as administrative spaces. Those who work in these buildings, however, often complain of the heat every season outside of winter, as the buildings feature foreign designs suited to some more exotic climate. In a number of the administrative buildings and museums, interior walls have been added to reduce room sizes; in others, entire wall sections have been knocked out and roofs have been redone for the purpose of improved ventilation and heat management. The exterior spaces of the Gardens exhibit a Crusader legacy as well, if one looks closely: The culturally Haifatnehti and Shadrusun garden aesthetics overlay squarish layouts, likely where drill yards or public squares for outdoor preaching and ceremonies once stood. More conspicuously, five triumphal arches with no obvious architectural function surround Armistice Square, an outdoor monument commemorating the signing of the so-called First Armistice, which in official histories marks the end of the Crusade and the Resistance.
Off to the east, the University Outcrop sits atop cliffs jutting out from the edge of the city. The most prominent feature of this district by far is the University of Esoteric Arts and Lore, a fortress-like place of learning which originally doubled as a deterrent to potential invaders on account of its reputation for training dangerous mages. The University’s architecture hints at a number of other practical concerns, too; for instance, many windows, especially in dormitories and offices, face eastward or northward so as to intake the most light, especially in the morning to encourage studiousness and consistent schedules. Whereas the Galleries and Gardens exhibit Northerner-style architecture to a significant extent, the Esoteric University and its immediate surroundings are of largely Shadrusun design: Though the campus lacks any ziggurats or other storybook staples of Shadrusun architecture, its buildings are topped with painted or glass domes unseen elsewhere in the city, and the curious angles and odd numbers of walls composing many buildings are thought to cause visitors and faculty alike to get lost easily. The Outcrop has since extended beyond the space originally dedicated to the Esoteric University, as several other institutions of formal and higher education have sprouted up in proximity to it at the encouragement of the city-state’s civilian government. Space here, too, is greatly valued, with some of the alleys separating campus buildings so narrow that students of one institution can toss notes through their neighbors’ windows, and in the evenings, a punchy waft of fried foods and seasonings makes its way skyward through the narrow lanes.
On the west side of the Strait along the northern coast, Northharbor District welcomes traffic from the vast ocean beyond. Whether this district looks welcoming, however, is another question: Access to the harbor is restricted by two lines of sea walls on account of Northharbor having been a key weak point in both of the two greatest battles over Andaen’s future. Visitors will also observe that the water here is considerably murkier than elsewhere around the city because metal forges and refineries, glassworking facilities, and other heavy industries pepper this district. On top of this, the air here is sometimes visible with sawdust, on account of the lumber shipping and shipwrighting operations here. Northharbor’s residential areas are almost exclusively home to these industries' laborers, for the environment here is decidedly undesirable to anyone else. For travelers seeking cheap accommodations irrespective of the environs, however, the boarding houses and hostels that typically host sailors and petty merchants are quite economical, at least as long as one keeps one’s eye on one’s purse.
Beyond the city walls, additional residences, small businesses, and cheap inns line the main roads leading into the city. Dispersed among these are the scattered remains of ancient outer walls and the stumps of old watch towers, all remnants of more difficult times for the city’s residents; little remains of most of these fortifications, and their ruins are often picked through for building materials for use in current projects. Further afield, the Haifatneh Basin’s distinct olive trees grow in pleasingly organized groves, and further still are farming villages producing flax for linen, herbs and spices such as bay leaves and cumin, and the wheat and other staple crops that support the city’s dense population; along the shores of the Haifatneh Sea, one can also watch pearl harvesters at work, even as the pearl harvesters themselves watch cargo ships pass them by on the way to the Strait.
History
Full Article: History of Andaen [WIP]
Founding Date
3502 HE
Alternative Name(s)
The Crusader Citadel of Andaen (3422 - 3501 HE)
Type
Metropolis
Population
est. 155,000 - 185,000: ~15,000 residents and citizens, ~50,000 residents, 90,000 - 120,000 temporary
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Andaeni, Andaenen
Location under
Included Locations
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Related Tradition (Primary)
Related Traditions
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