Andahlheim is a medium-sized country just south of the Ven desert, bordered on the north by the Blood Ridge Mountains and divided almost evenly down the middle by the river Schiel.

Major Cities and Towns:
1 - Zhakistahn (capital) - pop. 60,000 human
2 - Blackberry Dale - pop. 1,700 halfling
3 - Vestenhelm - pop. 4,300 human
4 - Corandshelm - pop. 2,300 gnomish
5 - Hamnerstahn - pop. 20,000 human
6 - Valley of Mists - pop. 253 elven
7 - Glenn Hollow - pop. 1,100 halfling
8 - Fords Way - pop. 1,800 halfling
9 - Dimanshelm - pop. 3,200 human
10 - Lakenshelm - pop 3,700 human
11 - Shelling Dale - pop. 1,400 halfling
12 - Floristahn - pop. 31,000 human
13 - Trendelhiem - pop. 4,100
14 - Deepdvelt - pop. 2,200 gnomish
15 - Silverstahn - pop. 4,400 human
16 - Planeshelm - pop. 2,200 human
17 - Kristlestahn - pop. 45,000 human
18 - Orinshelm - pop. 2,100 human

Economy:
Andahlheim has a flourishing trade economy, as well as having a good agricultural backbone. The flood plains area around the river Schiel produces enormous amounts of grains, rice and other necessities. The capital city of Zhakistahn is also located near one of the largest gold and gemstone deposits on the continent. Kristlestahn, named for the crystal blue harbor the city is situated on, has a very lively fishing trade. Hamnerstahn, located near good hardwood forests, is well known for its ship-building expertise, and likewise trades with the two smaller continents to the east.

Government/Politics:
Andahlheim is ruled by a king, or Kronig. The Kronig descends from father to oldest son, regardless of mother. The Kronig rules with advice from Parliament, which is divided into four houses; Lords, Commons, Religious, and Guilds. In a government where so many people have a potential voice, infighting and political intrigue is common.
    Andahlheim is a strict patriarchy, with women being unable to vote, hold positions of power (except within the clergy), or inherit property. A woman is cared for her entire life by her father, husband, brothers, or sons. Women with no male relations willing to take on her care become wards of the church. (Note: See "Tutors" below.
    Judges - Andahlheim has one more form of power, the judges. Their duty is to hear cases and enforce the law. Appointed by Parliament for life, they travel around the country and are said to be brutally honest and incorruptible. Indeed, in five hundred years of the system being in place, it has never been even rumored that a judge could be bribed.

Religion:
The primary gods of Andahlheim are Cor, Shinnah, and Diman. Cor, the god of Mining, Gold and Gems, has two festivals, one in the spring, and one in fall. The Festival of Cor in the spring marks the beginning of the year, the Festival of Gold in autumn is a harvest celebration. Shinnah, the Goddess of Wealth and Beauty, has only one holiday, held in midwinter, called the Latch Festival. The Latch Festival culminates in a display of items of beauty, crafted by the best artisans in the land, which are sacrificed to Shinnah. Diman's worship is sporadic, and mostly limited to small areas along the border of the Ven, where the people have intermixed with the Ven'hedi.

Population:
Andahlheim is primarily human, its population known as the Dals. The overall population is approximately three hundred and fifty thousand humans, nine thousand gnomish, six thousand halflings and a small number of dwarves and elves. The dwarven population, somewhat less than three hundred total, lives in the hidden city of Oreshelm, located about a mile under Zhakistahn. The elven population lives on the far side of Lake Ranisdahl, in the Valley of Mists. Humans who venture into the Valley are rarely seen again. The halfling villages are scattered through central Andahlheim, especially around the River Schiel. There are three major centers of gnomish population, Oreshelm (which they share with the dwarves), Deepdvelt (between the two highest mountains to the north east of Kristlestahn) and Corandshelm to the east of the Valley of Mists.

Culture:
Andahlheim is a strict patriarchy, with women being considered both property and burdens. The oldest male inherits everything that belonged to his father, a law which makes sibling rivalry and poisonings rather more common than normal. Marriage is primarily economic, as younger sons must marry a woman with sufficient dowry as to finance any business the man plans to carry out.
    Education is the responsibility of the clergy. All male children must attend at least four years of public schooling, paid for by a five percent village tithe to the local church. Female children are taught at home, as their father desires and can pay for. (See "Tutors" below.)

Other Notes:
The Tutors - The Tutors was founded in 1352 by Bente Rakke (1358-1367), often called the Heroine of the Tutors. Her autobiographical exposé on the abuses heaped by the clergy upon its orphaned wards sparked a major controversy which led to the formation of an underground group devoted to the education of women. Rakke was arrested in 1366 and excecuted in 1367 on charges of treason, among other lesser crimes. The fervor surrounding her execution set up a national cry, and in the mid-1370's, the Tutors were legalized and placed under the control of the Parliament. Since the late 1380's, the Tutors have had the official support and sponsorship of the Kronig's eldest daughter, Monika Torgeir. Although the group is considered by the average citizen with mild suspicion, their network of publishing houses (some still underground, as not all of the Tutors' activities are officially sanctioned) makes them one of the best channels of information in Andahlheim. Most notable is the monthly pamphlet, The Torch, approximately 20 pages of essays, poems, and news articles.

Notable Citizens: