Andorran

The **Andorran**, despite having thick layers of blubber from evolving in artic oceans, are found throughout the galaxy, being able to survive in many environments. Like Humans, this allows them to be proficient in many professions and act as a generalist species for jobs. Andorran appearances vary heavily depending on their wealth and area; there is a stark class disparity in the species, with wealthy Andorrans growing large in size due to thicker blubber layers and poorer Andorrans being skinnier and often falling to criminal professions to survive. Andorrans are one of the few species to openly accept Humans, with many working with Human centric groups; however, this makes them unpopular with other alien species.

## Biology and appearance

Andorrans are bipedal mammalians. They have body-wide smooth fur covering, short snouts, and double-tipped tails. Andorrans are usually smaller than average humanoids, but compensate with thick layers of blubber, making their skin chubby. Andorran fur covers their entire body, aside from the pads of their paws; the hair secretes oils when above water, making it smooth and water-resistant.

The blubber layers of Andorrans vary heavily depending on both the habitat and parents of the Andorran individual: polar Andorrans are larger and have thicker layers, equatorial Andorrans are smaller and have thinner layers. The size of Andorran tails remains consistent across the specie. The tails have a thick base and two tipped fins on the end. Andorrans are omnivores; polar Andorrans have large front tusks designed for gripping ice. Andorrans are able to swim proficiently underwater and can hold their breathe for upwards of 20 minutes.

Unlike most species, which have unique inner organs, such as the Lizlorns' two sets of lungs, or the Paralyl two hearts, the Andorrans have a comparatively simple anatomy, comparable to that of a Human. This allows for similar adaptability, allowing Andorrans to be proficient in most environments. This also allows amenities to be shared between the two species, making the Andorrans one of the earliest supporters of Human inclusion.

###### Sub-species

There are two main sub-species of Andorrans: polar Andorrans and equatorial Andorrans. Each are evolved to live in their respective environments: polar Andorrans live at the polar ice caps of Mercredi and are larger in both size and fat. Male polar Andorrans grow tougher skin and thicker facial hair; female polar Andorrans develop elongated snouts. Equatorial Andorrans live in more moderate environments, often hotter and more humid. Equatorial Andorrans are smaller in frame and fat layers, lacking front tusks, and having thinner hair. The two sub-species, despite capability to interbreed, attempt to remain distinct from each other.

## Society and culture

Andorrans practice a marine focused culture and economy. Despite the heavy flooding after the Race War, it flourished due to new adaptations of species and increased water coverage. Andorrans take pride in their past in fishing and in their port cities. Andorrans believe it a rite of passage to learn to effectively fish in Mercredi's oceans. Equatorial Andorran families live primarily in house boats, claiming sects of ocean to fish. The house boats are heavily customized to each family and last for generations. Most house boats are constantly sailing across open water, though for storms and special events, they connect with other family house boats, forming temporary floating cities.

Andorrans are largely adapted to the tumultuous weather of Mercredi and other oceanic worlds; house boats and marine cities are designed with storm protection in mind, such as storm walls, balanced buoyancy, and draining methods. In event of greater weather events, such as hurricanes, house boats form into protective grids with other families. Even in case of severe flooding, Andorrans are usually able to float for upwards of days, waiting for help.

As Andorrans have biological similarities with Humans and were contacted relatively lately, Andorrans are relatively new to the galactic scene, only spreading across new worlds after the Race War. Many Andorrans even assisted the invading Humans during the Race War, though much of this sentiment was dissuaded by the flooding of Mercredi. As such, much like Humans, Andorrans are still unpopular with many other aliens, though to a lesser degree. Like Humans and the Zernin, their adaptability makes Andorrans a common general worker, being able to adapt effectively to most professions. As Andorrans were contacted early on by the Humans and treated comparatively well by the Human fleets, the Andorrans lack the hatred of Humans most other species have, with many being prominent supporters of Human inclusion within the galaxy. Humans and Andorrans can often be found collaborating with each other, and these relations are often able to curb potential conflicts.

###### Caste System

Andorran culture practices a caste system, largely divided by subspecies, accelerated by the flooding of Mercredi. Polar Andorrans, requiring more resources due to their sheer size difference, consequently, have strength over the equatorial Andorrans, despite differences in population. As such, the polar Andorrans are the upper rung of Andorran society, representing the specie in the galaxy and being significantly wealthier. Equatorial Andorrans tend to serve as the lower caste. The top caste is populated primarily by polar Andorrans, concentrated within urban centers, the middle caste includes trade professions and most offworld Andorrans, the lowest caste includes the common workers of the warm regions of Mercredi. It is possible for individuals to pass caste to caste but is rare.

Society on Mercredi revolves around the larger cities at the polar caps; Andorran fisheries and other industrial facilities populate the warmer regions to steadily supply these cities. An Andorrans' position in society is decided at their birth; most equatorial Andorrans are born into blue collar professions, commonly as fishermen or farmers. Some of these equatorial Andorrans are content with their role, others pursue higher education within the polar cities, aiming for higher tier professions.

This caste system is highly criticized among Andorran populations, primarily equatorial Andorrans. They claim the system is inherently unfair; the caste system, while no outright limitations on an individual, in practice, limits opportunities afforded to the lower castes. Some equatorial Andorrans even petitioned to gain unique representatives within the Planetary Union and Andromeda Republic of Socialist Planets governments, as the Andorrans are represented only by polar Andorrans. The caste system also creates antagonism between the different rungs, through egoism and exploitation of lower castes and rarely through violence. Early stirrings of revolution by the lowest caste were dissuaded by contact with the Humans. Even now, any discontent is ignored by the upper caste and often suppressed with force.

## History

Andorrans originated from Mercredi, evolving from a small marine mammal. Despite their name, attributed to the fact that Cogre explorers first encountered Andorrans on the planet of Andor, Andorrans do not live on the planet in any meaningful capacity. Andorrans originally developed technology on the equatorial islands, subsects of Andorran sailors moved to the polar regions, able to do so because of already thick layers of blubber. As groups at the polar regions combined into single large city centers, the equatorial Andorran groups continued their disorganized, sailing based lifestyles. This accounted for the differences in developments of the two sub-species.

Unlike most species that were contacted early within their development by the Cogre, the Andorrans were ignored by the initial wave of the Cogre Emergence. Around the creation of the first radio technologies, the Andorrans encountered signals from the Milky Way galaxy, from the Humans on Earth. Nearly one hundred years before the Race War, the Andorrans began to communicate with the Humans, informing them of the other species and possible resources within Andromeda.

Around this time, the Andorrans were first encountered by other Andromeda species; Trandottan surveyors encountered Mercredi as a potential garden world and introduced space travel to the Andorrans. Though the Andorrans began to trade and communicate with the other species in the Industrial Sector, only a small number moved offworld, including establishing small settlements on Bairrium and Andor. Andorrans opposed early efforts in joining the Planetary Union, though they did accept aid and assistance in negotiations with the Fishloin, who attempted to form a colony on Mercredi. The negotiations ended amicably, with the Fishloin being allowed to stay on-planet, though they were not informed of the early contact with Humans.

Near this time, the first Human scouts encountered Andromeda. The leaders of the Andorrans secretly harbored the first scouts, in order to retain positive relations. In future meetings, the Human plan to invade and expand into Andromeda was learned by the Andorrans. To much future controversy, the Andorrans didn't reveal these plans, rather allowing and hiding early establishment of Human bases on Mercredi. As the First Human Fleet entered Andromeda, a full occupation of Mercredi was initiated. However, this occupation was readily accepted by Andorrans, who were treated as near equals by the Humans for their assistance.

As the Race War began and raged across the sector, Andorrans offworld of Mercredi were caught in the crossfire and battles, with the entire settlement on Bairrium being wiped in the Battle of Bairrium. Relations between the Humans and Andorrans remained positive but waned as more Andorrans died in the fighting and the Human exploitation of other species increased. Violent resistance among Andorrans began developing and within three months, Mercredi was engulfed in conflict. Through unknown means, the climate of Mercredi quickly worsened and a massive increase in temperature and frequent storms led to the melting of the polar caps and the raising of Mercredi's ocean levels by more than 20 meters. The planet devastated; the Human occupiers abandoned it.

Many Andorrans died in the flooding of Mercredi, with coastal towns completely covered and one port city destroyed by a broken dam. Despite this, Andorran society continued, supported by humanitarian efforts from outside planets. Despite the violence, Andorrans helped the many Human refugees. Like other Industrial Sector planets, the Andorrans were subject to massive aid projects. The rebuilding Mercredi quickly joined the new Andromeda Republic of Socialist Planets.

After this period, Andorrans, scattered by the flooding and general refugee efforts, began to integrate with the greater galaxy. The relationship between Andorrans and Humans also strengthened due to shared experiences. As such, Andorran activists were early supporters of the inclusion of Humans into the greater galaxy. This belief led to most Andorrans supporting ARSP and the Union during the Secession War, many participating in the fighting. During the war, a sect of Andorrans promoted the SIAP on Mercredi, though to not much success.

In the present day, the issues of the caste system of Andorrans, accentuated by unrest due to war, became more apparent. Despite both negotiators from galactic governments and peacekeeping efforts by CC Units and local militias, tension between the castes and sub-species only grows over time. Many equatorial Andorrans even float the idea of armed rebellion, but so far, conflict has been avoided.