Andorian/Clans
Code of Honour
In order to limit disputes to small numbers of individuals rather than entire clans, Andorians follow a strict code of honour that governs duelling as a means of resolving differences.
A crucial part of Andorian tradition is Ushaan, a code of honor demanding a duel to the death, with combatants pitted against one another using an ushaan-tor (iceminer's tool). A vast body of regulations with around 12,000 amendments binds this code. Such a fight can be called off if one combatant disabled the other enough to prevent its continuance. Though Ushaan can be called by someone to avenge a personal loss, there exists a right of substitution wherein each combatant can offer up a replacement, and married combatants could postpone duels indefinitely if they had no children to continue their clans.
Invoked for personal grievances, the Ushaan can be settled by first strike, first blood, or in the cases of extreme actions such as murder, to the death. Most Andorians reserve these customs for other Andorians only, but traditionalists may hold other species to the same values.
Imperial Guard members who died far from home could count on their companions to transport a body part back to the Andorian ices.
Weapons
| Image | Name | Dimensions | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Chaka | 35cmx75cm | A claw-like weapon designed to be cradled between the fingers to form a punch-blade. Multiple blades protrude from the sides of the weapon, allowing for multiple lacerations in one stroke. |
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Hrisal | 60cm long | Single-edged fighting knife favoured by the Andorian Imperial Guard. |
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Flabbjellah | Unknown | Combined musical instrument and weapon |
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Ushaan-tor | Unknown | Miner’s ice-pick |
Language & Names
Andorians speak Graalen (their native tongue) and Federation standard.
Name
Andorian names are comprised of a given name, which may be considerably longer than the name as to which they are referred. This is followed by an abbreviation of their gender, which prefixes their clan name. For example, and Andorian zhen referred to as Indra may have the full given name KalIndra, and her surname would be prefixed by zh' to represent her gender. Assuming she is a member of the Idrani clan, her full name would be KalIndra zh'Idrani. Federation practice often allows Andorians to be referred to by a section of their given name with their rank attached.
Graalen (Andorian Language)
Below is an example of Graalen, showing the ways in which the four genders are referred to in various situations and through varying levels of politeness.
| Apparent Sex | Gender | Polite form of Address | Bondmate Endearment | Parental Name | Offspring Name | Sibling | Parent by Marriage | Child by Marriage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| She | Zhen | Zha | Zh'yi | Zhavey | Zhei | Zhi | Zhadi | Zhri'za |
| She | Shen | Sha | Sh'za | Shreva | Shei | Shi | Shidei | Shri'za |
| He | Chan | Cha | Ch'te | Charan | Chei | Chi | Chada | Chri'ze |
| He | Thaan | Tha | Th'se | Thavan | Thei | Thi | Thadu | Thri'ze |
Examples taken from the table above include the Andorian equivalents to the Federation Standard "sister", being shi or zhi, depending on gender, and the equivalents for "father" being charan and thavan.
Kethni
Andorians are divided not by countries or political boundaries, but by family and clan groups. The clans, known as keth, each specialise in an area of expertise, as well as representing a portion of the Andorian government. Below is a sample of some major Andorian clans and their specialisms.
| Clan | Specialism |
|---|---|
| Aldin | Sciences |
| Athrun | Piloting |
| Birev | Engineering |
| Dara | Black Ops |
| Dovoro | Business and Trade |
| Idrani | Armed Combat |
| Idisha | Theater |
| Kor | Negotiation |
| P'Trell | Medicine |
| Talliryen | Industry |
One Andorian clan of note is Reiji, a near-forgotten clan who devote themselves to representing the old way of life. They have been known to take part in an archaic form of gambling in which they stake their own teeth.
Clans meet in keeps, underground fortresses that are formed either naturally in the case of volcanic caves, or else are man-made. A representative from each keth, known as a Presider, is sent to represent the clan on the Andorian government.
The upper floor of council chamber contains an eight-sided room known as the Heroes’ antechamber. The Andorian Chancellor and the Federation Ambassador are both elected by members of the keth and serve on the Andorian government.
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