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The '''Rouleans''' are one of the [[Isparian]] [[Cultures]]. Their homeland is the former empire of [[Roulea]], on [[Ispar]]. For now, their region has been free of portals to Dereth.

The Roulean lands lie west of [[Gharu'n]] and north of the [[Sho]] Empire. To the north, across the Iron Sea is the Kingdom of [[Viamont]].{{Specific Citation Needed}}

== History ==
=== Founding ===
There are two accounts of the founding of the Roulean Empire. One says that Roulea marks the beginning of the [[Roulean Calendar]] with the founding of the capital by offspring of the gods.<ref name="AgesOfTheEmpyrean">2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore]]: [[AC:DM CD Lore/Ages of the Empyrean|Ages of the Empyrean]]</ref> The other says that the founder of the Roulean Empire was a warlord named [[Maleksoros]]. He wielded a mace called the [[Subjugator]], and with it, he personally defeated the leaders of every neighboring tribe. This formed the seed of the empire that would later conquer almost all the known world.<ref name="Subjugator">2005/07 [[Throne of Destiny]] - [[Subjugator]]</ref>

It is possible these two accounts are talking about the same story: That Roulea's capital was founded by offspring of the gods, and that this founder was Maleksoros. It is also possible that Roulea's capital was founded and existed as a city-state, and Maleksoros came later, and he expanded that city-state to an empire. There is not enough information to know either way.

One source states that as of the year 924 RC, the Roulean capital is [[Tirethas]], the City of Lore.<ref name="HistoryOfAubereanVol5">2003/03 [[The History of Auberean]]: [[The History of Auberean/Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)|Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)]]</ref> If Tirethas had always been the capital, then this would mean it was founded in 0 RC.

However, there is also a city of [[Roulea]], and it is described as a city on Ispar of great size and importance (along with Tirethas and Celdon).<ref name="ACDMBestiaryLugians">2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore]]: [[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary|Bestiary]]: [[AC:DM CD Lore/Bestiary/Derethian Bestiary#Lugians|Lugians]]</ref> Although unconfirmed, it seems most likely that this city was the original capital of the Roulean Empire, given that their empire is called ''Roulean'' and not ''Tirethasean''.

Interestingly, if we are to believe the reckoning of [[Mansur al-Rajan]], the ancient Roulean text [[Treatises of Archephoros]] was written circa -1,000 RC<ref name="ToBeAShadow">1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Zaikhal Library]]: [[To Be A Shadow]]</ref> Mansur made the the claim that the text was "perhaps two thousand years" in the late 900s RC. This would imply that Roulea is older than their founding stories claim. Or at the very least, that the region of Roulea was populated by people prior to the "official" founding.

=== Rise to Power ===
Maleksoros and his successors conquered large amounts of territory.<ref name="Subjugator" /> The exact extent of the Roulean Empire is not defined, but it has been said that the empire of Roulea spanned much of the land of Ispar,<ref name=ZogblasterArchiveTheLandOfDereth>1996-1999 (unknown) [[Asheron's Call Beta]] - [[Zogblaster Archive]]: [[Zogblaster Archive/The Land of Dereth|The Land of Dereth]]</ref><ref name=TimeOfDayAndMonthsOfTheYear>[[Microsoft Zone Archive]]: [[Microsoft Zone Archive/Asheron's Call Handbook/Time of Day and Months of the Year|Time of Day and Months of the Year]]</ref> that they had brought imperial order to the lands around the Ironsea,<ref name="OriginsOfViamont">2004/11 Pre-[[Throne of Destiny]] - [[The Origins and Current Disposition of Viamont]]</ref> and that they had conquered almost all the known world.<ref name="Subjugator" />

The earliest history of the [[Sho Lore|Sho people]] states that they warred with the Dragon of Power, one of their Elder Spirits, and were driven southwest from their original homelands. As they fled the Dragon burned their crops and homes. Eventually they settled on the coast.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro>1996-1999 (unknown) [[Asheron's Call Beta]] - [[Zogblaster Archive]]: [[Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Sho|Sho Introduction]]</ref><ref name=ShouJenVer1>2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Ispar Texts/Sho Heritage/The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 1)|The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 1)]]</ref><ref name=ShouJenVer2>2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Ispar Texts/Sho Heritage/The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 2)|The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 2)]]</ref> This would have occurred at least a thousand years ago<ref name=ZogblasterShoFactions>1996-1999 (unknown) [[Asheron's Call Beta]] - [[Zogblaster Archive]]: [[Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Sho/Sho Factions|Sho Factions]]</ref> placing these events circa the 200s RC. It is ''possible'' that this legend from the Sho people's past is based on conflict with an expanding Roulean Empire.

One land that was not claimed by the Rouleans was the Viamontian peninsula, which they saw no benefit in conquering.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" /> Although it is hard to pin down exact dates, [[Continuity/Viamontian History|our best estimates]] put the appearance of the Viamontian founder [[Karlun]] to be circa 500 RC. Prior to Karlun's appearance, the Viamontian peninsula was home to a collection of independent tribes that warred each other.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" /> This tribal period of Viamont's history is said to be long after the Rouleans had conquered the other lands around the Ironsea.

At some point, Tirethas is home to the Imperial Academy of Magic, and once had the greatest concentration of mages and scholars in all of Ispar.<ref name="BatonOfTirethas">2005/07 [[Throne of Destiny]] - [[Baton of Tirethas]]</ref> This may be why it is called the City of Lore.<ref name=ZogblasterGharundimIntro>1996-1999 (unknown) [[Asheron's Call Beta]] - [[Zogblaster Archive]]: [[Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Gharu'ndim|Gharu'ndim Introduction]]</ref><ref name=SoCSText>2000/04 [[Thorns of the Hopeslayer]] - [[The Silifi of the Crimson Stars]]</ref><ref name="HistoryOfAubereanVol5">2003/03 [[The History of Auberean]]: [[The History of Auberean/Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)|Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)]]</ref>

=== Decline ===
Around 700 RC, the Roulean Empire was described as wealthy but declining.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" /> King [[Elous VI]] of Viamont brought in retired Roulean generals as part of his plans to build and train a national Viamontian army.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" /> His plan paid off, with the successful invasion of Aluvia in 704 RC.<ref name="HistoryOfAubereanVol4">2003/03 [[The History of Auberean]]: [[The History of Auberean/Volume IV: Shifting Ways (-888 to -574)|Volume IV: Shifting Ways (-888 to -574)]]</ref>

With the wealth and resources plundered from Aluvia, the Viamontians once again turned to Roulean expertise to build a fleet large enough to transport their armies across the Ironsea.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" /> These Viamontian corsairs raided Roulean ports around the Ironsea,<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" /> further weakening the empire.

In the early 900s RC, the Gharu'ndim people of the [[Naqut Desert]] began to organize under the banner of [[Rakhil al-Khur]].<ref name=ZogblasterGharundimIntro /><ref name=TheHundredTracklessPaths>1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Musansayn's Library]]: [[The Hundred Trackless Paths]]</ref> At this time, the Naqut was described as dividing the land of Milantos from the decaying Roulean Empire.<ref name=TheHundredTracklessPaths /> Rakhil's army swept north across the desert, laying waste to the ancient empire of Roulea and overwhelming half of its lands.<ref name="ZogblasterGharundimIntro" /> In 924 RC,<ref name="HistoryOfAubereanVol5" /> the Gharu'ndim armies reached the Roulean capital of Tirethas. Rakhil threatened to burn the books contained within the city, and was struck down by his friend, the warrior-poet [[Yasif ibn Salayyar]]. With that, the Gharu'ndim conquest came to a sudden end.<ref name="HistoryOfAubereanVol5" /><ref name="ZogblasterGharundimIntro" />

After the founding of Gharu'n many of the other realms about the Ironsea have not recognized their sovereignty. Yasif ibn Salayyar traveled to the other nations to win the respect of the neighboring rulers. It is said that he spent a year in Roulea on this diplomatic mission.<ref name="ToBeAShadow" />

=== Fall of the Empire ===
In 1274 RC, the Viamontians, under King [[Varicci I]], launched almost simultaneous attacks on Roulea and Aluvia. Already weakened by the long-ago loss of their trade outposts, the Rouleans were in no position to defend their holdings. Their once proud imperial legions gathered for one last great battle, which ended with the annihilation of the imperial army and the Emperor murdered in his palace.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" />

=== History on Dereth ===
No Rouleans are known to be on Dereth.

=== Timeline ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Portal Year
!Roulean Year
!Event
|-
|valign=top| ''-3,400s PY''
|valign=top| ''-1000 RC''
|valign=top| The ancient Roulean text [[Treatises of Archephoros]] was written circa -1,000 RC.<ref name="ToBeAShadow" />
|-
|valign=top| -1,926 PY
|valign=top| 0 RC
|valign=top| The [[Roulean Calendar]] begins. It is stated to begin with the founding of the capital by offspring of the gods.<ref name="AgesOfTheEmpyrean" />
|-
|valign=top| ''-1,926 PY or later''
|valign=top| ''0 RC or later''
|valign=top| The warlord [[Maleksoros]] defeats the leaders of neighboring tribes and forms the seeds of the Roulean Empire.<ref name="Subjugator" />
|-
|valign=top| ''-1,600s PY''
|valign=top| ''200s RC''
|valign=top| The Sho people wage war against the Dragon and are driven from their homelands to the edge of the sea. The Dragon burns their crops and homes.<ref name="ZogblasterShoIntro" /><ref name=ShouJenVer1 /><ref name=ShouJenVer2 /><ref name=ZogblasterShoFactions />

''<nowiki>[</nowiki>Wiki editor's note: It is possible this Sho myth is a religious reinterpretation of historical events, where the expanding Roulean Empire drove them out of their original lands. We do not have enough information to determine what the truth is.<nowiki>]</nowiki>''
|-
|valign=top| ''Prior to -1,176 PY''
|valign=top| ''Prior to 500 RC''
|valign=top| Rouleans had brought imperial order to the lands around the Ironsea. Notably, they saw no reason to conquer the Viamontian peninsula.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" />
|-
|valign=top| ''-1,200s to -1,100s PY''
|valign=top| ''500 RC''
|valign=top| At this point in time the Viamontian peninsula is home to a collection of independent tribes.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" />
|-
|valign=top| ''-876 PY''
|valign=top| ''700 RC''
|valign=top| The Roulean Empire is described as wealthy but declining.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" />
|-
|valign=top| ''After -870 PY''
|valign=top| ''After 704 RC''
|valign=top| Viamontian corsairs raid Roulean ports around the Ironsea.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" />
|-
|valign=top| -540 PY
|valign=top| 924 RC
|valign=top| Gharun'dim armies capture the Roulean capital of Tirethas. The Gharu'ndim conquest of Roulea ends. During the conquest, the Gharu'ndim had overwhelmed half of Roulea's territories.<ref name=ZogblasterGharundimIntro /><ref name="HistoryOfAubereanVol5" />
|-
|valign=top| -15 PY
|valign=top| 1,274 RC
|valign=top| Viamont launches nearly simultaneous campaigns in Roulea and Aluvia. The Roulean imperial legions are defeated, the Roulean Emperor is killed, and the Roulean Empire collapses.<ref name="OriginsOfViamont" />
|-
|}

== Culture ==
[[Old Roulean]] is a language used by the traders of the Isparian nations, and as the common language on Dereth. The language has spread to nearly every corner of Ispar, and was used as a common trading language. When the Aluvians, Gharu'ndim, and Sho were thrown together on Dereth, they adopted this trade tongue as a common language. Also, the Roulean names for the months and hours of the day, and the Roulean Calendar is commonly adopted.<ref name=LandDereth>1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Zogblaster Archive/The Land of Dereth]]</ref>

The Rouleans were a literate people and their books and treatises were valued highly by the other nations.<ref name=Malika>2004/11 [[The Malika and the Individual]]</ref> <ref name="ToBeAShadow" /> However, some books, such as "The Treatise of the Individual" by Lokios of Tirethas, which held quite a few revolutionary ideas ("ideas dangerous to the kind of thoughtless, brutal, morally bankrupt regime that the Emperors maintained"), were banned and any copy found burned.<ref name=Malika>2004/11 [[The Malika and the Individual]]</ref> It was this book which might have triggered some of the rebellious ideas of the [[Viamontian]] [[Duke of Bellenesse]].<ref>[[The Tournament Part II]]</ref><ref>2004/12 [[Assassination]]</ref>

=== Factions ===
* [[Malachite Claws]] - an order of female assassins who were active in the courts of Roulea. <ref>2005/07 [[Throne of Destiny]] - [[Malachite Slasher]]</ref>

=== Rulers ===

=== Religions and Beliefs ===

=== Customs and Traditions ===
The Rouleans sported gladiator fights, the gladiators have been described as being large and heavily muscled.<ref>2005/08 [[Friend and Foe]] - [[Journal of High Archon Kraest]]</ref>The greatest gladiator in the history of the Roulean games was named Archophon. He died after accepting a challenge from an unknown [[Silveran]].<ref>2005/07 [[Throne of Destiny]] - [[Champion's Demise]]</ref> The arenas also showed animal fights, or people being torn apart by wild animals.<ref name=ToBeAShadow />

=== Language ===
* Praetorian - The Roulean Imperial guard<ref>2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[Olthoi Eviscerators]]</ref>

=== Ranks, Titles, and Honorifics ===

=== Names ===
There are very few examples of Roulean names. Known names are:
* [[Archephoros]]
* [[Archophon]]
* [[Lokios]]
* [[Maleksoros]]

== Real World Basis ==
The Roulean Empire could be compared to the Greek or Roman empire.{{Specific Citation Needed}}

== Related Pages ==
=== Internet Articles ===
* [[Zogblaster Archive]]: [[Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Gharu'ndim|Gharu'ndim Introduction]]
* [[The History of Auberean]]: [[The History of Auberean/Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)|Volume V: New Arrivals (-540 to 13)]]
* [[The Armor of the Viamontian Invaders]]
* [[The Invasion of Ispar]]
* [[The Origins and Current Disposition of Viamont]]

=== Items ===
{{Item Table|caption=Texts
| The Hundred Trackless Paths
| To Be A Shadow
}}

{{Item Table|caption=Weapons
| Baton of Tirethas
| Malachite Slasher
| Subjugator
}}

=== Lore Characters ===
See:
[[:Category:Roulean Character]]

== Art & Images ==
<gallery>
File:Antique Map of Ispar Labeled.jpg|A map of Ispar (fan-made)
</gallery>

== References ==
<references/>

== Further Reading ==
* [[Continuity]] articles:
** [[Continuity/Timeline of Ispar|Timeline of Ispar]]
** [[Continuity/Roulean Calendar and Portal Years|Roulean Calendar and Portal Years]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030330110001/http://ac.warcry.com/index.php3?content=lore/ispar/roulean/intro The Empire of Roulea - Introduction] (Web Archive of Warcry's Crossroads of Dereth)

{{Lore}}
[[Category:Lore Database Entry]]
[[Category:Culture]]

Roulean Lore - Revision history

imported>An Adventurer: /* Timeline */