Difference between revisions of "Rulers of the Roanian Nation"
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After the fall of the Empire of Shadow, for 8 years the generals argued about what form the new government should take. There were two factions, those in favour of a Monarchy and those in favour of a Democracy. Eventually a compromise was reached, creating what can be called a Pseudo-Constitutional Monarchy, in which the day-to-day business would be carried out by an elected government, and the Monarch would have the final control over the government. In practice this has worked to a greater and lesser degree over the Imperium's history, with some such as Cassander hardly interfering in democratic business at all, while Alexander II personally executed 15 ArchChancellors. Over a 20 year period. | After the fall of the Empire of Shadow, for 8 years the generals argued about what form the new government should take. There were two factions, those in favour of a Monarchy and those in favour of a Democracy. Eventually a compromise was reached, creating what can be called a Pseudo-Constitutional Monarchy, in which the day-to-day business would be carried out by an elected government, and the Monarch would have the final control over the government. In practice this has worked to a greater and lesser degree over the Imperium's history, with some such as Cassander hardly interfering in democratic business at all, while Alexander II personally executed 15 ArchChancellors. Over a 20 year period. | ||
| − | + | From this point on, the Imperium has made use of Imperial Reckoning, which goes from the foundation of the Imperium onwards. To find the date in the common reckoning, simply add 3349. | |
| + | === Greater Black Dynasty === | ||
| + | The Greater Blacks are those directly descended from Joseph's eldest son. The so-called 'Lesser Blacks' are the desendants of his younger son. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Lord-Emperor Joseph the Great ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''Reigned from IR 1 to IR 20'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Before he ascended to the Imperial Diadem, Joseph Black was a high-ranking officer in the ShadowGuard. One of the first Generals to switch sides with his forces following the Battle of Lucris, his knowledge of ShadowGuard tactics and political acumen meant that following the death of Roderick Gaunt he quickly took control of the rebellion, making the Empire of Shadow suffer blow after crippling blow. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Once the Empire of Shadow was destroyed, Joseph was one of those in favour of a return to the republic, a fact frequently forgotten by his detractors. Only when the idea of the Imperium of Rudan was firmly established did he consent to have his name placed forward for the throne, in competition to Lord-General Leopold Darquis and Admiral Nicademus Darsalin. The othersstepped aside on his behalf, and he ascended easily. He himself created many of the great noble houses of the Imperium, establishing the Darquis and Drakharn families, amongst others. | ||
| + | |||
| + | However, perhaps his most important act was when he consented, in IR15, to be baptized into the Worship of the Light. From the moment he joined the [[Imperial Church of the Light]], its rise was guaranteed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Nicholas I (The Just) ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''Reigned from IR 20 to IR 150'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The eldest son of Joseph Black, he was the first Lord-Emperor to be crowned in the great Cathedral of the Church. A devout churchman, he forced upon parliament a bill that forbade the recreation of the old colleges of magic, and exiled the remaining magi from the Imperium. | ||
[[Category:Roania]] | [[Category:Roania]] | ||
Revision as of 03:03, 23 May 2006
Over the course of history, the Divine Imperium has had many rulers. Some of them are lost in the mists of time, such as the vast majority of the Presidents of Rudan. Others are sadly all too well-known, such as the Shadow-Lord Merrech or Lord-Emperor Alexander II. All dates are in the Common Parlance.
Contents
Colonisation (2400)
Colonisation occured around the year 2400, under the command of Captain Derrick. It is believed that the ship he personally led was named the Intrepid.
Captain Derrick
Captain Derrick (????-2430)has been described as a tall, short, balding, long-haired, fat, thin, ugly, beautiful man, only two things are known about Derrick with any certainty. First, that he was named Derrick. And second, that he never went to the continent that is currently named for him.
The Republic of Rudan (2450-2840)
Little information remains about this period of history, owing to the Shadow-Lord Merrech's concerted effort to erase Roanian history prior to his take-over. What is known comes to us from fragments of archaic political texts, such as A Child's Guide to Roanian History and Roanian Politics: A Study. The following is a small selection of the known presidents.
President Simon
First president of Rudan (2450-2455). Mentioned in A Child's Guide and Roanian Politics. Organised the first expansion of settlement from Roan to Agua, and from Agua to Derricks.
President Lucas
President Lucas (2760-2770) was President of Rudan according to Roanian Politics. Under his leadership Altara was finally settled and an expedition was sent out to explore the neighbouring star systems. He had a wife named Grace and two children.
President Georges
Last President of Rudan (2840). A liberal, rationalist president, his sole purpose in the historical record was to be swept aside on the evening of his inaguration by the ArchMage Merrech. Died in agony.
Roanian Empire of Shadow (2840-3342)
The Roanian Empire of Shadow was created in the work of a week from the remains of its predescessor. Shadow-Lord Merrech, the Archmage of Roan, had spent nearly fifty years planning the coup that propelled him to power, with his own agents taking control and subverting regiments and citizens. by the end of 2840, apart from the forests of Altara he had total control of the planet. And, indeed, its colonies on Altecrast.
Under the Shadow Empire, powerful wizards controlled the nation and compelled people to obey them through fear and magic. Technology stagnated and much that was once known was lost.
Shadow-Lord Merrech
Merrech, Shadow-Lord from 2840-3341, is the bogeyman of Roanian children's tales. A powerful mage and a dangerous politician, his early life is a mystery. He appeared in the Tower of Tears one day and simply took over the role of Archmage. For 20 years he provided valuable knowledge and aid to the Presidency, until in 2840 he struck and took over, declaring himself Shadow-Lord.
Under his rule, religions were shut down, scientists exiled, travel forbidden, and the people forced to obey his increasingly draconian measures. Merrech himself often referred to a Greater Darkness that he acted on behalf of and led religious ceremonies in the name of.
In the last decade of his rule, increasingly erratic behaviour led to the successful formation of a Rebellion under Lord-General Joseph Black of Agua. Merrech's supporters were overpowered, and finally after the disastrous Battle of Roslin in 3341 he was overthrown by Illyich.
Shadow-Lord Illyich
Illyich is one of those mysteries of the Imperium. Until the publication of the book Paragon of Darkness (Father Reynolds; Castleton Publishing, Castleton 5985) he was normally considered only the man who finally ended the Empire of Shadow in 3342. In actuality, he made many attempts over the year to hold onto Merrech's possessions and make peace with the 'rebellion' which now held the majority of the planet's surface.
However, it was all to no avail and in March of 3342 he surrendered in the Temple of Darkness to Louis DeRachelieu's forces, to be taken into custody and never see the light of day again.
Divine Imperium (3350 - Present)
After the fall of the Empire of Shadow, for 8 years the generals argued about what form the new government should take. There were two factions, those in favour of a Monarchy and those in favour of a Democracy. Eventually a compromise was reached, creating what can be called a Pseudo-Constitutional Monarchy, in which the day-to-day business would be carried out by an elected government, and the Monarch would have the final control over the government. In practice this has worked to a greater and lesser degree over the Imperium's history, with some such as Cassander hardly interfering in democratic business at all, while Alexander II personally executed 15 ArchChancellors. Over a 20 year period.
From this point on, the Imperium has made use of Imperial Reckoning, which goes from the foundation of the Imperium onwards. To find the date in the common reckoning, simply add 3349.
Greater Black Dynasty
The Greater Blacks are those directly descended from Joseph's eldest son. The so-called 'Lesser Blacks' are the desendants of his younger son.
Lord-Emperor Joseph the Great
Reigned from IR 1 to IR 20
Before he ascended to the Imperial Diadem, Joseph Black was a high-ranking officer in the ShadowGuard. One of the first Generals to switch sides with his forces following the Battle of Lucris, his knowledge of ShadowGuard tactics and political acumen meant that following the death of Roderick Gaunt he quickly took control of the rebellion, making the Empire of Shadow suffer blow after crippling blow.
Once the Empire of Shadow was destroyed, Joseph was one of those in favour of a return to the republic, a fact frequently forgotten by his detractors. Only when the idea of the Imperium of Rudan was firmly established did he consent to have his name placed forward for the throne, in competition to Lord-General Leopold Darquis and Admiral Nicademus Darsalin. The othersstepped aside on his behalf, and he ascended easily. He himself created many of the great noble houses of the Imperium, establishing the Darquis and Drakharn families, amongst others.
However, perhaps his most important act was when he consented, in IR15, to be baptized into the Worship of the Light. From the moment he joined the Imperial Church of the Light, its rise was guaranteed.
Nicholas I (The Just)
Reigned from IR 20 to IR 150
The eldest son of Joseph Black, he was the first Lord-Emperor to be crowned in the great Cathedral of the Church. A devout churchman, he forced upon parliament a bill that forbade the recreation of the old colleges of magic, and exiled the remaining magi from the Imperium.
