Robert C. Salen

Robert Cyrus Salen (he/him) was an Imperial merchant who lived in the Empire of Ahrodia during 1106 AD to 1168 AD best known for his failed revolution and subsequent expedition to Shitari which resulted in his disappearance and that of the seven ships in his fleet.

History

Born to a wealthy merchant family, Salen was enrolled in the best Imperial schools and even entered into the Imperial Academy. Though official records state that he was discharged for a medical issue within the first year there were rumours that coin exchanged hands to keep some of Salen's indiscretions and abyssmal performance hidden. Salen had already developed quite the reputation as a carouser and rule breaker during his schooling years. He had also developed the habit of shunning authority and was prone to invoking his family status to avoid any repercussions of his actions.

In 1108 AD, he inherited the family business (textiles, specifically clothing) when his father died. He immediately cut ties with all other family members, ejecting them from the family and its wealth and status. He demanded high performance and obedience from his employees.

Salen drew a great deal of legal attention for his policies in and out of the workplace ranging from dangerous working conditions to unfair business practices and even some criminal collusion. He was at the forefront of a growing movement that spurned Imperial government authority. Salen refused to pay taxes and tithes. He repeatedly was a no show to the many, many summons to the legal courts.

Within the company, the atmosphere of his businesses and meetings started to hold the air of a personal cult. Salen is credited as the originator of the phrase "The company is family." It is believed that he took advantage of his position of power and apparent popularity as a party goer to engage in multiple relationships with employees. This drew even more legal attention to him as he proved to very prolific in fathering children. Within the halls of the Imperial Courts, there are over 90 cases demanding legal compensation for bastard children.

Salen is also credited as one of the wealthy merchants that instigated the 1142 Union Riots due to his egregious working conditions. He fled during the height of the riots while his ancestral family home and businesses burned. He escaped with as much of his hoarded wealth as he could along with a large group of his followers.

Salen and his followers purchased seven ships and declared they would head North to Shitari where they would found a new nation build on the principles he had established as an anti-government businessman.

Little is known about what happened after the ships set sail, but it is known that of the seven ships only one was ever found. The Libertaria was found nearly 900km off course crashed upon a small island. There was evidence of infighting and cannibalism among the remains that were discovered though there was little in the way to identify the few bodies that were recovered.

Of Salen's wealth and Salen himself there is no information as to his final fate.

Legacy

Though Salen ultimately vanished and was presumed dead, the assorted progeny he sired and the numerous followers he had gathered remained. Though few of his children wanted anything to do with their fathers legacy, his followers were another matter.

Many sought to emulate his final voyage and worked up funds to set sail themselves to found townships outside the Empire.

Of the two dozen attempts, only four such places remain.

• Salenville in the Kingdom of Moray on Shitari.
• Salentown in the Kigndom of Moray on Shitari.
• New Salen on Shitari.
• Salen City on the Laufey Archipelago.

None of the four towns like or acknowledge one another.