Gaul

**Gaul**, formally known as the **Gaulish Empire** (***Empire Gaulois***), is a Terran country that has ceased to exist by the events of *Arknights*. It was an empire ruled by a family of Liberi located between Victoria, Ursus, and Leithanien that was once a hegemonic superpower until its tragic downfall following an outright invasion against its neighbours.

The Gaulish language is similar to French in our world. But somehow, both have distinct grammars and accents even though both are mutually intelligible enough with each other.

## Background

Gaul was a mighty empire that spanned across the central part of Terra. Gaul was so influential that its grand nomadic capital, Lingones, was nicknamed the "Capital of Terra". The Gaulish language was also the *lingua franca* once spoken among the nations of Terra.

Gaul was primarily known for its expansionism, and it reached its peak during the reign of its last Emperor, Corsica I, following the implementation of the "Second Economic Reform Act," a new codex that drastically strengthened Gaul's military. However, its unrestrained expansion eventually led to its downfall. The empire tried to make Leithanien under the Witch King into its vassal state, leading to the **Gallo-Leithanian War**. Gaul also attempted to invade Victoria – which almost resulted in a complete defeat and annihilation of the latter, forcing Victoria to give up its northwestern colony that would later become Columbia. Around ten years after the invasion, in 1053, Victoria, under the leadership of King Frederick III, formed a coalition with Leithanien and Ursus to oppose Gaul, leading to the Battle of the Four Emperors. The war ends with Gaul's total annihilation, Lingones is wiped off the map, and the victors scrambling over Gaul's former territory.

 File:IS-The Emperor's Portrait.png
The fall of Gaul is often considered the most tragic event in Terra's history. During its time, Gaulish culture was considered influential, but are now slowly fading to obscurity. Some collectors sought to preserve Galic relics while bakers and wineries tried to replicate the original Gaulish formula, but the latter are unable to match the original. With their homeland lost, many Gauls were scattered across Terra, and their nobilities were forced to serve the victors. Still, there are some Gallic restorationists who attempted to steal Gallic relics on display in museums in order to rally the surviving Gauls and bring the empire back to life.

## Branches

### Politics

#### Government

Like all empires across Terra, Gaul is solely governed by an **Emperor** akin to the *Caesar* and the *Empereur* in our world. The Emperor has direct control over its dukes and viscounts, though many laws must first be agreed among the aristocrats. For example, prior to the Battle of the Four Emperors, the Emperor and the aristocrats unanimously agreed to levy three years' advance standard taxes as a preparation for the Gallo-Leithanian War.

#### Miltary

The **Gaulish *Grande Armeé*** (French for "Great Army") is the national military force of Gaul. Among them, the **Vieux Vanguards** (also known as the **Old Vanguards**) act as the Emperor's imperial guards who were notable for fighting for him loyally until their ultimate destructions during the Battle of the Four Emperors. The Gallic armies possessed may superior technologies and military strategies such as using a mirror armor and the *phalanx* formation among its Legions, though like other Gaulish culture, they are deemed as backward and are lost to time.

The military system, especially following Corsica I's erection of a new codex, enables the empire to recruit its armies immediately. Each region has a military supervisor stationed at its Corp camps. On one occasion, the Western Corps ordered all the males of age to be reported in or they would face severe punishment.

## Notable people

* **Corsica I**†: The last emperor of Gaul known for his great contribution for Gaul's industrialization and modernization, such as erecting the "Second Economic Reform Act" and reforming the Gaulish military, leading to their eventual expansionism. However, his strategic mistakes eventually led to Gaul's defeat and his death, with his body remains missing until today.
* **The Last Empress-Consort of Gaul**†: The wife of Corsica I, also known as the **Natator**. She chose to stay in the Gaulish imperial palace upon hearing the news of Corsica I's death and killed the invading enemies in a suicide attack by plunging an Originium shard into her body.

## Places

* Calais-Blason (now part of Victoria)
* **Lingones**: The capital of Gaul, previously known as the "Capital of Terra". The Nomadic City has been reduced into ashes following the climax of the Battle of the Four Emperors.
* **Avenue des Champs-Élysées** (now part of Victoria): Previous a famous shopping street for upper-class women and also Mousse's birthplace.
* **Royal Opera house of Lingones** (***Opéra Royal de Lingones***): A once famous opera house located in Lingones. Even though it was destroyed by the flames of war, its famous stageplay, "Ode au Triomphe", is still played across Terra.

## References

2. ↑ Snowsant's HOK-X Operator Module description
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 9-18 After
4. ↑ END8-1
5. ↑  description
6. ↑  full description
7. ↑ Kal'tsit's Archive files
8. ↑ Royal Liqueur description
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1  full description
10. ↑ Summary of A Celaiblason Nobel's Meeting (Phantom & Crimson Solitaire theme web, Notice Board, Performance notice) description
11. ↑  description
12. ↑ GA-8 After
13. ↑ Gaul Recruitment Order (Phantom & Crimson Solitaire theme web, Notice Board, Performance notice) description
14. ↑ Descriptions of  and
15. ↑  description
16. ↑ Mousse's Talk after trust increase #3 dialogue
17. ↑ 11-6 Before