Of all the ancient peoples of Corwyn, none are more mysterious than the Olman, who inhabit the southwestern regions of the Sanjaara Jungle, as well as several island chains across the expanses of the Shining Sea.
Appearance
Ethnically, the Olman are closely-related to the Kratheri race. Olman men and women have various shades of reddish-brown or dark brown skin, long jet-black hair, and bright eyes of grey, brown, or black.
The Olman tongue is unique, and is dissimilar to any of the various Krathic dialects spoken on Za'har.
History
The Olman originated from the continent of Za'har, where they lived peacefully and comfortably, based around their city of Ataclan
Eventually, a conflict began between the Olman and the Deskari, a cruel and hostile race who worshipped demons.
The Deskari killed thousands of Olman and captured many more to use as human sacrifices and appease their demonic Gods.
Because of this growing threat, the Olman leaders made a momentous decision. They gathered their tribes together, abandoned their city of Ataclan, and left the continent forever.
About 3,000 years ago, in the year 750/3, the Olman left Za'har and began their "the Great Migration," travelling east across the Wyn Myr. Along the way, they settled on several island chains before they finally arrived on Azoria, and settled on the continent's western shores.
Even before the Great Migration, the Olman had a long tradition of seamanship, and stories had existed in many cultures of Olman traders crossing vast oceans using large outrigger canoes.
So it is no surprise that whole Olman tribes loaded up their belongings and headed off to sea. Their tribal leaders likely had prior knowledge of various island destinations from those very traders who had gone and returned before.
The Olman first settled on the Saffron Isles and established a colony there called Tolmec. On the Isles, the Olman built a large stone temple and erected many tall stone statues dedicated to their Gods.
For unknown reasons, the Olman colony of Tolmec eventually withered away. But before it did, the Olman used it as a important stopover to resupply their ships with food and fresh water, before they travelled on to destinations further east.
Sages have theorized that some Olman tribes also sailed north from the Saffron Isles to the Continent of Ikharos, but what became of those tribes is unknown. These theories are based on Iskari accounts of Olman traders visiting various southern coastal regions.
The Olman next sailed east from their colony on the Saffron Isles to the Isle of Dread, where they established a second colony called Thanaclan.
Soon after, Olman explorers sailed from the Isle of Dread and discovered the Olman Islands, where they established a third colony called Xamaclan.
By the year 750/3, the Olman had explored even further east and landed on the the western shores of Azoria. For the next several decades they moved inland, establishing several settlements in the dense Sanjaara Jungle.
The Olman eventually established seven large city-states within the Jungle, which, along with the cities of Tolmec, Thanaclan, and Xamaclan, constituted what became known as the "Olman Empire."
The far-reaching Olman Empire prospered for several centuries. Its civilization was one of great complexity, wealth, and artistry. The Empire was unique in that it had no central authority figure such as a king or emperor, rather it was essentially a federation of cooperative city-states.
Decline of the Empire
After seven hundred years of prosperity, the Olman Empire began to decline. First to fall was Thanaclan on the Isle of Dread. This colony was destroyed in a mysterious and tragic event called the "Savage Tide," and gave the "Isle of Dread" its ominous name.
Even after the loss of Thanaclan, the Olman Empire on Azoria continued to thrive for many years Tragically, that civilization also crumbled eventually, after suffering decades of disease, civil war, religious strife, and foreign invasions.
The Olman civilization was ultimately destroyed by the Eloysian Empire, when Emperor Abu-Malik launched an invasion of their territory, in the year AR 485.
Making matters worse, Ralani colonists from Ralas began expanding across northern Azoria around the same time. The Ralani established five of their newly established colonies stood on what had once been Olman territory, these five cities would one day unite to become the nation of Kendar.
By the end of the Fourth Age, all that remained of the once-great Olman Empire were the ruins of several cities in the Sanjaara Jungle, including the former cities of Alocotla and Tamoachan, and the ruined city of Thanaclan on the Isle of Dread.
Presently, the only remaining Olman city-state is Xamaclan, located on the Olman Islands.
Scattered Olman tribes still exist deep within the Sanjaara Jungle and on several small islands spread across the Shining Sea.
Olman Religion
The Olman people worshipped a diverse group of deities; known as the Olman Pantheon.