Gael

# Gael Uí Néill

Gael Uí Néill is a human from Lirgal. He is a Deralyn of Asitir, and a member of the Lyredai (Lunar Council) of Lirgal. Gael is known for his contributions to Asitir Theology, as well as for his stewardship of Lirgal both as an Astral Councillor, Lunar Councillor, and City Syndic. Gael also served as the Chief Diplomat (Losharim Kayid) of the Empire of Yimmu-Audal.

Gael made a name for himself through the literature he produced whilst a citizen of Lirgal, eventually being promoted to the status of Taiveredai, or Astral Councillor. Whilst on the Astral Council, he oversaw the massive expansion of Lirgal into several new districts-as well as the erection of the Lirgal Academy. Eventually he was promoted to the status of Lyredai, or Lunar Councillor, paired with his role as City Syndic-to act as Executive alongside Raeden Seeker should the rest of the Lunar Council be incapacitated.

As Lunar Councillor, Gael has overseen numerous projects; the construction of much of northern and northwestern Lirgal city, the erection of Lirgal's long awaited City Hall, a redevelopment of the Temple of Asitir, and several Treaties regarding both internal and external affairs. The later stages of his life have become devoted not only to Lirgal but to the wider region of Aldovir, which he hoped to see stabilised and brought into an era of relative peace.

He currently resides in the Morowo Bailey distract of Lirgal City.

## Early Life, Arrival in Lirgal

Gael was born to a minor family of farmers in the Empire of Aldovir, largely ignorant of the political landscape of the subcontinent for much of his youth. An attack by raiders destroyed his family home at a young age, forcing him to wander for a time as a vagrant.

For a time, Gael found brief and sporadic work producing brief tomes pertaining to local history or culture, but was unable to make enough money to settle down. Destitute and without any real purpose, he sailed along the rivers of Aldovir seeking work. It was at this stage that he came across the city of Lirgal, entering through the open gates to find a large plaza drenched in moonlight. He was greeted by one of the residents, Nitlovis Tliavan. Tliavan spoke briefly about the city and its faith, before suggesting a tour. The tour took the pair on a moonlit walk through the streets of Lirgal, and eventually to the Temple of Asitir. Whilst exploring the city, the pair were joined by Aldara Ellan, who explained some of the history behind the Temple and other landmarks of the town. At the end of the tour, Gael explained his situation to the pair, as the sun slowly rose over the city. After a brief discussion about what Gael hoped to find in Lirgal, Aldara and other city officials presented him with the deed to his own house in Lirgal. With that, Gael Uí Néill had found his home.

As the weeks went by, Gael became more readily involved in the everyday business of Lirgal; he would speak regularly with members of the Lunar Council, and spent many hours in the Asitir Temple Library studying the Asitir faith. Having established himself as a permanent resident of Lirgal, Gael was entrusted with various tasks pertaining both to archival and logistical work. With help from the Lunar Council regarding the unique Lirgalyn architecture, Gael planned and constructed several new buildings in the Castle District of the city. Gael was appointed to the Taiveredai (Astral Concil) of Lirgal for his services to the city, and became increasingly involved in the running of domestic affairs. By this stage, he had made clear his intention to eventually convert to Asitir-but he believed that his journey to do so was not yet complete.

## The Asitir Reformation

Gael's formal initiation into Asitir was overseen by Aldara Ellan personally, and was conducted in a private ceremony. Few are aware of the exact conditions under which he was initiated, nor what drove him to finally join the Asitir flock. What is known, however, is that Gael's study of the Asitir faith had begun to produce results. Meeting regularly with Aldara and other Asitir scholars, Gael made clear his intention to incite theological debate in Lirgal; it was his view that the Asitir church was in need of reform, and that certain theological concepts within Asitir were in need of further study. The result of his studies were the now famous *Commentaries* series, in which Gael published his theories on methods of reform and flaws in Asitir doctrine. Before long, the *Commentaries* were part of a much wider movement of debate and discourse in Lirgal, often cited in discussion and argued upon.

Thus, when the Asitir Reformation began, Gael was invited to the Temple to take part in the several-days-long debates over the future of Asitir. Using both his arguments in *Commentaries* and other ideas he had penned about the faith, he became an integral part of the discussion and wider reformation effort. Lirgal filled with crowds, eager to hear the results of the debates, but the doors remained locked as the brightest minds of Asitir continued their exchanges inside.

Eventually, a consensus was reached and a date was set for the Reformation Ceremony. Gael took his place in the Temple of Asitir, as the new structure of the church was revealed to the many people who filled the room. A new Dáiorei (Lightbringer) was to be chosen along with a set of new Deralynor (Divines); the Dáiorei acting as the Head of the Church, and the Divines being answerable only to the Dáiorei. Gael was surprised to discover that he had been chosen as a Deralyn (Divine), due to his work as a Scholar of Asitir and his work in developing Lirgal. As a result he was granted a vote in the selection of a new Dáiorei, which he cast for Aldara Ellan.

## Scholar of the Stars

Following the reformation of Asitir, Lirgal grew rapidly. Gael by this stage was a member of the Astral Council, the Lirgal Government's advisory body, and had taken part in several large projects. New districts were built, and citizens arrived in throngs to the Lunar City. During the crisis of Astyllea's collapse, Gael sided with the rest of the government in a unanimous declaration of Lirgal's independence. Lirgal's independence coincided with the completion of the Lirgal Library and Academy, the construction of which Gael oversaw personally. One feature of the Academy of particular interest to him was the Astronomy Tower-which he spent many evenings in, watching the stars. Gael's prolonged study of the stars brought about a striking revelation-one of utmost importance to Asitir.

Gael theorised that the stars in the sky were not naturally scattered, but rather arranged and maintained in very deliberate patterns. After studying the oldest Asitir tomes, he concluded that a long-forgotten deity of the stars had lurked in the heavens for countless years-awaiting discovery by scholars of the stars. Gael published three further books as a result;

A Companion to Astronomy

Acting as an instruction manual to stargazing, the Companion to Astronomy contained instructions for locating specific constellations in relation to the position of the moon. This book proved immensely popular, and spread quickly beyond Lirgal and across Rathnir.

On Réaltaí

The second star-related book written by Gael was regarding his discovery of a deity of the stars. This deity, who Gael dubbed "Réaltaí", was understood to be linked closely to Asitir's main Goddess, Asi. Asi, as Goddess of Wisdom (amongst many other things) was supported by Réaltaí, God of the Stars and of Scholars and Interpretation. The book outlines the argument for Réaltaí's existence, and the importance of information gathering, study and interpretation-in order to prevent chaos or meaningless.

Menorór te Réaltaí

Gael's research on Astonomy and its relationship to Asitir came to a conclusion with the publishing of *Menorór te Réaltaí.* The Tome, published by the Lirgal Temple Library, acted not only as a summation of Gael's research on Réataí but also as the foundational text of the Réaltaí-specific sect of Asitir. In a similar vein as the Adaere Namu, Menorór te Réaltaí served as a broad set of guidelines and beliefs of those who follow Réaltaí's teachings. An experimental and controversial tome, it alluded to a force beyond the Universe-Spirit, known simply as *The Lie.* The concept of *The Lie* has been referenced in earlier Asitir books, and referred to the consequences of a deliberate corruption of Asitir teachings. Traditionally, *The Lie* has been regarded as an amorphous term for deeds frowned upon by Asitir faithful, but Menorór te Réaltaí proposes that *The Lie* is an active force in the Universe which sows chaos in all that it touches. The best means of safeguarding against *The Lie*, in the teachings of Réaltaí, can be found in the careful gathering and stewardship of knowledge and information, as well as caution in the ebb and flow of specific information to particular groups or individuals.

## Lunar Councillor, City Syndic

Following the collapse of Astyllea and Lirgal's declaration of independence, the City-State was in need of strong governance. The integration of Lapidovir had brought with it new challenges, and the uncertain future of Lirgal in the Aldoviri peninsula lead to a great deal of concern. With some of the older members of the Lunar Council seeking to stake a step back from statesmanship, Gael was appointed to the the Lyredai (Lunar Council), the executive body of Lirgal. Alongside this, he and Raeden were granted the roles of City Syndic-responsible for Lirgal's governance should the Lunar Council ever become incapacitated.

As Lunar Councillor, Gael oversaw further expansion of the city, however he too felt the strain of post-Astyllean politics. As new Lunar Councillors were appointed, he undertook a pilgrimage to seek out the ruins of the city of Kaliné. He returned shortly after Lirgal joined the Empire of Yimmu-Audal, and resumed his post as Lunar Councillor.

## Losharim Kayid of Yimmu-Audal

Gael's work as Lunar Councillor of Lirgal eventually drew the attention of the Audalad Court of Yimmu-Audal. Whilst Gael was at first wary of Lirgal's place within the Empire-going so far as to at first argue that Lirgal should seek a means through which it could secede-he was eventually convinced of the Empire's merits after familiarising himself with the way they conducted their diplomacy. Gael's entered the Audalad Court as the Empire was in a state of flux; the old Emperor *Aureus Audalad* had fallen ill, and was seeking a replacement. When Cassius Potentia was appointed as Emperor, Gael worked to maintain close Galadonni-Lirgalyn relations. With the outbreak of the Neo-Carnian Revolution, Gael was central to the early appeals for a lenient solution; hoping to use the conflict to enforce a stable political settlement in Aldovir, Gael called for peace talks with the Carnians to act as a stepping stone to a wider peace initiative in the region. As a result of his work, Gael was appointed as Losharim Kayid (Chief Diplomat) of Yimmu-Audal, a position which he accepted.

As Losharim Kayid, Gael spearheaded the negotiations with the Neo-Carnian Caeronate as well as the negotiations with Sironia which lead to Cornflower Accords and the Treaty of Azethvir, bringing an end to the Neo-Carnian Revolution. The subsequent "Audalad Peace" in Aldovir was considered by Gael to be his greatest personal achievement, although the longevity of it was yet to be tested. His time as Chief Diplomat had reaffirmed his commitment to stability in Aldovir, and he set about preparations to maintain the peace between the various Aldoviri states in perpetuity.

However, some time after the peace settlement, Gael fell mortally ill whilst working in Urnu-Arrak. He was reduced to a near comatose state, and hastily announced his resignation as Chief Diplomat-to much dismay of the Audalad Court. He spent the next several weeks resting, until on a particularly clear night he deteriorated to the brink of death-only to suddenly reanimate as though completely cured. He recovered quickly over the following days, but dismissed any queries about his return to his post as Chief Diplomat; he stated that the office had now passed on to another, and that he was happy to act in a supportive role but wished to return to his home in Lirgal.

## Return to Lirgal, declaration of Secession

Upon Gael's return to Lirgal, he threw himself once more into his work on the Lunar Council. With his work no longer divided between Lirgal and Yimmu-Audal, he implemented several plans that he had drawn up in the past; the Lunar Guard were reformed, and Morowo Castle was redesigned to better suit a modern army and arsenal. With the Lunar Guard reformed, he then set about a recruitment drive to draw in soldiers from all across Lirgal-in the hopes of creating a capable standing army for the Lunar City-State.

Having reformed the Lunar Guard, he then looked to the final launching of the Lirgal Vitra Library-the vast repertoire of knowledge and pet project of fellow Lunar Councillor Edwin Vitra. Rather than a simple Library opening ceremony, Gael instead planned a vast festival; he believed that the newfound peace in the region should be celebrated with an enormous ceremony, attended by dignitaries from both Aldovir, the rest of Alteniquia, and beyond. The result was the now famous Lirgal Vitra Library Festival, one of the largest in the region's history; attended by Emperors, Diplomats, Kings, soldiers and civilians, it went on for several hours.

Shortly after the festival, news of Emperor Cassiath's resgination from his post as Emperor of Yimmu-Audal sent a shockwave across the Empire. Gael was approached once more and asked to be Chief Diplomat, but he turned the role down-citing his health and his responsibilities in Lirgal.

As Lirgal drifted further away from intrigue in the Audalad Court of Yimmu-Audal and toward their traditional role on the international stage as mediators and diplomats, many within Lirgal began to argue that the time had come for Lirgal to be independent once more. Gael, along with the rest of the Lunar Council, agreed to depart from the Empire of Yimmu-Audal amicably-declaring unilateral independence and returning to the world as a sovereign nation. Gael immediately set about restoring Lirgal's place both in Alteniquia and across all of Rathnir as a diplomatic heavyweight, opening new diplomatic channels and bolstering Lirgal's treasury to carry it forward into the future.