Abbot Galad

**Abbot Galad** is an Elven Cleric who is currently head of the Temple of Corellon in Parnos

## Description

### Appearance

Abbot Galad is an elderly male elf. Despite his advanced years he is of sound mind and continues his duties in the temple and regular visits to the infirmary.

### Personality and alignment

He is Lawful Good in alignment. The Church is his life and he is dedicated to the worship and observances of Huwl and Corellon.

### Religion

Abbot Galad runs the Temple of Corellon in Parnos. This Temple is named after the old Elven God of Light and, as Elves are want to do, they have kept the name and symbols of that God while encompassing the worship of the angels that frequent Randore. Huwl is the main angel worshipped at the temple as Gabriel was seen, in Elven society, as being a "more human" angel. The Temple is part of the Church of Light.

## Skills and traits

Abbot Galad is a skilled cleric and healer. His skills in medicine and healing are highly sought after and he is the main healer to the Royal Court. He is also often seen providing services at the infirmary.

### Languages

Common

Halfling

Goblin

Elvish

Primordial

Draconic

Dwarvish

### Armour/Clothing

Abbot Galad commonly wears a light blue tunic but has ceremonial robes in blue and green as befits his position.

### Weapons

He carries no weapon but for many years carried a mace which emanates a blue light. It is similar to the one given to Idril when she left the temple.

### Spells / Abilities

He has advanced healing skills and has, on occasion, been known to resurrect the dead. The last time this skill was used was after a particularly nasty training accident at the Barracks.

## Home

Abbot Galad lives in quarters at the Temple of Corellon in Parnos.

## Treasure / Prized Possessions

His most prized possession is a book, containing the words of Huwl.

## Relationships

### Allies

He is a dedicated cleric and sees his role in life is saving those who need his help.

### Animals

Abbot Galad does not have any pets, however a snow white owl lives in the tree outside his window. He found the owl as a chick and, as the owl is a symbol of Huwl on this plane, Abbot Galad felt the bird could be a messenger from the angel and reared it by hand. Although the owl is now fully grown and flies free it also stays close to the Temple and the Abbot finds comfort in its presence.

## History

Galad was born in Daswer and grew up in a wealthy Elven family there. He was the middle child of his family, with an elder and younger sister. It was traditional, in the family, that the second child follow a religious path and, as such on his 100th birthday, he was given to the Church by his parents and has seen neither them nor his siblings since.

Galad worked as a novice in the local temple and at the age of 136 was fully inducted as a cleric. He chose to travel the Old East at that time practicing his healing skills in return for food and lodging and sharing the words of Huwl as he travelled. During this time he found an owl chick next to his bedroll one morning. He saw this as a gift from Huwl and raised it by hand.

The owl grew and Galad took it as a sign that Huwl was travelling with him so followed the owl as it flew at night. After many years of travelling in this way Galad arrived in Parnos, with the owl flying ahead.

Galad presented himself to the Temple of Corellon. He was welcomed, but rather coldly, as he was somewhat dishevelled with a long matted beard. He realised quickly that appearances were important here and immediately cleaned himself up and used the little gold he had earned to buy clean robes.

Galad worked hard in the Temple over the following centuries. He studied healing and languages and theology. The owl stayed in the tree outside his window and this comforted him that he was in the right place, although sometimes it did not feel so. He gained the status of friar and the respect of his fellow brethren.

Many at the Temple had been raised in noble families and had never been outside of Parnos. They were keen to officiate ceremonies for the Royal Court but less inclined to help the sick and the poor of the city. Galad had no such concerns. He saw ministering to the sick and needy as a true calling and bringing the word of Huwl to the World. He could regularly be seen in town and was a well known and loved figure in the poorer districts.

When the Abbot of the Temple died the brethren chose him to take his place. He stepped into the position with the same grace and surety that he embraced all of his duties.

He was 487 years old when Idril Malthen first entered the Temple. He heard her crying and listened to the tale of Aerith's disappearance and her family's anger. Over the coming weeks and months Idril spent more and more time at the temple. She was an able student with a keen mind and willingness to learn.

On the first night Idril stayed in quarters at the Temple the owl flew from the tree outside Galad's window and sat on the shutters outside her room. From that day Galad took a personal interest in Idril's training. He found her to be driven and determined; with an overwhelming desire to be good. She learned quickly and became an asset at the infirmary. Her noble lineage was of no detriment to her visiting the poorest parts of town. Over the next 60 years he worked to ready Idril for a life in the Church.

Galad held the ceremony that inducted Idril as a Cleric of Light and personally placed the holy symbol upon her head.

When Idril approached him, some fifty years later, and told him of a vision from Huwl; about finding her sister he was ready to support her journey. As he had once done himself he prepared her to leave all she had known and journey into the unknown alone.

At the ceremony to mark her leaving he presented her with a mace; made from solid wood with a glowing blue stone at the top and golden metal rays like sunbeams radiating from the top. The stone is bound in place with mistletoe stems. The mace looked remarkably similar to the one he had used to carry as a younger man, before he became Abbot.

Abbot Galad continues, as he has always done, tending to the sick of Parnos and keeping the Temple doors open to those who may need its light.