Gael

= Gael Uí Néill = Gael Uí Néillwas a human from Lirgal. He was 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. He last resided 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, Gael remained largely ignorant of the political landscape of the subcontinent for much of his youth. When the Brothers War brought ruination to his home, he fled into the countryside and wandered for a time, somewhat aimlessly.

Gael arrived in Lirgal late one evening having spent many years travelling from town to town in an attempt to find work as a scribe. He found brief and sporadic work producing brief tomes pertaining to local history or culture, but was unable to make enough money to settle down. Eventually he arrived in Aldovir, sailing upriver from the west. 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 radily 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 two 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.

Death
Gael Uí Néill passed away peacefully in his home and Lirgal, shortly after conducting a Conversion Ceremony in Alavanéa-the first to take place outside of Lirgal's walls since the city's founding. On the journey back to Lirgal, he felt his body weakening. Arriving at his home, Ascension Manor, he climbed the stairs one last time-accompanied by his cat, Beanín. His affairs in order, and his home safe at last, he gazed out over the district of Morowo Bailey. He saw Traveller's Tower, standing proud. He saw the Temple of Asitir, and recalled his many long nights in its library. He saw the sprawling houses, and thought of the all the people he had met in Lirgal. He saw the bustling leaves, the swinging lanterns, the setting sun. He saw the rising moon. He was happy.