Gäles-Ifrik Gelärhisgir

Gäles-Ifrik Gelärhisgir (Sethrian pronunciation: /gæ:les i:fɾik gelærisgiɾ/), IGN FireDolphin556, is a Sethrian linguistic scholar, historian, journalist, and politician, currently serving as co-owner of The Sethris Times and as a Neire of Sethris since October 6, 2022.

Early Life
Born into the well-known Gelärhisgir family of Whiteridge Hussars (Elöbrökmuri), his father was Tsarhe-Dalk Gelärhisgir, a high-ranking military officer. His mother was Gefrala-Masmë Gelärhisgir (née Molytsel), a prominent apothecary and healer. He spent most of his childhood fishing in the Whiteridge River with his cousin Vel-Mäst. Although he was never a very talented warrior, his father always wanted him to follow in his footsteps and join the Elöbrökmuri. Gäles-Ifrik had other ideas, however, and began to travel Sethris at age 16 and keep a journal of his travels and the people he met. He spent about four months living among the Northern Koldëti before travelling to Zirbenburg, where he stayed for only twenty days. He then lived in Avaris for nearly a year, where he met Völkif Yalfël-Irëstir, at that time heir to the throne of Sethris. While in Avaris, he discovered his passion for language, and studied profusely on the linguistic history of Sethris.

Linguistics
After briefly studying at the University of Sethris, Gelärhisgir returned home to Whiteridge where he discovered a strange patterned stone buried on the banks of the river. After unearthing it, it was discovered that the stone's patterns contained engraved Old Sethrian runes spelling out a few stanzas of an epic poem. After deciphering them and reconstructing the runic alphabet, he began work on fully reconstructing Old Sethrian itself based on the runestone and other records of the extinct language. He has since become one of the leading scholars on the topic of Old Sethrian alongside fellow linguist Evëlin-Töve Yvantsel.

He is also noted for his Languages of Sethris series of books, which seek to document the linguistic history of Sethris and its extinct and extant dialects, including information on the Old Sethrian, Modern Sethrian, Vinvüri, Geksirari, and Koldëtari languages.

Military
Shortly after returning to Whiteridge at age 17, he finally fulfilled his father's wishes and joined the Elöbrökmuri. However, due to Sethris's continuing pacifist policies, he has never been deployed into active combat; the closest he has ever come was volunteering for the Shattered Isles-Bel-Ismer war on the side of Bel-Ismer; the war never occured.

Journalism
Gelärhisgir's cousin Vel-Mäst founded The Sethris Times, an international Sethris-based newspaper. Shortly after the newspaper was founded, Gelärhisgir was hired by Vel-Mäst and then-owner Lev. He became a prolific writer for the newspaper and was eventually promoted to owner. After Lev's abrupt departure from the Times, he became co-owner and 50% shareholder, along with Vel-Mäst.

Politics
Following his father's death when Gelärhisgir was 20, his cousin Vel-Mäst was elected as the fifth Kagnere (President) of Sethris. Völkif Yalfël-Irëstir (now Hasafi) and Vel-Mäst decided, together with the support of the Council of Sethris, that Gelärhisgir was fit to be appointed Neire (a high-ranking political position). Although initially eager to accept the offer, Gelärhisgir soon began to feel the pressure of public office, as well as uncertainty about the legitimacy of his position because the people responsible for appointing him were close personal friends.

He has also served as Mayor of Winderburg since the departure of the previous mayor and most of the citizens.