Pronunciation: (gale)
Galactic Region: Perseus Arm
Galactic Branch: Sikhara Branch
Galactic Sector: N4
Star System: Sol
Planet: Terra
Continent: Gael
Land Area: 2,697,000 square miles
Length: 1,350 miles north to south
Width: 2,500 miles east to west
Coordinates: 32° S to 75° S, 1° E to 143° E
The history of Gael is shrouded in mystery. The continent was the last to be colonized by the Terran kingdoms. Akkaus was the first to form a colony, followed by colonies formed by Kalmar. Finding the continent uninhabited, the two nations expanded their presence on the continent until clashes became unavoidable. Kalmar gained the upperhand and conquered the entirety of the continent, though their forces were significantly depleted in the effort. As their conquest was nearly completed, an indigenous army attacked the Kalmar, destroying the majority of their remaining troops
It was not long before all the forces of the Kalmar had been destroyed on Gael and many of its citizens had fled back to the mainland. The indigenous population settled the conquered cities and formed the kingdom of Kal'tael. The new nation was extremely isolated, engaging in almost no trade with the other continents, or any other interaction. Despite the lack of interaction, the ferocity of the Kal'tael fighters was well known. When Kal'tael built up a massive navy, their reputation was equally fierce. Many trade vessels began to navigate across the globe rather than passing around the southern end of Gael
Records of the history of Kal'tael after this point are practically non-existant, for a period spanning roughly 7 million years. What is known is that at some point a continent-wide cataclysmic event occurred, breaking up the core of the continent, throwing many of the cities into the ocean. Though the destruction of the continent was not complete, none of the population was known to survive, simply vanishing. It was some time before merchant ships dared to venture into the area. The cause of the cataclysm and the disappearance of the population was never discovered
In the Third Age, a group of scientists and pioneers set sail to re-establish the once-great nation and to unlock the mystery behind Kal'tael's destruction. In less than a thousand years, they were able to rebuild the nation, establishing an unprecedented number of cities on the broken continent
Timeline
The government of Gael is based on the historical records of the ancient kingdom of Kal'tael. As such it is extremely inclusive of every member of society, in which decisions made by local leadership can be blocked by very small minority. In the records, this form of government was extremely successful, though it has been less so for modern Gael. Gael has modified the system to fit its own sensibilities, and the result is a hybrid system. Policy is still written by consensus, but day to day operations are administered by governors which are appointed by the Preservation Society. From some perspectives, the nation is nothing more than a large private enterprise
One of the core tenets of Gaelen law is the Mit'a, mandatory public service. Citizens are expected to serve the first of every ten years in service to the historical preservation of the country's historical artifacts and monuments. This includes military service, archaeological efforts, maintenance and restoration, international trading, and diplomacy
While Gael does not believe in capitol punishment, the consequences for “the destruction of artifacts” is quite severe, up to exile to Ceann Island Prison. The punishment is also extended to foreigners, and to date, no one convicted of the crime has been released to their country of origin
Religion
As in all things, the citizens of modern-day Gael imitate their forebearers and religion is no exception. They practice Nahuatl Shamanism, which reveres the spirits of the animals with a strong focus on mammals, particularly the coyote and the fox. The coyote (Coyotl, COY-oh-tul) is strong and stable, where as the fox (Tlalepatl, t-LAL-ay-pah-tul) is cunning and quick. These two creatures are central figures, seen as the ideal paths for young warriors to follow. Occasionally, the deer (Mazatl, MAH-zah-tul) or the bear (Tlaqui) are also revered for their grace and spirit, respectively
Hunting these revered creatures typically carries harsh penalties, even for foreigners. As a result these populations are relatively high, making the wilderness fairly dangerous. For this reason, killing these creatures in self defense is excusable provided that there was no alternative. A ceremonial grieving ritual is required in either case
Values
Gael prizes a reverence for the past and for ancient civilizations. They are an extremely organized and sincere people. They treat the ruins within their borders as sacred holy sites, and visitors' access to these sites is often severely restricted. Beyond that, they have a strong sense of hospitality, especially for outsiders who express interest or knowledge of their history
Additionally, celebration and mirth are a part of daily life in Gael. They observe all of ancient Gael's feast days, observing their ancient customs with unfettered enthusiasm
Dress
Daily clothing consists of blue, white, and grey linens worn loosely. Fur coats and boots are worn for warmth in the autumn and winter months, while linens, wide brimmed straw hats, and sandals are worn in spring and summer. Pelts of revered animals are obtained solely from animals that died of natural causes, and these pelts are extremely valuable. On festivals and feast days, woven textiles with complex patterns and bright colors are the norm. Hair is often worn in braids by both genders, and ringed wooden jewelry is ubiquitous
Food
The Gaelen diet consists mostly of grains, beans and fruit. Dairy and eggs are common, and meat comprises a small but consistent portion of the diet, mostly from fowl. Cactus nectar from the Seonin forest is a common alcoholic beverage, which is served in cups made from cactus bark and garnished with the teal and white flowers from the cactus, when in season. Other alcohols are rare, the country only produces one variety of wine, a white wine from Sionnach called the “Silver Devil”, an anthropomorphic name capturing the wine's deceptively high alcoholic content. Gael is something of an oddity in that they import no food or even alcohol from outside the country
Music and Arts
Music is an integral part of Gaelen society. Although no recorded compositions survived the cataclysm, the types of instruments used is known and most citizens are proficient with at least one. Simple percussive drums, multi-chambered flutes, and ocarinas are popular, less common is the wooden tambourine, a unique stringed instrument called a hoop
