Ganelial Crade

Overview

Ganelial Crade ("Gnel") is an extramuros driver from Samble in a community of Deolaters. He speaks Orth and joined a small traveling party connected to Bly’s Butte. He remains with the group as they head north, often taking the lead on driving, outfitting, and route logistics, while consulting co‑religionists and relaying information about Orolo. On the over‑ice route he helps arrange a smuggler transfer for the avout traveler, providing coins and scouting smaller sledges along the catwalks.

Contemporaneous accounts note that the Kelx (Triangle) faith is completely different from his; the comparison is made during a shipboard ark service.

Appearance and Traits

• Projects a set‑apart bearing that reflects strict religious identity; even among other extras he “doesn’t blend.”
• Prefers concrete tasks and leadership around vehicles and camp craft; comfortable giving detailed, practical instruction.
• Reads scripture in Old Bazian and is quick to defend his tradition in debate. Adopts the familiar name “Gnel.”
• Technically minded in a hands‑on way: keeps a three‑wheeler in his fetch, manages tools and supplies, and is at ease around sidearms and ammunition.

Roles and Actions

• At a northern fueling station near a city, canvasses co‑religionists by jeejah for news; later reports that Orolo passed through recently, stayed in the back of a cousin’s fetch, was outfitted for extreme cold, and then rode north on a drummon.
• Vehicle preparation and cold‑weather logistics: helps procure hobnailed, deeply grooved tires; works with Cord to replace coolants and lubricants for sub‑freezing conditions; shifts loads so his fetch can carry a three‑wheeler; insists on traveling with two vehicles for redundancy.
• Arranges with station management for long‑term parking for a companion’s fetch while the group reconfigures for the push north.
• Leads long highway stages through taiga and tundra, keeps the caravan moving amid slow drummon convoys, and uses the three‑wheeler for short hops when needed.
• At the polar sledge port, secures a place for both vehicles on the flatbed, with his fetch at the edge so the three‑wheeler can be deployed; helps stage gear aboard a housing module on the locomotive.
• Religious stance in conversation: calls the Warden of Heaven heretical and an offshoot of his own community; claims his faith traces to Saunt Bly and rejects sensational tales about Bly; laments that similar arks are “dying” as that movement spreads.
• Near the border inspection sweep on the ice route, supplies coins for fare and walks the catwalks with the narrator to help select a smaller smuggler sledge; after the narrator boards one bound for Kolya, he stays with the vehicles to proceed via the main sledge port, intending to rendezvous later at Mahsht.

Relationships

• Cousin: Yulassetar Crade—an apostate relative who equips travelers and later joins the journey; their exchanges mix tension with practical cooperation.
• Traveling companions: Cord (works with him on vehicle outfitting and repairs) and Sammann (often contrasts with him on information sources and methods). Collaborates with Fraa Erasmas while providing transport and route leadership.

Current Status

On the main sledge train approaching the inspection outpost, he assists the narrator in transferring to a small smuggler sledge, then remains with the fetches and the rest of the party. The group is expected to deboard at the sledge port, drive south, and later swing west toward Mahsht for a planned rendezvous.