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. In Mahsht, he takes part in the group’s extraction from street violence and in the evacuation alongside avout from the Ringing Vale.

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 uses earphones with a jeejah to coordinate on the move.
• Improvisational first-aid helper: contributes practical materials (e.g., household glue, tackle-box line) when medical supplies are scarce.
• Plain-spoken in abstract debates, reducing issues to simple analogies while teasing his cousin without taking the bait.

Roles and Actions

• Canvasses co-religionists by jeejah for news; 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 companions 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.
• Old Mahsht extraction: drives a three-wheeler into a crowded square to reach a beset companion; under scooter and foot pursuit he coordinates by earpiece while Yulassetar Crade provides armed overwatch and avout from the Ringing Vale break the mob’s momentum. He then helps shuttle the Valers to safety using the group’s vehicles.
• Field medicine at a riverside site outside Mahsht: assists with improvised care—applying glue to close a split eyebrow, providing tackle-box line used for stitching, and supporting a broader first-aid effort until the patient is stabilized.
• On Ecba: at a shaded beach camp he joins planning for a direct approach to Orithena, urging a short delay to gather more information after learning that Ecba has had a single long-term owner; he notes avout walking openly in the town and treats it as a sign that ordinary explanations may not apply.
• At Orithena: accompanies the group to the gate and remains outside with Cord, Yulassetar Crade, and Sammann per a prearranged plan to wait an hour and, if no word, return in three days; described figuratively as serving as a “pall-bearer” as a companion entered within.

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.
• Occasional theological sparring with a Kelx magister in the group’s orbit; exchanges are sharp but intermittent.

Current Status

Waiting outside the gates of Orithena with companions under an agreed plan to check back after three days if no word; continues to manage vehicles and logistics for the party.