Ginead Synnde
Minister of Fin-Allan Ginead Synnde (a.k.a. Emperor Elf)
The former Minister of Fin-Allan and one of the oldest people alive, Ginead Synnde led Exodus-in-Prime for over 200 years before finally handing over his position to his protege Idella Layn. And though the man yet lives, it is already said that no-one has or will have the same impact on the course of history in the Great Bay than he did.
Today, Ginead is enjoying his retirement in the Faldevin district of Fin-Allan, though he continues to advise the new minister.
Ginead is a household name to every Exodite and Khelish, and is considered by many the most accomplished elf to ever live. The architect of the Exodite Empire, the Khelish humans in particular have not for many generations known a world where Ginead Synnde was not their emperor and ruler. In Khelish, the name "Ginead" is sometimes used as a synonym for emperor, while the gnomes who yet live consider him as the foremost perpetrator of Helkah, their slaughter and driving away from the Khelish lands. To the elves of Exodus, he is a hero and the most exemplary Exodite, one who did all they could for the advancement of the cause of all elves.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Ginead appears as an old and wizened elf, slight of build but somewhat tall. Though he looks old, he still appears much healthier and younger than he in fact is, and unlike many elves he has not begun to succumb to Cahalavii.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Born in Fin-Lyaan the 11th child of the Synnde brood, Ginead had 14 brothers and 12 sisters. Like most elves, he only spent around the first 13 years of his life in the care of his birth parents before it was time for Exodus to find him his place in the hierarchy. He ended up apprenticing to a warehouser in his home district for many years before it was time for his military service, where his background saw him placed as a quartermaster. Though an unexceptional fighter, Ginead had an eye for detail and a knack for managing operations which did not go unnoticed by his superior ministers.
When the portal to the prime material was opened and Exodus needed a squad from the army to secure the other end, Ginead was with them. The outpost soon expanded, and as senior ministers in the expedition returned to the Borderworld Exodus for more prestigious postings, Ginead was eventually promoted to run the Exodite outpost. At that time, the posting was considered relatively minor and suitable for a young but promising logistician like Ginead.
In 303, Ginead's leadership would be most sorely tested, when relations between his outpost of Fin-Allan and the local human lord of the Dentlands broke down. The humans demanded that the Exodites retreat back into the borderworld, and dismantle their trading post. Knowing the ministers above him would be most displeased if he simply gave up the elves' outpost in the prime material, he instead ordered the building of fortifications and requisitioned arms from the hierarchy.
Ginead's early successes against the Cymbarites convinced his superior ministers to keep him in command of Exodite efforts in the prime material, even as the conflict escalated. Three years later, Ginead would finally claim victory, having made the King of Cymbar his subordinate minister. It was at this point that the Exodite Council claimed direct command over the Ministry of Fin-Allan, making Ginead the nominal equal of any of the most senior ministers in Exodus.
Ginead's star was not finished rising. With the Cymbarite threat neutralized, the Exodites could continue their lucrative trade with the humans, and Fin-Allan continued to expand. When the elven realm ended up in further conflict with other nearby human realms, Ginead already had the resources at his command to deal with it, and the Exodite armies would march across the prime once more. The humans began to name him emperor, largely unaware that he was in fact beholden to the Exodite Council still.
He would continually subdivide his ever expanding ministry, and as he found out from his subordinates about the fae and gnomish presence in the Cymbarite and Khelish lands, he instructed his ministers to root it out. He would continue to rule over Fin-Allan, and over the next two hundred years conquer the entirety of Khely and even a Valen kingdom.
Like most elves, Ginead is incapable of having children, though he has mentored many junior ministers, most notably Idella Layn who was ultimately selected by him to inherit his post. After a costly blunder in the Pordinian War, Ginead finally chose to retire in late 508. He has continued to live in Exodus-in-Prime, and shortly after retiring turned down his fifth invitation to join the Exodite Council.
Social
Family Ties
Though having no offspring and having lost contact with most of his brood from his birth family, Ginead has mentored many elves, and partnered with many as well. In particular Idella Layn has been like a daughter to him for many decades.
He seems like a quite a controversial figure, though I get why he is venerated by the elves.