The Council of Gilteen

The Council of Gilteen was a group of 12 officials elected to form the governing body for the Shining City of Aushriné (also known as the Morning Star), which is located in the country of Dalla. The council was first formed in 1327 and maintained governance over Aushriné for 374 of 377 years, until its dissolution in 1704. The council of Gilteen was named for Ausanara Gilteen. Ausanara was, at the time of the council's creation, the oldest resident of Aushriné and the longest-running city leader. It was her who came up with the idea for the council on her death bed, and the council was created within weeks of her passing.
For most of the Council of Gilteen's long and storied history, it tended to be a staunchly secular group. The city of Aushriné prided itself on its diversity of religions, and though many religious institutions found great success within the city, they were rarely able to influence the will of the city officials. Even before members could run for office, a thorough vetting would be done to ensure the candidate was capable of operating as a city official without being influenced by their religion, as well as by other methods, including financial. Perhaps as a consequence of this prioritisation, Aushriné was often considered the most progressive and least corrupt city in the entirety of Dalla. In fact, it was considered an example of what a successful city appeared to be throughout the entire world of Taume.
Some of the Counci of Gilteen's most notable actions are noted below, in chronological order:

• 1332: Implemented a city-wide food distribution program. Working closely with farmers from the surrounding rural communities, the Council developed an action plan that taxed wealthy residents in order to supplement payment to farmers so that they would recieve the same pay regardless of whether they distributed their crops to poor neighbourhoods or to rich neighbourhoods. The council built a food distribution centre that ensured that at-risk communities would recieve the same quality goods and produce as wealthier neighbourhoods, and at the same time.
• 1337: Created the Web-Weavers, a network of religious and secular organizations that worked together to ensure that every citizen of Aushriné was housed, healed, and fed.
• 1397: Began to send out Aushriné Ambassadors to cities and towns within the country of Dalla to teach compassionate leadership to community leaders.
• 1437: In anticipation of the Amaranthine War, built a great wall around the city. This was the first sign of a working agreement between the Council of Gilteen and a religious order. The famous paladin sect the Karai, followers of the warrior Goddess Karyss, a popular deity in the country of Dalla.
• 1598: While the Karai were welcomed in Aushriné for many years, tensions began to rise the longer peacetime held. After many years of tension between the Karai and the Council of Gilteen, the council officially removed the Karai from guard duties. A few Karai stayed on to oversee training for a small local militia, but most removed themselves to the Karai stronghold of Ezerinis.
• 1604: The Council of Gilteen votes to begin construction on a university specializing in wizardry. With the powerful wizard Tolimas Salta holding great influence over the Council, many residents begin to fear the possibility of Aushriné becoming a mageocracy, although this never truly came to pass.
• 1702: The Change begins. Rumours begin amongst city residents that the Council has been corrupted by an evil God. Council members begin to act in a more dictatorial fashion, and any uprisings by the residents are quickly and violently quelled. The city begins to become more isolated, and many residents begin to leave.
• 1703: The city's gates close. Trade activities are heavily guarded. A group of purple cloaked "death dealers" watch the city. Some of the death dealers are human, but many appear to be some form of demon. There is a plague of imps that overruns the city.
• 1704: The Darkness descends on the country of Dalla. The stars disappear and the world is plunged into darkness. The Council dissolves itself as a the Council of Gilteen, and recreates itself as The Order. They rule the city with a bloody fist. Residents live in squalor and chaos.
• 1704: The Fell Beast descends upon the city, destroying half of it. The Order, along with most of the city, is utterly decimated.

"No citizen of the Shining City of Aushriné shall fall through the cracks. With the Web-Weavers, we will ensure that every struggling citize is located, fed, and housed. Clerics will be available to help and to heal. Cooks will be available to feed. Rooms will be available in Inns designed specifically for this purpose. Let it be known that Aushriné always meets the needs of our citizens, no matter how great those needs are, and that no one will be left to fend for themselves." -Gren Bela, Council Lead, 1332-1371

1327 - 1704

Type

Geopolitical, City council

Alternative Names

The Council