Eluli Ula

Eluli Ula

Eluli, born Eluli Gandachi (49 BE - 22 IE - ), known as Prime and as the One, was the first Omban Emperor, the founder of the Gandachi dynasty of emperors, and presently ruler of Khutu. His appearance is as a bearded man of around seventy, but few these days ever have the opportunity to see Him. The Gandachi lineage was an important noble lineage within the Omban monarchic system, long-time allies and advisors to the Omban kings although without any kings in their line. Eluli was born in the city of Omba, the third son and fifth child of a well-to-do family. During his youth, he distinguished himself militarily in campaigns in the eastern marches of the kingdom, eventually becoming an important general in the Western War, which made him, and the Gandachi lineage, very wealthy. He was chosen as hengi of the Gandachi in 3 BE and then, upon the dissolution of the Omban monarchy, became Emperor, a position which he held until his death.

In 22 IE at his death, Eluli was briefly considered for rebirth as a revenant but then awakened as a saint, bringing about a major political crisis as the Omban Senate had to decide what to do with an eternal monarch. But at that point, the institution of sainthood was new enough, and the Senate powerful enough, that continuing the imperial succession was the most pragmatic solution. Eluli became a figure of reverence, consulted like an oracle on key matters, but without any real power. His cult, such as it was, was a kind of special priestly sect of the Voice who were separated from actual power.

Upon the end of the Tirumfegla dynasty, Eluli Ula was brought westwards from Imperial Omba to Onighus in 334 IE, in part under the aegis of Borgegus Ula. There, Eluli was set up as the Emperor in His own right - at least nominally, the Omban Emperor, as was (and is still) the official name of the Khutuan polity. But in place of the Senate, nineteen Conduits - Voices chosen from among the Khutuan nobility - serve as the eyes, ears, and arms of Eluli in governing the state. These are, or so it is deemed, chosen directly by Eluli Himself, though there is surely political work underlying these appointments. The great Temple of the Voice at the east end of the city was expanded into what has become the Mausoleum - at the same time temple, cemetery, court, and bureaucracy, serving the entire nation.,

Eluli has alternated between periods of great activism in the affairs of state - as in the Khutu-Taizian wars - and periods of relative lethargy or even, as in Eluli's Slumber from 437 - 441, total dormancy. Eluli has been rather active over the last century, overseeing the repulsion of The Blue Storm, the quashing of the rebellion of Ekrakosh, and the Treaty of Two Emperors sealing peace with Taizi. Since the Itineration of Eluli in 734, a celebration of His quadricentennial, Eluli has been somewhat more passive.