Ridelo Wikel

Ridelo H. Wikel Political Scientist • Philosopher • Poet
Ridelo Wikel in 2153, pictured with his handcrafted United Veiid pin.
Personal Details
Born		March 2nd, 2118 Kad, Belka
Died		Midsummer 19th, 2172 (aged 55) Tolburg, Atreus
Nationality		Atreian
Cause of Death		Liver cancer
Signature
Nicknames		Slim Pickings
Military Service
Allegiance		Novenad
Branch/Service		3rd National Army
Years of Service
August 19th, 2154 - January 14th, 2156
Rank		Lieutenant
Conflicts		Novenadian Revolution
Awards		Stripe of Sacrifice
Military Service
Allegiance		Atreus
Branch/Service		Atreian Army
Years of Service
January 12th, 2156 - Midsummer 28th, 2170
Rank		Lieutenant
Conflicts		Atreian Civil War

Ridelo Wikel was an Atreian political scientist, soldier, poet, and veteran of both the Atreian Civil War and Novenadian Revolution. Throughout his life, Wikel wrote prolifically on politics and the nature of war, publishing 5 books during his life with another published posthumously. Wikel's writings on Veiidic politics and Unified Veiid provided the framework around which the Pan-Veiidic Commonwealth was built, and he is widely lauded as the architect of modern Veiid.

Early life

Wikel was born in 2118 at St. Vaudrel's Hospital in Kad, Belka, and lived there until age 21 when he moved to Tolburg to attend school and work. Wikel worked at NAS Tolburg as a civilian contractor for several years until he finished his philosophy degree. Wikel briefly considered law, but lacked the money. After the death of his father, Wikel returned home to support his mother and run his father's general store.

At age 27 Wikel joined the Veiidic-Baskayan Patrist church, where he met Kallia Vitie. The two began dating, and got married a year later. Wikel was initially tentative to join the church despite being raised as a patrist, but embraced the religion quickly. Patrism and associated themes show up often in Wikel's works, and played a significant role in his formulation of Napredak.

Wikel stayed informed on Veiidic politics throughout his twenties and early thirties, and joined the Novenadian 3rd National Army following the kalbanization of the NKR and the beginning of the Novenadian Revolution.

Military service

Wikel enlisted in the 3rd National Army as a foreign volunteer, and served in the Karjinas throughout his service. His experiences of the war cemented his belief that a united Veiid would be the only way forward for the continent. During his time in the Karjinas, Wikel wrote several poems about the environment and his unit, and began writing his first book.

Quickly promoted to Lieutenant, Wikel developed a deep sense of kinship with Novenadians, seeing them as an example of the mettle required for his dream of a unified Veiid to be achieved. In January of 2156, he received news that the Atreian Civil War had broken out, and promptly returned to Tolburg to enlist with the Atreian Army.

Wikel continued fighting for another 14 years, returning home periodically to spend time with his family. The Atreian Civil War formed the backdrop for the development of his Napredak theory, and he wrote 5 additional books on varying topics during this time. Wikel came to the conclusion that the incessant war in Veiid over the past centuries was because there was no common goal to work towards. This idea became the pillar of his political theories.

In 2170, Wikel was diagnosed with liver cancer, and returned to Kad to spend his remaining years with his family.

Death

Wikel died on Midsummer 19th, 2172, at St. Vaudrel's Hospital in his hometown of Kad, Atreus. His wife published a collection of poems authored by the two of them a year later.

Political writings

Ridelo Wikel is best known for his Napredak theory, which states that the Veiidic infighting commonplace in the preceding centuries was due to a lack of a common struggle. Wikel suggests to unify Veiid, the populace must dedicate itself to non-stop progress. This progress can take any form, be it increasing quality of life, technological advancement, megaprojects, or expansion into the solar system.

Wikel states in his second book, War in Veiid, that Napredak theory is applicable in Veiid because patrist ideals emphasize progress and duty as core values. Patrism has held such sway over Veiid that these values have become deeply ingrained in Veiidic culture. Thus, Wikel argues, when unable to work towards common progress, the populace of Veiid falls into an endless cycle of infighting. The conclusion that Wikel comes to with Napredak theory is that to prevent the cycle from continuing, Veiid must have a perpetual goal to work towards.

In his second book, War in Veiid, Wikel credits the genesis of Napredak theory to his study of Patrism and how religious norms influence even the non-religious. He also aknowledges the similarities to Ascensionism in that they both aim for progress, but states

“	While ascensionism intends to bring about progress for the sake of material gain, Napredak theory seeks to attain progress lest we fall again into that red fog.	”
—Ridelo Wikel

Legacy

Ridelo Wikel is often credited as the largest contributer to modern Veiid, as he provided the means through which a unified Veiid is possible. Modern Veiidic politics is largely shaped by the core idea constant progress. In 2193, in honor of what would be his 75th birthday, the National Museum of Novenad introduced a permanent exhibit about his life and writings.