Gazel Ministry

The Gazel Ministry are antagonists in Xenogears. They, alongside Emperor Cain were the first humans born on the planet where Xenogears takes place, but lost their physical bodies during the Shevat-Solaris War.

Story arc
The Gazel Ministry originated as part of the organic component of Deus known as Animus. When Deus crashed on the planet, the Animus were separated from their corresponding Anima component, known as the Anima Relics. After Emperor Cain, they were the first humans born on the planet.

The Ministry acted below Cain as the otherwise highest governing body in the nation that became known as Solaris. 500 years prior to the events of the game they were in conflict with Miang, and agreed to a deal with Shevat to hand her over in exchange for the Nisan rebel army. As part of this war, 4 of them were killed. As part of the Days of Collapse that followed, the remaining 8 were also killed. These last 8 were subsequently revived by Krelian as computer data within the SOL-9000. The 4 previously killed members were lost forever.

No longer possessing their physical bodies, the Gazel Ministry desired to instead use the bodies descendants that carried a sufficient amount of the Animus factor in them. Their goal was to eventually reunite with their respective Anima and become part of Deus. Throughout the game we see them take various actions including the search for the remaining Anima Relics and other components of Deus and plans to defeat Fei, whom they feared greatly.

The Gazel Ministry eventually became in conflict with Emperor Cain, who did not share their willingness to wipe out humanity as part of the resurrection of Deus. After being prevented from using the Gaetia Key, the device that activates Mahanon, they conspired with Krelian to have Cain assassinated by Ramsus. With Cain's death, the Ministry was free to use the Gaetia Key and Mahanon appeared. With the key used, Krelian no longer had any use for the Ministry and soon had their memory banks deleted from the SOL-9000.

The names of the 8 Gazel Ministers seen in the game are Enoch, Irad, Mefael, Metshael, Lamech, Yabal, Jubal and Tubalcain. The names of the 4 ministers who permanently died 500 years ago are unknown. They are named after the descendants of Cain in the Bible.