Kabius Grim
Tower of Shade, Thulthar, HeartlandsAct I | Fallen Shades
On the continent of Nachesh there existed several great libraries that acted as centers of knowledge, of both the mundane and the arcane. It was in Charce that existed the largest library of magic in Nachesh if not all of Ethica. But second only to that great well of information, were the archives within the Tower of Shades that possessed the next largest concentration of wisdom. Over the centuries Kabius and his countless agents had recorded everything of worth from every corner of the empire and beyond. Every detail was written down for posterity, from the rise and fall of Exarchs, to the inner political machinations of lesser nobles. All was recorded and eventually stored within the Shade Enslaves
Hall of Secrets. A rather on the nose nickname that was given to it by the inhabitants of the tower. There was a famous saying that if there was anything in all the known world that was worth knowing, one could find it here.
Kabius Grim could see little but the long river of illumination that pooled either side of the walkway bisecting the Atheneum. Much of this light generated by floating orbs that dotted the great chamber. The edges of shelves vanished into the darkness towards the dark walls of the tower. The hall’s attendant, Azzanar V'oshba by name, had accompanied him down to this level and as was his manner was rattling off about various facts about the place like an over eager guide. The fact the Archon of Shadow had walked and added to these shelves since before the man’s grandfather had even been born seemed not to matter to the little man. He spoke of how many leagues they were below the streets of Thulthar, of many more levels were below this one. He went on and on about the many different wards of protection in place, that kept even the most adept shade from shadow stepping in or out of the archive, or how they prevented even the most potent of scrying from penetrating into these levels.
The turning of gears could be heard now and again as different platforms shifted. One bridge way would turn about, raise up or move down, and connect to another now and again, revealing the many individuals going about their business in the hall. Now and again a familiar zipped by with a bundle of scrolls clutched in a paw or hand. Many were a small monkey-like creature, with wings that held the color of green feathers and heads that possessed black beady eyes. The libraries attendant, his ink-stained robe large on his wiry frame, peered at the Archon with small dark eyes.
“It has been some time since you have honored us with your presence, your grace.” He offered something akin to a smile, “I do recall one of the Hand asking space to document his findings some weeks ago. It was also around the time we were looking to expand the halls. Perhaps I should call upon the stone shap-”
“Yes, perhaps you should,” Kabius began, “But in the interim. You said you knew of Jalbar’s last additions to the hall?”
“Ah, yes here we are momentarily,” the keeper stopped before a section of honeycomb shelves. “It should be…. Here.”
The man pulled free a scroll that had significantly less dust upon it than its neighbors. The pages even still held color and it was obviously rather new. Azzanar handed the scroll to Kabius with such care that one might think the man expected the scrolls to crumble to dust if he moved too quickly. Kabius took the scroll and unraveled it, reading its contents carefully under the light of a free floating orb of light. Azzanar looked on with curious eyes as the Archon's eyes traveled the expanse of paper. Kabius took note of the man's awe and interest. It was a law that the attendants of the Hall were forbidden to read the scrolls and books placed under their care after all.
“Is...it what you were looking for my Archon?”
“Were these the only reports submitted this month by Jalbar?” Kabius inquired without answering the attendant's question.
“Ah, no My Archon. Shall I recover the rest?”
“Endeavor to do just so and have shades make copies of any relevant information. I would also have all reports regarding the southern kingdoms as well. They shall be needed.”
“Of course, my Archon. Any aid I can do to bring justice to young Jalbar.”
“It is less a matter of justice than the learning the answer of an important question,” Kabius rolled the scroll he held up once more and took it under his arm before he added. “But… I at least owe him that much.”
The old keeper nodded in understanding before furrowing his brows, “forgive my question, but will you be looking into the matter personally? I know he was a pupil of some importance to you.”
“No, the war council begs attention, but suitable candidates have already been set to the task,”
The Fortress of Great Tiran Pass
City of Sanc Valatir, Southern Border
![]()
However, for all their knowledge, for all their power. The greatest downfall of the Antediluvians was their thirst to know ever more. When that ancient shepherd race the Oran-i had taught them all they could, or wished to, the Antediluvians turned to other, darker, sources of knowledge. It was this that set them on the path to the Ancient Ones, the primordial beings of the Beyond. Their greed that would give birth to the disjunction, which begot the War in Heaven. It was the Antediluvians that set it all in motion. It was hubris and greed that brought them low. Theirs is a cautionary tale of what becomes of those who seek to deal with beings too alien to ever understand. Or bargain with." Kabius enjoyed a moment of introspection as he hobbled through the streets of the so-called
Crag. Apparently, this city ward had long since served as one of the poorer and most recent additions to Sanc Valatir. The Archon of Shadow was many things, but a creature of habit was not among them. It was his nature as the oft forgotten and least predictable of the Archons to be something of an enigma to those around him. Even his closest lieutenants had a hard time pinning down his thoughts and motivations. One of his closest guarded secrets, however, was the levels in which he went to learn as much about each of his subordinates and agents who worked under him when time allowed. As both a master at manipulation and illusion magic, it was never hard for him to spy on his own spies now and again. Not so much because he mistrusted them, or even to babysit them for one can never afford to get to attached to one's own subordinates in his line of work. No, for him it was simply to understand the motivations and goals of anyone who carried out his will. So now and again he would often hide his own identity and mingle with common folk-- all the while personally gathering the information of his informants when the need arose and the opportunity presented itself.
So he as he had spent the day doing, in the guise of an old unassuming beggar. His branch of shades in Sanc Valatir had only recently grown to be among the largest in the Empire as it stood. Staging grounds as it was for their missions into the Republic of Lesmiana proper. Exiting The Crag through the northeastern gates, Kabius made a slow beeline toward The Valatirine Sanctum where the soon to be war council would commence. A walking cane in hand with simple tattered rags about his seemingly gaunt frame. Kabius did not enjoy the titles and land, or standing armies of the other Archons. However, his enigmatical position allowed him a degree of freedom that was easily his strongest most valued tool.
Kabius cut through one back way seemingly at random, the alleyway being completely deserted as he had expected. By the time he had started walking out on the open roadways once more, Kabius was completely unrecognizable. He now wore the face many of those who knew him well were familiar. His long coat, with its ritualistic looking markings of white over dark brown leather, and eyes of hauntingly milky white that seemed to be illuminated but cast no true light. This with his shaved head, goatee and mustache gave him an almost sage appearance.
He still walked with his cane, affecting the shambling step of a bad leg he had perfected over the years. He found his going much quicker than before as commoner and noblemen alike wisely made way. They knew not for sure if he might be an Archon, for he wore no symbol of any of those ruling elite. Neither did he walk with a guard or escort. But, only a fool could not feel or sense the presence that followed the man like a shroud. As he so often did, he walked boldly with deliberate steps for even in the noonday sun shadows of the day seemed to wrap and twist around him as if he wore them like a living cloak. Most of those who saw him would not mark where he passed even if he stepped within a foot of their face. Such was his nature, for so firmly believed was the archons power as the shadow that even in the plain sight of a crowd he was easy to overlook yet many avoided his path all the same without know why.
He might have stepped into a shadow of an archway or back passage to appear within the grounds of the keep itself, as he disliked being marked upon arrival at any place for any reason. Yet, as it happened he took note of one figure he recognized almost immediately.
It was the favored son of Iao, Ai. As if cast to fit the part of the Archon of War’s favored son, Ai stood tall. His night colored hair was wild and long, pulled back away from his broad shoulders and deeply tanned face and fierce eyes. Scuffed metal adorned his arms and chest, while the pelts of various beasts plumed around the rest of his sculpted figure. Two scimitars curiously made of striped metal hung on both hips. Fresh markings that suggested burns formed lines along his face, and some blackened his metal outfit.
Kabius took the time that was needed to match his pass with Ai to observe him. He had a stunning amount of similarities with his father, it was almost uncanny. As he neared Kabius began a light whistle of a tune he enjoyed knowing his steps would go unnoticed by the young Regent.
Cocking his head to the sound of the tune, Ai eventually turned to the old Archon. His own eyes took a few seconds to register who he was looking at, but as recognition flooded his understanding his eyes lit up and his own pace slowed.
“Lord Archon Kabius of the shadows,” Ai gently placed his fist to his heart in respect, matching the cane walking Archon’s steps.
Kabius inclined his head in respect to his younger compatriot, "Ai of Doma and Lord Regent of Severen. The spirit grows heartened at such a timely meeting before the task ahead. Perhaps, I shall join you on the way to the Sanctum if you do not mind," the question lingering in the air as the Archon offered an unreadable half smile.
“Please,” Ai returned the smile with one of vague certainty, “I had hopes we would run into each other before the meeting even began.”
The younger man let a pause pass before continuing, “much in the way of my father, I aim to work closely with you on this present endeavor of war.”
The Archon nodded knowingly, his pupilless eyes upon the ground before him for a moment seemingly staring at nothing, his mind elsewhere for the briefest of moments. "I would expect no less," He then 'hmmed' before adding. "Know that I seek much the same, for I have long since found, the real strength of our empire has always come from close cooperation. Something that is oft forgotten..." he reflected a moment as a time of silence followed
As they walked, they passed by one man retching in a side alleyway, possibly suffering from a night of too much drinking before. The faint smell of vomit assaulted Kabius's senses before he finally said, "but you will have my full support in the coming days. Not just on the obvious field of battle. You may not need this warning but-- I would be wary of Kuth Irkalla.... though I suppose... others might say you do the same regarding me." He smiled a mirthless smile to himself, not elaborating further.
"How fares my old friend?" Kabius said, changing the topic suddenly.
Ai looked over Kabius for a moment, soaking in his words, “we must discuss matters of shadow after the council,” he said trying to damper any uncanny tone his words might take. It is true, Kabius might already be well aware of what Ai needed to talk to him about, or at the very least know about Ai and Manuel’s prior meeting.
Finally the young regent answered the posed question, “My father is well, he still slumbers.”
"Good," he said simply. "Mother willing we may let him sleep a little longer. With hope, we will not need him." There was, however, something in the tone of the spymaster that hinted he did not have much faith in such a hope. They finally arrived before the main entrance of the Valatirine Sanctum the doors of which were already open.
“Archon of Shadow, Lord Regent of Severan, I welcome you to my city and my keep.” In the doorway stood the city’s Exarch, Kalon, his first raised to his chest, and his head bowed forward. Raising his head again, and lowering his arm, he stepped down from the raised entrance, and raised his hands, at about waist-height, to the both of them. “It is an honor and a pleasure.”
Ai gently put his fist to his own chest, similar in the way he did for Kabius, “hail Exarch Kalon,” he said almost ritualistically, before offering his hand as his stern tone broke into one more friendly yet retaining his coarse baritone of leadership, “always a pleasure to visit a southern settlement that my father praises almost as highly as it’s keeper.”
Any direct emotional response was obscured by his mask, but Kalon’s tone was lighter as he took Ai’s hand into his own and clasping it. “The Archon of War’s words do me a great honor.” He drew his hand back.
Kabius nodded after Kalon's introduction, both hands on the head of his cane. "Exarch Kalon of Sanc Valatir. An honor. I have heard much about you." His face unreadable for a moment before giving way to a surprisingly disarming smile for such a stern visage, "and much of what I hear you will be gladdened to know is good. There is precious few Exarch who have my respect. You yet remain among them, and I do not make such a statement lightly."
Kalon bowed his head. “You honor me, Archon Kabius.” Raising his head, he continued. “The others who shall be at this Council have yet to arrive. If you would like, I have had rooms set aside for you all to rest in, to which I can have a servant conduct you until we are prepared to begin. If not, we can proceed to the war-room, and continue speaking there.”
“I think I speak for my father when I say: I’ve had twelve years of rest enough, let’s proceed,” Ai gave a cocky smile and motioned ahead of him, “if the Lord of Shadows agrees with this statement, I say it’s best we begin now.”
"Hmph, well said, the day grows long, and I grow thirsty," Kabius gestured for them to continue toward the inner keep. "Seeing as our enemies will not idle, I say we begin preparations in earnest."
“Indeed,” Kalon motioned to the gates, “I will show you the way to the war-room, and a servant shall bring us drink.” He half turned, his hand stretched out towards the entrance to his keep, but his masked face still towards his guests. “Please, follow me.”
“Ah, as for drinks. I am not sure about young master Ai, but I find I rather prefer tea before a long meeting of such import if you have such on hand." Kabius added as they walked, "the mind finds calm with the right herbs."
Beneath his mask, Kalon smiled, “that should be easily done.”
(Zendrelax, Gold, and Khan COllab.)
