Silas

Silas is a covert agent of the Xalmyrran Council, working under Aldar. His ability to move through a dark, empty space lets him cross great distances and enter guarded places unseen. On the council's orders, he brings Eira to see Aurion in Zeydrith.

Appearance

Silas is tall, with sleek black hair, symmetrical features, and a dark hood. He can disguise himself as an ordinary man, changing both his hair and face so that strangers pay him little attention.

Personality

Silas is impassive and economical with explanations. He follows Aldar's instructions closely, but expresses confidence in Eira when she doubts whether she can influence Aurion. He prefers to leave once his assigned task is complete.

Magic

Silas possesses cosmic, temporal, and illusion magic. He moves through a dark space beneath the visible world, carrying another person with him while holding their arm. He warns that losing contact would leave his passenger trapped there. His illusions conceal his appearance, and a black orb allows its holder to call him by channeling essence.

History

Aldar sent Silas to take Eira to Aurion in Zeydrith. Silas explained that Aurion believed her magic could help restore the land and suggested that she might need to ask him to step down. He brought her into the city unnoticed, changed his appearance, and waited near the Luminary Halls until Kaelric arrived. Before leaving, he gave Eira the orb so she could contact him again.

Relationships

• Aldar and the Xalmyrran Council: His employer and the institution directing his covert work.
• Eira: He acts as her escort and leaves her a means of summoning his help.

Silas is an essence shaper and the wielder of Zal'therak, formerly known as Malcairn. He helped develop the shapers before rejecting Zharrek's forced transformations. Working in secret for Aldar in Xalmyrra, he protected Eira and later joined the fight against the shapers in Skarnheim. He and Zal'therak became stranded in the void after saving Rimvold from an asteroid.

Appearance

Silas is tall, with black hair and strikingly symmetrical features. He often wears dark clothing and a hood. His true shaper body has ashen skin split by glowing fissures; illusions conceal it beneath a human appearance.

Personality

Silas is quiet and restrained, often answering emotional questions with blunt explanations. He offers practical help and occasional warmth but rarely explains more than he considers necessary. He enjoys tending animals and prefers a quiet farm to political ambition. His care for friends coexists with a willingness to kill in Aldar's service and take dangerous risks against the shapers.

Magic

Silas possesses cosmic and temporal magic. Zal'therak supplies illusions and access to the edge of the void. Silas combines these powers in barriers, accelerated movement, and illusionary doubles that can explode when struck. His shaper body stores large amounts of essence and can recharge from cores or essence towers.

Void travel lets him cross great distances quickly, but only along routes he or Zal'therak can navigate. A companion must remain in contact with him or risk falling into the void. He also creates black orbs through which their holders can call him by channeling essence. Such travel is not unlimited: he could not use it within Varnhallow, and transporting an asteroid left him stranded beyond the boundary.

History

The first shaper

Searching for protection against darkness, Malcairn proposed infusing the body with essence cores. Zal'therak guided his research, and Malcairn volunteered for the first full transformation under Zharrek's supervision. He became a shaper and survived in the darkness for days, but the transformation did not grant immunity. Zal'therak rescued him when he weakened, leaving him dependent on essence towers to sustain his new body.

Zal'therak refused to repeat it. Zharrek then used Malcairn's research to imprison the god and force further transformations, despite Malcairn's objections. As the shapers multiplied and went to war, Malcairn withdrew to Krexyn's farm. He later freed Zal'therak and accepted his offer to become a wielder, hoping to defeat the darkness and stop Zharrek. They escaped through the void and warned Garrik and Khoradyn about the pursuing shapers.

Silas Kaine and Eira

Malcairn settled for a time with Rhalyn in Varentis. She discovered his shaper form but accepted him as a friend. He adopted the name Silas Kaine of Keldara and offered his services to Aldar in Irrathis. While working for the council, he continued visiting Rhalyn and carried out Aldar's covert killings, including the assassination of Xarion's electoral opponent. He also suggested a tournament to gather Xalmyrra's mages and protect Eira.

Following Zal'therak's instructions, Silas watched for Eira at the temple. When she lay dying, he found the Heart of Oblivion among her belongings, implanted it, and activated it with their cosmic power. He witnessed the surge through which she created darkness magic and Lythariel. Later, he took Eira through the void to see Aurion and gave her an orb for contacting him.

During the cataclysm, Silas and Khoradyn shielded Varentis, though they could not save everyone. Silas also fought Jareth and Amos alongside Deylin. An attempt to carry Deylin through the void failed when their connection broke, leaving Deylin beyond his reach.

Eira eventually summoned Silas to Valrindor. He revealed that she had created Lythariel and changed the world's memories. His blunt explanation distressed both women; he apologized and insisted that Lythariel's feelings and identity remained real.

The defense of Skarnheim

In Rimvold, Silas helped Lythariel recover from Eira's disappearance and agreed to serve Sigurd and Skarnheim in exchange for assistance against the shapers. He acknowledged his part in their creation and wanted to end the resulting deaths. Silas confronted Zharrek near Rimvold while Jin Leiyun fought the other shapers. After losing the fight, Zharrek overloaded and summoned an asteroid. Silas and Zal'therak pulled it into the void with themselves, saving the city but losing their way out.

Relationships

• Zal'therak: His research partner, rescuer, and patron. They freed each other from danger and became stranded together after saving Rimvold.
• Krexyn and Rhalyn: Krexyn shared his farm and survived the shaper wars. Rhalyn offered him a home in Varentis and accepted the form he normally concealed.
• Aldar: His employer in Xalmyrra. Silas carried out covert missions while concealing his own origins and larger purpose.
• Eira and Lythariel: He saved Eira at the temple and later disclosed Lythariel's origin. He apologized for his blunt explanation and helped Lythariel recover when Eira disappeared.
• Sigurd and Jin Leiyun: Sigurd supplied the alliance against the shapers, while Jin helped defend Rimvold against the shaper army.

Silas is an essence shaper, the wielder of Zal'therak, and an ally in the struggle against darkness. Formerly known as Malcairn, he helped develop the shapers before rejecting Zharrek's forced transformations. He later worked for Aldar in Xalmyrra and pledged his service to Skarnheim. After fighting for Thalassai, he left with Lythariel to help restore lands ruined by darkness.

Appearance

Silas is tall, with black hair and strikingly symmetrical features. He often wears dark clothing and a hood. His true shaper body has ashen skin split by glowing fissures; illusions conceal it beneath a human appearance.

Personality

Silas is quiet and restrained, often answering emotional questions with blunt explanations. He offers practical help and occasional warmth but rarely explains more than he considers necessary. He enjoys tending animals and prefers a quiet farm to political ambition. His care for friends coexists with a willingness to kill in Aldar's service and take dangerous risks against the shapers.

Magic

Silas possesses cosmic and temporal magic. Zal'therak supplies illusions and access to the edge of the void. Silas combines these powers in barriers, accelerated movement, and illusionary doubles that can explode when struck. His shaper body stores large amounts of essence and can recharge from cores or essence towers.

Void travel lets him cross great distances quickly, but only along routes he or Zal'therak can navigate. A companion must remain in contact with him or risk falling into the void. He also creates black orbs through which their holders can call him by channeling essence. Such travel is not unlimited: he could not use it within Varnhallow, and transporting an asteroid left him stranded beyond the boundary.

History

The first shaper

Searching for protection against darkness, Malcairn proposed infusing the body with essence cores. Zal'therak guided his research, and Malcairn volunteered for the first full transformation under Zharrek's supervision. He became a shaper and survived in the darkness for days, but the transformation did not grant immunity. Zal'therak rescued him when he weakened, leaving him dependent on essence towers to sustain his new body.

Zal'therak refused to repeat it. Zharrek then used Malcairn's research to imprison the god and force further transformations, despite Malcairn's objections. As the shapers multiplied and went to war, Malcairn withdrew to Krexyn's farm. He later freed Zal'therak and accepted his offer to become a wielder, hoping to defeat the darkness and stop Zharrek. They escaped through the void and warned Garrik and Khoradyn about the pursuing shapers.

Silas Kaine and Eira

Malcairn settled for a time with Rhalyn in Varentis. She discovered his shaper form but accepted him as a friend. He adopted the name Silas Kaine of Keldara and offered his services to Aldar in Irrathis. While working for the council, he continued visiting Rhalyn and carried out Aldar's covert killings, including the assassination of Xarion's electoral opponent. He also suggested a tournament to gather Xalmyrra's mages and protect Eira.

Following Zal'therak's instructions, Silas watched for Eira at the temple. When she lay dying, he found the Heart of Oblivion among her belongings, implanted it, and activated it with their cosmic power. He witnessed the surge through which she created darkness magic and Lythariel. Later, he took Eira through the void to see Aurion and gave her an orb for contacting him.

During the cataclysm, Silas and Khoradyn shielded Varentis, though they could not save everyone. Silas also fought Jareth and Amos alongside Deylin. An attempt to carry Deylin through the void failed when their connection broke, leaving Deylin beyond his reach.

Eira eventually summoned Silas to Valrindor. He revealed that she had created Lythariel and changed the world's memories. His blunt explanation distressed both women; he apologized and insisted that Lythariel's feelings and identity remained real.

Skarnheim and Thalassai

In Rimvold, Silas helped Lythariel recover from Eira's disappearance and agreed to serve Sigurd and Skarnheim in exchange for assistance against the shapers. He acknowledged his part in their creation and wanted to end the resulting deaths. Silas confronted Zharrek near Rimvold while Jin Leiyun fought the other shapers. After losing the fight, Zharrek overloaded and summoned an asteroid. Silas and Zal'therak pulled it into the void with themselves, saving the city but losing their way out.

They emerged in Chronasis, where Silas agreed to follow Thalena's orders if she defeated the darkness. He protected Arinella as she healed injured fighters, and he supplied their allies with essence cores. He fought Isaac, carried Tazarin and Arinella out of Virel's attack, and helped shield Chronasis while Lunorax confronted Nahm. After the battle, he accepted Cassian's leadership.

When Thalena returned to Irrathis, Silas thanked her for fulfilling their agreement. He then left with Lythariel to help restore lands ruined by darkness.

Relationships

• Zal'therak: His research partner, rescuer, and patron. They freed each other from danger and became stranded together after saving Rimvold.
• Krexyn and Rhalyn: Krexyn shared his farm and survived the shaper wars. Rhalyn offered him a home in Varentis and accepted the form he normally concealed.
• Aldar: His employer in Xalmyrra. Silas carried out covert missions while concealing his own origins and larger purpose.
• Eira and Lythariel: He saved Eira at the temple and later disclosed Lythariel's origin. His support for Lythariel continued through her distress, the battle for Chronasis, and the restoration of Valrindor.
• Sigurd and Jin Leiyun: Sigurd supplied the alliance against the shapers, while Jin helped defend Rimvold against the shaper army.
• Thalena: He agreed to serve her in return for the defeat of darkness. He held and comforted her when she returned to Irrathis, then thanked her for keeping their bargain.

Silas is an essence shaper, the wielder of Zal'therak, and an ally in the struggle against darkness. Formerly known as Malcairn, he helped develop the shapers before rejecting Zharrek's forced transformations. He later worked for Aldar in Xalmyrra and pledged his service to Skarnheim. After fighting for Thalassai, he left with Lythariel to help restore lands ruined by darkness.

Appearance

Silas is tall, with black hair and strikingly symmetrical features. He often wears dark clothing and a hood. His true shaper body has ashen skin split by glowing fissures; illusions conceal it beneath a human appearance.

Personality

Silas is quiet and restrained, often answering emotional questions with blunt explanations. He offers practical help and occasional warmth but rarely explains more than he considers necessary. He enjoys tending animals and prefers a quiet farm to political ambition. His care for friends coexists with a willingness to kill in Aldar's service and take dangerous risks against the shapers.

Magic

Silas possesses cosmic and temporal magic. Zal'therak supplies illusions and access to the edge of the void. Silas combines these powers in barriers, accelerated movement, and illusionary doubles that can explode when struck. His shaper body stores large amounts of essence and can recharge from cores or essence towers.

Void travel lets him cross great distances quickly, but only along routes he or Zal'therak can navigate. A companion must remain in contact with him or risk falling into the void. He also creates black orbs through which their holders can call him by channeling essence. Such travel is not unlimited: he could not use it within Varnhallow, and transporting an asteroid left him stranded beyond the boundary.

History

The first shaper

Searching for protection against darkness, Malcairn proposed infusing the body with essence cores. Zal'therak guided his research, and Malcairn volunteered for the first full transformation under Zharrek's supervision. He became a shaper and survived in the darkness for days, but the transformation did not grant immunity. Zal'therak rescued him when he weakened, leaving him dependent on essence towers to sustain his new body.

Zal'therak refused to repeat it. Zharrek then used Malcairn's research to imprison the god and force further transformations, despite Malcairn's objections. As the shapers multiplied and went to war, Malcairn withdrew to Krexyn's farm. He later freed Zal'therak and accepted his offer to become a wielder, hoping to defeat the darkness and stop Zharrek. They escaped through the void and warned Garrik and Khoradyn about the pursuing shapers.

Silas Kaine and Eira

Malcairn settled for a time with Rhalyn in Varentis. She discovered his shaper form but accepted him as a friend. He adopted the name Silas Kaine of Keldara and offered his services to Aldar in Irrathis. While working for the council, he continued visiting Rhalyn and carried out Aldar's covert killings, including the assassination of Xarion's electoral opponent. He also suggested a tournament to gather Xalmyrra's mages and protect Eira.

Following Zal'therak's instructions, Silas watched for Eira at the temple. When she lay dying, he found the Heart of Oblivion among her belongings, implanted it, and activated it with their cosmic power. He witnessed the surge through which she created darkness magic and Lythariel. Later, he took Eira through the void to see Aurion and gave her an orb for contacting him.

During the cataclysm, Silas and Khoradyn shielded Varentis, though they could not save everyone. Silas also fought Jareth and Amos alongside Deylin. An attempt to carry Deylin through the void failed when their connection broke, leaving Deylin beyond his reach.

Eira eventually summoned Silas to Valrindor. He revealed that she had created Lythariel and changed the world's memories. His blunt explanation distressed both women; he apologized and insisted that Lythariel's feelings and identity remained real.

Skarnheim and Thalassai

In Rimvold, Silas helped Lythariel recover from Eira's disappearance and agreed to serve Sigurd and Skarnheim in exchange for assistance against the shapers. He acknowledged his part in their creation and wanted to end the resulting deaths. Silas confronted Zharrek near Rimvold while Jin Leiyun fought the other shapers. After losing the fight, Zharrek overloaded and summoned an asteroid. Silas and Zal'therak pulled it into the void with themselves, saving the city but losing their way out.

They emerged in Chronasis, where Silas agreed to follow Thalena's orders if she defeated the darkness. He protected Arinella as she healed injured fighters, and he supplied their allies with essence cores. He fought Isaac, carried Tazarin and Arinella out of Virel's attack, and helped shield Chronasis while Lunorax confronted Nahm. After the battle, he accepted Cassian's leadership.

When Thalena returned to Irrathis, Silas thanked her for fulfilling their agreement. He then left with Lythariel to help restore lands ruined by darkness.

Relationships

• Zal'therak: His research partner, rescuer, and patron. They freed each other from danger and became stranded together after saving Rimvold.
• Krexyn and Rhalyn: Krexyn shared his farm and survived the shaper wars. Rhalyn offered him a home in Varentis and accepted the form he normally concealed.
• Aldar: His employer in Xalmyrra. Silas carried out covert missions while concealing his own origins and larger purpose.
• Eira and Lythariel: He saved Eira at the temple and later disclosed Lythariel's origin. His support for Lythariel continued through her distress, the battle for Chronasis, and the restoration of Valrindor.
• Sigurd and Jin Leiyun: Sigurd supplied the alliance against the shapers, while Jin helped defend Rimvold against the shaper army.
• Thalena: She had lived with him in Haverloch as Helena when she was seventeen. He agreed to serve her in return for the defeat of darkness. He held and comforted her when she returned to Irrathis, then thanked her for keeping their bargain.

Silas is an essence shaper and the wielder of Zal'therak, formerly Prince Sariel of the Malverand Empire. He abandoned the royal succession after repeatedly failing to wield a spiral shard, helped develop the shapers, and later worked in secret for Aldar. After fighting to remove the darkness from Valrindor, he became stranded in the void with Sigurd and Thalena's companions. Hadrian and Astryx later helped them return to Chronasis.

Appearance

Silas is tall, with black hair and strikingly symmetrical features. He often wears dark clothing and a hood. His true shaper body has ashen skin split by glowing fissures; illusions conceal it beneath a human appearance.

Personality

Silas is quiet and restrained, often answering emotional questions with blunt explanations. His care appears through practical help, occasional embraces, and years spent protecting friends. He prefers tending animals to exercising royal authority, and his failures as a prince left him reluctant to accept responsibility for others. That gentleness coexists with a willingness to kill in Aldar's service and take dangerous risks against the shapers.

Magic

Silas possesses cosmic and temporal magic. Zal'therak supplies illusions and access to the edge of the void. Silas combines these powers in barriers, accelerated movement, and illusionary doubles that can explode when struck. His shaper body stores large amounts of essence and can recharge from cores or essence towers.

Void travel lets him cross great distances quickly, but only along routes he or Zal'therak can navigate. A companion must remain in contact with him or risk falling into the void. He also creates black orbs through which their holders can call him by channeling essence. Such travel is not unlimited: he could not use it within Varnhallow, and transporting an asteroid left him stranded beyond the boundary.

History

Prince Sariel

Sariel was the son of Emperor Barachiel and Thamrielle. After his father disappeared through a gateway, Isandriel helped raise and train him as the intended successor. A Malverand heart sustained his body, but it did not make him a successful shard wielder. His attempts to use the shard failed, once causing his body to begin phasing away before Isandriel saved him. After a third failure, he secretly took two spiral shards and left.

He later headed the newly established Xalmyrran Council. He sealed one shard beneath the Imperial Institute, reserving it for a true wielder, and set out to hide the other on an uninhabited western island. Sariel blamed himself for the empire's fall. He left Xalmyrra's administration to the council and asked Hrzai to watch over its people rather than claiming the guardianship Isandriel still expected of him.

Helena and the farm

In Ulzathir, Sariel taught children and lived quietly with his animals near Ishtanur. He befriended the young Helena but failed to notice Alistair's abuse of her. When she called for help as Alistair took her north, Sariel asked whether she wanted to leave, attacked Alistair with cosmic magic, and carried her away.

They settled on a farm in Haverloch, where he taught Helena temporal magic. She wanted him to be her father, but he refused, considering himself incapable of giving her the love she deserved. He offered friendship instead. Despite avoiding another war, he still cared about Malverand and blamed himself for its ruin. He declined the Order's recruitment and later adopted the name Malcairn of Malverand. Helena eventually left to erase the empire's surviving history, while he remained with the farm.

The first shaper

Searching for protection against darkness, Malcairn proposed infusing the body with essence cores. Zal'therak guided his research, and Malcairn volunteered for the first full transformation under Zharrek's supervision. He became a shaper and survived in the darkness for days, but the transformation did not grant immunity. Zal'therak rescued him when he weakened, leaving him dependent on essence towers to sustain his new body.

Zal'therak refused to repeat it. Zharrek then used Malcairn's research to imprison the god and force further transformations, despite Malcairn's objections. As the shapers multiplied and went to war, Malcairn withdrew to Krexyn's farm. He later freed Zal'therak and accepted his offer to become a wielder, hoping to defeat the darkness and stop Zharrek. They escaped through the void and warned Garrik and Khoradyn about the pursuing shapers.

Silas Kaine and Eira

Malcairn settled for a time with Rhalyn in Varentis. She discovered his shaper form but accepted him as a friend. He adopted the name Silas Kaine of Keldara and offered his services to Aldar in Irrathis. While working for the council, he continued visiting Rhalyn and carried out Aldar's covert killings, including the assassination of Xarion's electoral opponent. He also suggested a tournament to gather Xalmyrra's mages and protect Eira.

Following Zal'therak's instructions, Silas watched for Eira at the temple. When she lay dying, he found the Heart of Oblivion among her belongings, implanted it, and activated it with their cosmic power. He witnessed the surge through which she created darkness magic and Lythariel. Later, he took Eira through the void to see Aurion and gave her an orb for contacting him.

During the cataclysm, Silas and Khoradyn shielded Varentis, though they could not save everyone. Silas also fought Jareth and Amos alongside Deylin. An attempt to carry Deylin through the void failed when their connection broke, leaving Deylin beyond his reach.

Eira eventually summoned Silas to Valrindor. He revealed that she had created Lythariel and changed the world's memories. His blunt explanation distressed both women; he apologized and insisted that Lythariel's feelings and identity remained real.

Skarnheim and Thalassai

In Rimvold, Silas helped Lythariel recover from Eira's disappearance and agreed to serve Sigurd and Skarnheim in exchange for assistance against the shapers. He acknowledged his part in their creation and wanted to end the resulting deaths. Silas confronted Zharrek near Rimvold while Jin Leiyun fought the other shapers. After losing the fight, Zharrek overloaded and summoned an asteroid. Silas and Zal'therak pulled it into the void with themselves, saving the city but losing their way out.

They emerged in Chronasis, where Silas agreed to follow Thalena's orders if she defeated the darkness. He protected Arinella as she healed injured fighters, and he supplied their allies with essence cores. He fought Isaac, carried Tazarin and Arinella out of Virel's attack, and helped shield Chronasis while Lunorax confronted Nahm. After the battle, he accepted Cassian's leadership.

When Thalena returned to Irrathis, Silas thanked her for fulfilling their agreement and expressed pride in what she had become. He then left with Lythariel to help restore lands ruined by darkness.

Return from the void

Back in Rimvold, Silas's human illusion was pierced and his identity as Prince Sariel became known to his companions. Lythariel also told him that Thalion was Xarion, an identity he had not known during the Order's earlier attempts to recruit him.

Silas and Sigurd accidentally touched a device in Thalena's bag and were transported into the void. There they joined Thalena, Deylin, Lunorax, and Horol'Khai. Silas opened narrow tears in the boundary that Thalena widened, while the others manipulated temporal currents. These efforts brought Irrathis and Rhyzmar into their refuge, but did not provide a safe escape for the group. Their essence forms dwindled during years of waiting. Hadrian and Astryx eventually pulled them through the gate into Chronasis.

Relationships

• Barachiel, Thamrielle, and Isandriel: His parents and the guardian who helped raise him shaped his intended imperial future. His failed succession left him unwilling to resume that role.
• Thalena: As Helena, she was his pupil and companion on the farm. He refused to become her father but remained her friend; their later alliance helped him achieve his wish to see the darkness removed.
• Zal'therak: His research partner, rescuer, and patron. Their shared void travel repeatedly saves others while exposing both to confinement.
• Krexyn and Rhalyn: Krexyn shared his farm and survived the shaper wars. Rhalyn offered him a home in Varentis and accepted the form he normally concealed.
• Eira and Lythariel: He saved Eira at the temple and later disclosed Lythariel's origin. His support for Lythariel continued through her distress, the battle for Chronasis, and the restoration of Valrindor.
• Sigurd and Jin Leiyun: Sigurd supplied the alliance against the shapers, while Jin helped defend Rimvold against the shaper army. Silas and Sigurd were later stranded together in the void.

Silas is a human mage, formerly an essence shaper and the wielder of Zal'therak. Born Prince Sariel of the Malverand Empire, he abandoned the royal succession after repeatedly failing to wield a spiral shard. He later helped develop the shapers, worked in secret for Aldar, and fought to free Valrindor from darkness. His bond with Zal'therak gives him access to illusions and the edge of the void, although both men have lost much of their former power since returning to human bodies.

Appearance

Silas is tall, with black hair and strikingly symmetrical features. He often wears dark clothing and a hood. As a shaper, his true body had ashen skin split by glowing fissures; illusions concealed that form beneath a human appearance. After his restoration, he is human again and still uses illusions to pass unnoticed.

Personality

Silas is quiet and restrained, often answering emotional questions with blunt explanations. His care appears through practical help, occasional embraces, and years spent protecting friends. He prefers tending animals to exercising royal authority, and his failures as a prince left him reluctant to accept responsibility for others. That gentleness coexists with a willingness to kill in Aldar's service and take dangerous risks against the shapers.

Magic

Silas possesses cosmic and temporal magic. Zal'therak supplies illusions and access to the edge of the void. Silas combines these powers in barriers, accelerated movement, and illusionary doubles that can explode when struck. His former shaper body stored large amounts of essence and could recharge from cores or essence towers.

Void travel lets him cross great distances quickly, but only along routes he or Zal'therak can navigate. A companion must remain in contact with him or risk falling into the void. He also creates black orbs through which their holders can call him by channeling essence. Such travel is not unlimited: he could not use it within Varnhallow, and transporting an asteroid left him stranded beyond the boundary.

His restored human body has smaller reserves. He retains illusions and some access to the void, but now needs Zal'therak's help to navigate it safely.

History

Prince Sariel

Sariel was the son of Emperor Barachiel and Thamrielle. After his father disappeared through a gateway, Isandriel helped raise and train him as the intended successor. A Malverand heart sustained his body, but it did not make him a successful shard wielder. His attempts to use the shard failed, once causing his body to begin phasing away before Isandriel saved him. After a third failure, he secretly took two spiral shards and left.

He later headed the newly established Xalmyrran Council. He sealed one shard beneath the Imperial Institute, reserving it for a true wielder, and set out to hide the other on an uninhabited western island. Sariel blamed himself for the empire's fall. He left Xalmyrra's administration to the council and asked Hrzai to watch over its people rather than claiming the guardianship Isandriel still expected of him.

Helena and the farm

In Ulzathir, Sariel taught children and lived quietly with his animals near Ishtanur. He befriended the young Helena but failed to notice Alistair's abuse of her. When she called for help as Alistair took her north, Sariel asked whether she wanted to leave, attacked Alistair with cosmic magic, and carried her away. The apparent killing struck an illusion; Alistair escaped without Sariel knowing.

They settled on a farm in Haverloch, where he taught Helena temporal magic. She wanted him to be her father, but he refused, considering himself incapable of giving her the love she deserved. He offered friendship instead. Despite avoiding another war, he still cared about Malverand and blamed himself for its ruin. He declined the Order's recruitment and later adopted the name Malcairn of Malverand. Helena eventually left to erase the empire's surviving history, while he remained with the farm.

The first shaper

Searching for protection against darkness, Malcairn proposed infusing the body with essence cores. Zal'therak guided his research, and Malcairn volunteered for the first full transformation under Zharrek's supervision. He became a shaper and survived in the darkness for days, but the transformation did not grant immunity. Zal'therak rescued him when he weakened, leaving him dependent on essence towers to sustain his new body.

Zal'therak refused to repeat it. Zharrek then used Malcairn's research to imprison the god and force further transformations, despite Malcairn's objections. As the shapers multiplied and went to war, Malcairn withdrew to Krexyn's farm. He later freed Zal'therak and accepted his offer to become a wielder, hoping to defeat the darkness and stop Zharrek. They escaped through the void and warned Garrik and Khoradyn about the pursuing shapers.

Silas Kaine and Eira

Malcairn settled for a time with Rhalyn in Varentis. She discovered his shaper form but accepted him as a friend. He adopted the name Silas Kaine of Keldara and offered his services to Aldar in Irrathis. While working for the council, he continued visiting Rhalyn and carried out Aldar's covert killings, including the assassination of Xarion's electoral opponent. He also suggested a tournament to gather Xalmyrra's mages and protect Eira.

Following Zal'therak's instructions, Silas watched for Eira at the temple. When she lay dying, he found the Heart of Oblivion among her belongings, implanted it, and activated it with their cosmic power. He witnessed the surge through which she created darkness magic and Lythariel. Later, he took Eira through the void to see Aurion and gave her an orb for contacting him.

During the cataclysm, Silas and Khoradyn shielded Varentis, though they could not save everyone. Silas also fought Jareth and Amos alongside Deylin. An attempt to carry Deylin through the void failed when their connection broke, leaving Deylin beyond his reach.

Eira eventually summoned Silas to Valrindor. He revealed that she had created Lythariel and changed the world's memories. His blunt explanation distressed both women; he apologized and insisted that Lythariel's feelings and identity remained real.

Skarnheim and Thalassai

In Rimvold, Silas helped Lythariel recover from Eira's disappearance and agreed to serve Sigurd and Skarnheim in exchange for assistance against the shapers. He acknowledged his part in their creation and wanted to end the resulting deaths. Silas confronted Zharrek near Rimvold while Jin Leiyun fought the other shapers. After losing the fight, Zharrek overloaded and summoned an asteroid. Silas and Zal'therak pulled it into the void with themselves, saving the city but losing their way out.

They emerged in Chronasis, where Silas agreed to follow Thalena's orders if she defeated the darkness. He protected Arinella as she healed injured fighters, and he supplied their allies with essence cores. He fought Isaac, carried Tazarin and Arinella out of Virel's attack, and helped shield Chronasis while Lunorax confronted Nahm. After the battle, he accepted Cassian's leadership.

When Thalena returned to Irrathis, Silas thanked her for fulfilling their agreement and expressed pride in what she had become. He then left with Lythariel to help restore lands ruined by darkness.

Return from the void

Back in Rimvold, Silas's human illusion was pierced and his identity as Prince Sariel became known to his companions. Lythariel also told him that Thalion was Xarion, an identity he had not known during the Order's earlier attempts to recruit him.

Silas and Sigurd accidentally touched a device in Thalena's bag and were transported into the void. There they joined Thalena, Deylin, Lunorax, and Horol'Khai. Silas opened narrow tears in the boundary that Thalena widened, while the others manipulated temporal currents. These efforts brought Irrathis and Rhyzmar into their refuge, but did not provide a safe escape for the group. Their essence forms dwindled during years of waiting.

When a way out finally appeared, Silas and Zal'therak helped open it. They could not survive outside in their failing forms. Amos instead collected their remaining essence in preservation capsules, and Ozaith later rebuilt their bodies as humans. Silas rejoined his friends, congratulated Leif on succeeding Sigurd in Skarnheim, and offered to take Lythariel to clear darkness between Brighthaven and Durakarn. He and Zal'therak were present at the council gathering in Melandor.

Thalena's account of the preceding course

In Thalena's account of the course preceding her return to the council, Cassian and Hyperion sought Silas when she vanished after ascending. Silas found her partially materialized form within the void and pushed her back into the world. He believed she would soon have emerged without his help, and she thanked him for coming.

Relationships

• Barachiel, Thamrielle, and Isandriel: His parents and the guardian who helped raise him shaped his intended imperial future. His failed succession left him unwilling to resume that role.
• Thalena: As Helena, she was his pupil and companion on the farm. He refused to become her father but remained her friend; their later alliance helped him achieve his wish to see the darkness removed.
• Zal'therak: His research partner, rescuer, and patron. Their shared void travel repeatedly saves others while exposing both to confinement, and their restored human bodies have made cooperation more necessary.
• Krexyn and Rhalyn: Krexyn shared his farm and survived the shaper wars. Rhalyn offered him a home in Varentis and accepted the form he normally concealed.
• Eira and Lythariel: He saved Eira at the temple and later disclosed Lythariel's origin. His support for Lythariel continued through her distress, the battle for Chronasis, and the restoration of Valrindor.
• Sigurd and Jin Leiyun: Sigurd supplied the alliance against the shapers, while Jin helped defend Rimvold against the shaper army. Silas and Sigurd were later stranded together in the void.