Kesil
Wizard King Kesil
Kesil the Wizard King of Avistan, the ruling lord of Absalom, and the leader of the Swords of Absalom. He is arguably the strongest being on Golarion, contested only by his rival Asmodeus. He is the husband of Gaezel Penumbra, and the adopted father of Gwineffre Almas.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Despite the physical appearance of a man in his late fifties, Kesil has the strength and agility of a young man. Most often seen during the Sunburst Festival, underneath Kesil's formal robes are a maze of ancient scars and whipcord muscles, with a focus on performance over visual effect. Records from the competition state that he has hurled small boulders, leapt over combatants without touching them, and even stopped the swing of a war hammer with an open palm.
Apparel & Accessories
Kesil is often seen in the official colors of the Swords of Absalom -- black, gold, and white -- usually in the form of a modern robe or duster. Fashion aficionados consider him a quiet trendsetter, although most believe that his wife Gaezel is responsible for the selection in his wardrobe. He is never seen without his silver-capped eagle cane, which is commonly-known to act much like a wizard's staff, and is considered a symbol of Kesil's authority.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Kesil is largely attributed to the end of the Lost Age, and the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment. Although no record of him exists prior to his arrival on the world stage (which is not uncommon, given the nature of the age prior), Kesil quickly cemented himself as a world power -- capable of burning cities to the ground at will, and turning natural disasters into a spot of weather. While his early exploits involved all of Golarion, interference from rival powers (such as Asmodeus) pushed him towards Avistan, where he lifted the fallen nations from the ashes under the banner of the Swords of Absalom.
Suffering no contest, Kesil was crowned the Wizard King, appointing lords and ladies to rule over each of the major city states in his area of influence. He chose Absalom for himself, after decades of dismantling the rogue energies that plagued the city, and has ruled from that seat ever since, handling disasters and squashing rebellions for over two-thousand years.
Suffering no contest, Kesil was crowned the Wizard King, appointing lords and ladies to rule over each of the major city states in his area of influence. He chose Absalom for himself, after decades of dismantling the rogue energies that plagued the city, and has ruled from that seat ever since, handling disasters and squashing rebellions for over two-thousand years.
Education
Although Kesil claims no relation to any of the academic institutions on Golarion, he is a well-known scholar, and considered the greatest practitioner of war magic -- both offensive and defensive -- to date. Specialists who meet Kesil are often surprised by his knowledge of niche topics, as Kesil takes special care to learn about the mundane disciplines of his people, including everything from basic farming to the varied hard sciences. He makes no secret that this is the success to his long reign and the potency of his magic, but the longetivy required to obtain such knowledge is a feat few have ever accomplished.
Morality & Philosophy
When discussing Kesil, historians often reference his strong "do it yourself" philosophy, which begins at his own moral discipline and extends to his attitude towards the people of Avistan. Specifically, he believes that if one can achieve a goal, then they should do so without hesistation or comment, and that they will be rewarded according to the results they produce -- not their effort. Kesil's belief is that the goal of a functioning society is to encourage such behavior whenever possible, to promote equity in cases when it is not, and unequivocally punish those who attempt to thwart or manipulate this system.
Famous examples of the Wizard King's philosophy include the conversion of the Flotsam Graveyard in Absalom into a fleet of fishing boats for the people of Precipice Quarter, and the razing of Petal District in the early years of the Lost Age.
Famous examples of the Wizard King's philosophy include the conversion of the Flotsam Graveyard in Absalom into a fleet of fishing boats for the people of Precipice Quarter, and the razing of Petal District in the early years of the Lost Age.
Relationships
History
Although politically-motivated, the common folk believe that Kesil and Gaezel have come to love each other over time, and several plays have been written about their (heavily dramatized) romance. However, those inside the political ecosystem recognize the tension between the two, born of a mix between personal relations and duty.
History
As opposing leaders of the two most prominent organizations on the globe, Kesil and Asmodeus are obviously stoic around each other, and give little in the way of generosity or animosity. They are capable of civil communication at the moment, but many fear that without the chaos generated by the Cult, the two would be at each other's throats before long...
Artwork by Dongho Kang
Species
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Wizard King of Avistan
Lord of Absalom
Commander of the Swords of Absalom
Lord of Absalom
Commander of the Swords of Absalom
Currently Held Titles
Spouses
Gaezel Penumbra
(Wife)
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark Yellow
Hair
Long, White
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White
Height
6'2"
Weight
179 lbs.
Quotes & Catchphrases
"You have everything you need -- seize it."
"Bow down or be broken."
"I will fear what is outside the walls, citizens. You must simply fear me."
"Bow down or be broken."
"I will fear what is outside the walls, citizens. You must simply fear me."
Aligned Organization
Related Myths
Ruled Locations
Comments