Karim was a Sunfire Elf and the former prince of Lux Aurea. He was the younger brother of Khessa and Janai, and the great-grandson of Aditi,[2] whom he referred to as "grandmother". He viewed Janai's acceptance of humans into Sunfire Elf culture as a threat to their people's way of life and planned to overthrow her.[4] He was in a romantic relationship with Miyana, who eventually gave birth to their two children,[5] but was killed while attempting to negotiate with Aaravos.[6]
Appearance[]
Karim was a lanky Sunfire Elf with dark skin and dark brown eyes. His short, maroon hair was pulled back behind a golden diadem-like headpiece, and both sides of it have been shaved. His beard, which is darker in color, flows into said shaved parts of his hair. As part of tradition in the culture of Sunfire Elves,[7] his brown, backward-bending horns were adorned with golden rings. From his long ears hangs a pair of golden earrings, consistent with the golden accessories found around his collar, on his shoulders, his belt plate, and on the trim of his shoes. His clothing of choice consists of a dark-mustard colored tunic that reminds of a piece of armor, with a black chest area and a red streak stitched into its backside. Over this tunic he wears a black belt with a golden buckle. Additionally, Karim's arms were partially protected by black leather pieces, as well as a red glove over his right hand that is protected by a sharp piece of gold. The glove originally belonged to his fallen friend Osato.[8] Unlike the rest of his armor, his pants came in a simple dark gray, while his high boots are black. He also wore a tin ring on his left hand that he inherited from his mother, which sports a symbol of Xadia.[9]
Karim was often seen wearing an elegant shoulder cape colored in a combination of black and red which was adorned with additional gold plating resting on his shoulders. The cape sports a golden crest with a red center piece on its backside.
Karim eventually earned a scar stretching across his left eye socket and eyebrow during his fight with Amaya.[10]
When Karim waged war against Janai, he wore an elaborate white tunic with golden accessories, white pants, black high boots, with golden accents, a red cape, and a golden headpiece that resembled the shape of Sol Regem's horns.[11]
Personality[]
Karim appeared to be a gentle individual who was not shy of expressing his gratitude to strangers.[7] Despite this gentleness, Karim was a nationalist and an ardent fundamentalist in his interpretation of his culture. He wholeheartedly believed in sticking to the ancient rites of the Sunfire Elves, even those practices that were deemed unethical and made illegal by Queen Aditi, such as the Royal Blood Duel.[12] He believed in preserving such customs as part of his duties to his nation and that history has demands of those living in the present. He was hungry for power and believed that since the fall of Lux Aurea that the Sunfire Elves will soon lose their sense of cultural identity under the leadership of his sister, Janai.[1]
Karim's view on family values differs in places, as he held a deep love for both of his sisters, though cared little about honoring the rules of his great-grandmother, Queen Aditi.[4] Weeks after Khessa was killed by Aaravos,[13] Karim was able to comfort Janai by carrying out a ritual that remembered and honored their sister's life. He was also supportive of Janai becoming the new Sunfire Queen, although he grew somewhat pushy about her fulfilling her new duties early.[14] Despite not being bothered by Janai marrying a human, he held racist views towards humanity in general and does not want them to become an official part of their nation. To make sure this would not become the case, he was as bold as to ask Janai to keep her relationship unofficial, as it would give people the idea that mixing their species could become a symbol for their crumbling traditions.[15] This acceptance of humans and change from his sister eventually caused Karim to abandon his initial support and instead selfishly pursue the throne of Lux Aurea to forcefully maintain the order he has grown up with.[12] He was willing to have Janai imprisoned[4] or killed so that he could become the sole heir of Lux Aurea's throne.[10]
Karim's desperation and ambition of restoring the old glory of the Sunfire Elves grew after his banishment and listening to Pharos's encouragement,[16] which leads him to enlist the help of volatile individuals such as Sol Regem[17] and Kim'dael as his allies. He additionally became focused on healing Sol Regem's blindness with Janai's Sun Seed, for he wished to return Xadia to the reign of the Archdragon.[2]
Despite his selfish motivation, Karim does love Miyana and felt genuinely happy after she revealed that her loyalty to him never wavered.[18]
Upon using the Sun Seed to heal Sol Regem's wings, Karim grew more confident in overthrowing Janai. However, he does not have the mind of a military tactician, as proven when he did not bother to equip his smaller army with proper weapons and defenses should his plan of unleashing Sol Regem fail. This resulted in his defeat since Aaravos had secretly possessed Pharos to manipulate Sol Regem into attacking Katolis instead.[11]
Karim was given many chances to change his ways and join Janai in forging a new kingdom, but he refused. Even after learning about Miyana's pregnancy and his impending fatherhood, he wanted to use his offspring to overthrow Janai.[19] When Janai asked Karim to protect the Sunforge and stop Aaravos from creating an Eternal Night, Karim instead wanted to join Aaravos, believing that he will restore order in a world that humans have corrupted with chaos. However, Aaravos did not care for Karim's cause and used his hand to crush and kill the former treacherous Sunfire Prince.[6] In the end, all of Karim's ambitions withered away as both Lux Aurea and any hope of restoring the Sunfire Empire were destroyed in the final battle. In addition, both humans and elves began to live harmoniously with each other, finally ending the millennia-long animosity among races that Karim stubbornly supported to his last breath.[5]
Skills and Abilities[]
Sun Primal Connection[]
As a Sunfire Elf, Karim drew power from the Sun and was at his strongest when the sun is at its highest during noon. However, he is not immune to the sun's blazing heat while walking in the middle of a desert[16] and the intense heat of Janai's Sunforge sword.[10]
Sun Magic Mastery[]
Karim was a powerful Sun mage who could harness and master Sun magic spells with the aid of a Sun staff that is embedded with rubies.[15] He could also cast spells without speaking the required incantations.[17]
- "Ligatus Ignis": A spell that allowed Karim to conjure a spiral of fire that hovered on the head of his staff and acted like a torch.[8]
- "Post Tenebras Lux": A spell that could allow Karim to cleanse the corruption of the Sunforge.[8]
- "Missilem Ignem": A spell that allowed Karim to shoot fireballs from his staff[4] or his hands.[10]
- "Lux Tormento": A spell that allowed Karim to blast a large and powerful beam of fire from his staff at Janai during their duel, but she was able to absorb it with her sword and her heat-being mode, which allowed her to destroy his staff with one strike.[4]
- "Solre Natu Sanaseesa Ruptis": A spell that allowed Karim and Pharos to use the Sun Seed to heal Sol Regem's tattered wings.[11]
- "Ignis": A spell that allows Karim to shoot fire at a desired target.[20]
Equipment[]
- Sun Staff: Karim initially carried a Sun staff embedded with rubies as a weapon of choice. This staff allowed him to cast Sun magic spells until it was broken in half by Janai during their Royal Blood Duel.[4]
Trivia[]
- The name "Karim" means "generous" or "noble" in Arabic and Persian.[21]
Appearances[]
Book Four - Earth
- 402. "Fallen Stars"
- 406. "The Drakewood"
- 408. "Rex Igneous"
- 409. "Escape from Umber Tor"
Book Five - Ocean
- 501. "Domina Profundis"
- 503. "Nightmares & Revelations"
- 504. "The Great Bookery"
- 505. "Archmage Akiyu"
- 508. "Finnegrin's Wake"
- 509. "Infantis Sanguine"
Book Six - Stars
- 602. "Love, War & Mushrooms"
- 604. "The Starscraper"
- 607. "The Red Wedding"
Book Seven - Dark
- 703. "The Glittering Bones"
- 704. "Unfinished Business" (no lines)
- 705. "Sticky Fingers"
- 707. "The Titan and the King"
- 708. "Dying Light"
Side Stories
Other
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Book Four, Chapter 6: "The Drakewood"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Book Five, Chapter 5: "Archmage Akiyu"
- ↑ Book Six, Chapter 4: "The Starscraper"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Book Four, Chapter 9: "Escape from Umber Tor"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Book Seven, Chapter 9: "Nova"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Book Seven, Chapter 8: "Dying Light"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Tales of Xadia - Official Handbook
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 After Darkness
- ↑ Book Five, Chapter 1: "Domina Profundis"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Book Five, Chapter 8: "Finnegrin's Wake"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Book Six, Chapter 7: "The Red Wedding"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Book Four, Chapter 8: "Rex Igneous"
- ↑ Book Three, Chapter 7: "Hearts of Cinder"
- ↑ The Queen's Soul
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Book Four, Chapter 2: "Fallen Stars"
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Book Five, Chapter 3: "Nightmares & Revelations"
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Book Five, Chapter 4: "The Great Bookery"
- ↑ Book Five, Chapter 9: "Infantis Sanguine"
- ↑ Book Seven, Chapter 3: "The Glittering Bones"
- ↑ The Dragon Prince: Xadia
- ↑ Behind the Name Karim