Exarch Kaolin is one of the four Exarchs of the Earth, a stoic and disciplined master of Metal-Rifting whose precision in combat and craft has earned him immense respect throughout The Earth Realm. As second only to Exarch Maar in skill and seniority, Kaolin represents the strength of refinement—both in martial discipline and in the shaping of the earth’s bounty. He is known not for booming speeches or battlefield fanfare, but for the quiet force of his convictions, etched into the armor he molds, the art he sculpts, and the strikes he delivers.
Though reclusive by nature, Kaolin’s impact is widespread. In the city of Umber, he is often seen practicing ancient Njordir tea ceremonies or perfecting his metal artistry in his private tower overlooking the central fighting pits. His presence is rarely announced, but always felt.
Origins & History
Kaolin was born in the stonebound town of Unknown on the outer fringes of the Earth Realm. From a young age, his affinity for metal-rifting set him apart—he could bend plowshares and tools with mere gestures, reinforcing iron bars and shaping ore as easily as clay. Recognized by a patrol of the Stonefist Guard, Kaolin was brought to Avalon where his talent earned him a place as personal guard and tutor to Prince Darius Stonefist, heir to King Balder Stonefist's throne (see: the Unknown lineage). There, Kaolin refined a highly specialized form of Earth-Rifting (known as Metal-Rifting), creating armaments directly from raw ore during combat drills—a technique that would later define his legacy.
His life changed during a diplomatic voyage when Exarch Maar visited Avalon. Impressed by Kaolin’s restraint and focus, Maar offered him a place among the trainees in Umber, believing the young prodigy could rise beyond soldiering. Kaolin accepted and departed to the Spine of the World mountains, leaving behind the courtly trappings of Avalon for the monastic rigor of the Exarchate.
Life as an Exarch
In Umber, Kaolin trained extensively in the forges, temples, and battlepits under Exarch Maar’s guidance. He learned not only to refine his technique but also to temper his spirit—adopting the old Njordir ways of contemplation, craftsmanship, and ritual. After successfully completing the perilous Trial of Bjorn in the vault of Unknown, Kaolin returned as a newly anointed Exarch and took up residence in a modest tower adjacent to the central arena of Umber.
Kaolin became known for his fast, calculated combat style. He wielded no grand weapon—instead, he carried pouches of raw ore, shaping small, razor-sharp metal spikes mid-motion and hurling them with lethal precision. In battle, he was a flurry of staked volleys and refined strikes, his technique quiet but devastating.
When not instructing initiates or advising Avatar Terra, Kaolin immersed himself in Njordir arts. His metalwork, crafted without enchantment, depicted everyday citizens—Earth Genasi stonemasons, dwarven shepherds, and Njordir wheat farmers. These statues, forged in silence and without signature, are scattered across Umber, often mistaken for ancient relics.
Legacy
Though Kaolin avoids the spotlight, his influence shapes much of Umber’s modern form. He is regarded with reverence by blacksmiths, artisans, and warriors alike. His mentorship of Prince Darius is often cited as the reason the young noble took a more grounded, humble approach to leadership—a rarity among Avalon’s royalty.
With the rise of Avatar Terra, Kaolin pledged his continued service to the Earth Realm’s restoration, particularly in the wake of Avatar Rok and Runewright Talus’ disappearance. While many Exarchs represent explosive force or sweeping change, Kaolin remains a symbol of constancy—unchanged, but never stagnant.
For many years he remained active within the city of Umber, quietly maintaining order in the fighting pits, training new earth-rifters, and preparing for the next threat that might test the strength of stone. That threat would eventually come when Talyen sent envoy to Umber of the upcoming voyage to defeat Malekith, the Sundered Sun. Answering the call alongside Avatar Terra and Exarch Maar, Kaolin would join The Sunsations in what would become known as the Battle of the Black Sun. Fighting valiantly by their side, Kaolin would die a warrior's death charging the returned Valekith as his head was imploded by the ascendant's psychic scream... Yet despite his brutish end, his legacy would live on through the artwork he built and enshrined across the Earth Realm.