Born of the knightly caste in the days of the kings, Khalil was a precocious youth. He was smart and loved the study of magic. He had a knack for the craft as well as spirit magic. Some even believe that he communed with the gods early in his life. He was a constant companion and best friend to Prince Tiberius. Together they studied, made sport, and it was Khalil who helped the prince escape through the gate to Earth when his friends life was threatened.
After the prince's departure, war erupted and Khalil was called to fight for the kingdom. He sided with the popularly supported faction. They were able to repel the barbarous slavers. But before newly crowned king could settle in his power, a foreign prince from Fallipa with claims to the throne invaded. The war was swift and fierce. Khalil and many of the knightly caste were exiled after the defeat of Iupono. The Iuponi would regain sovereignty, but not before Khalil had suffered from the explusion.
During his time as a vagabond, Khalil embraced spirit magic in order to survive. At first, he used his strength and skill to raid Fallipan caravans and outposts. But soon the occupancy drove these exiled knights farther north. Many, including Khalil, collaborated with barbarians to plot a coup. Some involved themselves with the pirates, some with the nomads, but Khalil got mixed up with the slavers and cultists. During this time, he indulged in vampiric magic: he learned to steal the vitality of his opponents in battle. They overcame the invaders in time. But Khalil later had to atone. He would eventually desert the use of spirit magic and develop a phobia of all but the most basic magics of the craft.
Once Iupono regained its independence, the people were looking for a king. Khalil was one of the contenders for the throne. However, he was converted to a path of religion during the interim. On the eve of his initiation into religious life he had a vision from Minerva. She instructed him to help the people write a charter. Khalil proposed the drafting and many of the lords agreed. The document was made, but it was never ratified. As the new king rose to power, Khalil was threatened into silence and he backed into his religious career.
Political strife quickly led to the death of that king. In the wake, the lords decided to return to the charter, slightly modified: Iupono was transformed into a confederacy. Khalil was sought to preside as the consul. Khalil refused on grounds that such a position in the government would undermine the charter. Later, he would regret taking the consulship... he could have used the position to mold the confederacy into a stable government. Rather than take Khalil's warning, the lords elected another consul. Over time the government morphed into a federation as the central powers stabilized their positions of authority over the cities and provinces.
Khalil, now high in the church, retreated into the cloisters. He abandoned public life for he lost faith in politics. Rather, he was looking for spiritual solutions for the real problems starting to threaten the world. (Plus, his involvement in the vampiric cults had marked him with extended youth. Despite being ninety years old at the advent of ZTC, he appeared only forty or so.)
He began to research the old religion. He was not just concerned with morals or spirituality, he was after miracles. It was at this time that he rediscovered nature as a source of magic. As he studied, he increasingly found a clearer view of the world and saw a major problem: the drain of ether caused by the new industry. One night, he saw a vision in his dreams. In this dream Minerva again inspired him, this time he was to reach Earth. Khalil returned to his study that sent Tiberius away. He approached it but back away for fear: this was getting back to the spirit magic.
Minerva visited him once more, urging him to overcome his fear of both magic and his own sins. Khalil began again to practice the arts. With this unlocking, Khalil also began to use natural powers. He withdrew further into his studies, allowing only select monks and friends to take him away from his search. Finally, the appearance of a novice named Gage triggered the cascade of answers. He pieced together the old magic and began to understand. He saw into the future and knew of Gage and soon about the need for a restoration of balance and the connection between Kesh and Earth.
Khalil reemerged into the public life; not reentering politics, but returning to his ministry. One night he was reading old texts and understood that in order to trigger the events leading to the renaissance of Earth and the restoration of Kesh he would need to unlock the spiritual door between the worlds. This would be risky because, though a simple ritual, it would require him to peer into the spirit realm with his waking eyes. Doing so would probably blind him. Also, opening the door could cause such a sudden turbulence in the ether that it would vaporize him.
Khalil decided to trust his fate to this duty. He enchanted his eyes and opened them to the spirit realm. His physical eyes immediately blinded. He kept up the enchantment and unlocked the gate. A current of ether blustered but was calmed by the advent of several of the gods. They preserved Khalil's life and crafted a permanent enchantment into his eyes. The gods began their expeditions back to Earth.
Khalil awoke on the stone floor that morning. His eyes were whited but he could see in spirit. Grateful, Khalil sent for Gage and told some of what was to come. Thus, both forewarned of the coming trio from Earth. Khalil knew he could not go to Earth yet, the dragons were not pacified. But now he was ready for destiny and eager to see the salvation of his race and both our worlds.
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