Malleus Kaab
Malleus Kaab is a dragonborn media magnate, industrialist, financier, and political influencer based out of the the city of Omphalos within the Azure Empire. He is the founder and owner of the Kaab Syndicate, a sprawling conglomerate encompassing printing press manufacturing, newspapers, logistics, agricultural ventures, and theatrical productions. Though not of noble blood nor dragon lineage, Kaab is widely regarded as the wealthiest non-dragon citizen in the Empire and a prominent voice within the growing civic nationalist faction of Azurean politics.
Kaab is known for his flamboyant public persona, fondness for spectacle, and bombastic speeches, earning him the popular moniker “The Toast of Omphalos” in the Azure Empire. He has emerged as a key cultural and political figure in a time of growing ideological polarization within the Empire.
Early Life
Malleus Kaab was born to a middle-class dragonborn family in Omphalos, then a modest river town undergoing rapid urbanization due to magical and agricultural breakthroughs. Though not formally trained as a mage, Kaab reportedly purchased a struggling workshop run by elven printmages from Carcola and retooled it into a commercial printing press, quickly gaining influence by circulating cheap pamphlets and satirical plays to the growing literate working class of Omphalos.
His early publications, which mixed religious parody, civic boosterism, and critiques of racial supremacists, earned him both acclaim and outrage. Over time, he expanded his holdings into magic-enhanced agriculture, real estate, and arena entertainment. His editorials continue to grace newspapers owned by him where he offers his inimitable earnest yet cutting commentary on the great issues of the day.
Ideology and Public Influence
Kaab is a vocal supporter of the civic nationalist faction within the Azure Empire, advocating for integration of non-dragonkin, technological innovation, and the embrace of cultural pluralism over biological hierarchy. He has repeatedly clashed, often through print and public theater, with Senator Grotius Yodus and other hardline dragonkin supremacists.
Despite his populist flair, Kaab is deeply embedded in elite circles, frequently hosting salons, financing enterprises, and courting both academics and performers. He portrays himself as an enlightened patron of the arts and science, though critics argue that his ventures often mask more self-serving economic aims.
Lake Baclaar Controversy
In a highly publicized initiative, Kaab purchased Lake Baclaar, a wetland region formerly protected by the Azure governemnt. He announced plans to convert it into a wildlife sanctuary and research site for rewilded dinosaurs, claiming to honor Azurean natural heritage.
However, leaked reports suggest the project has displaced local lizardfolk tribes, prompting criticism from both political allies and rivals. Some accuse Kaab of practicing a soft form of imperialism, one cloaked in progressive language but rooted in economic expansionism. Others accuse Kaab of deliberately displacing dragonkin to further his distorted view of Azurean history. Additionally, the scientific consensus of the Azure Empire conflicts with Kaab's claims that dinosaurs originated in the Azure continent. In contrast, the scientific consensus claims that dinosaurs evolved in the Lost Lands rather than the Azure continent. However, Kaab cites other scientific authorities more closely aligned with him to back up his claims.
Involvement in the Lost Lands
Kaab has expressed public support for the Hollow Swallow expedition, though he is not officially listed as a sponsor. He is known to have shipped sceintific equipment to Westport, and attended the Spruce Gala with Renczyk Belmure, a tiefling-orc archeologist.
While Kaab maintains that his interest is purely scientific, some suspect he sees the Lost Lands as a testing ground for his own pet projects and desires for business expansion.
Public Image
Kaab cultivates an image of an eccentric modernist—appearing in vibrantly dyed robes, hosting wine-fueled debates, and frequently addressing the public with oratory infused with comedy, drama, and apocalyptic grandeur. He is both admired and ridiculed, but rarely ignored.
He is known for supporting avant-garde plays, bizarre magical experiments, and reformist causes, often blending sincerity with theatrical absurdity. This ambiguity has made him a beloved figure among artists, students, and inventors and a dangerous one among ideologues who suspect he is either a bumbling fool or hiding more nefarious aims.
Known Associates
- Renczyk Belmure: Tiefling-orc archeologist from the occupied Principality of Narbonne. Occasional collaborator in archeological matters and rival in political matters.
- Emperor Proximus: Current Azurean emperor. While Kaab rarely comments on Imperial politics, he has hosted many of Proximus' gladiatorial matches in arenas owned by him, publicly praising his victories. However, some have noticed a subtle critique of the current Emperor's disengagement from civil reform in Kaab's editorials.