Purcil was born in Xirklx, a secret underground city hidden from the human world above, where, from an early age, he found solace and fascination in science and technology, marveling at the pictures of gadgets he saw in his father’s books. His father, a skilled craftsman, ran a modest workshop where he taught Purcil the value of creation and imagination. Here, Purcil spent countless hours tinkering, dreaming up new inventions, and exploring texts his father had accumulated as part of his trade.
Purcil’s passion ignited when he stumbled upon a discarded set of alchemical writings discovered by a foraging party that ventured close to the surface. The complex diagrams and cryptic formulas captivated him, sparking an insatiable curiosity. He began experimenting, blending the natural resources of his underground haven—mushrooms, minerals, and rare flora—into rudimentary potions. While his creations fascinated some, others in Xirklx viewed his pursuits as frivolous, believing that the skeva should focus on survival rather than science.
“My name is Purcil. My chieftain said you are different. That you aren’t like the other humans. He said you do not hate my kind like so many others do.”
Aaron glanced at Acharat, but the shaman seemed preoccupied with his thoughts. Addressing Purcil, Aaron said, “He’s right. I don’t hate anyone, especially skeva.”
Purcil didn’t look convinced, but he saw Aaron’s gaze drifting to the book he held, so he rotated it so Aaron could see the open page. “Did you know that two times the force exerted on an object’s fulcrum is directly correlated to the opposite force, but at half the initial quantity?”
“I did, actually,” Aaron said.
“It’s an interesting subject,” Purcil said, closing the book and holding it out for Aaron to take.
- THE INVERSION SOLUTION
Only Rachna, the formidable leader of the shodeth, the elite warriors of Xirklx, saw Rachna’s true potential. Rachna was charismatic, with a commanding presence that ignited the hearts of those around him. He preached empowerment and violence against the humans, painting a vivid picture of a future where the skeva would reclaim their lost freedoms through strength and action. Drawn in by Rachna’s fiery rhetoric, Purcil found acceptance and a sense of belonging among the shodeth.
Under Rachna’s influence, Purcil’s admiration quickly transformed into fervent loyalty. He began to dream of a bold plan using his scientific knowledge and burgeoning inventions to support the shodeth in their mission. Yet, in his increasing zeal, he occasionally overlooked the cautionary wisdom of his parents, particularly his father, who urged prudence and cherished the safety of their hidden home.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Purcil first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).