Xerces

Story
Although he is the second most senior of the Incubi Kings, he can't be more different that the Lustlord. He projects a image of disinterest and quiet, but there is an aura of power around him that even the Empress respects and fears.

During the Gathering, it's revealed that their kingdoms are adjacent to each other, but the Anak doesn't contact her outside of the Gatherings and that rubs her the wrong way but as usual he doesn't allow this to affect him in any sense.

He seems mildly interested in the Empress' plans concerning Simon, but the real reasons of that interest are unknown so far. He seems like a capable leader that counts with at least a competent subordinate called Xestris. During the Gathering, we don't have the opportunity to interact with him. He doesn't seem to pay much attention to the things that happen around him, but he seems to be very well informed about many things that affect him or not.

The reasons behind this decision are a mystery, but it's pretty significant that his cohorts don't intervene in many of the events organized by the others.

We know from the prologue that he harvests Theoson, whatever it can be. Maybe the "Theo", greek for God, in Theoson is related to his interest in theology. It's probably a resource coming from the Tower.

As seen in the beginning stages of Chapter 4, Xestris's appearance in the alternate world means that Xerces is also interested in what the location has to offer.

Simon meets him for the first time during chapter 4, in the Tower. The Anak says that he's mainly interested in maintaining balance, mainly from a metaphysical standpoint, hence his distinterest with world affairs. He tells Simon about the Fucklord's incoming attack through the Tower, and about a hateful Entity wishing to destroy reality itself. He wishes for both to fail, but provide no reason as to why he doesn't stop them himself, despite Simon's insistance.

Later in this chapter, he meets with the Great Sage of Ghenalon. The death of the latter is then reported by Fheliel. While it's probable that he killed him, the reason is still unknown.

During the Second Gathering, the Anak takes a more proactive role, albeit still mysterious. Investigations reveal that he is responsible for the appearance of two new Incubus Kings, the Skullpounder and Nyst. The later is a Tower construct directly controlled by Xerces, and asks to be in charge of a day's events. The Anak also organizes an event, which is unusual coming from him. At the end of the Second Gathering, he abandons Xestris to fight to the death against unstable Chosen and rival Incubus Kings, but she survives and informs Simon that Xerces seeks to tweak fundamental rules of reality to increase stability.