Characters Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson

Kaz (Lord Kazan) Character Analysis in Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians

Overview

Kaz, also known as Lord Kazan, is Alcatraz Smedry's uncle and a loyal ally of the Smedry family. He is described as a diminutive man—only four feet tall—but his small stature belies his courage and resourcefulness. In Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, Kaz plays a crucial supporting role: he helps Bastille's group escape the collapsing Highbrary, uses his Talent to get lost and find critical reinforcements, and ultimately arrives at the final battle on the Worldspire with a horde of kittens and reformed Librarians. His actions demonstrate a quiet but steadfast commitment to protecting his family and ending the war against the Librarians.

Plot Role and Chronological Arc

Kaz first appears in Chapter 1, joining Bastille and her mother Draulin as they race up the tower in the Highbrary. He has just crossed a gap in the stairs—how he did so remains a mystery, though Bastille suspects Draulin threw him. His immediate concern is the fate of his brother Attica. When they find Attica dead on the altar, Kaz grimly assesses the situation, noting that the Librarian leaders have abandoned the Highbrary and allowed the self-destruct to proceed.

During the escape through the magma-filled cavern, Kaz helps guide the group to a control room. Later, after the Smedry Talents have stopped working, he remains a voice of resolve. When Bastille asks what they are going to do, Kaz declares they will stop the Scrivener, Biblioden—showing his determination even without his Talent.

After Alcatraz restores the Talents near the Worldspire, Kaz immediately gets lost and arrives to reunite with Leavenworth. In Chapter 17, he reappears on the Worldspire platform at a critical moment. He has brought reinforcements: not only his father Leavenworth, but also Sing Sing Smedry, Folsom Smedry, Himalaya, a crew of reformed Librarians, and an army of kittens. This perfectly timed arrival provides the distraction Bastille needs to advance on Biblioden. In the aftermath, Kaz emphasizes that ending the war is the most important thing, and he later uses his Talent one final time to lead the group away, saying, "Ready to get lost?"

Motivations and Traits

Kaz's primary motivation is family loyalty. He is deeply affected by Attica's death and refuses to let despair stop him from fighting. His willingness to get lost—literally and figuratively—shows a pragmatic faith in his own abilities. He does not seek glory; instead, he works behind the scenes to bring help when it matters most. His cooperation with Bastille and Draulin highlights his respect for the Knights of Crystallia, even when their methods clash with the chaotic Smedry style.

He also exhibits a dry sense of humor and a knack for understatement. When Bastille shouts that they need help, Kaz smiles and asks, "What? Don't you find me useful enough?"—before revealing the kitten horde. This blend of modesty and effectiveness makes him a steadying presence in the group.

Relationships

Kaz's closest relationship is with his father, Leavenworth Smedry. He helps locate Leavenworth after the Talents are restored and remains concerned for his father's safety during the battle. His bond with Bastille is one of mutual respect: he does not question her leadership, and she trusts his ability to get lost and find what is needed. Kaz also has a professional rapport with Draulin, who physically carries him during the Highbrary escape. He interacts little with Alcatraz directly, but his arrival with kittens ultimately enables Alcatraz to reach the top of the spire.

Additionally, Kaz coordinates with Folsom Smedry and Himalaya, the reformed Librarians, showing his willingness to work with former enemies for the greater goal of peace.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  1. Choosing to escape the Highbrary with the others instead of staying with Attica's body. This decision preserves his life and allows him to later bring reinforcements. If he had lingered, the self-destruct would have killed him.
  2. Using his restored Talent to get lost and find Leavenworth and then the army of kittens. This action has enormous consequences: the kitten horde distracts and defeats many Librarians, giving Bastille and Alcatraz the opening they need to confront Biblioden.
  3. Voicing the priority of ending the war. After the battle, Kaz speaks up: "We need to end the war. That's the most important thing." His statement helps steer the alliance toward a long-term solution rather than immediate revenge.

Themes and Symbol Connections

Kaz embodies several key themes of the book: heroism and imperfection, guilt and responsibility, and family and sacrifice. His small size contrasts with his heroic deeds, reinforcing that heroism comes from choice, not physical might. He carries the weight of his brother's death without blaming himself, yet he accepts the responsibility to act. His Talent—getting lost—symbolizes the series' idea that lostness can be a strength, leading to unexpected discoveries.

The kitten army he brings is both absurd and effective, highlighting the theme of power and its consequences: even something as adorable as kittens becomes a weapon when used in the right context. Kaz's willingness to ally with reformed Librarians also ties into metafiction and storytelling, as the narrative subverts expectations of who is good or evil.

Questions and Answers

  1. How does Kaz get past the broken section of stairs in the Highbrary? Bastille does not know for sure. She notes that Kaz refuses to tell anyone how he did it, and she suspects that her mother, Draulin, threw him across the gap. This remains an unresolved mystery in the text.

  2. What does Kaz say is the most important thing after the battle? He says, "We need to end the war." This statement shows his focus on long-term peace over immediate victory.

  3. What reinforcements does Kaz bring to the Worldspire? He brings a horde of kittens, plus Sing Sing Smedry, Folsom Smedry, Himalaya, their group of reformed Librarians, and his father Leavenworth. The kittens serve as a chaotic distraction that scatters the Librarians.

  4. How does Kaz react when Bastille asks what they should do after escaping the Highbrary? He takes a deep breath, straightens, and declares, "We're going to stop the Scrivener, that's what we're going to do." This demonstrates his resolve in the face of loss.

  5. What does Kaz's Talent do, and how does he use it in the final battle? Kaz's Talent is the ability to get lost. He uses it to find Leavenworth and then to locate Bastille and Alcatraz on the Worldspire, arriving with the kitten army at the perfect moment. His Talent becomes even more cooperative after Alcatraz restores the Smedry abilities.

For a full analysis of how the book ends and what happens to Kaz after the battle, visit our ending explained page. You can also explore other questions and answers about the novel.