In the fictional multiverse of Magic: The Gathering, Kaervek is an evil sorcerer from the Burning Isles.
A mage known for allegiance with many malign spirits and their allies throughout Urborg and Bogardan, chiefly the Nightstalkers and the easily manipulated Panther Warriors. Naturally blessed with arcane abilities, Kaervek has attempted to dominate the Burning Isles for years, but the presence of many powerful entities has left Kaervek a challenger rather than a ruler.
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Kaervek witnessed with Mangara and Jolrael the aftermath of the phasing out of Teferi's Isle, 200 years before the setting of Mirage. He became frustrated at Mangara's success in establishing Mangara's Peace and was unable to believe that Mangara was after anything but powerlust. He wanted to reserve whatever mysterious power Teferi's Isle possessed for himself.
He joined Jolrael in the Mwonvuli Jungle to learn about summoning and controlling the animals. Playing on Jolrael's fears and her inability to understand the ambitions of humans Kaervek convinced her that Mangara was a threat. Slowly as Mangara's rule took shape, Kaervek was able to draw the reclusive Jolrael into the politics of the region. In time, the two mages built covert armies of animals and spirits throughout Jamuraa. Kaervek waited, occasionally instigating border disputes between Zhalifir and its neighbors and infighting among the Zhalfirin nobility. Eventually the disputes flared and blood accidentally spilled. Within days, civil war seemed imminent. This disruption was all Kaervek needed, so he sent dozens of evil spirits into the lands, fanning the flames of old hatred to spark across the borders. Mangara was at a loss, unable to control the steadily worsening situation. It was then that Kaervek sent a message to Mangara, an offer of 'assistance' in dealing with the troubles. Mangara agreed to meet with Kaervek in the Mwonvuli Delta. There he was ambushed by Kaervek and Jolrael and captured within the Amber Prison, which remained in one of Jolrael's palaces.
After Mangara's disappearance the dark days for Jamuraa began. Reports increased of people mauled by wild cats, of citizens dying in their sleep with expressions of horror the only clue to the cause of their demise. Farmers began to mysteriously vanish from their fields. Kaervek now felt assured of victory, because the three northwestern countries were in dire trouble. At last the three nations met at a great council. It was then that Kaervek choose to make his appearance, demanding the surrender of the three nations. Kaervek's love of making a grand appearance had blinded him to the fact he had now given the nations a look at their enemy. United against a common foe, they flatly defied Kaervek, stating they would pay him no fealty.
At last Kaervek himself took control of Jolrael's forces of animals, Viashino and dragons. They joined with his spirits, orcs, goblins and cat warriors. A year later (the time of Visions) Femeref has been invaded and Suq'Ata has closed its borders. The Zhalafirins are being pushed back across the plains into their heartland. Of course, Kaervek still feels assured of his victory, but his ally Jolrael has doubts. Originally, she had only wished to prevent Mangara from dominating Jamuraa, but over time she had begun to wonder if her choice of allies was a wise one - Kaervek seemed bent on exterminating all three nations. He used Jolrael's palaces and creatures as if they were his own, and legions of evil spirits roamed the lands at his behest. This was why she had secretly tried to release Mangara but had been stopped by the wards Kaervek had set, a clear sign of his distrust. It was only a matter of time before Kaervek discovered her attempt; she had to find help, and she had to find it now.
After Kaervek destroys Ufunguo, the survivors, led by Jabari and Loreweaver, flee to Tefemburu. Kaervek is unaware that this is a planned distraction so that Asmira and Scalebane can try to free Mangara. Loreweaver, using a spell sent by Teferi, manages to make Kaervek's army of dragons, undead, and fell spirits temporarily disappear. After evacuating, the Jamuraan leaders boobytraped the city. At dusk the next day the army reappears and is consequently destroyed, along with the whole city.
Kaervek found that the isle which had drawn him to Jamuraa two centuries before was newly inhabited, and he knew that those newcomers must be responsible for his defeat at Tefemburu. He gathered Jolrael and his remaining forces and sailed to Teferi's Isle, leaving Purraj and various minions to guard Mangara. The confrontation with Teferi was short-lived. The planeswalker made short work of Kaervek's armada, sending most of the evil mage's forces to the ocean floor. During the battle, Jolrael turned upon Kaervek, severely injuring him in a heated arcane battle. Kaervek's ship was capsized by a colossal wave, but one of Teferi's drakes was able to grab the unconscious Jolrael from the wreckage.
Kaervek managed to crawl ashore and limped to the nearby Uuserk marshes to draw upon its rich mana, but he encountered there a vast floating city controlled by the Shaper and Shadow Guilds. The guilds had created this city, called Aku, as a portable tomb for Zhalifir's nobility. Sensing Kaervek's presence the keepers assumed he had come to seize the city, and they prepared for a fight.
While imprisoned, Mangara had continued to scrye upon Jamuraa, so when he was freed by Asmira he magically transported himself to the Uuserk marshes to face Kaervek, who was taken by surprise. The wizards lashed at one another with spells, but the surrounding abundance of black mana gave Kaervek the upper hand. The mages of Aku released several djinn to attack Kaervek, but he stole control from them and turned the djinn upon Mangara - exactly as they hoped, for the djinn would allow Mangara to gain strength from their attacks. Mangara summoned a unit of Quirion archers, which cut down Kaervek's forces. Kaervek himself was downed by the first of their arrows; before he recovered, Mangara pinned the mage and sealed him in the Amber Prison. With Kaervek gone, his few remaining forces went into hiding.
In the Time Spiral block, Kaervek, along with Mangara and Jolrael (though a much older version), enter the post-apocalyptic world of Dominaria through the many time rifts that have opened on the plane. He also got his own card: Kaervek the Merciless.