- "Please hit me as much as you want. I won't blame you even if you slay me. However, I'm afraid the thing this arrogant musician has said is true. Rukhnābād is the sacred object that is crucial to seal the Serpent King. After your highness takes the throne as the righteous king, you could have priests conduct an appropriate ceremony to have it. At present, you don't need any help from that sacred sword to defeat enemies on earth."
- ― Zandeh to Hilmes after he threw the sacred sword, Rukhnābād, to stop a disastrous earthquake, and was hit by Hilmes with the flat side of a sword, in The Heroic Legend of Arslan, "Shadow of a Lone Rider"
Zandeh (ザンデ Zande? ) was the son of Pars' Marzban Kharlan and a servant of Hilmes.
Appearance[]
2013 Manga and Anime[]
He has brown hair and brown eyes, with a striking resemblance to his father, the late Kharlan. He is a large man, of similar dimensions to Kubard. Despite his massive size and strength, however, his youth is plain to see, particularly when he removes his helm. Narsus, for instance, refers to him as an "overgrown child".
He wears the brooch which his father used to wore.
OVA Series[]
In the OVA, Zandeh has blonde hair and is sinewy as well.
Novel[]
He wears a helmet which was made in Maryam and a silk cloak which was made in Serica. His face resembles his father's, but it gives an impression of fierce boldness rather than dignity which his father had.
Personality[]
Zandeh is very hateful, gets angry very quickly and seems to not tolerate incompetence. He is very loyal to Hermes. He is also stubborn in a bad way, breaking the promise to give an information and running away from a battle after defeated by Daryun and Farangis.
In a sense, he is unsuspecting and upstanding. Though he is totally loyal to Hilmes, in the original story, he can act against Hilmes's will when he thinks it necessary. Even Gieve alters his view toward Zandeh that he is not just a boorish guy after he saw it.
Skill[]
Zandeh initially wielded a greatsword, and while he is strong enough to use such a weapon, his success against skilled opponents- like Daryun- has been limited. During the siege of Zabul Fortress, he swaps his greatsword for a mace. When questioned by a soldier about this choice, Zandeh reasons that the mace is a more appropriate weapon for indoor fighting. Privately, however, he resolves to set aside his obsession with swords and use a weapon which takes full advantage of his strength, hence the mace. He also admits to himself that he will not be able to defeat Daryun with a sword. In addition to his fighting prowess, Zandeh is rather skilled at scouting and reconnaissance, using his subordinates to gather information. During the siege of Zabul Fortress, Prince Hilmes entrusted him with this task.
Relationships[]
Hilmes[]
Zandeh is very loyal to Hilmes and trusts him as his true ruler.
Daryun[]
Zandeh hates Daryun like no other, thinking he is responsible for his father's fate.
Kharlan[]
Zandeh cared about his father, as he showed hatred to Daryun for killing him.
Notes
References