Character Profile: Sal’zar

Sal’zar is an alchemist, a coveted role amongst the Murkor people. The alchemists are responsible for many technologies that are sought after by other peoples, the humans and Scorpion Men in particular. Some of their designs can be used as weapons, others for healing, and some are useful tools. Few Murkor are selected for the alchemist caste.

At the beginning of The Moon’s Eye, the reader encounters Sal’zar as a side character when he is summoned to meet with the Soulless, Kama. He learns he is unique for a Murkor–he possesses the Ability to wield magic. He is taken to the Tower of Obsidian to train, though if he would not have gone if given the option. The Soulless will not take no for an answer, and to defy them means death.

Sal’zar hopes to survive his training and subsequent initiation into the ranks of Enlightened, though he is met with far more than the Soulless’ unyielding orders along the way. As a Murkor, he is shunned by the other trainees and considered a lesser mage. While he’d like to prove them wrong, he can’t risk lashing out for his sake, as well as his life partner’s.