Sathradin al-Nahash

There is little known about the Naga True Mage who styles themself Sathradin al-Nahash. They are among the oldest and most powerful members of the Burj Alhikma, having joined the Malika's school of magic over four centuries ago. Since that time, al-Nahash has risen to become one of the most formidable figures within the Malikate of Saba, and may be counted among the most potent True Mages in the entire Great Ring.

Unknown Origin

While Sathradin al-Nahash is certainly of the Naga, little else can be said with confidence about their origin. The name they bear is certainly not the one they were hatched with. True Mages are always careful to conceal their True Names, and there is no Bamsam recorded anywhere in the Sabaen Archipelago that carries the name Nahash. Some claim that Sathradin is not truly Naga at all, and has instead transformed themself to assume the appearance of one. Such rumors may reflect little more than a desire to deny that any Naga would willingly side with the Malikate at such a level.

What can be stated with certainty is that al-Nahash presented themself at the Malika's court in the year 3556, scarcely thirty-two years after the founding of the Malikate, seeking formal training in their magical gift. The reaction among the Naga was one of fury. At the time, many believed that a True Mage might restore the Nagarajya, and al-Nahash's decision to join the Malika was viewed as the ultimate betrayal. Sathradin was denounced as a traitor, and more than one attempt was made on their life.

These efforts failed. Sathradin proved more than capable of defending themself against all physical attacks, and then enacted dreadful retribution upon the Bamsams to which the assassins belonged. After a third nest was entirely destroyed in reprisal, further attempts ceased. Nevertheless, al-Nahash remains hated by the Naga above all others, even more so than the Malika of Saba herself.

The Librarian in the Tower

In the centuries since joining the Burj Alhikma, Sathradin al-Nahash has served in many roles within the Malikate. They have acted as a Muhafiz on more than one occasion, assuming command of regions where a firm and uncompromising hand was deemed necessary. They have also led multiple expeditions into the Al-Kubra, returning with strange and occult artifacts drawn from the depths of that arcane dreamland. Such objects are typically hidden from the wider world, though some are known to leak baleful dreams into the city of Tarshish despite all precautions.

Their current position is that of Librarian to the Burj Alhikma. In this role, al-Nahash oversees the care, cataloging, and acquisition of new works for the tower's ever-growing collection. To that end, they have begun employing a number of agents tasked with locating and retrieving specific tomes, instructing them to secure these volumes by any means necessary. These agents have found several works previously thought lost forever - and have also earned the enmity of several librarians around the Great Ring. So far, only the library at Foxbridge College has remained impossible to steal from, due to the presences of the small god known as The Librarian of Foxbridge.