View source for Malik el Sami

{{Otheruses4|the [[Chosen]] of [[Cyric]]|other individuals named Malik|Malik (disambiguation)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sami, Malik}}
{{Person
| image          = ElSami.png
| caption        = Malik rides a trusty [[camel]].
| name           = Malik el Sami yn Nasser
| alt_spelling   = 
| titles         = [[Chosen]]<ref name="cru"/><ref name="Sent-p137" />
| aliases        = Mukhtar the Mad,<ref name="cru-p56" /><br />Seraph of Lies,<ref name="cru"/><ref name="Sent-p137" /><br/>Finder of the Book,<ref name="cru"/><br/>Favored of the One,<ref name="d245-p57"/><br/>True Prophet of All Believers<ref name="cru-p378">{{Cite book/Crucible|378}}</ref>
| nicknames      = 
| true name      = 
| home           = [[Calimshan]], [[Lands of Intrigue]]
| formerhomes    = 
| sex            = Male
| gender         = 
| race           = [[Human]]
| ethnicity      = 
| occupation     = Seraph of Lies,<ref name="d245-p57-64"/> spy,<ref name="cru-p2">{{Cite book/Crucible|2}}</ref><br/> writer<ref name="d245-p57-64"/><br/>{{Former}} Merchant<ref name="d245-p57-64"/>
| age            = 
| patron deity   = [[Cyric]]
| languages      = 
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| alignment2e    = [[Chaotic neutral]]
| class2e        = {{Class table|edition=2e|[[Rogue]]|10}}
| refs2e         = <ref name="d245-rg-p67">{{Cite dragon/245/Rogues Gallery: The Heroes of the Trial of Cyric the Mad|67}}</ref>
| alignment3e    = [[Chaotic evil]]
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}}
'''Malik el Sami yn Nasser''', also known as '''Mukhtar the Mad'''<ref name="cru-p56">{{Cite book/Crucible|56}}</ref> and later as the '''Seraph of Lies''',<ref name="Sent-p137">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|137}}</ref> was a former merchant from [[Calimshan]] and a [[Chosen]] of [[Cyric]]. While he lived his first life in the Realms during the 14{{th}} century [[DR]], he was brought back to [[Faerûn]] over a hundred years later, during the time of the [[Second Sundering]].<ref name="Sent-p292">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|292}}</ref>
{{Quote
|The truth belongs to the fast, Malik. Are you fast?
|Cyric<ref name="d245-p57">{{Cite dragon/245/Honest and True|57}}</ref>
}}

==Description==
[[File:MalikRuha.png|thumb|right|273px|Malik uses his roguish skills to hide from his nemesis, Ruha.]]
Malik was {{SI|5.5|ft}} tall, stout and had a soft, pudgy face. His eyes were said to be bulging. He often wore a [[turban]] to disguise his small horns, which were bestowed upon him after becoming Cyric's Seraph of Lies.<ref name="d245-rg-p67"/>

==Abilities==
Before he was a chosen, Malik el Sami developed many skills, including the use of [[dagger]]s, [[whip]]s, [[sling]]s, and [[dart]]s. He always kept a dagger with him, in case he got into close-quarters combat. Malik was a proficient [[thief]], and excelled at climbing walls, picking pockets, and moving silently. Away from combat, el Sami was a skilled handler and rider of both [[camel]]s and [[horse]]s, appraising expensive items, and disguising himself.<ref name="d245-rg-p67"/>

When he became a role player in the competing plots of the gods, Cyric was granted powers far beyond those of other mortals. As a Chosen of Cyric, Malik possessed the ability to immediately tell whenever someone else was speaking a lie,<ref name="Sent-p99">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|99}}</ref> and was given the ability to endure any sort of pain while carrying out his god's will.<ref name="d245-rg-p67"/> 

Ironically, for much of his life he could not tell a lie himself. The second goddess [[Mystra (Midnight)|Mystra]] "cursed" him with the inability to speak untruths, a severe hindrance for the servant of a god that went mad.<ref name="cru-p150-151">{{Cite book/Crucible|150-151}}</ref>

During the [[Trial of Cyric]], and the subsequest trials of Mystra and [[Kelemvor]], the god [[Tyr]] ensured that no harm brought upon Malik could stop his testimony. Malik was made to endure any physical harm to his body and continue on living.<ref name="cru-p96">{{Cite book/Crucible|96}}</ref> Malik began to feel a sense of immortality as continued carrying out the will of Cyric in the Realms.<ref name="cru-p117">{{Cite book/Crucible|117}}</ref>

==Possessions==
As well as his trusty dagger,<ref name="d245-rg-p67"/> Malik was in control of a bestial horse, known as [[Halah]].<ref name="cru-p261">{{Cite book/Crucible|261}}</ref> He later traveled with the kinder and much more graceful [[Kelda]], with whom he was wholly enamored.<ref name="RotA.Sum-p108-109">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Summoning|108-109}}</ref>

After his return to [[Toril]], Malik had in his possession a ratty old cloak with a powerful magical property. Within the cloak was an extra-dimensional space linked to the [[Fugue Plane]]. It was within this space that he could safely carry the ''[[Eye of Gruumsh (relic)|Eye of Gruumsh]]'' when he had the burden of bearing it across the Realms.<ref name="Sent-p183">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|183}}</ref>

==Relationships==
{{Quote|I do not prefer (living alone) at all. You are the best friends I have ever known...at least without paying.|Malik, to Aris and Galaeron.<ref name="RotA.Siege-p345">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Siege|345}}</ref>}}

==History==
===Life as a Merchant===
Malik was born in the city of [[Narjon]] to a mercantile family. His father, however, would not stick around, and Malik would rise to become the patriarch of the family. Malik gained the trust of the caliph, and frequently visited his palace.<ref name="d245-rg-p67"/>

Malik would continue his activities as a merchant in [[Calimport]] until the first prince of the caliph took a liking to his wife, and frequently visited Malik's household. One day, the caliph received a letter from [[Zhentil Keep]] relating the story of the ''[[Cyrinishad]]'' and requested loyal spies to be dispatched to watch over the temples of [[Oghma]] (and his servant gods [[Gond]], [[Milil]] and [[Deneir]]), [[Mystra]] (and her servants [[Azuth]], [[Savras]] and [[Velsharoon]]), and [[Kelemvor]]. The spies were to watch for the appearance of the stolen ''Cyrinishad'', which would be carried by the favored of [[Oghma]], [[Rinda]], who was protected by champion of [[Torm]], [[Gwydion|Gwydion Fleetfoot]].<ref name="cru">{{Cite book/Crucible}}</ref>

===Search for the ''Cyrinishad''===
Malik was appointed as a spy by the caliph, and left his wife in the tender care of the prince. He traveled the [[Western Heartlands]] for three years disguised as a humble beggar. Living outside of the great fortress-library of [[Candlekeep]] under the alias Mukhtar,<ref name="cru-p56" /> Malik lived a squalid life for the good of his church. However, Malik's determination would not falter, and he eventually spotted the bearers of the ''Cyrinishad''. After a run-in with Rinda and Gwydion, he made his escape and informed the church of his sighting of the legendary ''Cyrinishad''. Malik el Sami yn Nasser became the "Finder of the Book" and was raised to a high position within the [[Church of Cyric]]. However, the two leading generals of the church would eventually be drawn into a fight with each other, which resulted in an inter-church war. Malik, keeping his faith to Cyric, would gather the weapons of the generals, and raised them into the air in the midst of battle. Cyric noticed the faithful Malik, and would set him on the task of entering Candlekeep and receiving the holy ''Cyrinishad''.<ref name="cru"/>

After cleverly making his way into the great library, Malik gained the attention of the [[Harper]] witch, [[Ruha]]. The diligent Malik would not, however, give up his search of the holy tome. Continuing on his search, he managed to locate the holy text, though it was guarded by Gwydion the Quick. A battle ensued, and though he was unable to acquire the holy tome, he grabbed Rinda's journal and leaped out of the building.<ref name="cru"/>

===Search for ''The True Life''===
A confrontation with the gods themselves would occur next, for Malik would become an observer of the Trial of Cyric, and he was granted the protection of [[Tyr]]. Malik el Sami realised that Cyric had gone truly mad after the god himself had read the ''Cyrinishad''. The smart el Sami, however, had a plan. In order to cure Cyric's madness, Malik attempted to get his hands on ''[[The True Life of Cyric]]'', a tome that revealed the truth of Cyric's life. Betraying Cyric for his own good, Malik began his journey to [[Zhentil Keep]] to find the other tome, though Ruha would be in quick pursuit. Though a daunting task, it would become even more difficult as [[Mystra]] had placed a permanent truth [[spell]] on him.<ref name="cru"/>

[[File:Malik el Sami crucible.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Malik el Sami, Cyric's Seraph of Lies.]]
Finally reaching Zhentil Keep, or what remained of it, Malik convened with a local Cyricist sect. After reading part of Rinda's journal, he planned to meet with [[Fzoul Chembryl]], but would be captured and tortured. Once more, Malik would find a way out of his situation and recover ''The True Life of Cyric''. Being called back to the Pavilion of [[Cynosure]], he read from the newly recovered book, and cured Cyric of his madness. Due to Malik's efforts, the Prince of Lies would retain his divinity, and he would make Malik his Seraph of Lies.<ref name="cru"/>

===Honest and True===
As Cyric's Seraph of Lies, Malik would gain two small horns that protruded from the top of his head. He ventured to [[Still Harbor Press]] of [[Waterdeep]] to get his account book printed, which would be titled ''[[An Honest and True Account of the Trial of Cyric the Mad, or How Our Dark Lord Saved Faerûn (Again)]]''. However, the scribe, [[Bowden Boniface]], refused to publish it. After leaving the publishing office, el Sami would turn to face Ruha, his arch-nemesis. Malik immediately ran away from the witch, but was discovered. After besting her in close-quarters combat, he headed to the [[Red Bucket Inn]].<ref name="d245-p57-64">{{Cite dragon/245/Honest and True|57-64}}</ref>

To Malik's surprise, Cyric would confront him in the inn. The One informed Malik that the [[Oghmanyte]]s of Still Harbor Press had decided to publish their own version of the Trial of Cyric, in opposition to Malik's book. Malik's new mission was clear: publish his version of events before the rival company did! Spending his nights rewriting the pages lost in the chase, Malik ventured to [[Black Tiger Folios]] to get his book printed. However, Malik would not journey there alone, for he would again by followed by the meddling Harper, Ruha. The Harper had wished to find out the location of the ''Cyrinishad'' from the writings of Malik, and attempted to make a deal with the publisher. Another fight erupted, and the scribe lay dead. Malik was left to meet with the last scribe in the city, [[Aldo Manley]].<ref name="d245-p57-64"/>

===Return of the Archwizards===
{{Quote|I am a man of many Interests, and magic is among them, for my master –|Malik, to [[Melegaunt Tanthul]].<ref name="RotA.Sum-p107">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Summoning|107}}</ref>}}
As of the {{YearlinkName|1371}}, Malik was found wandering the [[Greypeak Mountains]] atop his horse [[Kelda]] near the [[stone giant|giant]] settlement of [[Thousand Faces]]. He joined with a band of travelers composed the [[shadow mage]] [[Melegaunt Tanthul]], [[Evereskan tomb guardian|tomb guardian]] [[Galaeron Nihmedu]], [[Vala Thorsdotter]] and her [[Vaasan]] warriors, just before they adopted to their group the [[stone giant]] artist [[Aris (giant)|Aris]].<ref name="RotA.Sum-p105-116">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Summoning|105-116}}</ref> They traveled through the [[High Forest]] to [[Karse]],<ref name="RotA.Sum-p124">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Summoning|124}}</ref> in search of the ''[[Karsestone]]'', an artifact that was crucial to the survival of Melegaunt's people on [[Toril]]. During their journey Malik proved to be a continual source of misfortune, inadvertently marking their path through the forest while under the effects of [[beholder]] [[charm]] magic,<ref name="RotA.Sum-p159">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Summoning|159}}</ref> and by means of Mystra's curse, letting slip the true nature ''Karsestone'' to the mad [[half-golem]] [[Jingleshod]] and bringing on his wrath.<ref name="RotA.Sum-p252">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Summoning|252}}</ref> Malik began to see opportunity with the ''Karsestone'' and began coveting it on behalf of Cyric.<ref name="RotA.Sum-p250">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Summoning|250}}</ref>

While he was unable to retrieve the ''Karsestone'' just, Malik kept close tabs on when he and his traveling companions relocated to the returned [[Netherese enclave]] of [[Thultanthar]]. It was there within the flying [[shade]] city when Malik was abruptly reunited with his former tormentor, the Bedine witch Ruha.<ref name="RotA.Siege-p288-292">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Siege|288-292}}</ref> After mutual hostilities were expressed to one another, both Ruha and Malik agreed to not assault the other out of deference to [[Shadovar]] law.<ref name="RotA.Siege-p294-295">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Siege|294-295}}</ref> When Galaeron became intent on leaving Thultanthar, and Aris insisted on following him, Malik orchestrated a scene that would allow his friends to flee the city to [[Anauroch]] below—and unbeknownst to them—would rid him of the Harper witch. He made it appear as if Ruha had blasted Aris off Thultanthar to his death, while Malik himself remained holding on for dear life. Even Malik's truth-telling curse was not enough to unravel his charade; when he blurted out the overly-elaborate scheme it appeared too farcical for the Shadovar.<ref name="RotA.Siege-p356-360">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Siege|356-360}}</ref>

When Malik was brought before the Most High [[Telamont Tanthul]],<ref name="RotA.Siege-p356-360" /> he was received not as the fool or fiendish criminal he had proven himself in the past, but as a trusted advisor that would always speak truth to his lord.<ref name="RotA.Siege-p449-453">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Siege|449-453}}</ref><ref name="RotA.Siege-p481-482">{{Cite book/Return of the Archwizards/The Siege|481-482}}</ref>

According to his own account, Malik was left to languish on the Fugue Plane for over a century after his death, where he was tortured hunted by [[devil]]s and other fiends.<ref name="Sent-p147">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|147}}</ref>

===Stopping Shar===
[[File:Malik el Sami.png|thumb|right|Malik in the 15{{th}} century [[DR]].]]
As the [[Second Sundering]] reshaped the face of the Realms, in the {{YearlinkName|1486}}, Cyric brought Malik back to [[Toril]] and tasked Malik with aiding the [[heartwarder]] [[Joelle Emmeline]] in her mission to carry the ''Eye of Gruumsh'' from the [[Stonelands]] of [[Cormyr]] to a temple of [[Grumbar]] in the [[Underchasm]],<ref name="Sent-p194">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|194}}</ref> and prevent it from falling to the clutches of [[Shar]].<ref name="Sent-p291-295" /> In order to gain Joelle's trust, he hid his veneration of Cyric and masqueraded as the chosen of [[Myrkul]].<ref name="Sent-p270">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|270}}</ref>

After their journey through the [[Chondalwood]],<ref name="Sent-p190">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|190}}</ref> Cyric appeared to Malik as a visage set into a dead tree.<ref name="Sent-p193">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|193}}</ref> While the Prince of Lies originally wished for Malik to slay only Joelle at their moment of victory,<ref name="Sent-p194">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|194}}</ref> the discovery of two other chosen in [[Kleef Kenric]] and [[Arietta Seasilver]] altered the plan somewhat. Cyric ordered Malik to murder all three of his traveling companions, and bestowed upon him a magical black [[dagger]] tainted with divine power.<ref name="Sent-p196-197">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|196-197}}</ref> Like so many times in his life, Malik was ultimately unsuccessful. He was apprehended by Kleef and Arietta and left to the mercy of [[Gingrid]] and the [[zombie]]s of [[Sadrach's Spire]].<ref name="Sent-p291-295">{{Cite book/The Sentinel/Hardcover|291-295}}</ref>

==Appendix==
{{Incomplete|This article needs information from ''[[The Siege]]'' and ''[[The Sorcerer]]''.}}
===Appearances===
{{Appearances
| novels              = ''[[Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad]]'';[[Return of the Archwizards]] <small>(''[[The Summoning]]'';''[[The Siege (Return of the Archwizards)|The Siege]]'';''[[The Sorcerer]]'')</small>;''[[The Sentinel]]''
| novel refs          = ''[[Death of the Dragon]]''
}}


===Gallery===
<gallery widths="400px">
Community-Page-Header.jpg|The characters of [[The Sundering (series)|The Sundering series]] by [[Tyler Jacobson]]<br />(Malik pictured far right)
</gallery>
===References===
{{refs}}

[[Category:Humans]]
[[Category:Calishites]]
[[Category:Chosen of Cyric]]
[[Category:Chosen]]
[[Category:Merchants]]
[[Category:Writers]]
[[Category:Seraphs]]
[[Category:Worshipers of Cyric]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Calimshan]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of the Lands of Intrigue]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Candlekeep]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of the Sword Coast]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of the Western Heartlands]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of West Faerûn]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Thultanthar]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Anauroch]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of North Faerûn]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Faerûn]]
[[Category:Inhabitants of Toril]]
[[Category:Inhabitants]]