Zak
| Zak | |||||
 Zak, from Ultima Underworld | |||||
| Species: | human | ||||
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Mad Zak the outcast is one of the inhabitants of the Abyss colony whose mind broke under the horrible conditions in which he had been subjected to. He appears in Ultima Underworld.
Description[edit]
Zak used to be one of the Knights of the Crux Ansata, but then got captured by Tyball. While only spending a short time being tormented by the mage before being set free, the horrors he witnessed caused his mind to break and he developed an almost lethal fear of the darkness and obsessively collected light sources to keep the darkness at bay.
When the Avatar found Zak on the third level of the Abyss, he at first had little to relay to the Avatar apart from his obsession. Later, the Avatar learned from Trisch that Zak had stolen the Taper of Sacrifice from the Knights of the Crux Ansata. After returning to Zak, the hungry man agreed to exchange the Taper for some fish. After hearing from Delanrey that Zak had her candelabra, the Avatar told her of having met Zak and where he could be found.
Most likely Garamon rescued him when he teleported everyone out of the doomed colony.
Known Crimes[edit]
- Theft of candles from the bandits on the third level
| “ | The crazy one to the north has stolen many types of lights, including our candles! – from the head bandit (Ultima Underworld I)
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- Theft of light sources and a taper from Trisch Wender on the fourth level
| “ | But one day a man arrived at one of our guard posts. He ranted and raved, but we let him in, as common courtesy dictates, of course. He started running about and grabbing candles and such. We were all too shocked to respond. Then he grabbed the Taper itself and ran off. By the time we were in armor and ready to give chase we had lost him. A tragedy it was. – from Trisch Wender (Ultima Underworld I)
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- Theft of a Candelabra from Delanrey on the sixth level
| “ | I have not been able to find another candelabra like the one he stole from me. – from Delanrey (Ultima Underworld I)
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| “ | I don't know his real name, but he has come to be known simply as Zak. He was a Knight, I understand, before finding something in his adventures that caused him to lose his sanity. Recently he wandered by and made off with my candelabra. I don't expect ever to see it again. I hear that he also stole from the Knights some candle that they value highly. – from Delanrey (Ultima Underworld I)
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Lore[edit]
| “ | In this area you might find Zak. Zak was a knight, and then, for a time, my toy; I taught him how many horrors darkness could contain. Naturally, his mind snapped. Today, all he does is collect lights, lamps, torches, tapers, anything to keep the darkness at bay - testimony to my (ahem) brilliance. Recently, I visited him to remind him of the true meaning of blackness and fear, and was amused to see that among his collection of lights was Sir Cabirus' own Taper of Sacrifice. Imagine it - such a powerful talisman for good, now used as a night-light by an aged madman. This so swelled my heart with pride that I have left it with him. |
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Trivia[edit]
- In the Ultima Underworld Clue Book, Tyball admits that it was him who had implanted this fear of darkness into Zak.
- Delanrey's candelabra is no longer with Zak, as he has disposed of it.
- With his self-professed fear of the dark it is curious as to why he doesn't have a campfire going as most other inhabitants do.
- Delanrey referes to him as a knight, as does Tyball in the Ultima Underworld Clue Book, however Trisch of the Knights of the Crux Ansata speaks of him as a stranger. It's possible he is mistaken for a knight, or is/was a knight of a different order.