Azzanadra

Azzanadra, known as Dr Nabanik in his human form, is a Zarosian Mahjarrat currently active in Gielinor, and amongst the most powerful in the race's history. After being brought to Gielinor by the Menaphite deity Icthlarin in the early Second Age, Azzanadra and the rest of the Mahjarrat race served the Menaphite people of the Kharidian Desert, until eventually switching their allegiance to the god Zaros.

Following the rebellion of Zamorak and his acquisition of godhood, Azzanadra was one of few Mahjarrat to remain overtly Zarosian in the race's coming schism. During the God Wars, he worked to maintain what little power Zaros' followers managed to retain as the Third Age began. Despite accomplishing such feats as single-handedly defeating Thammaron's forces at Uzer, Azzanadra's efforts were largely futile, and he was eventually imprisoned by Zamorakians cooperating with Saradominists in the Jaldraocht Pyramid near Menaphos.

During the Desert Treasure quest, Azzanadra is freed by the player, although his thousands of years in confinement have left him weak and disorientated. During the The Temple at Senntisten quest, Azzanadra takes on a human form in which he refers to himself as Dr Nabanik. With the player's aid, Azzanadra manages to re-establish contact with Zaros through the temple beneath the Digsite east of Varrock, evidently as part of the events preceding the 18th Ritual of Rejuvenation in The North.

Arrival in Gielinor
Virtually nothing is known about Azzanadra's life in Freneskae, but it's known he was brought to Gielinor by Icthlarin, a Menaphite deity, son of Tumeken and Elidinis, whose sister, Amascut, became disturbed by witnessing the terrible destruction wrought by the Mahjarrat. Even then, Azzanadra was extremely powerful. Of all the Mahjarrat, he was surpassed only by Zamorak in strength, making him both feared and respected by his kin. The Mahjarrat remained under Icthlarin's control and valiantly defended the Kharidian Plains, most prominently from the advancing armies of the Empty Lord. At the peak of his power, after a ritual, Azzanadra would have been able to wipe out entire battalions of opponents by himself, making him a valued protector of the Menaphites.

Joining Zaros' side
Azzanadra and the other Mahjarrat eventually joined Zaros. Zaros saw their usefulness and soon established a large kingdom that included the entire Wilderness, then known as Forinthry, Asgarnia, Misthalin, Uzer and north-western Hallowland.

Azzanadra then became his champion, thanks to both his power and intense loyalty. Azzanadra also talks about Icthlarin and Zaros. "Also no one "stole" the Mahjarrat from anyone. The Mahjarrat will align themselves with the God of the path that they feel fit. Icthlarin was a fool who thought he could control us, but he never had the influence that he thought. When Zaros found us we no longer needed Icthlarin, for we had found in Zaros, not only one of great power, but also a god who truly understood the ways of the Mahjarrat."— Azzanadra

Betrayal of Zamorak
Zamorak, then-Mahjarrat who was a general of Zaros, planned to overthrow his lord. It's likely that Azzanadra and the other Mahjarrat loyal to Zaros were unaware of the plan at that time.

Systematically, Zamorak dispatched Zaros's strongest warriors, an example being the backstabbing of Char, whom he severely wounded and poisoned during a battle against the forces of Seren. It is unknown how or if he tried to get rid of Azzanadra. Eventually, the Staff of Armadyl fell into the hands of Zamorak, who intended to use it to attain godhood. Zamorak also obtained of the Stone of Jas, which would play an important role in his plans later on.

Zamorak, along with his allies, Lord Drakan, Thammaron, Zemouregal, Hazeel and Viggora, amongst others, fought Zaros' bodyguards outside. It is possible that Azzanadra was one of them. Eventually, through pure luck, Zamorak impaled Zaros with the staff during a one on one battle in Zaros' stronghold, but Zaros still stood. However, Zaros then tripped and fell over, impaling Zamorak with the other end of staff and channelling Zaros' godly power into Zamorak. While Zaros faded from existence, but just before he disappeared completely, he cursed Zamorak and all who took part in his fall. Zamorak, being a god, was immune to the effect and the Mahjarrat, with their immense magical power, were seemingly immune to it too. The humans that took part in the betrayal were cursed to roam the Shadow Realm, as is revealed during The Curse of Zaros. The gods banished Zamorak from Gielinor for defeating a higher entity than him (even though Zaros was feared by them all), but he eventually returned.

The God Wars
Zamorak, who wanted to get the Stone back, eventually returned as a god, for he could use his new powers to overcome his banishment. Zamorak declared war on the other gods, and the God Wars soon broke out. Azzanadra, along with others that had remained loyal to Zaros, used the Temple beneath Senntisten, to pray and communicate with Zaros.

As the Wars raged on, Zamorakian and Saradominist forces started tearing down all the Zarosian fortresses and the remaining Zarosians. Around the middle of God Wars, Uzer was attacked by the Elder demon Thammaron, though the golem forces of Uzer, led by Queen Senliten, quickly defeated much of Thammaron's army, even wounding Thammaron himself which eventually caused his death. Azzanadra single-handedly eradicated the remaining forces of Thammaron.

Saradominists and Zamorakians, having seen how powerful Azzanadra was, joined forces in an attempt to eradicate Zaros' champion. Azzanadra defended himself but was eventually defeated and, still in battle gear, imprisoned in the heart of Jaldraocht Pyramid where his power was bound into four diamonds, each of which was guarded by a powerful Zamorakian warrior, scattered around the world. Despite attempts, Azzanadra was not able to escape and gradually lost track of time.

Release from Jaldraocht


Azzanadra, having spent approximately 3000 years in the pyramid, was released by an adventurer who was enlisted by the desert bandits - some of the only remaining Zarosians - to find the four diamonds, promising that great treasure awaited them.

With the help of the desert bandit Eblis and his magical mirrors and at the thought of treasure in the pyramid, the adventurer set of and defeated three of the guardians in the most inhospitable of places, with the fourth guardian, the vampyre noble Malak, giving the 4th diamond himself after the adventurer killed Dessous, a rival vampyre lord.

The adventurer eventually put the diamonds in place in the pyramid's spires and after a perilous journey through its halls, they made it inside to the pyramid's central room where they met Azzanadra, who was in a ghost-like form. Azzanadra, who lost track of time as the years passed, believed that the God Wars still raged, and was shocked to hear that they had ended long ago and resulted in almost complete Zarosian extermination and that he could no longer hear Zaros' voice in his mind. Azzanadra, for their efforts, rewarded the adventurer by teaching them the Zarosian Ancient Magicks. He then left to search for any remaining allies.

Re-establishing contact with Zaros
During The Temple at Senntisten, Azzanadra disguises himself as an archaeologist named Dr Nabanik working at the Digsite south-east of Varrock. Nabanik was first mentioned when replying to a question directed at Jhallan in the 41st issue of Postbag from the Hedge, long before the The Temple at Senntisten was released. During the letter, he appears to be keen to show off his knowledge, offering to answer a player question on the Mahjarrat's ritual. He claims that a Fremennik actually witnessed the ritual taking place, although he did not know it.

Nabanik's true identity is revealed during The Temple at Senntisten, from which point on he is referred to as Azzanadra even though he remains in his human form. He can be found at the Digsite, where he will recruit the player into getting artefacts for him in order to restore The Zaros temple.

Azzanadra under the alias of Dr Nabanik has given off hints to a future quest after a reply to Xp5 Chaos in Postbag from the Hedge: "As to why you have yet to find me at the Digsite... Well, I'm keeping a bit of a low profile at the moment, because the project I'm working on is a bit hush-hush. It's only a restoration - of sorts - but I could do with someone who has influence with the other archaeologists at the Digsite...a 'man on the inside', if you will. It seems you may well fit the bill, what with your links to both Ali the Wise and the Digsite. I shall seek council with Ali and may well be requesting your aid in the near future."

The 18th Ritual of Rejuvenation
During the quest Ritual of the Mahjarrat, Azzanadra participates in the 18th Ritual of Rejuvenation, preparing special beacons to be able to summon Zaros' power so he can kill Lucien and end his threat to Gielinor. When the ritual begins, he initially does not specifically state who should be sacrificed but eventually sides with his fellow Zarosian Mahjarrat in saying that Lucien should be the sacrifice. When a fight breaks out amongst the Mahjarrat over who should be sacrificed, Azzanadra takes on Zemouregal in a fight during which Azzanadra seems to have the upper-hand, even more so when Arrav is released from Zemouregal's control and begins to attack his old master. After Lucien refuses to help him, Zemouregal turns on Lucien and convinces everyone else to do the same, prompting Azzanadra to join the others in attacking Lucien.

When the time for the Ritual arrives, Jhallan is ultimately sacrificed. After being rejuvenated, Azzanadra uses the beacons to summon Zaros' power and then casts a lightning-like spell that damages Lucien for over 9001 of his lifepoints and another similar attack that causes well past 4000 lifepoints of damage which even Lucien admits that he felt. With only a quarter of his lifepoints left and understanding the danger he is in, he brings in the Stone of Jas to enhance his power, but he is stopped by the Dragonkin, who ultimately kill him by stabbing the broken Staff of Armadyl deep into his chest. After Lucien's death, very content but rather shaken, Azzanadra teleports away to the Senntisten Temple.

Nullifying the Edicts
Azzanadra appeared along with Akthankos, Wahisietel, Sliske, Nex and Char during the Attempt to assassinate Guthix.

Trivia

 * Azzanadra is often said to be much more powerful than the other Mahjarrat, despite the fact that he was imprisoned for many thousands of years. This is supported by the fact that he is able to summon Zaros' power and nearly kill Lucien, despite only just undergoing the Ritual. He also single-handedly destroyed the great army of Thammaron, during the invasion of Uzer in the Third Age. This is reinforced by Mod Osborne's Lore Campfire, where it is revealed that only Zamorak exceeded Azzanadra in strength.
 * In Postbag from the Hedge 42, when Azzanadra was disguised as Dr. Nabanik, he jokes that he is a Mahjarrat. During The Temple at Senntisten, it is revealed that this is actually the truth.
 * Also in Postbag from the Hedge 42, Dr. Nabanik mentioned that he had "spent some time in the pyramids." This is obviously a joke to his imprisonment by the Zamorak and Saradomin forces back in the God Wars.
 * All of Azzanadra's guises seem to feature twin prongs on his head. Even as Dr. Nabanik, he has two feathers where the usual horns should be.
 * Azzanadra's name is similar to one of the names of the Zoroastrian (which in itself is similar to "Zarosian") creator deity, Ahura Mazda.
 * When talking to the Archaeologist after completing Desert Treasure, the player refers to Azzanadra as a demon rather than a mahjarrat. However, this is an easy mistake to make for someone who have never seen a mahjarrat before, they are shapeshifters anyway, and Azzanadra isn't in the mahjarrat default form when he is released.