Zaj Quiroz

Zaj Quiroz (ザジ・キュイロス, Zaji Kyuirosu), also known by the alias Thanatos Crawford (サナトス・クロフオード, Sanatosu Kurofuōdo), is the main antagonist of Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1 and Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2. Zaj is a survivor of Harmonian annexation who burns with hatred for his conquerors.

Zaj Quiroz {{{jpname}}}, {{{roname}}}
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Age	22 (G1 & G2)
From	Sanadia, Holy Kingdom of Harmonia
Appears in

Biography

Gensosuikogaiden Volume 1

Zaj had an unhappy childhood, due to the annexation of his country, Sanadia, by the Holy Kingdom of Harmonia. As the country had resisted Harmonian invasion, Zaj, like all Sanadia children, was taken to be raised as a third class adopted child in Harmonia. This left Zaj with a burning desire for vengeance against Harmonia. First, he entered the Howling Voice Guild to learn the ways of violence as a squire-class gunner. His ultimate goal was to gain influence in both the Harmonian government and the Howling Voice Guild, allowing him to create a climate of fear and power.

He would manoeuvre himself into the most influential noble family in Harmonia, the Latkje household, as a tutor. Dedicated to his goal, he altered himself entirely; his name, Zaj, hair colour and personality as a tutor were all false. Worming his way into the family's good graces, he would eventually become engaged to Julie Latkje. He poisoned Julie's father through his guild poisons, thus getting him closer to a position of power in the household. However, when Nash, who had also spent time in the guild, uncovered his plot, he attacked Zaj on the eve of his wedding to Julie and fled, leaving him for dead.

Although Zaj was thought to be dead from the poison of the Twin Snake Sword Großer Fluss, he managed to survive thanks to the remedies of the Howling Voice Guild. Harbouring intense hatred towards Nash, Zaj manipulated events in Highland to have Nash wanted by the Highland Army. He had hoped to make it look like Nash had bungled his mission, getting him killed in action. When this plan failed, he confronted Nash in Greenhill City, looking forward to the day he would return to Crystal Valley.

Gensosuikogaiden Volume 2

Many, including Julie, thought Zaj dead. However, Zaj survived and stepped back into the shadows, using the Howling Voice Guild to attempt to avenge his wounds at Nash's hands. He also began to cultivate a new identity for himself, allowing himself to re-enter Harmonian politics under the alias of Thanatos Crawford.

As Crawford, he would become the head of Harmonia's Temple Faction and would confront Julie, announcing that their wedding was back on. However, Nash returned to Crystal Valley and, after continuously escaping his henchmen, Zaj would confront him face-to-face at Klotzeo Church. There, he fought a fierce battle but was defeated and killed by Nash in a final duel.

References

1. Gensosuikoden Encyclopaedia (ISBN 4-575-16297-3), pages 115-116
2. Gensosuikoden Kiwami Encyclopedia, pages 252-253