Zandramas

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Zandramas is a character in the fictional fantasy series The Malloreon by David Eddings. She is a powerful sorceress and a Grolim priestess.

Zandramas began her career as a simple Grolim priestess in her native land of Darshiva, a province in the Melcene Empire. It is told, however, that she went mad and disappeared into the jungle. It is thought that during this time Zandramas succeeded Torak as the Child of the Dark, the instrument of the Dark Prophecy.

Interestingly, "Zandramas" is actually a curse in the Ulgo language. It basically equates to "chaos and disorder".

Originally, Eddings had first written Zandramas into the story during a meeting between some of the world's leaders. This was changed early on, however.

Zandramas makes her first appearance in the story when she appears to Eriond (then still known as Errand). She threatens him and then vanishes. She also appears in the form of a possessed Ce'Nedra. Zandramas continues to possess Ce'Nedra until she accidentally reveals her identity, allowing her to be barred from possessing her.

Zandramas later kidnaps Garion's son, Geran. At first, Garion and his companions believe that the kidnapping was done by the Bear Cult. In response, Garion summons the armies of the Alorns and marches on their stronghold. Upon defeating them, Garion realizes that the Cult did not have his son and that is was instead done by Zandramas.

Garion and his companions then proceed to chase Zandramas across the world. At every turn, she is able to delay them with her machinations. This is all part of her plan to prevent them from reaching Korim for the final Event, for she believes that should Garion not be present for the Event, she would win by default. This effort ultimately proves futile, as the Prophecies would not allow either side to be absent.

It is during the pursuit that the true motives behind the kidnapping become apparent. Rather than simply denying Garion his heir, Zandramas attempts to use Geran to become the ultimate Child of the Dark, able to wield both the Orb and the Sardion.

The group finally comes face to face with Zandramas for the final event at Korim. When Cyradis chooses Eriond over Geran, Zandramas and the Sardion turn into a collection of stars and race into the sky. They then replace the stars that were initially destroyed in the accident that created the two purposes.

Zandramas was a very talented, powerful, and intelligent adversary. She is seen by many to be the mirror image of Polgara, though Polgara bested her on several occasions.