Marid
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In Arabic folklore, a Marid (Arabic : مارد ), in common mythology, is a djinn associated with open waters of the Seas and Oceans where it finds sanctuary. Marids are mentioned in the Qur'an (in Sura As-Saaffat:7 (37:7): And to guard against every rebellious (Marid) devil.), as well as pre-Islamic Arabian mythology and throughout Asia.
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[edit] Mythology
Marids are often described as the most powerful type of djinn, having especially great powers. They are the most arrogant and proud as well. Like every djinn, they have free will yet could be compelled to perform chores. They also have the ability to grant wishes to mortals, but that usually requires battle, and according to some sources imprisonment, rituals, or just a great deal of flattery.
[edit] Marid in modern literature
Marids were recently mentioned in modern literature in Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy. Further, they are considered the most powerful of all of the Demon classes that are generally accessed by magicians. References to marids were sparse in the books. In the books, Gladstone's Staff was said to possess at least two marids' worth of Power. Also Bartimaeus described them as leaving a trail of Power like sludge. Both references mentioned are located in The Golem's Eye. Marids were also mentioned in the P. B. Kerr's Children of the Lamp children's book series as the most powerful tribe of djinn who presided over good luck.
[edit] Marid in video games
Marid is one of the elemental enemies in the video game Vagrant Story. Its appearance resembles that of a bluish humanoid with fins and webbed feet, and wears a distinct coned-shaped headgear on its head. Marids are also included in Microsoft's "Rise of Nations:Rise of Legends." They are bluish colored genies which hurl spheres of elemental energy at their enemies.
Marid, on the other hand, has appeared as a playable elemental character in the SNES game, "Arcana", which was also known as "Card Master: the Seal of Rimsala". Marid also appears as a mini-boss in the game which you must defeat in order to let her join the team. She happens to be the main healer of the group, and is thus effective in confronting high-powered villains in the game.
