The Genesis of Zahard
From outsiders to gods: the forging of the Tower's iron cage.
The Genesis of Zahard is the Tower's foundational myth—a raw, untamed epoch when a band of outsiders shattered the silence of the lower floors and remade the world in their image. Led by the iron-willed Zahard, he and his thirteen companions—including the ten future Great Family heads and the wielders of three legendary weapons—entered the Tower from beyond, driven not by destiny but by sheer ambition to conquer its endless mysteries. Their climb transformed them from mortals into immortal tyrants, culminating in Zahard's self-coronation as King and the imposition of a rigid order that has choked the Tower's freedom for millennia.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Foundational era of the Tower's history
- Affiliation
- Zahard Empire, Great Families
- First appears
- Referenced throughout the series, notably in flashbacks and lore dumps
- Status
- Concluded with Zahard's ascension to King
Lore & Background
The Genesis of Zahard begins when a group of outsiders, led by a charismatic figure named Zahard, entered the Tower. They were accompanied by thirteen companions, including the heads of what would become the Ten Great Families, such as Arie Hon, Khun Eduan, and Ha Yurin. Together, they climbed the Tower, unlocking its secrets and gaining immense power, eventually reaching the top. This journey was marked by the creation of the 13 Month Series, a set of powerful weapons tied to Zahard's rule, and the establishment of the Zahard Empire, which imposed a strict hierarchy and halted further climbing.
Reader's Guide
The Genesis of Zahard is the origin story of the Tower's current ruling order. It details how Zahard and his thirteen companions entered the Tower as outsiders and climbed to its peak, becoming the most powerful beings within. This period saw the formation of the Ten Great Families, each led by one of Zahard's original allies, and the creation of the 13 Month Series, a set of weapons that symbolize the King's authority. The Genesis ended with Zahard declaring himself King and halting further climbing, establishing a system of tests and ranks that persists today. This era is crucial for understanding the Tower's politics, the Great Families' rivalries, and the mystery surrounding Zahard's motives. Key figures like the heads of the Khun, Arie, and Ha families trace their power and status back to this time, making it a foundational myth for the entire series.
Did You Know?
- The 13 Month Series includes weapons like the Black March and Green April, each tied to a specific Great Family or princess candidate.
- Zahard's decision to stop climbing after the 134th floor is a central mystery, with theories suggesting fear of what lies above or a desire to maintain control.
- The Ten Great Families are named after their founders, such as Khun, Arie, Ha, and Lo Po Bia, who were among Zahard's original companions.
- The Genesis era is often romanticized in Tower folklore, but it also sowed the seeds for conflicts like the Hidden Floor arc, where Zahard's past is explored.
More in lore
Elsewhere in Tower of God
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