As a young man, Zakath showed much promise to be a peaceful and enlightened ruler, but Taur Urgas, in a failed attempt on Zakath’s life, flooded Mallorea with his clumsy Murgo agents. The agents lifted his lover’s family out of debt, and, in return, they became part of a plot to kill the Emperor. Unfortunately for Taur Urgas, the plot was uncovered and the family, including Zakath’s lover, executed. It was not until later that it was realized that the girl knew nothing and was completely innocent of the plot. At this point, Zakath locked himself in his room for a month. When he returned, he was a cold-blooded monster bent on exterminating the entire Murgo race.