Phao

Origin

Scheming to take his brother’s throne, Phao gets rid of the only child by selling her, Malu, into slavery.

Creation

Drawn by Howard Larsen.

Major Story Arcs

Realizing too late that he cannot take the throne without a signet possessed by Malu, Phao hires Tal Azmut and his bandits to look for Malu and take the ring. Phao hears after some years that Malu is returning home and Tal Azmut’s men have failed. (They all die at the hands of Malu’s guardian, Garth.) Phao sends out a troop to waylay Malu and Garth. Malu is sold into slavery and Garth is taken captive. Phao gets the ring.

Garth manages to escape and save Malu and he presents her to her father the King of Ormuz. Phao, however, demands proof, knowing full well that he has the proof in his possession. When Garth tries to convince the king that Malu really is his daughter, Phao produces a man who swears that Malu had been his slave for many years prior. Phao is granted the privilege of deserting Malu in the sea while retaining Garth as a slave on Phao’s ship.

Aboard the ship, Phao elects to keep Malu as his personal slave while Garth gets shackled to the oars. When pirates attack the ship, Phao has to deal with the pirates and a freed bunch of slaves. He ends up facing Garth, who demands the royal signet be returned to Malu. Phao flees and climbs the mast of his ship. Garth follows. Phao begs for his life and promises to return the signet. Garth grabs the ring and Phao decides to jump from the mast while trying to take Garth down with him. The plan fails and Phao falls solo to his death.