Khuzaima al-Zuhra (concept)
Khuzaima al-Zuhra was born to the al-Zuhra family, the traditional rulers of Dozzan. A staunch Ritualist of the Sophocist sect, he was the leader of the Black Confederation and charged himself with pushing the Wardenites east and reclaiming lost Ritualist territory. He has had the distinction of being one of the few truly successful Ritualist warlords, and he has been compared to Usun Bishabelik, though among Ritualist circles it is a comparison of what Usun might have been had he not turned into a traitor.
He is best known for his usage and encouragement of zealous warrior-cults, sponsoring the growth of the Zatani'a in particular, naming the Zatani'a warrior Fihr ibn Kilab ibn Zayd prime among his Mubaaizun. While Fihr gained a reputation of being invincible and was worshiped as a demigod, Khuzaima was renowned for his strategic acumen and his eye for talent. His most successful battle was the Battle of the Mubaaizun, where Fihr managed to slay the opposing Wardenite army's champions and its commander, though in the following combat Khuzaima was thrown off his horse and broke his leg so badly that he walked with a limp thereafter. Enjoying several more victories, he moved to liberate the city of Sulaymaniyan from Wardenite rule and restore it to its Suleimani'a rulers. However, during the Battle of Sulaymaniyan he was shot in the throat by a Wardenite archer identified as Haziz ibn Qareh.
After his death, Fihr died of grief or fell upon his own sword, while Khuzaima's remaining Mubaaizun perished in battle. Khuzaima's son, Abd-Hubar ibn Khuzaima, swore an oath to kill a thousand Wardenites to avenge his father.