Sam (سام)

Son of Nariman and grandfather of the legendary hero Rostam, Sam served as the primary champion of Iran during the reigns of Fereydun, Manuchehr, and Nowzar. Sam was heartbroken when his son Zal was born with white hair, viewing it as a demon's mark or bad omen. He abandoned the infant on Mount Alborz, where the mythical bird Simurgh raised him. Following a dream and growing guilt, Sam searched for his son and was reunited with him, bringing him back to society as his heir. Sam initially opposes the marriage of Zal to Rudabeh due to her ancestry, as she was a direct descendant of the tyrant Zahak. The king only relented after consulting his wisest astrologers. They prophesied that the child of Zal and Rudabeh would not be a monster, but rather the most glorious hero in Persian history, destined to be the protector of the Iranian crown. They were talking about Rostam. After a long life serving as Iran's champion under kings Fereydun, Manuchehr, and Nowzar, Sam returns to his governate in Mazandaran and dies of natural causes.