Zehir Zaganos is a tall yet slender man with a somewhat disheveled appearance. He has short, wavy purple hair that is often unkempt, with stray strands falling across his face. Combined with his narrow, slanted eyes and a perpetually stern expression, Zaganos frequently gives off an unsettling presence.

In contrast to Mahmut’s more colorful and practical attire, Zaganos prefers long, flowing garments in dark tones. He typically wears a black inner shirt paired with a deep purple robe, contributing to his austere and mysterious image. During formal occasions, like other Turkmen officials, he dons a traditional black turban adorned with a peacock feather. The feather is held in place by a plume holder commonly a spoon or bork positioned at the front as an ornamental piece.

Zehir Zaganos is characterized by his aloof and calculating nature. He places a strong emphasis on logic, strategy, and precision, often appearing detached from emotional considerations. Zaganos strives for perfection in every situation, prioritizing rational solutions over sentimental impulses.

During the events of the Hisar Rebellion arc, he expresses his inability to comprehend Mahmut’s reckless yet effective actions, which ultimately resolved the crisis despite Zaganos’s carefully constructed plans failing. While he initially dismisses the value of emotion-driven decision-making, he later demonstrates a more nuanced understanding. In subsequent arcs, he strategically utilizes the personal convictions and emotions of others particularly those of Mahmut and Süleyman to advance his objectives.

Although Zaganos often appears cold and distant, he deeply values the well-being of the Türkiye Stratocracy. This is especially evident when he becomes visibly shaken upon learning that Lerederick is preparing a surprise siege against Türkiye, revealing his underlying concern for his homeland’s safety.

Zehir Zaganos is a highly intelligent and perceptive strategist, known for his sharp political acumen and keen analytical skills. One of his greatest strengths lies in his ability to read people’s motives through subtle emotional cues, a skill that proves essential in navigating the political landscape of the Divan and maintaining his influence among the pashas.

In addition to his political expertise, Zaganos is also recognized as an expert in chemistry. His knowledge in the field is acknowledged by Mahmut, who personally seeks his analysis of a sterko sample obtained in Urado, indicating Zaganos’s scientific credibility within the Stratocracy.

He is also known for maintaining an exceptional poker face, making his true intentions difficult to discern. This ability to mask his emotions and thoughts grants him a significant advantage in both political negotiations and battlefield strategy, allowing him to manipulate events from the shadows with precision.

Twelve years prior to the main events of the story, Zehir Zaganos held the rank of yüzbaşı (lieutenant) at the young age of 14. During this time, he encountered a disillusioned Süleyman, who had been wandering aimlessly across Türkiye after resigning from his position as Giovanni Orsini’s falconer in Florence. Witnessing Süleyman’s despair over the destruction of his village, Zaganos promised that if Süleyman managed to survive for five more years, he would rise to the rank of pasha and give him the opportunity to pursue what he truly desired.

True to his word, five years later at the age of 19 Zaganos returned as a newly appointed pasha and reminded Süleyman of his offer. Süleyman accepted, marking the beginning of their alliance and further establishing Zaganos’s role as a strategic and determined leader.

It is later revealed that Zaganos was originally from the Balt-Rhein Empire, and is presumed to have belonged to the Hermann aristocracy. Although the specific reasons for his defection remain unknown, his deep-seated animosity and bitterness toward Balt-Rhein suggest a troubled or traumatic past within the Empire. His personal history likely fuels his aggressive stance and hardline policies against Balt-Rhein as a vizier of the Türkiye Stratocracy.