Editing Samir Duran

{{TransTopBar}}
{{Quote|I am a servant of a [[Amon|far greater power]]. A power that has slept for countless ages. And is reflected in the [[Hybrid|creature]] within that [[stasis cell|cell]].|Duran discusses [[Zeratul]]'s discoveries on the [[dark moon]]|Dark Origin}}
{{CharBox
|name=Samir Duran/Emil Narud
|bgcolor={{Red}}
|fgcolor={{White}}
|game=SC2
|image=EmilNarud SC2-LotV Head2.jpg
|imgsize=250px
|imgdesc=
|gender=Male
|hair=Variable
|eyes=Brown (in Duran/Narud form)<br>
Green/Red (in xel'naga form)<br>
Other (based on impersonated individual)
|birth=
|death=[[2508]], the [[Void]]
|race=[[Xel'naga]]
|faction={{FlagHybrid}} [[Amon]]<br>
{{FlagConfederacy}} [[Terran Confederacy]] (claimed allegiance)
:{{FlagAlphaSquadron}} [[Alpha Squadron]] (claimed allegiance)
{{FlagConfederacy}} [[Confederate Resistance Forces]] ([[2500]])<br>
{{FlagUED}} [[United Earth Directorate]] (2500)<br>
{{FlagKerrigan}} [[Zerg|Zerg Swarm]] (2500)<br>
{{FlagMoebius}} [[Moebius Foundation]] (faux allegiance)<br>
{{FlagDominion}} [[Terran Dominion]] (faux allegiance)
|job=[[Ghost]] (?—[[2500]])<br>
[[Terran Confederacy|Confederate]] operative?<br>
Leader of [[Confederate Resistance Forces]] (2500)<br>
Special advisor to the [[United Earth Directorate|UED]] (2500)<br>
Agent of [[Sarah Kerrigan]] (2500)<br>
Employer of the [[Clandestine Mercenaries]] (2500)<br>
Servant of Amon in charge of [[hybrid]] project<br>
Head of the Moebius Foundation<br>
Jailer of Ouros
|voice=[[Cástulo Guerra]] (''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]'')<ref>[[:File:HRPwhqN.png|Gurerra Email]]</ref>
[[Armin Shimerman]] (''[[StarCraft II]]'', human form)<ref>[[Blizzard Entertainment]]. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''. ([[Activision Blizzard]]). PC. Credits. (in [[English]]). 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Starcraft/Dr-Emil-Narud/ Dr Emil Narud], ''Behind the Voice Actors''. Accessed on 2015-11-16</ref><br>
[[Patrick Seitz]] (''[[StarCraft II]]'', true form)<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Credits. (in English). 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Starcraft/Dr-Emil-Narud Dr Emil Narud], ''Behind the Voice Actors''. Accessed on 2015-11-16</ref>
}}
'''"Samir Duran"''' and '''"Emil Narud"'''<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Trail of Secrets]]. (in English). 2015.</ref> are but two of the many names used over the millennia by a [[xel'naga]] in service to [[Amon]].<ref name="SC:BW_Bonus">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Dark Origin]] (in [[English]]). 1998.</ref><ref name="SC2:LotV:IntotheVoid">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Into the Void (campaign)|Into the Void]], [[Into the Void (mission)|Into the Void]] (in English). 2015-11-10.</ref> Millennia after the fall of his master Amon, Duran manipulated the conflicts between the [[terran]], [[protoss]], and [[zerg]] in order to bring about his master's return and the creation of the [[hybrid]].<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: ''[[Heart of the Swarm]]'', [[Hand of Darkness]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Duran took many guises and roles throughout the conflict, including a member of the [[Confederate Resistance Forces]], an advisor in the [[United Earth Directorate]], an [[infested terran]] consort to Sarah Kerrigan,<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M8">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]].'' Vivendi Games. Mission: [[To Chain the Beast]] (in English). 1998.</ref> head of the [[Moebius Foundation]] and the [[Terran Dominion]] [[Hybrid Breeding Program]],<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness"/> and finally a xel'naga and jailer to [[Ouros]]. All of these roles were used to manipulate events to bring about Amon's return.<ref name="SC2:LotV:IntotheVoid" />

==Biography==
{{Quote|I must warn [[Sarah Kerrigan|you]] about the being that runs [[Skygeirr Station|this lab]]: Dr. Narud. An ancient [[shapeshifter]] who has worn many faces over the years, he made me what I am.|[[Alexei Stukov]]|Hand of Darkness}}
Duran/Narud was the devoted servant of Amon, trying to resurrect him for millennia after his master died.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cutscenes: [[Skygeirr Station]] Missions (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

===Confederate Warrior===
{{Quote|Believe me, I understand hatred very well.|Samir Duran to marine [[Angelina Emillian]]|StarCraft: I, Mengsk}}
[[File:SamirDuran SC1 Cncpt1.jpg|thumb|left|The xel'naga as Duran]] 
Duran claimed to have served in [[Alpha Squadron]] before [[Arcturus Mengsk]] [[Fall of Tarsonis|brought down]] the [[Terran Confederacy]]. Duran, sensing a shift in the power structure, assumed command of a small commando squad<ref name="SC:BW_Man">Underwood, Peter, [[Chris Metzen]] and [[Bill Roper]]. ''StarCraft: Brood War (Manual)''. Irvine, Calif.: Blizzard Entertainment, 1998.</ref> called the [[Confederate Resistance Forces]] that was dedicated to striking at Mengsk and his new [[Terran Dominion]].<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M1">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]].'' Vivendi Games. Mission: [[First Strike (Episode V)|First Strike]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

===The Brood War===
As Duran, the xel'naga claimed to be thirty-three years old during the {{link|Brood War|conflict}}.<ref name="SC:BW_Man"/>

====A Meeting on Braxis====
{{Quote|[[Captain (Episode V)|Captain]], I am Lieutenant Samir Duran of the [[Confederate Resistance Forces]]. I've been monitoring your attack against the [[Terran Dominion|Dominion]], and I'd like to offer you my services and skills in return for amnesty."<br>"Intriguing. Lieutenant, you have absolutely no idea as to who [[United Earth Directorate|we]] are or what we have come here to do. Why do you wish to side with us?"<br>"Because my men and I have sworn to fight against the Dominion and [[Arcturus Mengsk|its Emperor]]. Seeing as how your forces have been laying into [[Boralis|this Dominion base]], I figured we were on the same side.|Duran meets Vice Admiral [[Alexei Stukov]] on [[Braxis]]|First Strike (Episode V)}}
[[File:SamirDuran SC1 HeadAnim1.gif|thumb|Duran during the [[Brood War (conflict)|Brood War]]]]
When the [[United Earth Directorate]] launched its first attack against the Dominion on [[Braxis]], Duran monitored the attack before offering his services to Vice Admiral [[Alexei Stukov]]. Stukov accepted, but only because both men had the same enemy. Even though Duran had the potential to be a valuable asset, Stukov was nevertheless suspicious. However, Duran won him over, and provided the UED with a route to the 'back door' of [[Boralis]], aiding the invaders in capturing the planet's capital.<ref>'''[[Samir Duran]]:''' "[[Captain (Episode V)|Captain]], I am Lieutenant Samir Duran of the [[Confederate Resistance Forces]]. I've been monitoring your attack against the [[Terran Dominion|Dominion]], and I'd like to offer you my services and skills in return for amnesty".<br>'''[[Alexei Stukov]]:''' "Intriguing. Lieutenant, you have absolutely no idea as to who we are or what we have come here to do. Why do you wish to side with us?"<br>'''Duran:''' "Because my men and I have sworn to fight against the Dominion and [[Arcturus Mengsk|its Emperor]]. Seeing as how your forces have been laying into [[Boralis|this Dominion base]], I figured we were on the same side."<br>'''Stukov:''' "I see. How exactly do you propose to be of service to us, Lieutenant?"<br>'''Duran:''' "Well, I possess intimate knowledge of the surrounding area. I can show you an alternate route that leads to the rear of the main Dominion base."<br>'''Stukov:''' "Very well, Lieutenant. Consider yourself and your men the first colonial conscripts of the [[United Earth Directorate]]. Captain, see that the Lieutenant is given our full cooperation. We shall see if he's worth the effort." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[First Strike (Episode V)|First Strike]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

The UED gained access to confidential Dominion information from Braxis.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M2">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[The Dylarian Shipyards (mission)|The Dylarian Shipyards]] (in English). 1998.</ref> Duran used the information to plan an [[Raid on Umoja (Brood War)|assassination attempt]] on [[Arcturus Mengsk]], who was visiting [[Umoja]] at the time. He did not take part in the operation as he was required to journey to [[Dylar IV]] for the UED's [[Raid on the Dylarian Shipyards (Episode V)|attack]] on the [[Dylarian Shipyards]]. Instead, the failed assassination mission was led by Captain [[Angelina Emillian]] – Mengsk's former instructor.<ref name="SC:IMengsk">McNeill, Graham (December 30, 2008). ''[[StarCraft: I, Mengsk]]''. [[Simon & Schuster]] (Pocket Star). ISBN 1416-55083-6.</ref>

====Special Advisor to the UED====
{{Quote|Ah, the turncoat. I suggest that you pay keen attention to rank when you address the Captain and myself, Lieutenant Duran. Is that understood?"<br>"Of course, Admiral."<br>"Heh heh. You're beginning to show your age, [[Gerard DuGalle|Gerard]]. Give the boy some credit. He just tipped us off to a preeminent attack."<br>"However useful he may prove to be, Alexei, he will always be a traitor in my eyes. And you know that I cannot abide a traitor.|DuGalle and Stukov discussing Duran|The Dylarian Shipyards (mission)}} 
[[File:SamirDuran SCR HeadAnim.gif|thumb|Lieutenant Duran]]
The UED sought to steal Dominion [[battlecruiser]]s dry-docked at the Dylarian Shipyards. During operational planning, Duran warned DuGalle that the Dominion could reinforce its outlying bases within sixteen hours.<ref>'''Duran:''' "Gentlemen, I recommend that you launch this attack using the utmost caution. Dominion Command can typically reinforce its outlying bases within sixteen standard hours. You should expect some sort of reprisal from [[Emperor of the Terran Dominion|Emperor]] Mengsk shortly."<br>'''[[Gerard DuGalle]]:''' "Ah, the turncoat. I suggest that you pay keen attention to rank when you address the Captain and myself, Lieutenant Duran. Is that understood?"<br>'''Duran:''' "Of course, Admiral."<br>'''Stukov:''' "Heh heh. You're beginning to show your age, Gerard. Give the boy some credit. He just tipped us off to a preeminent attack."<br>'''DuGalle:''' "However useful he may prove to be, Alexei, he will always be a traitor in my eyes. And you know that I cannot abide a traitor."<br>'''Stukov:''' "Only too well, Gerard." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Dylarian Shipyards (mission)|The Dylarian Shipyards]] (in English). 1998.</ref> The stolen battlecruiser fleet was ready in time to defeat Dominion reinforcements led by General [[Edmund Duke]].<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M2"/>

Duran accompanied the UED fleet to [[Tarsonis]]. His research team located the [[psi disrupter]], a lost Confederate weapon capable of disrupting zerg communication.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M3">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Ruins of Tarsonis]] (in English). 1998.</ref> Duran advised that it be destroyed, and DuGalle concurred; if it was captured by the Dominion, it would jeopardize the UED's plan to enslave the [[Second Overmind]]. Stukov's dissenting opinion, to use the disrupter against the zerg, was overruled.<ref>'''Duran:''' "I must humbly suggest to you, Admiral, that the Disrupter be destroyed as quickly as possible. If it should fall into the hands of the Dominion we could face some very serious problems."<br>'''DuGalle:''' "Hmm. A prudent call, Lieutenant. I am inclined to agree."<br>'''Stukov:''' "But Admiral, this device could insure our victory over the [[Zerg]]! It is foolhardy to discard such an advantage!"<br>'''Duran:''' "Surely, Vice Admiral, you don't doubt the tenacity of your own fleet? Your Directorate forces will devastate the Zerg without the need for such a device."<br>'''Stukov:''' "Listen here, Lieutenant, I've had just about enough of your-"<br>'''DuGalle:''' "This conversation is over, Alexei. Given the true nature of our mission to enslave the [[Second Overmind|Overmind]], we could hardly stand to have Mengsk control a device of this magnitude. This [[Psi Disrupter]] must be destroyed in order to safeguard our mission. Ensign, set your course for [[Tarsonis]]." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[Ruins of Tarsonis]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

As Duran had shown such concern over the matter, DuGalle ordered him to personally secure the disrupter. Duran's strategy of destroying surrounding [[hive]]s to render surrounding the zerg dormant was successful. Duran's preparations to demolish the disrupter were interrupted by the intervention of Stukov's [[ghost]]s, who had orders to relieve Duran and take over the weapon's disassembly. Duran did not challenge them.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M3" />

Duran participated in planning the UED [[Battle of Korhal (Assault on Korhal)|assault]] on [[Korhal]], the Dominion throne world. He suggested destroying a large cluster of [[nuclear silo|missile silos]] on the outskirts of [[Augustgrad]], the capital city, to disable the defender's core nuclear capabilities.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Assault on Korhal]] (in English). 1998.</ref> The UED subsequently [[Siege of Augustgrad (Emperor's Fall)|captured]] Augustgrad. Mengsk escaped capture with the aid of [[Raynor's Raiders]] and a small [[protoss]] fleet.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Emperor's Fall]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

====The Turncoat====
{{Quote|Gerard... old friend. You do indeed have a traitor in your midst... but it's not me. Duran. He has been playing us both from the start... He convinced you to destroy the [[Psi Disrupter]]... even though it was our best chance at defeating the [[Zerg]]. And then, on [[Aiur]], ...he allowed the Zerg to overrun us even as we had the fugitives in our grasp. I came here... to activate the one hope we have of defeating them... And you killed me for it. Heh, heh... Duran is your enemy Gerard. I suspect... that he may even be infested as well...|Stukov warns DuGalle about Duran|Patriot's Blood}}
The UED pursued Mengsk and his rescuers to [[Aiur]], where the fugitives prepared to escape through the [[warp gate (xel'naga)|warp gate]]. The UED's quarry were entrenched in a large protoss base, surrounded by nesting, but apparently passive, zerg.

While one UED force struck for the gate and the fugitives, Stukov and Duran were assigned to guard the flanks and prevent potential interference by the zerg. As the main attack neared its objective, the warp gate activated and incited the zerg. Duran's forces were out of position as a large zerg force swept in from the northeast. He claimed not to detect the enemy force, and claimed communications difficulties prevented him from receiving Stukov's frantic warnings. The ensuing chaos allowed Mengsk and Commander [[Jim Raynor]] to escape through the gate in a [[dropship]]. The gate subsequently self-destructed.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M6">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Emperor's Flight]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

Stukov took an unauthorized leave of absence to [[Braxis]] as the operation on Aiur concluded. DuGalle and Duran tracked him there and found the vice-admiral had secretly had the psi disrupter reassembled, in contravention of previous orders. Duran convinced DuGalle that Stukov was acting treacherously, and was authorized by the aggrieved admiral to find and execute the vice admiral.<ref>'''[[Adjutant]]:''' "Vice Admiral Stukov took control of a large contingent of troops and came here to the planet [[Braxis]]."<br>'''DuGalle:''' "Why would he abandon the battle on [[Aiur]]? Why has he come back to Braxis?"<br>'''Duran:''' "I mean no offense, Admiral. But perhaps Stukov's loyalties are not as strong as you once believed."<br>'''DuGalle:''' "Because you are young and foolish, Lieutenant, I will pardon that insult. Alexei and I have been friends since long before you were born. However, he must be found. If Stukov is here, he will account for his actions."<br>'''Adjutant:''' "Admiral, our sensors have detected a fully functional Psi Disrupter on the planet's surface directly below our position. It would appear that the Vice Admiral did not destroy the Psi Disrupter on Tarsonis as was ordered."<br>'''DuGalle:''' "What? Impossible!"<br>'''Duran:''' "I warned you Admiral! Stukov has betrayed you! He's reconstructed the Psi Disrupter in order to sabotage your mission in [[Koprulu sector|this sector]]!"<br>'''DuGalle:''' "I can't believe it. Yet the evidence is incontrovertible. Alexei, what have you done? Perhaps you've been right all along, Lieutenant. On my authority, enter the Psi Disrupter... and... deal with the Vice Admiral appropriately..."<br>'''Duran:''' "Of course, Admiral." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[Patriot's Blood]] (in English). 1998.</ref> Duran and a marine strike force entered the disruptor and broke through the [[Stukov's Elite Guard]] to confront Stukov.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M7">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Patriot's Blood]] (in English). 1998.</ref>
[[File:DuranStukov SCR Game1.jpg|thumb|Duran confronts Vice Admiral [[Alexei Stukov]]]]
Duran shot Stukov and disappeared to activate the disruptor's self-destruct. A dying Stukov convinced DuGalle that the psi disruptor was critical to defeating the zerg and that Duran was the real traitor, and possibly [[infested terran|infested]].<ref>'''Duran:''' "Vice Admiral Stukov, I am here under orders to terminate your command."<br>'''Stukov:''' "Lieutenant Duran. I'm not surprised. We both know exactly what it is that you're here to terminate. Get on with it."<br>'''Duran:''' "Say goodnight, Stukov."<br>'''Stukov:''' "To hell with y- !"<br>'''DuGalle:''' "Lieutenant Duran, report your situation immediately!"<br>'''Stukov:''' "Gerard... old friend. You do indeed have a traitor in your midst... but it's not me. Duran. He has been playing us both from the start... He convinced you to destroy the Psi Disrupter... even though it was our best chance at defeating the Zerg. And then, on Aiur, ...he allowed the Zerg to overrun us even as we had the fugitives in our grasp. I came here... to activate the one hope we have of defeating them... And you killed me for it. Heh, heh... Duran is your enemy Gerard. I suspect... that he may even be infested as well... Use the Disrupter, Gerard... Finish our operation... Let my death have at least some meaning."<br>'''DuGalle:''' "Alexei! No! What have I done? What have I done? Computer, where the hell is Lieutenant Duran?"<br>'''Adjutant:''' "The Lieutenant no longer registers on my sensors, Admiral. He appears to have vanished."<br>'''DuGalle:''' "No." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[Patriot's Blood]] (in English). 1998.</ref> So alerted, the UED quickly shut down the self-destruct.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M7" />

====Infestation====
{{Quote|Remember that Duran is still out there somewhere. I'd venture a guess that his treachery has only just begun.|DuGalle to the Captain over Char|To Chain the Beast}}
[[File:BattlecruiserKerriganDuranOverlord SCR Game1.jpg|thumb|Duran presents [[Sarah Kerrigan]] to Admiral [[Gerard DuGalle]]]]
Duran escaped to join the zerg. The UED used the disrupter to severely weaken the zerg and claim the [[second Overmind]] on [[Char]]. As the UED claimed victory, Duran appeared to introduce DuGalle to [[Sarah Kerrigan]]. After some verbal sparring with DuGalle, the two departed, as a swarm of [[mutalisk]]s covered their retreat from the UED forces.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M8"/>

Kerrigan and Duran traveled to Tarsonis, where Duran interrupted a conversation between her, Raynor, and [[Fenix]] to inform Kerrigan that the psi disrupter's signal had reached them on Tarsonis and shattered the unity of her [[brood]]s.<ref name="SC:BW_E6_M1">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Vile Disruption]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

Aboard the ''[[Hyperion]]'', in orbit around [[Moria]], Duran and Kerrigan discussed whether Raynor, Fenix, and Mengsk suspected them of anything. Kerrigan said they must suspect something, but preferred working with her rather than with the UED.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[The Kel-Morian Combine (mission)|The Kel-Morian Combine]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

The Swarm traveled to Korhal and assaulted the UED forces there along with [[Raynor's Raiders]] and Fenix's troops. After the main UED base was destroyed, Kerrigan decided to eradicate her allies. Duran suggested the strategy of attacking while her allies were resting, allowing them to whittle down their defenses with relative ease. The ploy was successful. After the destruction of Duke's and Fenix's bases, they returned to Tarsonis to rest.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[True Colors]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

Two days later, the UED, intent on forcing Kerrigan's hand, tested out their control of the Overmind by sending hundreds of zerg to Tarsonis. As they began attacking their outposts, Duran informed her of the situation and rallied her forces.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Fury of the Swarm]] (in English). 1998.</ref> Kerrigan's forces secured their perimeter when Duran noticed a small UED encampment which protected a number of scientists. Kerrigan said the "[[UED Scientist|scientists]]" were helping the UED command these Renegade Zerg at such a great distance from the Overmind; they had to be eliminated. Kerrigan's zerg took the fight to the [[UED Slave Broods|UED Slave Brood]] hive clusters and the scientists, destroying them.<ref>'''Duran:''' "My Queen, we have located a small [[Terran]] facility towards the rear of the [[Daggoth's Renegade Swarm|Renegades]]' landing zone. There appears to be a number of UED [[scientist]]s working within the compound, but we are unable to determine the purpose of their presence..."<br>'''[[Sarah Kerrigan]]:''' "I know what they're up to. I suspected that the UED's control of the Overmind was tenuous. Tarsonis is too remote for them to maintain direct control over the Swarms, so they've sent these 'scientists' to coordinate their attack."<br>'''Duran:''' "[[Cerebrate (Episode VI)|Cerebrate]], focus your attacks against the Terran facility. All of the UED scientists must be killed. Only then will we be able to finish off these Renegade Zerg." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[Fury of the Swarm]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

Duran then accompanied Kerrigan to [[Shakuras]] to kidnap [[Raszagal]]. Kerrigan did not reveal her interest in Raszagal to Duran, however. Duran informed her that the [[pylon]] clusters were generating some sort of electromagnetic field that prevented their flyers from maneuvering. Duran suggested staging a diversion and claiming Raszagal during the confusion, namely causing a surge within the pylon clusters adjacent to the outpost of [[Talematros]], causing its power grids to overload. The resulting explosion will be the perfect cover for retrieving Raszagal. Kerrigan agreed, calling Duran's scheme "Clean, simple, devious". A [[Cerebrate (Episode VI)|cerebrate]] provided cover for Duran as he infiltrated the pylon clusters, set the charges, and ignited them.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Drawing of the Web]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

Duran soon discovered that Raszagal was captured so as to provide [[Dark Templar|Dark]] [[Prelate]] [[Zeratul]] and his brethren the incentive to kill the new Overmind for them.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[To Slay the Beast]] (in English). 1998.</ref> After this was done, Duran informed Kerrigan that with the Overmind and its cerebrates destroyed, all of the zerg in the sector had reverted to her direct control.<ref>'''Duran:''' "My Queen, with the Overmind and its [[Cerebrate]]s destroyed, all of the Zerg in this sector have reverted to your direct control." ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Level/area: [[The Reckoning (Brood War mission)|The Reckoning]] (in English). 1998.</ref> In addition, the remnants of the UED fleet had fled the planet (although he had no idea how many functional ships they still possessed), and the zerg had finished relocating Kerrigan's primary hive clusters to [[Char Aleph]]. However, Zeratul and his brethren were able to bypass their defenses and steal Raszagal away from them. They had regrouped with a number of protoss survivors on the surface of Char and would be capable of dimensional recall to Shakuras within thirty minutes. Kerrigan had all of her broods mobilized and sent to the surface of Char.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[The Reckoning (Brood War mission)|The Reckoning]] (in English). 1998.</ref> During this time, Duran had disappeared.<ref name="SC:BW_E6_M10">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Omega]] (in English). 1998.</ref>

====The Mystery Deepens====
{{main|Dark Origin}}
{{Quote|This creature is the completion of a cycle. Its role in the cosmic order was preordained when the stars were young. Behold the culmination of your history."<br>"All I behold is an abomination."<br>"Your violence, young prodigal, is typical. As is your inablility to comprehend the greater scheme of things. You can destroy all of the specimens here. It will do you no good. For I have seeded the Hybrid on many, many worlds. You will never find them all before they awaken... And when they do... your universe will be changed... forever.|Duran and Zeratul on the dark moon|Dark Origin}}  
[[File:Zeratul SCR Art1.jpg|thumb|[[Nerazim|Dark]] [[Prelate]] [[Zeratul]] discovers Duran's experiments]]
Duran traveled to a [[dark moon]] where he and a team of [[Clandestine Mercenaries]] worked on a [[protoss]]/[[zerg]] [[hybrid]]ization project at the behest of a "[[Amon|far greater power]]."

Duran would refer to the hybrid as the "completion of a cycle,<ref name="SC:BW_Bonus" /> a reference to the life cycle of the [[xel'naga]], in which the long-lived but not immortal race would regenerate itself by modifying two species with purity of form and essence to naturally over eons evolve into a new incarnation of the xel'naga. According to the [[preserver]] [[Zamara]], however, Samir Duran's experiments are a "perversion", and if his attempts to "unify" the species become successful, it will result in "[[Hybrid|a monstrous and powerful perversion of both protoss and zerg]]" which "will be set loose upon the universe, and all that [the protoss and terran] know and cherish will fall in their wake".<ref name="SC:DkTempSaga3">Golden, Christie (June 30, 2009). ''[[StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga: Twilight|StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #3: Twilight]]''. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0-7434-7129-9.</ref>

Zeratul discovered the project when investigating the source of protoss energy signatures on the dark moon.<ref name="SC:BW_Bonus" /> Duran himself uncloaked in front of a [[stasis cell]] holding a [[test subject twenty nine|successful specimen]] and spoke to Zeratul.<ref name="SSF2">Blizzard Entertainment staff. 2008-04-16. [http://starcraft2.com/features/storysofar2.xml The Story so Far... Part 2: The Brood War]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2008-04-16.</ref> From the manner in which Duran replied to Zeratul, claiming to be many millennia old (and having had many names over these millennia) and serving "a far greater power", Duran's background became even more enigmatic. Duran, referring to the hybrid, said it was a "completion of a cycle. Its role in the cosmic order was preordained when the stars were young".<ref name="SC:BW_Bonus" />

===Interbellum===
During the years after the Brood War, Kerrigan learned something of Duran's activities.<ref name="LegacyInterviewJuly">Chris Metzen, StarCraft Legacy staff. 2009-07-20 [http://sclegacy.com/interviews/10-blizzard/470-july-20-2009-metzen-interview July 20, 2009 Metzen Interview]. ''StarCraft Legacy''. Accessed 2009-09-07.</ref> His position as consort was briefly taken by [[Ethan Stewart]].<ref name="SC:DkTempSaga3" />

====Creating Monsters====
{{Quote|This is something born of the [[void]]. Cold and empty. But so powerful it hurts.|[[Sarah Kerrigan]]|Hand of Darkness}}
Prior to the [[Second Great War]], the xel'naga, calling himself Dr. Emil Narud, and now appearing as a white-haired middle age man with a soft German accent, was made the head of the [[Dominion]]'s [[Hybrid Breeding Program]], combining [[protoss]] and [[zerg]] DNA to create [[hybrid|alien supersoldiers]].<ref name="WoL_PierceShroud">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: ''[[Wings of Liberty]]'', [[Piercing the Shroud]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> Technology was utilized that was well beyond the scope of [[terran]] capabilities.<ref name="SC2-WoL_PierceShroudDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty campaign quotations#Piercing the Shroud/Revolution Missions#Piercing the Shroud|Piercing the Shroud]] (in English). 2010</ref><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryHorner">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Matt Horner]] (in English). 2010.</ref>

Narud built [[Skygeirr Station]] on top of a xel'naga temple.<ref name="SC2:HotS_PhantomsVoid">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm|Heart of the Swarm]], [[Phantoms of the Void]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> There, more hybrids were created with Dominion support. Narud devised a plan to modify a xel'naga relic named the [[Keystone]] that could convert the zerg mutagen in [[Sarah Kerrigan]] and her Swarms into energy, providing enough power to resurrect Amon.<ref name="ResurrectionQuote">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Hand of Darkness|Hand of Darkness]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="StukovTalk">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Alexei Stukov]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

====Crafting Enemies====
[[Alexei Stukov]] was infested and reanimated, and eventually deinfested and rescued by [[Jim Raynor]] and the [[protoss]].<ref name="Map_ResIV">Blizzard Entertainment, Mass Media Inc. ''[[StarCraft 64]].'' (Nintendo of America, Inc.) Mission: [[Resurrection IV]] (in English). 2000.</ref> Stukov held Narud responsible for his infestation,<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness"/> which was spun on a micro scale not possible for the zerg.<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Abathur]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref>Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Infested|Infested]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Stukov's deinfestation eventually failed, and he was imprisoned and experimented on<ref name="StukovQuotes">''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]'', [[StarCraft II unit quotations#Alexei Stukov|Stukov Lines]]</ref> by Narud and the Dominion at [[Skygeirr Station]]. During the [[Second Great War]], Stukov escaped and contacted [[Sarah Kerrigan]], his former enemy, seeking revenge.<ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryStukov">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Stukov (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_InfestedDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Infested|Infested]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

====The Good Doctor====
[[File:Narud SC2 Head1.jpg|thumb|The xel'naga as [[Doctor]] Emil Narud]]
Narud made friends with [[Valerian Mengsk]], an aspiring archaeologist and Heir Apparent to the [[Terran Dominion]]. Valerian became convinced that Narud was a genius about the [[zerg]] and the [[xel'naga]], the latter a subject of keen interest to Valerian. Together they founded the [[Moebius Foundation]].

Narud was viewed as an expert on [[protoss]]/[[xel'naga]] technology.

The two designed [[Space Station Prometheus]], a secret research laboratory in the difficult-to-navigate [[Kirkegaard Belt]]. While there, Narud worked on hybridization experiments. He let Valerian know about them, but not about how far they had progressed.<ref name="SC:Flashpoint">[[Christie Golden|Golden, Christie]] (November 6, 2012). ''[[StarCraft II: Flashpoint]]''. [[Simon & Schuster]] (Gallery Books). ISBN 978-1451-65962-7.</ref>

===The Second Great War===
Narud's Moebius Foundation hired [[Tychus Findlay]] and [[Jim Raynor]] to recover the [[Keystone|xel'naga device]].<ref name="WoL_Outlaws">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Outlaws]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> This was in contravention to an official Dominion ban on the trade of alien artifacts.<ref name="SC2-WoL_OutlawsDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty campaign quotations/Mar Sara Missions#The Outlaws|The Outlaws]] (in English). 2010</ref><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryFindlay">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Tychus Findlay]] (in English). 2010.</ref>

As [[Raynor's Raiders]] continued to pick up pieces of the artifact, they clashed with [[Sarah Kerrigan]]'s [[Zerg|Zerg Swarm]]<ref name="WoL_SmashGrab">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Smash and Grab]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> and the [[Tal'darim]] who were holding most of the pieces.<ref name="WoL_TheDig">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Dig]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> While affiliated with the Tal'darim, he did not inform them that the artifact was essential to his plans to revive Amon.<ref name="Q&A">2012-12-05, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwJ_e2d9AFI Community Lore Discussion BlizzCon 2015]. ''StarCraft Legacy'', accessed on 2015-12-28</ref>

====The Moebius Factor====
{{Quote|[[Jim Raynor|Commander Raynor]]! Thanks the stars, you've come! You had a sterling reputation as a Marshal many years ago and I know you'll do your best to help us."<br>"Yeah well, that was all a long time ago, Doctor. Looks like you got one heck of a [[zerg]] problem here. Where do you need [[Raynor's Raiders|us]]?|Narud greets [[Jim Raynor]]|The Moebius Factor}}
When Kerrigan [[The Moebius Factor|attacked]] the Foundation's main research campus on [[Tyrador VIII]], Narud sent three [[Moebius Security]] teams to purge the Foundation's [[data core]]s. When none of them reported back, he asked Commander [[Jim Raynor]] to destroy the cores. He warned that if Kerrigan found them and discovered the coordinates of the remaining pieces of the xel'naga artifact, the fate of the entire [[Koprulu sector]] could hang in the balance. He gave Raynor control of the Foundation's [[medivac dropship]]s to transport his men around the city and avoid most of the zerg. Kerrigan claimed that she saw through Narud's "pathetic charade." Once it was confirmed that the final data core had been destroyed, Narud ordered an evacuation and told Raynor why Kerrigan wanted the artifacts: she feared the power of the xel'naga.<ref name="WoL_MoebiusFactor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Mobeius Factor]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

[[File:NarudCreditsRaiders_SC2_Story1.jpg|thumb|Narud on [[Universal News Network|UNN]]]]
In a statement, Narud credited [[Raynor's Raiders]] with keeping Kerrigan from achieving her goal. He was unavailable for comment when the [[Universal News Network]] broadcast its report on his run-in with Kerrigan.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNNarud">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "[[The Moebius Factor]]." (in English). 2010.</ref>

====Flashpoint====
{{Quote|There's something wrong with Narud. I've met him before.|[[Sarah Kerrigan]] upon meeting Emil Narud|StarCraft II: Flashpoint}}
The first phase of the war ended with Kerrigan's [[Battle of Char (Dangerous Game)|defeat]] and de-infestation at [[Char]] due to the device's effects.<ref name="WoL_AllIn">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[All In]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> [[Hybrid]] located nearby collected the energy which could be later used to resurrect [[Amon]].<ref name="ResurrectionQuote">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Hand of Darkness|Hand of Darkness]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="StukovTalk">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Alexei Stukov]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Seeking to keep Kerrigan out of the reach of [[Arcturus Mengsk]], Raynor and [[Valerian Mengsk]] fled to [[Deadman's Rock]] in the [[battlecruiser]]s ''[[Hyperion]]'' and ''[[Bucephalus]]''. Both vessels had taken significant damage. On the way there, the rebels decided to take Kerrigan to see Dr. Narud, due to his reputation as a zerg expert, as well as his expertise about the [[Keystone|xel'naga artifact]].

Dr. Narud appeared at a meeting with the rebels there. When he wanted to begin examining Kerrigan, Raynor told him that Kerrigan was refusing to be examined. They were interrupted when criminals tried to capture them. Dr. Narud pulled a small pistol. During the battle, rebel commander [[Matt Horner]] was injured. Dr. Narud helped treat him.

Dr. Narud and the rebels took Kerrigan to [[Space Station Prometheus]], where Narud was situated. Along the way, his repeated attempts to examine Kerrigan and hide information about the space station annoyed the rebels. Valerian Mengsk even told Narud that he wasn't popular in his sickbay or bridge. In addition, Kerrigan believed his [[psionic]] resonance was familiar, but didn't recognize Narud, causing her to wonder if he was disguised.

A frustrated Narud ordered a hostile reception for the rebels, but Valerian talked him down. Kerrigan went to the station's sickbay, where her blood was tested but nothing else was done to her. The xel'naga artifact was also brought the station, where Dr. Narud examined it.

Narud assigned repair teams to [[Hyperion|their]] [[Bucephalus|ships]] and invited the pair to dinner, although these teams were really out to sabotage the vessels. In addition, he had Dr. [[Chantal de Vries]] "persuade" rebel scientist [[Egon Stetmann]] to visit his laboratories, but it simply enabled Narud's men to capture him.

He invited Raynor and Valerian to a dinner meeting, where he questioned Raynor so thoroughly the latter felt annoyed, as if he were being interrogated. The dinner turned into an ambush, as Narud was revealed to be in contact with Arcturus. In the resulting skirmish, Narud [[cloaked]] and fled.

The ambush failed in a sense, in that Kerrigan and her protectors were able to escape Mengsk's grasp and rescue Stetmann, even when Narud released a trio of his [[hybrid]]s against them. Narud took the [[Keystone|artifact]] to the station's loading bay and put it aboard a warp-transport when Raynor, Valerian, Stetmann and Kerrigan arrived there. One of the hybrids was present, along with many of Narud's troops, and during the battle Narud abandoned the station with the artifact. At the last minute, the Raiders [[dropship]] ''[[Fanfare]]'', newly armed, arrived. It fired on Narud's transport, but he managed to escape.<ref name="SC:Flashpoint"/>

Narud would go on to resurrect Amon at [[Atrias]], a [[Tal'darim]]-guarded world.<ref name="SC2:LotV:WoO_DarkWhispers">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Whispers of Oblivion]], [[Dark Whispers]] (in English). 2015-07-15.</ref>

====Heart of the Swarm====
{{Quote|You've already lost. [[Amon]] lives. You will see him soon.|Narud's last words.|Shifting Perspectives}}
[[File:EmilNarud SC2-HotS Head2.jpg|thumb|Narud's true nature begins to shine through]]
In the final stages of the [[Second Great War]], Kerrigan led the Swarm against ''Skygeirr'', having been requested there by an escaped [[Alexei Stukov]]. When she entered Narud's lab and killed one of his [[hybrid dominator]]s, Narud told her she was not welcome there. He then proceeded to awaken seven other hybrids, telling them to fulfill their purpose and kill everything. He prattled that the Swarm had served its purpose and was a broken tool fit only for the scrap heap. He asked Kerrigan if she could feel the hybrid's hatred coursing through her mind. Although Narud was surprised that Kerrigan managed to kill several of his hybrid, he told her that she still had no hope.<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness"/>

Narud held his best troops, the [[Tal'darim]], in reserve in the depths of the station. When Kerrigan breached the sanctum, Narud drove a [[null zone]] beam towards her, which she tried to hold back with a beam of her own. He ordered the Tal'darim to destroy the zerg [[hive]], and unleashed numerous hybrid to support the Tal'darim. Narud's strength began to slip as Stukov deactivated the five temples that were amplifying his power. The null zone left him weakened and vulnerable.<ref name="SC2:HotS_PhantomsVoid" /> As Kerrigan entered Amon's temple, Narud caught her off guard by appearing as Raynor. In the middle of their fight, Narud changed his appearance to that of Kerrigan's human form and impaled her on a [[psi blade]]. In response, Kerrigan fatally wounded Narud with her wings. With his dying breath, Narud revealed that Amon was alive and that she would see him soon.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineShiftPerspect">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Shifting Perspectives]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

===Into the Void===
{{Quote|Ah, the Queen of Blades...What a pleasant surprise."<br>"Narud. I thought you were dead."<br>"Without form, we, the xel'naga, return to the [[Void]]. Here, I live on, but you will not be so fortunate.|Narud and Kerrigan|Into the Void (mission)}}
[[File:EmilNarud SC2-LotV Game1.jpg|thumb|Narud's xel'naga form]]
After ''Skygeirr'', Narud returned to the Void, where he served as the jailer of the xel'naga [[Ouros]]. Later, when Kerrigan, Raynor, Stukov, and [[Hierarch]] [[Artanis]] led a joint invasion into the Void to seek out and destroy Amon, they came upon Narud.  Despite resistance from void shades and thrashers, the allied forces pushed through Narud's defenses and cornered him. Stukov stepped forward and asked Narud if he remembered him as well as what he did to him on Braxis, calling him "Duran". When Narud assumed that Stukov was there to gloat, Stukov simply said, "No. I've come to say goodnight, you son of a bitch." He then destroyed Narud/Duran with a psychic blast, finally exacting revenge for [[Patriot's Blood|their confrontation]] on Braxis [[2500|eight years ago]]. This time, Narud's death was permanent.<ref name="SC2:LotV:IntotheVoid"/>
{{Clear}}

==Game Unit==
===StarCraft===
{{Main|Samir Duran (StarCraft)}}
Duran appears in ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]'' missions as a {{link|ghost|SC1}} hero unit.
{{Clear|left}}

===StarCraft II===
{{Main|Emil Narud (StarCraft II)}}
Narud appears in all three installments of ''[[StarCraft II]]''.
{{Clear|left}}

===Heroes of the Storm===
Lines exist for Duran in ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' data.<ref>2017-07, [https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/6l284b/datemined_samir_duran_confirmed_as_developing_hero/ 'Samir Duran' confirmed as developing hero!!]. ''Reddit'', accessed on 2017-08-25</ref>

==Personality and Traits==
{{Quote|A powerful and vastly intelligent being who has worn many names and faces over the millennia. Considers himself superior to other beings and manipulates them to his own ends.|Character description|Galaxy Map Editor}}
Duran considered himself superior to other beings as he manipulated them to his own ends.<ref name="HotSEditor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]] [[Galaxy Map Editor|Map Editor]].'' (Activision Blizzard) (in English). March 12, 2013</ref> He has let this condescension shine through when not masking his own nature.<ref name="SC:BW_Bonus"/><ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness"/><ref name="SC2:HotS_PhantomsVoid"/> This low opinion of other lifeforms extended to the zerg as a whole, regarding them as "a broken tool, fit only for the scrap heap."<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness"/>

As Duran he spoke with a "liquid" accent and favored the [[C-10 rifle]] in combat.<ref name="SC:IMengsk"/>

While masquerading as an adviser to DuGalle and later Kerrigan, Duran presented the facade of being dutiful and loyal, frequently offering information and suggests for plans of attack. His knowledge of tactics made him invaluable in the campaigns of both commanders.<ref name="SC:BW_E6_M1"/> As Narud, he was also apt at displaying earnest humility to those around him when he needed to.<ref name="WoL_MoebiusFactor"/><ref name="SC:Flashpoint"/>

Few were aware of Duran's true nature before his [[Battle in the Void|demise]] in the [[Void]]. [[Sarah Kerrigan]] was unaware of who or ''what'' he was until shortly before the [[Second Great War]].<ref>2007-10-08. [http://www.sclegacy.com/content/interviews-6/scl-metzen-interview---lore-exclusive-28/ SC:L Metzen Interview - Lore Exclusive]. ''StarCraft Legacy''. Accessed 2007-10-08.</ref> Zeratul only became suspicious after personally [[Dark Origin|meeting]] Duran at the end of the {{link|Brood War|conflict}}.<ref name="SC:BW_Bonus"/> None of his former [[Confederate Resistance Forces]] comrades would have believed the truth.<ref name="SC:BW_Man"/>

===Abilities===
{{Quote|It's like... nothing I've faced before."<br>"But you destroyed the [[Zurvan|Ancient One]]. You captured the power of all [[Zerus]]."<br>"This is something born of the void. Cold and empty. But so powerful it hurts.|Sarah Kerrigan discussing the nature of Duran to [[Broodmother]] [[Zagara]]|Hand of Darkness}}
[[File:EmilNarud SC2 Game2.png|thumb|Narud's true form is glimpsed]]
Duran was a powerful and vastly intelligent being. He was knowledgeable about the zerg,<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M3">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Ruins of Tarsonis]] (in English). 1998.</ref> and [[protoss]] technology.<ref name="SC:BW_E6_M7">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Drawing of the Web]] (in English). 1998.</ref><ref name="SC:BW_Bonus" /> He was powerful enough to generate a [[null zone]], survive being hit by it,<ref name="SC2:HotS_PhantomsVoid" /> generate [[psionic bolt]]s, and survive all manner of psionic and physical attacks before finally succumbing to his injuries at the hands of Kerrigan, only to later have survived and retreat to the void. He also demonstrated the ability to generate a [[psi-blade]] without any apparent technological device to focus the energy. He also possessed shapeshifting abilities.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineShiftPerspect" />

==Notes==
*"Emil" may be derived from Latin Aemilius, a family name, which means "to rival, to emulate, to copy."
*Artwork depicts Duran is shown standing in front of a [[Sons of Korhal]] flag, but in both ''[[StarCraft: Brood War|Brood War]]'' and ''I, Mengsk'', it appears he never abandoned the Confederacy.<ref name="SC:BW_E5_M7" /><ref name="SC:IMengsk" />
<!-- The voice changes are controversial and subtle, and so should not be detailed. -->
*Duran's voice varies over the course of the campaign to reflect his apparent infestation.
*Duran's beret is the same color, and has the same insignia, as the ones worn by soldiers in the ARVN Airborne (South Vietnamese paratroopers) during the Vietnam War, according to IMDb.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0296870/trivia Trivia for StarCraft Expansion Set: Brood War (1998) (VG)]. ''IMDb''. Accessed 2007-09-02.</ref>
*Duran and Narud were confirmed as being the same entity in ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]: [[Whispers of Oblivion]]''.<ref name="SC2:LotV:WoO_DarkWhispers" /> This followed multiple hints in ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty|Wings of Liberty]]'' and ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm|Heart of the Swarm]]''.
**In ''Wings of Liberty'' Kerrigan claimed to have seen through Doctor Emil Narud's "pathetic charade".<ref name="WoL_MoebiusFactor"/>
**It was hinted that Duran would appear in ''Heart of the Swarm''.<ref name="GamespotQ&A">2011-08-01, [http://www.gamespot.com/starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm/previews/starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm-qanda-with-dustin-browder-6325853/ StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Q&A With Dustin Browder]. ''Gamespot'', accessed on 2012-06-29</ref> Unused subtitles had Stukov referring to Narud as Duran.<ref name="SC2 Mapster">rikky33. 2013-04-01. [http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/general/general-chat/50877-omg-massive-spoiler-duran-in-hot-s/#p1 OMG Massive spoiler. Duran in HoTS]. ''Starcraft2mapster.com''. Accessed 2013-04-01.</ref> At [[BlizzCon 2011]], the story panel said that Samir Duran and Emil Narud might be the same character. Upon inquiring on whether he would appear in ''Heart of the Swarm'', [[Chris Metzen]] commented ''"You might have met him already. You totally did, by the way."''<ref name="G4TV">2011-21-10, [http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/717676/starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarm-campaign-and-lore-facts-you-need-to-know/ Interview: Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm - Campaign and Lore Facts You Need To Know]. ''G4TV'', accessed on 2011-21-10</ref>
**Narud spelled backward is Duran.<ref name="BPKindregan2010">Brian Kindregan, Eldorian. 2010-10-28. [http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/sc2-interview Blizzcon: Interview with StarCraft 2 Lead Writer Brian Kindregan]. ''Blizzplanet.'' Accessed 2010-10-31.</ref> Both are real surnames, with Duran being Spanish and Narud being Scandinavian.

===Character Development===
When exploring how to portray Narud in the cinematic "[[Shifting Perspectives]]," the cinematic team explored what it would look like to show Narud's true xel'naga form. [[Hybrid]]-like concepts were designed, varying from monstrous bulbous forms to more elegant "star god" forms.<ref>2022-12-17, [https://photos.app.goo.gl/U6UBgdDCZs4M2CPCA Phill Gonzales - StarCraft 2 Concept Gallery]. ''Google Photos''. Accessed on 2022-12-17</ref> There were a large number of talks between the story and development teams in order to get the design for a shapeshifter Narud the way they wanted.<ref>2022-12-19, [https://i.imgur.com/sJB1pIT.jpg Phill Gonzales - Discord Questions]. ''Imgur.com''. Accessed on 2022-12-19</ref> As development went on, it felt more thematically appropriate to the team to show Narud shapeshifting in his battle against Kerrigan. In the end, it was decided to have Narud take the form of Kerrigan to symbolize her killing her old self.<ref name = "SC2:CinematicStarCraft">Brooks, Robert. ''[[The Cinematic Art of StarCraft]]'' (hardcover). Blizzard Entertainment, October 18, 2018.</ref>

====Character Concepts====
<gallery>
NarudAlien Concept Game.JPG
Narud HotS Concept1.png
Narud2 Concept Game23.JPG
Narud3 Concept Game23.JPG
Narud4 Concept Game23.JPG
Narud5 Concept Game23.JPG
Narud6 Concept Game23.JPG
Narud7 Concept Game23.JPG
Narud8 Concept Game23.JPG
</gallery>
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Ref|scroll=x|col=2}}
{{Heroes}}
{{Wings of Liberty}}
{{Heart of the Swarm}}
{{Legacy of the Void}}
{{Amon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Duran, Samir}}
[[ko:사미르 듀란]]
[[es:Samir Duran]]
[[Category:Xel'naga characters in StarCraft II]]
[[Category:Moebius Foundation characters]]
[[Category:Heroes of the Storm]]
[[Category:Terran characters of I, Mengsk]]