# Zezdon Afthen — Invaders from the Infinite character guide > Zezdon Afthen in Invaders from the Infinite by John W. Campbell. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Afthen, Zezdon **First appearance:** 0002-iii-a-quarter-of-a-million-light-years ## Snapshot An Ortolian physicist stranded far from home, whose telepathic gifts let Earth's crew speak with alien worlds and whose grief sharpens every mile of the journey. ## Who they are Zezdon Afthen sends messages of friendship to suspicious Sirian cities and reads the emotions behind their replies, hoping to find allies against Thett. He is torn between gratitude to his Earth hosts and an aching fear that his own world may already be gone. His telepathy is the expedition's diplomatic bridge, and his homesickness is its conscience. ## Relationships ### [Arcot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/arcot) _friendship_ Arcot and Zezdon Afthen develop a strong bond of mutual respect and cooperation as fellow explorers. ### [Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/morey) _friendship_ Morey and Zezdon Afthen share a respectful friendship, often collaborating on technical and strategic matters. ### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/wade) _friendship_ Wade and Zezdon Afthen are friendly allies, sharing adventures and mutual support during crises. ### [Arcot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/arcot) _friendship_ Arcot and Zezdon Afthen develop a strong bond of mutual respect and cooperation as fellow explorers. ### [Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/morey) _friendship_ Morey and Zezdon Afthen share a respectful friendship, often collaborating on technical and strategic matters. ### [Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/morey) _friendship_ Morey and Zezdon Afthen share a respectful friendship, often collaborating on technical and strategic matters. ### [Arcot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/arcot) _friendship_ Arcot and Zezdon Afthen develop a strong bond of mutual respect and cooperation as fellow explorers. ### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/wade) _friendship_ Wade and Zezdon Afthen are friendly allies, sharing adventures and mutual support during crises. ## In the story ### [II: Canine People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/ii-canine-people) Zezdon of Physics; one of the three Ortolian visitors. ### [III: A Quarter of a Million Light Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/iii-a-quarter-of-a-million-light-years) Explains the Ortolian civilization's reliance on mental knowledge and their detection of the Thessians through thought amplification. ### [IV: The First Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/iv-the-first-move) Expresses awe at Earth's beauty and anxiety about his home world; learns about the ship's drive. ### [VI: The Second Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/vi-the-second-move) Explains the history of the Ancient Masters, the Negrian Death Ray, and Ortolian emotional practices; teaches alongside the terrestrians. ### [World 3769–37,478,326,894,6, Talso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/vii-world-3769-37-478-326-894-6-talso) Explains the peaceful, non-mechanical history of his race; acts as spokesman and mental communicator with the Talsonians. ### [VIII: Undefeatable or Uncontrollable?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/viii-undefeatable-or-uncontrollable) Left with the ship to use his thought locating apparatus to seek the Thessian stronghold. ### [X: Improvements and Calculations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/x-improvements-and-calculations) Introduced as an ally from Ortol, present at the meeting on Earth. ### [XII: Sirius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xii-sirius) Acts as a mental communicator, relaying messages to the Sirians and experiencing genuine relief after the staged battle. ### [Attacked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xiii-attacked) Comments on the crew's nervous shock and provides a mild narcotic from Ortol. ### [Intergalactic Space](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xiv-intergalactic-space) Inquires about the nature of the energy work and volunteers to build a mental-control machine. ### [All-Powerful Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xv-all-powerful-gods) Assists in telepathically searching the minds of captured villagers to learn about their gods and time period. ### [XX: Destruction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xx-destruction) Reassures the crew about Thessian mental abilities and suggests sending Fentes down in a shell. ### [XXIII: Venone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xxiii-venone) Uses his mental science to examine the minds of Venonian officers without their awareness, and reports his findings to Arcot. ### [XXV: With Galaxies in the Balance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xxv-with-galaxies-in-the-balance) Advises Arcot to rest, puts Morey to sleep, and suggests Wade rest as well. ### [XXVI: Man, Creator and Destroyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xxvi-man-creator-and-destroyer) Reminds the crew of the importance of Earth; later dropped off at his home world. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/zezdon_afthen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters