Tarik el-Aboulela began his foray into the slave trade as a low-paid bodyguard for an Ethiopian crime lord, but soon found himself the object of desire in the eyes of a enigmatic archaeologist, Emilia Howard who had become possessed with the spirit of Nephthys. His employers saw an opportunity and sold him. Howard took Tarik back to her headquarters and began to experiment on him and a number of other young men she had bought. Her plan was to bring back her husband, the ancient god Set. To do so, she knew she would need followers and a secure base, and her plan was to take control of the continent of Africa with the help of supernatural minions. Her powers were new to her and she needed to refine them, but after weeks of trials with the slaves she found some success.

At times she became bored and tortured some of the men. At other times she allowed herself to be pleasured by their touches. And other times she infused too much power into their mortal bodies and they collapsed and fell apart. Only Tarik was able to withstand the supernatural energies she was channelling from the Well of Shadows. She could see him changing, becoming more ferocious and strong.

Tarik could feel the changes inside him as well and began to vie for Nephtys' attention by beating the other men senseless and drawing their blood. The sight of blood and the hint of an approving smile on his mistress' lips was enough for him to thirst for more. He became Maahes, a lion-man, embodying the power of a War God.

Since becoming Nephtys' bodyguard, Maahes has immersed himself in his new world and taken anything he fancies. He draws power from the sun, but also from the adoration and fear he instils in opponents whether they be in a combat or sexual situation (although for Maahes, both intertwine). Maahes is one of the most powerful Sons of Set and has been at the forefront of Nephthys' incursion into Africa, the first one to strike down her enemies when the persuasive approach fails.

Maahes is consumed with his power and allows himself to enjoy anything he wants. He is addicted to the pleasures of killing and love-making, and must participate in such activities daily or else his bestial nature threatens to over-run him. He organises bloodsports every morning and can kill up to half a dozen men during such exercise, although he has also been known to kill many more when he is feeling particularly restless.

He treats everyone and everything as inferior, except for Nephthys who he worships as a goddess. He knows she is untouchable and protects her status with murderous finality, striking down any who dare to get too close to her.

He has an ongoing rivalry with his team mate, Menhit, and the two often enter combat although neither has proven to be superior to the other.

"Your life is in my hands. Submit to me and you may see another sunrise. Defy me and you shall watch your own entrails curl around my claws."

Maahes is endowed with the godlike powers of a War God. He is immensely strong, able to lift in excess of 400 tons. He is resilient to injury and heals swiftly, perhaps even being immortal. In addition to these powers he is also capable of unleashing a wave of death and destruction which he uses to herald the attack of the Sons of Set. The wave is a supernatural energy which ripples through the air and heats all living creatures. It is magical in nature and has been known to destroy entires armies.

Maahes is a large lion-man, with long fangs, clawed hands and a sandy-brown fur covering his body. He usually wears very little, apart from an Egyptian guardsman's skirt, but has been known to dress in expensive suits when the situation calls for it.