Qalun was a cunning, sorcerous champion of Turan dispatched by Prince Afrasiab to seal the passes of Mount Alborz with heavy cavalry and war elephants. Intercepting Rostam and Kay Qobad, he thrust his spear into Rostam's gear, but Rostam wrested the spear away and impaled Qalun through the torso, lifting him off his saddle like a fowl on a spit.