# Gahan of Gathol — The Chessmen of Mars character guide > Gahan of Gathol in The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gahan, Gathol, Jed of Gathol, The Jed of Gathol, Jed **First appearance:** 0003-ii-at-the-gale-s-mercy ## Snapshot The Jed of Gathol, who sets aside his title and disguises himself as a common panthan to win Tara of Helium on his own merits rather than his rank. ## Who they are Gahan of Gathol is a ruler who would rather earn a woman's love than command it, so he sheds his identity and serves as a nameless wandering warrior. His pride and his secret cut both ways: Tara, not knowing who he is, treats him as a hireling, and his deception risks destroying the very trust he hopes to build. His masquerade places him at the center of every rescue and reversal in the story's middle arc. ## Relationships ### [Tara of Helium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/tara_of_helium) _romantic_ Gahan is deeply in love with Tara, pursuing her across Barsoom and eventually winning her heart. ### [O-Tar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/o_tar) _rivalry_ Gahan opposes O-Tar as a direct enemy, competing for Tara's freedom and challenging his tyrannical rule. ### [Ghek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/ghek) _friendship_ Gahan and Ghek become uneasy allies, with Ghek aiding Gahan in his quest to rescue Tara. ### [U-Dor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/u_dor) _rivalry_ U-Dor, a Manatorian chief, is an antagonist who challenges Gahan and supports O-Tar. ### [Floran of Gathol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/floran_of_gathol) _family_ Floran is Gahan's father, the Jeddak of Gathol, who supports his son's quest. ### [Tara of Helium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/tara_of_helium) _romantic_ Gahan is deeply in love with Tara, pursuing her across Barsoom and eventually winning her heart. ### [O-Tar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/o_tar) _rivalry_ Gahan opposes O-Tar as a direct enemy, competing for Tara's freedom and challenging his tyrannical rule. ### [Ghek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/ghek) _friendship_ Gahan and Ghek become uneasy allies, with Ghek aiding Gahan in his quest to rescue Tara. ### [O-Tar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/o_tar) _rivalry_ Gahan opposes O-Tar as a direct enemy, competing for Tara's freedom and challenging his tyrannical rule. ### [Tara of Helium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/tara_of_helium) _romantic_ Gahan is deeply in love with Tara, pursuing her across Barsoom and eventually winning her heart. ### [Ghek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/ghek) _friendship_ Gahan and Ghek become uneasy allies, with Ghek aiding Gahan in his quest to rescue Tara. ### [Floran of Gathol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/floran_of_gathol) _family_ Floran is Gahan's father, the Jeddak of Gathol, who supports his son's quest. ## In the story ### [The Chessmen of Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/the-chessmen-of-mars) Disguised as Turan, he sets out to rescue Tara. ### [Tara in a Tantrum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/i-tara-in-a-tantrum) Introduced to Tara by John Carter. He is a young jed from Gathol, adorned in barbaric splendor, and engages Tara in conversation about his city. ### [At the Gale's Mercy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/ii-at-the-gale-s-mercy) Visits the palace, learns of Tara's disappearance, and reveals his intent to win her despite her rejection. ### [A Repellent Sight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-a-repellent-sight) Discovers Tara's flier, plans her rescue, survives banth attack, and recounts his fall from the Vanator during the storm. ### [Close Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-close-work) Disguised as Turan the panthan, he fights valiantly to protect Tara, showing skill and leadership. ### [IX: Adrift Over Strange Regions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-adrift-over-strange-regions) Disguised as Turan the panthan, he fights kaldanes to avenge Tara, then pilots the flier and scouts the strange city. ### [XI: The Choice of Tara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-the-choice-of-tara) Mentioned as the jed of Gathol, whose people are enslaved by Manatorians; Tara recalls meeting him at her father's palace. ### [XV: The Old Man of the Pits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-the-old-man-of-the-pits) Disguised as Turan the panthan, he carries Tara to safety and confesses his love for her. ### [Another Change of Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-another-change-of-name) Disguised as Turan, he orchestrates a plan to rescue Tara. ### [A Play to the Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-a-play-to-the-death) Disguised as the Black Chief; leads the Black players, fights skillfully, and ultimately challenges U-Dor in single combat. ### [XVIII: A Task for Loyalty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xviii-a-task-for-loyalty) Disguised as Turan, he confesses his love for Tara and later pursues her captor; demonstrates courage and devotion. ### [XIX: The Menace of the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xix-the-menace-of-the-dead) Disguised as Turan, he listens to Tara's opinion of the Jed of Gathol and struggles with his feelings after her confession. ### [XX: The Charge of Cowardice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xx-the-charge-of-cowardice) Searches for Tara after her disappearance, exploring the chambers and pits of O-Mai. ### [A Risk for Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-a-risk-for-love) Scales the tower to reach Tara, confronts I-Gos, and pledges to rescue Tara from O-Tar. ### [At the Moment of Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xxii-at-the-moment-of-marriage) Disguised as Turan the panthan, he impersonates O-Tar at the wedding, then reveals himself; his true identity as Jed of Gathol is disclosed by a warrior. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/gahan_of_gathol - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters