The Chessmen of Mars · Character

O-Tar

The tyrannical Jeddak of Manator, whose cruelty and cowardice turn his own jeds against him even as he sentences prisoners to die in the living game of jetan.

supporting

Also known as O - Tar, the jeddak, Tar, Jeddak, The Jeddak, the wicked Jeddak, Manator, O - Tar of Manator

First appearance: x entrapped

As a supporting figure in The Chessmen of Mars, O-Tar is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Jeddak of Manator, he offers to honor Tara but is rebuked; he orders her imprisonment and the Jetan game for her.

In the storyXI: The Choice of TaraOpen this moment free

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O-Tar rules Manator through fear and self-regard, but when danger touches him personally his nerve fails, and his own nobles watch him choose humiliation over courage. He has taken the unwilling Princess Haja and persecuted Gathol's slaves, feeding a resentment that U-Thor voices openly in his throne room. His paranoia and need to dominate make him the engine of the story's later dangers, and his weakness is the crack through which the heroes might escape.

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See O-Tar in x entrapped

Character Web

21 connections

A slice of how O-Tar sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional

Character groups

Manatorian allies and Gatholians
Protagonist

+16 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Gahan (as U-Ka…

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Relationships

Tara of Helium
rivalry · negative
O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a… How this plays out →
Gahan of Gathol
rivalry · negative
Turan
rivalry · negative
A-Kor
rivalry · negative
E-Thas
professional · negative
Ghek
rivalry · negative
Gahan of Gathol
rivalry · negative
Tara of Helium
rivalry · negative
O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a… How this plays out →
Tara of Helium
rivalry · negative
O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a… How this plays out →
Turan
rivalry · negative
Gahan of Gathol
rivalry · negative
E-Thas
professional · negative

Tara of Helium
O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a captive enemy.
Gahan of Gathol
Gahan opposes O-Tar as a direct enemy, competing for Tara's freedom and challenging his tyrannical rule.
Turan
O-Tar views Turan (Gahan in disguise) as a rebellious threat and seeks to execute him.
A-Kor
A-Kor is a political rival to O-Tar, opposing his cruel rule and supporting the rebellion.
E-Thas
E-Thas is O-Tar's chief lieutenant, carrying out his orders and enforcing his will.
Ghek
Ghek opposes O-Tar's cruelty and works against him to free Tara and undermine his rule.
Gahan of Gathol
Gahan opposes O-Tar as a direct enemy, competing for Tara's freedom and challenging his tyrannical rule.
Tara of Helium
O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a captive enemy.
Tara of Helium
O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a captive enemy.
Turan
O-Tar views Turan (Gahan in disguise) as a rebellious threat and seeks to execute him.
Gahan of Gathol
Gahan opposes O-Tar as a direct enemy, competing for Tara's freedom and challenging his tyrannical rule.
E-Thas
E-Thas is O-Tar's chief lieutenant, carrying out his orders and enforcing his will.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See O-Tar in x entrapped

In the story

O-Tar appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XI: The Choice of Tara
Jeddak of Manator, he offers to honor Tara but is rebuked; he orders her imprisonment and the Jetan game for her.
XII: Ghek Plays Pranks
Referenced by the officer as the jeddak who sent Tara to the Towers of Jetan and who would deal with Ghek if he is using forbidden powers.
XIII: A Desperate Deed
Mentioned as the jeddak who may take a hand in E-Med's disappearance and who sentences prisoners to the games.
XIV: At Ghek's Command
The jeddak of Manator; presides over the judgment of Tara and Ghek; accuses Tara of being a Corphal and seeks to rid himself of A-Kor.
XV: The Old Man of the Pits
Spared by Ghek, he orders the prisoners to win freedom in the Jetan games, but loses prestige.
Another Change of Name
The jeddak who arranges for Tara to be the stake of a slave game as punishment.
A Play to the Death
Jeddak of Manator; watches the game from the royal enclosure, growing angry at U-Dor's performance and the crowd's hostility.
XVIII: A Task for Loyalty
Referenced as the Jeddak of Manator; his commands drive the pursuit of Tara and Gahan.
XIX: The Menace of the Dead
Jeddak of Manator, receives I-Gos's report, sends chiefs to capture the fugitives, and is later challenged by a chieftain.
XX: The Charge of Cowardice
Faces accusations of cowardice from his chiefs; offers to make Tara his Jeddara.
A Risk for Love
Lies insensible from fright after Gahan's scream; his death would endanger Tara.
At the Moment of Marriage
The jeddak of Manator, exposed as a coward by I-Gos, commits suicide by dagger to redeem his honor.

Chapter companion notes

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See O-Tar in x entrapped

See O-Tar in XI: The Choice of Tara