# Tara of Helium — The Chessmen of Mars character guide > Tara of Helium in The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Helium, Tara, Princess Tara of Helium, The Princess of Helium, Princess **First appearance:** 0002-i-tara-in-a-tantrum ## Snapshot The headstrong Princess of Helium, daughter of John Carter, whose pride and quick blade carry her from palace luxury into slavery and the deadly chessboard of Manator. ## Who they are Tara of Helium moves through her father's palace trailed by suitors she refuses to take seriously, dismissing Djor Kantos's devotion as mere friendship with her brother. When she is captured and sold into slavery, her imperious temper collides with a world that punishes defiance — yet she kills her would-be attacker with a hidden blade and coolly tells the terrified slave girl beside her that honor matters more than life. Her refusal to be broken is what drives the novel's central journey. ## Relationships ### [Gahan of Gathol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/gahan_of_gathol) _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) _psychological_ Ghek, a kaldane, is fascinated by Tara's human emotions and becomes her devoted, almost obsessive companion. ### [O-Tar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/o_tar) _rivalry_ O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a captive enemy. ### [Turan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/turan) _romantic_ Tara is initially attracted to Turan, unaware he is Gahan in disguise, creating romantic tension. ### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter) _family_ John Carter is Tara's father, a loving and protective parent who searches for her across Barsoom. ### [Luud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/luud) _rivalry_ Luud captures Tara and intends to use her as a pawn in his power games, treating her as a prisoner. ### [Val Dor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/val_dor) _social_ Val Dor is a fellow Heliumite and acquaintance of Tara, part of her social circle. ### [Djor Kantos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/djor_kantos) _friendship_ Djor Kantos is a loyal friend and fellow warrior from Helium who helps search for Tara. ### [A-Kor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/a_kor) _friendship_ A-Kor becomes a protective ally to Tara, helping her navigate the dangers of Manator. ### [Gahan of Gathol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/gahan_of_gathol) _romantic_ Gahan is deeply in love with Tara, pursuing her across Barsoom and eventually winning her heart. ### [Turan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/turan) _romantic_ Tara is initially attracted to Turan, unaware he is Gahan in disguise, creating romantic tension. ### [O-Tar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/o_tar) _rivalry_ O-Tar, the Jeddak of Manator, seeks to force Tara into marriage and treats her as a captive enemy. ## In the story ### [Prelude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/prelude) Mentioned as John Carter's beautiful daughter, whose story is about to be told. ### [The Chessmen of Mars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/the-chessmen-of-mars) Flies into a storm and is captured by the Kaldanes in Bantoom. ### [Tara in a Tantrum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/i-tara-in-a-tantrum) The princess rises from her silks, bathes, dresses, and mingles with guests. She feels disturbed by Djor Kantos' attention to Olvia Marthis. ### [At the Gale's Mercy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/ii-at-the-gale-s-mercy) Defiantly flies into a storm after feeling humiliated by Gahan and ignored by Djor Kantos; becomes lost and helpless. ### [The Headless Humans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/iii-the-headless-humans) Survives the storm, lands in a strange valley, and forages for food and water while evading banths and the unknown inhabitants of the towers. ### [Captured](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/iv-captured) Captured by the Kaldanes after a failed escape attempt; she kills two rykors and a Moak before being overpowered. ### [V: The Perfect Brain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/v-the-perfect-brain) Tara is horrified by the kaldanes' cannibalism and their emotionless nature, but maintains her imperious pride as a princess of Helium. ### [VI: In the Toils of Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/vi-in-the-toils-of-horror) Captive, growing pale and thin; plots escape using her knowledge of the flier and the gate; resists Luud's mind control. ### [A Repellent Sight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-a-repellent-sight) Her flier is found intact but missing a propellor; she is presumed a prisoner in the tower. ### [Close Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-close-work) Demonstrates courage and quick thinking, singing 'The Song of Love' to distract Luud and save Gahan. ### [IX: Adrift Over Strange Regions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-adrift-over-strange-regions) Shows concern for Turan's safety, asserts authority over him, and suffers privation during the flight. ### [X: Entrapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/x-entrapped) Captured by U-Dor and taken to Manator; worries about Turan and feels sorrow and loneliness. ### [XI: The Choice of Tara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-the-choice-of-tara) Captured and brought to Manator, she defiantly refuses O-Tar's advances and is sentenced to be a prize in the Jetan game. ### [XII: Ghek Plays Pranks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-ghek-plays-pranks) Mentioned by the officer as having been sent to the Towers of Jetan; Ghek inquires about her. ### [XIII: A Desperate Deed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-a-desperate-deed) Kills E-Med in self-defense, then hides the body with Lan-O. She defiantly asserts her honor as a princess of Helium. ### [XIV: At Ghek's Command](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-at-ghek-s-command) Held in the Towers of Jetan as a prize for the next games; brought before O-Tar and accused of being a Corphal; denies the charge on U-Thor's advice. ### [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) Refuses to abandon Ghek, is carried into the pits by Turan, and rebuffs Turan's romantic advances. ### [Another Change of Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-another-change-of-name) The stake of the Jetan game; Turan seeks to win her freedom. ### [A Play to the Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xvii-a-play-to-the-death) Serves as the Black Princess in the Jetan game; initially distrustful of Gahan but later expresses trust in him. ### [XVIII: A Task for Loyalty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xviii-a-task-for-loyalty) Expresses gratitude to Turan but reaffirms her betrothal to Djor Kantos; shows loyalty and emotional conflict. ### [XIX: The Menace of the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xix-the-menace-of-the-dead) Hides with Turan in the chambers of O-Mai, confesses her love for him, and discusses Gahan of Gathol. ### [XX: The Charge of Cowardice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xx-the-charge-of-cowardice) Mysteriously abducted from Gahan's side; later brought before O-Tar and offered marriage. ### [A Risk for Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xxi-a-risk-for-love) Imprisoned in the tower, she kills a eunuch guard and receives hope from Gahan. ### [At the Moment of Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/chapters/xxii-at-the-moment-of-marriage) At the brink of forced marriage to O-Tar, she is rescued by Turan's revelation and her father's arrival; later learns Turan is Gahan of Gathol and accepts him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters/tara_of_helium - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chessmen_of_mars_se/characters