# Hor Vastus — The Gods of Mars character guide

> Hor Vastus in The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0001-the-gods-of-mars

## Snapshot

A noble of Helium whose sword-oath to John Carter transforms a formal pledge of fealty into one of the book's most stirring acts of devotion.

## Who they are

Hor Vastus greets Carthoris with joy and then, recognizing John Carter, performs the rare and sacred rite of laying his blade at a Jeddak's feet. That gesture binds his body, life, and honor to Carter's cause without reservation. He matters because his unquestioning loyalty gives Carter a foothold in Helium at the very moment when political enemies and cosmic horrors alike are closing in.

## Relationships

### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter)

_friendship_

Hor Vastus is a devoted friend and ally to John Carter, fighting alongside him.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_friendship_

Dejah Thoris and Hor Vastus are close friends and allies, united in their loyalty to Helium.

### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter)

_friendship_

Hor Vastus is a devoted friend and ally to John Carter, fighting alongside him.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_friendship_

Dejah Thoris and Hor Vastus are close friends and allies, united in their loyalty to Helium.

### [John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/john_carter)

_friendship_

Hor Vastus is a devoted friend and ally to John Carter, fighting alongside him.

### [Dejah Thoris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/dejah_thoris)

_friendship_

Dejah Thoris and Hor Vastus are close friends and allies, united in their loyalty to Helium.

## In the story

### [Sola's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xviii-sola-s-story)

Proposes making John Carter Jeddak of Helium and is tasked with organizing a secret fighting force.

### [Black Despair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xix-black-despair)

Disguises himself as a Zodangan soldier to gain Parthak's trust and learn John Carter's cell location.

### [The Air Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xx-the-air-battle)

Planned to lead red men alongside Tars Tarkas in the land assault.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/hor_vastus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters