# Xodar — The Gods of Mars character guide

> Xodar in The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Dator Xodar, the proud Xodar, the great Xodar, The degraded Dator, Liberty Xodar, Spying Xodar

**First appearance:** 0007-vi-the-black-pirates-of-barsoom

## Snapshot

A proud black Dator of the First Born who, stripped of his faith in Issus, becomes one of John Carter's most valuable and unexpected allies.

## Who they are

Xodar begins as a devoted servant of the goddess Issus, certain of his own superiority, until Carter forces him to see that his deity is a mortal old woman who cannot save him. His fall from pride to doubt is the hinge of his transformation, and his intimate knowledge of Omean, Shador, and the First Born's navy becomes the key to Carter's escape plans. He matters because he proves that even the enemy's most arrogant sons can be won by truth and courage.

## Relationships

### [Issus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/issus)

_psychological_

Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court.

### [Thurid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/thurid)

_rivalry_

Thurid and Xodar are rivals and enemies, both vying for power in Issus's court.

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

_friendship_

John Carter and Xodar become allies and friends after Xodar defects from Issus's service.

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

_friendship_

Dejah Thoris and Xodar develop a respectful friendship after Xodar turns against Issus.

### [Issus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/issus)

_psychological_

Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court.

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

_friendship_

John Carter and Xodar become allies and friends after Xodar defects from Issus's service.

### [Issus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/characters/issus)

_psychological_

Issus manipulates and controls Xodar as a high-ranking minion in her cruel court.

## In the story

### [A Fair Goddess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-a-fair-goddess)

Dator of the First Born, captured and bound by John Carter; reveals the history of his race and acknowledges John Carter's superiority.

### [The Depths of Omean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-the-depths-of-omean)

Xodar, a dator of the First Born, escorts the prisoners and reveals the secrets of the subterranean sea and the Temple of Issus.

### [IX: Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-issus-goddess-of-life-eternal)

Degraded from Dator to slave by Issus after his defeat by John Carter.

### [The Prison Isle of Shador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/x-the-prison-isle-of-shador)

Former Dator degraded by Issus, now imprisoned and struggling with his faith in her omnipotence.

### [Doomed to Die](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-doomed-to-die)

Mentioned as the black ally John Carter plans to escape with; later reunited in prison on Shador.

### [A Break for Liberty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-a-break-for-liberty)

Describes the First Born's nonproductive society and the tunnel to the therns; aids in the escape.

### [The Eyes in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-the-eyes-in-the-dark)

Assists with the damaged flier and alerts John Carter to the worsening leak of repulsive rays.

### [Flight and Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xv-flight-and-pursuit)

Rides with the party and charges to support John Carter against the Warhoons.

### [Under Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xvi-under-arrest)

Companion of John Carter, present as a prisoner.

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

Provides expertise on the First Born and assists in planning the fleet's equipment for Omean.

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

Devises the plan to extract John Carter's location from Parthak and exposes a thern spy.

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

Serves as guide for Tars Tarkas and Hor Vastus in the land assault.

### [Victory and Defeat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xxii-victory-and-defeat)

Leads John Carter to the Temple of the Sun and attempts to find a way to stop its mechanism.

## Links

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