# Dar Tarus — The Master Mind of Mars character guide > Dar Tarus in The Master Mind of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Phundahl, Dar Tarus of Phundahl **First appearance:** 0003-ii-preferment ## Snapshot A Phundahlian warrior whose body was stolen by the favorite Sag Or, and who now wears his enemy's aged flesh while plotting to reclaim his own. ## Who they are Dar Tarus was a young warrior of Phundahl until Xaxa's favorite, Sag Or, took his beautiful body for himself, leaving Dar Tarus trapped in Sag Or's dissipated frame. He joins Paxton's conspiracy with a personal stake no one else can match, studying his own stolen face with a mixture of vanity and grief. His claim to the throne of Phundahl gives the plot its political spine. ## Relationships ### [Xaxa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/xaxa) _rivalry_ Dar Tarus is the primary antagonist to the tyrannical and cruel Xaxa, whom he seeks to overthrow. ### [Gor Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/gor_hajus) _friendship_ Dar Tarus and Gor Hajus are close allies and co-conspirators in the rebellion against Xaxa. ### [Hovan Du](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/hovan_du) _friendship_ Dar Tarus and Hovan Du are steadfast friends and fellow rebels against Xaxa's regime. ### [Sag Or](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/sag_or) _rivalry_ Dar Tarus and Sag Or are enemies, with Sag Or being a treacherous henchman of Xaxa. ### [The Great Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/the_great_tur) _rivalry_ Dar Tarus opposes The Great Tur, who is a false religious leader supporting Xaxa. ### [Ras Thavas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/ras_thavas) _professional_ Dar Tarus reluctantly relies on Ras Thavas for his surgical expertise to save Valla Dia. ### [Valla Dia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/valla_dia) _romantic_ Dar Tarus is deeply in love with Valla Dia and risks everything to rescue her. ### [The Great Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/the_great_tur) _rivalry_ Dar Tarus opposes The Great Tur, who is a false religious leader supporting Xaxa. ### [Hovan Du](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/hovan_du) _friendship_ Dar Tarus and Hovan Du are steadfast friends and fellow rebels against Xaxa's regime. ### [Gor Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/gor_hajus) _friendship_ Dar Tarus and Gor Hajus are close allies and co-conspirators in the rebellion against Xaxa. ### [Xaxa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/xaxa) _rivalry_ Dar Tarus is the primary antagonist to the tyrannical and cruel Xaxa, whom he seeks to overthrow. ### [Sag Or](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/sag_or) _rivalry_ Dar Tarus and Sag Or are enemies, with Sag Or being a treacherous henchman of Xaxa. ## In the story ### [Suspicions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/vi-suspicions) The Phundahlian warrior (subject 378-J-493811-P) whose lung Vad Varo replaces in a secret operation. ### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-escape) Revived from his preserved body; joins Vad Varo's quest to avenge Xaxa's wrongs and reclaim Valla Dia's body. ### [Hands Up!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-hands-up) Assists Vad Varo with equilibrimotor control and follows Gor Hajus during the flight. ### [The Palace of Mu Tel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/ix-the-palace-of-mu-tel) Travels with Vad Varo and Gor Hajus, receives harness and weapons from Mu Tel. ### [X: Phundahl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/x-phundahl) Devoutly performs religious rituals at the temple of Tur, borrowing gold from Gor Hajus to make offerings, and explains the faith to the narrator. ### [Xaxa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xi-xaxa) Mentioned as the one who lost his body and liberty to Sag Or; the protagonist hopes to recover his body. ### [The Great Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xii-the-great-tur) In his own body but inhabited by Sag Or's spirit; seeks restoration and reunion with Kara Vasa. ### [Back to Thavas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xiii-back-to-thavas) Restored to his own body; assists Vad Varo and comments on his own appearance. ### [XIV: John Carter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/xiv-john-carter) Proclaimed Jeddak of Phundahl after the transformation, receives Ras Thavas and encounters the Helium fleet. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/dar_tarus - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters