The Master Mind of Mars · Character

Vad Varo

An Earthman surgeon killed in the trenches and reborn on Barsoom, whose scalpel and scruples make him the most dangerous man in two cities.

major

First appearance: The Master Mind of Mars

As a major figure in The Master Mind of Mars, Vad Varo is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Ulysses Paxton, the letter writer and narrator, who later becomes known as Vad Varo on Barsoom.

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Vad Varo wakes on Mars in a body not his own, apprenticed to the greatest — and most morally indifferent — surgeon on the planet. He carries an Earthman's horror at what Ras Thavas does casually, and a surgeon's knowledge that he can do it too, which is precisely what makes him valuable and hunted. His foreignness is his weakness and his leverage: no one in Toonol or Phundahl can predict a man who has no ancestors here to answer to.

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See Vad Varo in The Master Mind of Mars

Character Web

13 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Allies and Antagonists
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it represents the emotional and psychological peak where the protagonist,…

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In the story

Vad Varo appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

A Letter
Ulysses Paxton, the letter writer and narrator, who later becomes known as Vad Varo on Barsoom.
The Master Mind of Mars
The narrator and protagonist, who arrives on Barsoom and becomes entangled with Ras Thavas's experiments.
Preferment
Narrator and assistant to Ras Thavas; learns the secrets of the embalming fluid and revitalization solution; continues to adapt to Barsoom.
Valla Dia
The narrator, who is deeply affected by Valla Dia's plight and begins to question Ras Thavas's ethics. He learns her name and offers her comfort and hope.
Danger
Performs the brain transfer, overhears Thavas's plot, rescues Valla Dia to a hidden vault, and feigns ignorance to deflect suspicion.
Suspicions
Protagonist who performs secret surgeries, evades spies, and plans to resurrect Valla Dia with the help of revived allies.
Escape
Leads the escape, revives the allies, and orchestrates the stowaway plan.
Hands Up!
Struggles with flying the equilibrimotor, describes the city of Toonol and its lighting, and fears being caught by air patrols.
The Palace of Mu Tel
The protagonist from Earth, disguised with copper-red stain, receives a flier from Mu Tel to reach Phundahl and restore Valla Dia's body.
X: Phundahl
The narrator, who accompanies Dar Tarus to the temple, observes the rituals with skepticism, and later participates in the performance scheme.
The Great Tur
Impersonates the Great Tur, using the god's eyes and speaking-tube to command the temple and orchestrate the escape.

Chapter companion notes

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See Vad Varo in The Master Mind of Mars

See Vad Varo in A Letter