Thuvia, Maid of Mars · Character

Astok of Dusar

Prince of Dusar, weak and wicked by his own admission, who steals a princess and frames a rival to cover the crime.

supporting

Also known as Astok, Dusar

As a supporting figure in Thuvia, Maid of Mars, Astok of Dusar is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Prince of Dusar; forcibly grasps Thuvia and is struck by Carthoris; later takes formal leave.

In the storyCarthoris and ThuviaOpen this moment free

Astok is the son of a tyrant and a slave woman, raised without love and schooled in his father's cruelty, yet not quite hardened enough to match it. He schemes to take Thuvia of Ptarth and shifts the blame onto Carthoris, but his nerve fails when Nutus whispers what murdering her would truly require. His cowardice and his craving for a woman who scorns him make him the engine of the novel's central pursuit.

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Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Astok of Dusar sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Romantic
Professional
Family

Character groups

Antagonists and Captors
Protagonist
Allies and Key Figures

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because it presents the ultimate crisis of faith versus action: Jav’s abject terro…

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Relationships

Carthoris of Helium
rivalry · negative
Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill… How this plays out →
Thuvia of Ptarth
romantic · negative
Vas Kor
professional · negative
Nutus
family · positive
Turjun
professional · negative
Vas Kor
professional · negative
Vas Kor
professional · negative
Thuvia of Ptarth
romantic · negative
Carthoris of Helium
rivalry · negative
Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill… How this plays out →
Carthoris of Helium
rivalry · negative
Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill… How this plays out →
Thuvia of Ptarth
romantic · negative
Nutus
family · positive

Carthoris of Helium
Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill him and frame him for murder.
Thuvia of Ptarth
Astok desires Thuvia as a bride for political gain, but his feelings are possessive and unrequited.
Vas Kor
Vas Kor is Astok's henchman, assisting in his schemes and acting as a co-conspirator.
Nutus
Nutus is Astok's father, the Jeddak of Dusar, who supports his son's political ambitions.
Turjun
Turjun is a Dusarian warrior serving under Astok, involved in his schemes against Carthoris.
Vas Kor
Vas Kor is Astok's henchman, assisting in his schemes and acting as a co-conspirator.
Vas Kor
Vas Kor is Astok's henchman, assisting in his schemes and acting as a co-conspirator.
Thuvia of Ptarth
Astok desires Thuvia as a bride for political gain, but his feelings are possessive and unrequited.
Carthoris of Helium
Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill him and frame him for murder.
Carthoris of Helium
Astok is a jealous suitor of Thuvia and a political enemy of Carthoris, plotting to kill him and frame him for murder.
Thuvia of Ptarth
Astok desires Thuvia as a bride for political gain, but his feelings are possessive and unrequited.
Nutus
Nutus is Astok's father, the Jeddak of Dusar, who supports his son's political ambitions.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Astok of Dusar in Carthoris and Thuvia

In the story

Astok of Dusar appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Carthoris and Thuvia
Prince of Dusar; forcibly grasps Thuvia and is struck by Carthoris; later takes formal leave.
II: Slavery
Referred to as 'the prince' whose plan is being executed; orchestrates the abduction.
III: Treachery
Prince of Dusar, initially suspected by Carthoris of the abduction, but alibi provided by fêtes in Dusar.
IV: A Green Man’s Captive
Implied as the master of the red abductors who lost Thuvia.
Kar Komak, the Bowman
Mentioned as the villain whose machinations have led to war between Helium, Ptarth, and Kaol.
XII: To Save Dusar
Struggles with his father's command to kill Thuvia; visits her in the tower, pleads for her love, and when rejected, resolves to have her executed.
XIII: Turjun, the Panthan
Plots with Vas Kor to kill Thuvia, fearing her eyes and seeking Vas Kor's help.
XIV: Kulan Tith's Sacrifice
Plots Thuvia's murder with Vas Kor, but is confronted and thwarted by Carthoris.

Chapter companion notes

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See Astok of Dusar in Carthoris and Thuvia