Tartarus (Halo)

Tartarus is a male extraterrestrial character that features in Halo.

Biography

Tartarus was the most prominent of the Jiralhanae Brute commanders of the Covenant where he was easily recognized by his albinism and distinctive mohawk. He represents his entire species as their Chieftain: rough, arrogant and disdainful of the Covenant Elite, and totally dedicated to the Prophets' "Great Journey". He was shown as being a servant and majordomo to the High Prophet of Truth who had trusted him enough to dismiss the Honor Guards in the chamber. He had scoured the wreckage of the Covenant attack coordination station Unyielding Hierophant after its destruction at the hands of the Master Chief. Tartarus reported the Covenant Fleet preparing to attack Earth largely destroyed, and an artifact almost entirely lost but for three small chips, which he presented to Truth. He was instructed to reward the surviving pilots well, then "execute them all. Quickly. Quietly."

He was responsible for branding the Elite that would later become the Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee with the Mark of Shame and took him to the Mausoleum for an execution. When that same Elite was given the role of the Arbiter, Tartarus was obviously displeased, but did not openly voice his objections to the Prophets. Tartarus interceded after the Heretic Leader was killed and seized 343 Guilty Spark, despite the Arbiter's objections. He also reappeared when the Arbiter tried to retrieve the Index of Delta Halo. On the Prophets' orders, Tartarus stole the Index and pushed the Arbiter to what was intended to be his death in the deep central chasm of the Library. The Brute then returned to High Charity with the Index and captives Commander Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Avery Johnson under his possession.

While trying to get the Reclaimer Miranda Keyes to activate Halo, Tartarus was confronted by the Arbiter. Blind to the Prophets' deception, he activated Delta Halo and prepared to guard the Index from all comers. In the final showdown, Tartarus put up a difficult fight with his frequently one-hit-kill electromagnetic Gravity Hammer, the "Fist of Rukt," and his unique fog-like energy shield that is almost impervious to damage, but ultimately was killed by the Arbiter when Sergeant Johnson temporarily disabled his shield with a particle beam rifle successfully preventing the destruction of the galaxy.

Notes

• Tartarus was voiced by actor Kevin Michael Richardson.
• Chronologically, the character made his first appearance in the novel Halo: First Strike,

Appearances

• Halo 2:

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