Tartarus (Halo)
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| Brute Chieftain Tartarus | |
|---|---|
 Jiralhanae Chieftain Tartarus |
|
| Game series | Halo series |
| First game | Halo 2 |
| Voice actor(s) | Kevin Michael Richardson |
Tartarus is The Arbiter's main enemy in Halo 2. In the fictional world of Bungie Studio's Halo games, Tartarus is the most prominent of the Jiralhanae (also known as Brute) commanders of the Covenant, 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 is named for the deepest part of the Ancient Greek underworld, where the Titans are imprisoned.
Tartarus made his first chronological appearance in the novel Halo: First Strike, in the chamber of the High Prophet of Truth. Even back then Truth 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." (p. 340)
In Halo 2, Tartarus branded the Elite that would later become the Arbiter 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 (although the player can do the same if he/she also has a particle beam rifle), successfully delaying/preventing the destruction of the galaxy.
Some players draw allusions between Tartarus and The Monkey King from Chinese myth (in early renders of the Battle Rifle released by Bungie, the Chinese characters for "Monkey King" were visible on the rifle's stock. It is unknown what the meaning of their presence is, but the connection is there.) Tartarus's mighty Gravity Hammer, the "Fist of Rukt" resembles the Norse God Thor's Hammer, the Mjolnir, as well as the Monkey King's magical staff. "Rukt" means "Blood" in Sanskrit and Hindi. Also, Tartarus is the name of the Greek Titan of the Underworld.
Tartarus is voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.
