The Gods of Mars characters

Appears from the start

The Virginia-born fighting man who has spent ten years on Earth after being separated from Barsoom, his wife Dejah Thoris, and their unborn child. When he is transported back, he arrives in the Valley Dor rather than Helium and immediately has to survive its hostile inhabitants.

First appears in chapter 2

Jeddak of the Tharks and Carter's close friend from his earlier life on Barsoom. Carter finds him fighting for survival in the Valley Dor, where Tars had arrived after following the pilgrimage that Barsoomian religion presents as a final journey.

Also known as Princess of Ptarth

First appears in chapter 4

A red Martian princess held in the domain of the therns. Thuvia understands the dangerous creatures of the Valley Dor and can control banths through learned commands, making her an important guide and ally during the escape.

First appears in chapter 6

A high-ranking warrior of the First Born, the black Martian people whose raiders dominate the hidden Sea of Omean. Xodar meets Carter as an enemy and is confident in the First Born's superiority and in the divine status of their ruler, Issus.

First appears in chapter 8

A daughter of Matai Shang and a princess among the white-skinned therns. Phaidor has been raised to regard the therns as a sacred ruling order. Her attraction to Carter and her possessiveness toward him place her in an uneasy relationship with the other captives.

Also known as Hekkador of the Holy Therns

First appears in chapter 8

The highest-ranking leader of the therns and Phaidor's father. Matai Shang benefits from the religious system surrounding the Valley Dor and treats exposure of its workings as a threat to his order's authority.

First appears in chapter 10

The ruler worshiped by the First Born as the source of Barsoomian life and death. Issus presides over a hidden court beneath the Valley Dor, uses ritual and fear to preserve her position, and regards prisoners as disposable entertainment.

Also known as Princess of Helium

First appears in chapter 10

Carter's wife and the princess of Helium, from whom he has been separated for ten Earth years. When he finally sees her again, she is a prisoner in Issus's domain and does not yet know that he has returned to Barsoom.

First appears in chapter 16

A Heliumite officer and Carter's trusted ally. Kantos Kan remains loyal when Carter returns from the forbidden Valley Dor and helps him despite the religious and political charges attached to that return.

First appears in chapter 16

The jed of Zodanga who holds power in Helium while Tardos Mors and Mors Kajak are absent. Zat Arras treats Carter's return from the Valley Dor as both heresy and a challenge to his own authority and orders him confined.

First appears in chapter 18

The grown son of John Carter and Dejah Thoris, born after Carter's disappearance. Carthoris is a prince and military leader of Helium who recognizes his father from family accounts and supports his effort to recover Dejah.

First appears in chapter 20

The jeddak of Helium and Dejah Thoris's grandfather. Tardos Mors remains one of Carter's principal political allies and supports the attempt to rescue the captives after returning to Helium.