Tartach
Encyclopedia
Tartach is a Duke of Hell in the service of Glasya.
's article "The Nine Hells Part II" in Dragon
#76 (1983).
Tartach was briefly detailed in Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
(2006). Tartach was detailed in the online version of Dragon
, in issue #361 (December 2007) in the second part of the "Infernal Aristocracy" feature.
and Baalzebul
, and briefly entered into an alliance with Geryon
. While Geryon never appreciated his talents, Glasya has showered him with gifts and affection. Even so, he hopes to rise in status still further, hoping that Glasya might recommend him to her father Asmodeus
when next the rulership of a layer of Hell lays vacant. He doesn't suspect she will, however, so he is attempting to ingratiate himself into another court, where he hopes to bring down a lord of Hell from within as once he helped bring down Moloch and Geryon. In particular, he would like to see Baalzebul brought low, though Baalzebul makes no secret of his hatred for his former servant, having sent several assassins after the chamberlain already.
Tartach also worries that Moloch will soon have amassed an army great enough to seize control of Malbolge again.
. There, he served Moloch as his deputy and as the ambassador to Moloch's vassals. Though outwardly maintaining a facade of loyalty toward Baalzebul, Tartach chafed at what he considered to be an inconsequential position, seeing other devils of lesser strength being granted more important titles elsewhere in the Hells. So it was that Tartach entered into a conspiracy with Malagarde
, Beleth
, and Geryon
to ensure Moloch's doom, hoping it would clear the way for Tartach to rise in status. Malagarde began cuckolding Moloch with Geryon, and when she was with Moloch she whispered words encouraging the viceroy to join a rebellion against Asmodeus himself, the war that became known as the Reckoning of Hell
. When the rebels were defeated in that war, Malagarde and Beleth encouraged Moloch to remain defiant instead of humbled, and as a result Moloch was exiled.
Tartach intended to double-cross both Geryon and Malagarde, but while his treachery was said to play a part in Geryon's fall, Malagarde double-crossed both Geryon and Tartach, seizing control of Malbolge for herself and exiling every noble who once served Moloch, leaving only Beleth to serve her as her spymaster. Instead of being rewarded for his efforts, Tartach was recalled to Baalzebul's court to serve there once again. There, Tartach was seduced by Glasya, who had abandoned Mammon but was currently teasing Baalzebul. She took Tartach on as her new lover instead, convincing him to throw in his lot with hers. Before any of their plans could bear fruit, however, Malagarde's flawed attempt at apotheosis resulted in her merging with her layer, leaving a vacuum of power that was filled after Asmodeus
appointed his daughter Glasya to serve as the new Lord of the Sixth. Glasya invited Tartach to join her as her chamberlain.
Publication history
Tartach first appears in Ed GreenwoodEd Greenwood
Ed Greenwood is a Canadian writer and editor who created the Forgotten Realms. He invented the Forgotten Realms as a child, as a fantasy world in which to set the stories he imagined, and later used this world as a campaign setting for his own personal Dungeons & Dragons playing group...
's article "The Nine Hells Part II" in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#76 (1983).
Tartach was briefly detailed in Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells
Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells is an optional supplemental source book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Contents:...
(2006). Tartach was detailed in the online version of Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
, in issue #361 (December 2007) in the second part of the "Infernal Aristocracy" feature.
Description
Tartach appears as a human of giant stature wearing a beard and mustache and with stubby, hooked horns on his forehead. He has no tail, but his feet have the pads and fur (but not the claws) of a lion, and his skin is of a fiery orange hue. He wears robes of black or purple silk, and walks with cold dignity. Tartach has a dark, cruel sense of humor, and he savors the screams of the creatures he tortures. He is a powerful spellcaster, said to be one of the most dangerous workers of magic in the Nine Hells and certainly the most potent in Malbolge, except possibly for Glasya herself.Relationships
Tartach is currently Glasya's chamberlain and consort. He was formerly a servant of MolochMoloch (Dungeons & Dragons)
In many campaign settings for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Moloch is an arch-devil of Hell , and once served as the viceroy of Baalzebul.-Creative origins:...
and Baalzebul
Baalzebul (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Baalzebul is a fictional character, described as an Arch-Devil of Hell , also called the "Lord of the Flies."Baalzebul is lord of Maladomini, the Seventh Plane of Hell...
, and briefly entered into an alliance with Geryon
Geryon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Geryon was an Arch-Devil of Hell , also known as the "Wild Beast."-Creative origins:...
. While Geryon never appreciated his talents, Glasya has showered him with gifts and affection. Even so, he hopes to rise in status still further, hoping that Glasya might recommend him to her father Asmodeus
Asmodeus
Asmodeus may refer to:* Asmodai, a demon-like figure of the Talmud and Book of Tobit* Asmodeus , Austrian black-metal band*Asmodeus , the name of several characters in Marvel Comics*Asmodeus...
when next the rulership of a layer of Hell lays vacant. He doesn't suspect she will, however, so he is attempting to ingratiate himself into another court, where he hopes to bring down a lord of Hell from within as once he helped bring down Moloch and Geryon. In particular, he would like to see Baalzebul brought low, though Baalzebul makes no secret of his hatred for his former servant, having sent several assassins after the chamberlain already.
Tartach also worries that Moloch will soon have amassed an army great enough to seize control of Malbolge again.
History
Like many of the oldest devils, Tartach is said to have once been a celestial. After Baalzebul was given command of Maladomini, Tartach bound his fate to the that of the Lord of the Flies. Baalzebul sent Tartach to Malbolge to serve as the legate to Baalzebul's viceroy MolochMoloch
Moloch — also rendered as Molech, Molekh, Molok, Molek, Molock, or Moloc — is the name of an ancient Semitic god...
. There, he served Moloch as his deputy and as the ambassador to Moloch's vassals. Though outwardly maintaining a facade of loyalty toward Baalzebul, Tartach chafed at what he considered to be an inconsequential position, seeing other devils of lesser strength being granted more important titles elsewhere in the Hells. So it was that Tartach entered into a conspiracy with Malagarde
Hag Countess
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Hag Countess, also known as Malagard, is the former ruler of Malbolge, the Sixth Layer of the Nine Hells of Baator...
, Beleth
Beleth
In demonology, Beleth also spelled Bilet, Bileth, Byleth and Bilith is a mighty and terrible king of Hell, who has eighty-five legions of demons under his command...
, and Geryon
Geryon (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Geryon was an Arch-Devil of Hell , also known as the "Wild Beast."-Creative origins:...
to ensure Moloch's doom, hoping it would clear the way for Tartach to rise in status. Malagarde began cuckolding Moloch with Geryon, and when she was with Moloch she whispered words encouraging the viceroy to join a rebellion against Asmodeus himself, the war that became known as the Reckoning of Hell
Reckoning of Hell
In the cosmology of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the Reckoning of Hell was a civil war that shaped the political landscape of the Nine Hells into its current form...
. When the rebels were defeated in that war, Malagarde and Beleth encouraged Moloch to remain defiant instead of humbled, and as a result Moloch was exiled.
Tartach intended to double-cross both Geryon and Malagarde, but while his treachery was said to play a part in Geryon's fall, Malagarde double-crossed both Geryon and Tartach, seizing control of Malbolge for herself and exiling every noble who once served Moloch, leaving only Beleth to serve her as her spymaster. Instead of being rewarded for his efforts, Tartach was recalled to Baalzebul's court to serve there once again. There, Tartach was seduced by Glasya, who had abandoned Mammon but was currently teasing Baalzebul. She took Tartach on as her new lover instead, convincing him to throw in his lot with hers. Before any of their plans could bear fruit, however, Malagarde's flawed attempt at apotheosis resulted in her merging with her layer, leaving a vacuum of power that was filled after Asmodeus
Asmodeus (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game, Asmodeus is an Arch-Devil: a lord of the game's version of Hell . There he is the Overlord of the Dukes of Hell...
appointed his daughter Glasya to serve as the new Lord of the Sixth. Glasya invited Tartach to join her as her chamberlain.
Additional reading
- Marmell, AriAri MarmellAri Marmell is an American novelist and freelance role-playing game writer.-Novels:His first novel, Gehenna: The Final Night, was published in 2004 by White Wolf Publishing...
. "Codex of Betrayal: Beleth, the Witch's Viscount." DragonDragon (magazine)Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#365. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2008. Available online: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drcodex/20080714