Tardeth Llanistaph Lord Tardeth Llanistaph was Duke of Suretmarch , just chancellor of Tethyr , and one of the original members and a leader of the Company of Eight . He was greatly respected as a national hero across most of Tethyr . Description . Tardeth was considered a handsome man , tall , with broad shoulders . He preferred to wear leathers , but if he knew that combat was evident , he would gear up in chainmail instead . Abilities . Tardeth specialized in the longsword and was also proficient in the use of the dagger , light crossbow , longbow , and spear . As a ranger he was dedicated to the tracking and pursuit of giant s and knew a great deal about animals and weather . Relationships . Tardeth had good relationships with all members of the Company of Eight and expected great things from Manfred Arbustle , who had been the youngest member . He considered all of them as his own family . Tardeth had an older brother named Alain , and they had adventured together , but the latter was killed early in the lifetime of the Company of Eight . Personality . Tardeth was honorable and just . He was confident in what he believed , yet he was always certain to seek proof for any matter . He was friendly and optimistic on the surface , but beneath that he struggle with doubts . Since his brother ' s death , Tardeth had devoted himself to the Company and to the ideals of Alain for a better Tethyr . The empty place in the Company always reminded him of his mistake . He had never discussed this with anyone else , and it left a psychological scar . Activities . While in the Company of Eight , Tardeth was its spokesperson and leader , and under his guidance , it ran very smoothly . As just chancellor , Tardeth was responsible for the judicial systems of Tethyr . Tardeth oversaw four sub - chancellors , and together they were in charge of all written laws and the enforcement thereof . Early in the reign of Queen Zaranda , Tardeth submitted a draft of laws for the Kingdom of Tethyr known as the Star ' s Charter . Lord Llanistaph also served as a member of the queen ' s Royal Privy Council , and he was an honorary member of the Order of the Silver Chalice . Possessions . Tardeth owned a wide collection of magical items . He wore a " ring of protection " , an amulet that protected him from undead , and magical chainmail . He carried a magic spear and kept several varieties of magical arrows handy . His most prized possession , however , was his magical sword , " The Scales of Justice " , which he inherited from his late brother . It was an intelligent sword and could even take control of Tardeth if necessary . Holdings . The official mansion of Duke Llanistaph was Veaddakar , located in Alonmarch . During 1370 DR , the building was under construction , and so Tardeth rented a manor in the city of Saradush until it was complete . History . Tardeth was from the city of Ithmong , before it was renamed Darromar . Tardeth , along with his brother , joined the original Company of Eight , which was created and led by Alain , in 1344 DR . Unfortunately , Alain died within the first year , trying to undo a mistake made by the then young Tardeth . Only three beings witnessed the death and understood the blame that was Tardeth ' s : Tardeth himself , Alain ' s intelligent sword , and the late half - elf druid ess , Kaleene Thalwood . Afterward , Kaleene led the group and agreed with Tardeth to never replace Alain ' s position in the Company . In 1346 DR , however , Kaleene also died in fight with a green dragon , and Tardeth became the next leader , while Kaleene ' s place was taken by Arkaneus Silvermane . Tardeth suffered from depression because of his blame over Alain ' s death . At one point , he became mentally unstable but was saved by the Alain ' s intelligent sword , " The Scales of Justice " , which briefly took control of the ranger ' s body to save the Company from a grave danger . After this incident , Targeth grew very close to the sword . During the Reclamation Wars , Tardeth supported Zaranda Star ' s rise to power . At the end of 1367 DR , while Zaranda Star ' s army besieged the city of Ithmong , Tardeth ' s home city , he and Marilyn Haresdown joined Zaranda in infiltrating the city and capturing Julian Gallowglass , son of Ernest Gallowglass , who had set himself up as dictator of that city and would - be king . After the end of Tethyr ' s civil war , Zaranda appointed him as duke and lord chancellor .