Tarth (Deadlock)

The Tarth are a fictional sentient species of extraterrestrial origin in the Accolade computer game "".

:"The Tarth are big, the Tarth are tough, the Tarth will cause you pains":"They're not too bright, but when you can head-butt buildings, who needs brains?":"They make the greatest farmers, but as spies they suck, you see":"They try to hide their 6-foot width behind a 1-foot tree."

-:Part of the Deadlock song by programmer Paul Kwinn

Physiology

"Tarth" have evolved on Korga, a world extremely hostile to organic life, only three times smaller than Jupiter. Thus, they are large (about 180 centimeters wide, height and weight not specified), lumbering behemothes with a thick, orange hide covered in scale-like plates. "Tarth" are bipedal, humanoid-like creatures with a wide, powerful frame and a short tail. They have 4 fingers on each arm (one thumb) and 3 on each leg.

Because they are used to a crushing level of gravity, "Tarth" never learned to walk completely upright. Slouching is common, to the point of using all four limbs for walking.

"Tarth" are very strong and hardy (three times the muscle development of any other sentient race), able to tear through a concrete wall.

"Tarth" also require a great deal of nourishment to remain in good health. Despite the massive maw and sharp teeth, "Tarth" are vegetarian.

Culture

The "Tarth" culture has always revolved around battle. Even their leaders (called "Ubergenerals") are decided in a fighting tournament, with the last one standing automatically assuming the role.

Necessity has made "Tarth" excellent farmers, as their hordes are vast both in numbers and appetite. The main product of the "Tarth" agricultural society are Azarga berries, grown on all Tarth worlds.

History

The modern "Tarth" society was founded by Guh, who started his life a warrior, and finished it an astronomer. Guh had been severely injured in battle and was preparing to die, when his gaze fell on one of the seven natural satellites of his planet - Tunt. As he watched, a volcano erupted on Tunt. Cloud formations visibly changed. Fascinated, Guh regained his will to live and limped back to his comrades. He later became a hermit and constructed his planet's first telescope, discovering life on Tunt.

"Moonwatching" became a common practice among the "Tarth". Many wanted to travel to Tunt and plant Azarga berries on it. The baron Itoth attempted to conquer Tunt by financing the construction of a gigantic (over 700 meters tall) catapult. It was thought that one would start falling towards the satellite if they could get close enough to it. Five astronomers were simultaneously launched into the sky, falling to their death on the rocks below. The tragedy gave birth to a popular saying: "Wise moonwatchers take turns."

A few centuries later, "Tarth" mastered space travel and created a colony on Tunt. They made contact with the Cyth and helped them create the Quadra Alliance. A titanic statue of Guh can be found in the capital of the "Tarth" empire. The monument shows him impaled on a spear, watching the heavens through his telescope.

Gameplay attributes

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"Tarth" game color is red.

Advantages

*Allegedly, the strongest military in the galaxy: immensely powerful infantry, tanks and defense turrets.
*Infantry can be ordered to go into a combat rage to tear down enemy buildings. The howling warriors become faster, stronger and harder to kill, but will sometimes get caught in the debri.
*Farms (both basic and advanced) produce food faster than any other race's in the game.

Disadvantages

*Ships are heavy and sink easily - weaker naval forces.
*Spies have trouble hiding and blending into crowds - espionage missions are likely to fail.

Trivia

*The original design gave Tarth furr, though by the time the game Deadlock was released, the furr was replaced with scales.
*Tarth have been suggested for appearance in Star Frontiers.