Jagar Tharn

Jagar Tharn is a character in the world of Tamriel. Tamriel is a fantasy world created by Bethesda Softworks and is the setting of games in The Elder Scrolls series. Jagar Tharn appears in the first of these games, The Elder Scrolls: Arena. As the game starts, Tharn has used his magic to usurp the throne of Emperor Uriel Septim VII, whom he then imprisoned in an alternate dimension. Normally when the Emperor of Tamriel dies, a Council is magically informed and meets to select a successor. By sequestering Uriel Septim VII in a magical prison, Tharn prevented this from happening. Using magic he then took the form of the Emperor and replaced the Emperor's most loyal servants and followers with demons and other fell creatures similarly altered.

Unable to suborn his apprentice Ria Silmane, Tharn murders her and imprisons the player's character beneath the city. Silmane is able to hold herself together long enough to direct the player's character how to escape. Her wish is that the player seek what is necessary to defeat Tharn and remove him from power.

Tharn appears only occasionally for most of the game, mostly to taunt the player. The central "quest" or goal of the game involves learning how to defeat Tharn and gathering the necessary items. If the player completes this task and returns to the Imperial City, he can confront Tharn. Tharn is extremely powerful at this point. If the player determines how to defeat him, this battle ends with Tharn's death and the gratitude of the restored Emperor. If not, Tharn will sooner or later destroy even the strongest character.