Hartarian

Censor General Hartarian of Gaaz is the formidable head of the Censorate — an older gentleman originally from Vore who has lived so long among the Wenshari that he considers himself one. He is a powerful mage in his own right and a zealot about enforcing the Bans, having transformed the Censorate from a weak bureaucracy into a robust Duchies-wide enforcement institution. It was Hartarian who lobbied for the Farisian campaign, correctly predicting the danger of uncontrolled irionite. He arrives at Wilderhall two days early, killing seven horses in his haste, to confront Minalan's irionite use. He challenges Minalan's authority throughout the campaign but ultimately fails to prevent the relaxation of the Bans as the military necessity becomes undeniable.

Censor General Hartarian makes his uneasy peace with the new reality of irionite-wielding warmagi at the Coronet Council, accompanying Taren to inspect Censorate installations that the Order will be inheriting. His position within the Censorate, however, is increasingly challenged: the Merwini Ducal Censor is calling for his head for what they view as a betrayal of the Censorate's principles. It appears likely he will not survive long as Censor General even after agreeing to yield. The institution he built so carefully is fracturing over his decision to accommodate Minalan's demands, and others within it are preparing to take harder stances.

Now formally titled "Magelord Hartarian, the Royal Court Mage" — the first Royal Court Wizard of the newly elevated Kingdom of Castalshar. He addresses the magi at Inarion Academy, pleading for recruits for Penumbra duty, and personally quizzes Tyndal and Rondal about their studies. The boys mischievously out Tyndal's remedial classes to him, which Hartarian takes in stride.

As Royal Court Wizard he warmly congratulates Minalan on his investiture as Baron and throws a small reception for him at the palace. At the same banquet he proudly presents his "niece" Isily — the dangerous Lady of Brawin — to Minalan and Alya, entirely ignorant of the affair or the bastard child she bore. He even attempts to help find the young noblewoman a good husband.

Minalan visits Hartarian in Castabriel to discuss the rebuilding Censorate under Merwyn's auspices. As former Censor General, Hartarian is uniquely positioned to know how many witchstones the old Censorate armories had confiscated. He breaks the news that his niece Isily is to marry the old mage Dunselen at midsummer. Later he personally administers Tyndal and Rondal's certification exams at Wilderhall, where the pair pass with top marks. He plans to relocate with Prince Tavard's court to Wilderhall, partly for its proximity to Wenshar.

Briefly referenced. Minalan uses Hartarian's empty office in Wilderhall to plant an apophyllite stone, giving him secret mind-to-mind access to the royal palace while the Court Wizard is out on a call elsewhere.

Mentioned in passing as Isily's supposedly innocent uncle; his name is invoked mainly as political cover for her Family operations.

Now quite elderly but still Royal Court Wizard. Minalan visits him before breaking the Rardine rescue news to King Rard and Queen Grendine, and they meet privately in the Dawn Room. Hartarian then accompanies Minalan and Rondal in the royal audience and intelligently questions Minalan about the Brotherhood threat and Korbal. After this book he is not seen again as an active Royal Court Wizard; by Book 15 Loiko Venaran holds the post.