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This part of the current article contains spoilers.
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Tarlach is mentioned during the recap of The Three Lost Warriors, mentioned as "The Mage, whose destiny caused him a crisis of faith." It shows that a god cut him off from his magic and had received mortal wounds from the attack. He was deceived, and lost both his friends and mentor, leaving him utterly alone.
When being reverted to a child, he has red eyes rather than his green eyes when he is older.
Prelude
As revealed in Episode 8, Tarlach wondered about the "paradise" mentioned by Morrighan and Cichol back in Generation 3. He concluded that it was a paradise of chaos: Fomors, Tuatha de Danann, and Milletians are in severe conflict with one another, and believed that it was the Gods that created this meddling. With the help of the Explorers of Iria, Tarlach learned that most information about the gods was left behind in Courcle, but could not decipher the language. After acquiring more relics, he put more focus on attempting to decipher the ancient text.
Tarlach later detects a divine presence somewhere in Iria that could be Erinn's microcosm. He later studies Alchemy to understand the forces at work in the world, but is saddened how he is unable to use magic at this critical moment.
Later, Ruairi suddenly shows up, much to Tarlach's surprise. Ruairi explains he stayed in Iria and traveled across the sea to another continent (possibly Belvast Island). They decide to catch up on their history. Tarlach tries to explain the truth behind Erinn being a paradise tampered by the Gods, and if they stop them true paradise would come, but all Ruairi wants to hear about is Triona, and he leaves to resume his search, but agrees to give Tarlach more relics from Iria if he finds any.
Ruairi eventually returns, unsuccessful. However, he still continues his search and gives Tarlach the relics before leaving. Tarlach also continues deciphering the text, learning that the Charms possess divine power that rivals the Gods. After Ruairi, still unsuccessful, returns, Tarlach requests him to obtain a Charm so he can escape Sidhe Sneachta.
Tarlach eventually receives a Charm from Ruairi, who obtained it from the shamans of Courcle who willingly gave it to him after hearing Tarlach's dire situation. After Ruairi leaves, Tarlach shortly makes a staff out of the charm, using it as a form of magic to make up for his own.
Tarlach later concludes that the Soul Stream is also a blockade to paradise, as it stops the flow of time on Erinn. He then notes that the solutions to bringing paradise are to remove the Gods from Erinn and to purify Erinn's inhabitants of anger, hatred, and fear inflicted on them by the Gods. One method would be to force the Gods to undo their mistakes, though this will never come to pass. The other option is to take advantage of the Milletians, the master key of the Gods; his plan to achieve this is by cursing the Soul Stream to corrupt the Milletians and bring out their evil nature, then harvest that power to connect Erinn and the divinity with Lia Fail, and at destroy the divinity using the Milletian corruption, resulting the destruction of the Soul Stream and Falias in a single blow. Tarlach notes that his plan will be foolproof if they Milletian agrees, however he knows that they will never do so, and thus accepts the burden of being the world's devil to achieve paradise. He also admits to himself that his course of action is betrayal, but sternly declares that it is necessary for paradise.
Tarlach later notes that the Dragons power rivals the Gods, and decides to leave Sidhe Sneachta and head to Iria to accomplish this goal, and tries to convince Ruairi to come with him. However, Ruairi informs Tarlach that he found Triona, but something is off as Ruairi is unhappy. Ruairi expands his statement, stating he found Triona's grave, and wishes to be alone.
After arriving on Iria, Tarlach, under his Black Mask guise, destroys the seals confining Languhiris and Bhafel, the White and Black Dragons, respectively. The two agree to help Tarlach accomplish his goals as compensation for freeing them as well as vengeance against the Gods who imprisoned them.
Sometime later, Ruairi sends Tarlach a letter, stating that he went to search for Lugh, Triona's father, but he went insane and was later killed by Shakespeare, leaving Ruairi completely distraught as now all links to Triona are gone. Tarlach muses how Lugh went from heroism to an insane criminal and died a pointless death, concluding that this was the work of the Gods.
As revealed in Episode 9, Ruairi returns to Tarlach for aid, and the druid suggests using Golden Apples, the source of life supposedly tied to Lia Fail also tied to the mythical Tree of Life that connects to various realms. Ruairi agrees to join Tarlach, hoping his goal will lead them to a Golden Apple.
Episode 7 - Heroic Path: The Choice
Tarlach is revealed to be Black Mask, the leader of the Cessairs. He appears in the Connous Oasis in search of the Black Dragon Knight, Ruairi and removes his mask, then consults his friend about Ruairi's disappearance after being caught in an explosion. Tarlach then mentions that he found medium to a goddess' manifestation: Millia, who has divine potential; Ruairi now can exact his revenge on the Gods who took away Rian and Triona from him. Tarlach then notes that Ruairi cut down Millia, but Ruairi is fine with it as he believes she betrayed him for handing him over to the shamans, and he considers her as a perfect offering.
Side Story: NPC Commentary
In the drama commentary, Tarlach admits to be surprised of Ruairi's appearance, since his supposedly long dead friend suddenly shows up out of nowhere, and admits to be startled by seeing an older guy with facial hair. Tarlach also admits that he was affected by the Soul Stream and inherited Milletian traits, explaining his elderly appearance, how he no longer needs transforms into a Bear, and his confinement in Sidhe Sneachta. He also admits that it is no longer fun transforming into a bear.
Episode 8 - Holy Land: The Sacrifice
Akule and the Milletian conjure a shaman spell that places the Milletian's spirit inside Renes, the base of the Cessair organization. Akule assures that the Milletian will not be detected, but Tarlach immediately notices their presence and cuts off Akule. The Milletian quickly recognizes Tarlach, who only explains his motives are that he shed his humanity for Erinn, and then summons demons to engage them. Akule manages to reconnect to the Milletian and recalls them.
Episode 9 - Fate's Design: The Stand
At Renes, Tarlach moves in to intercept Dowra's forces.
Within Renes, Adniel appears before Tarlach and Ruairi, noting their evil intentions, and warns them that they do not want to destroy the world. Tarlach dismisses it, claiming that he is saving it, and Ruairi binds the Gold Dragon, who notes that this is just like the beginning.
Tarlach and Ruairi then proceed on with their plans. Tarlach warns his friends that making the spirit journey to connect to Triona is a dangerous path, but Ruairi refuses to back down and threatens he will resign from the plan if Tarlach refuses. Nao then briefly appears and warns them that they will never have the answers they seek. Ruairi refuses to give up, but Tarlach states that the result will never change.
Episode 10 - Divine Fury: The Advent
After the Milletian damages Lia Fail, Tarlach orders Ruairi to repair it. As the Milletian tries to attack again, Tarlach tells him to stop, stating that its destruction would result a catastrophic explosion that would ultimately destroy Renes, but Akule urges them to defeat it. As the Milletian hesitates, Cessair's Heart arrives to defend Lia Fail.
After Lia Fail becomes even more unstable, Tarlach begins to side with the Milletian and urges them to destroy it. However, a mysterious barrier is suddenly erected, preventing anyone from reaching Lia Fail, and Macha appears. Tarlach quickly recognizes the Goddess of Destruction. He then curses Macha and tries to break the barrier while requesting the Milletian to hold off the spawning Aonbharrs.
Despite everyone's efforts, Macha remains undefeated. However, Tarlach realizes something, disables the barrier, and teleports the Milletian to Lia Fail, allowing them to destroy it, causing Macha to disappear. She admires Tarlach's efforts, but warns him that he will pay a high price for tapping into divine power before vanishing. After the battle, Tarlach reminds the Milletian that they are still enemies and their victory may be the beginning of something else. He also warns them that someone will come after them and tells them not to trust them nor let them change their mind, as long as they keep following their heart. He then tries apologizing to them even though it may be too late and tries to tell them to tell something to Kristell but is cut off and disappears in a flash of light.
In the post-credits scene, Berched finds an unconscious Young Tarlach and adopts him after recognizing him. Young Tarlach seems to have lost all his memories of his adult self and does not remember and is shy towards the Milletian.
