Kharlan is a character from The Heroic Legend of Arslan who serves as an early major antagonist. His background is that of a Marzban, a high-ranking border guard and military commander of the kingdom of Pars. Before the events of the story, he held the position of a cavalry captain and was reputed for his loyalty to the crown. He is also a father to a son named Xandes.

In terms of personality, Kharlan initially presents himself as a loyal, stern, and formal man, even appearing friendly towards the young Prince Arslan. However, this demeanor masks a far more treacherous and merciless nature. He is utterly committed to his chosen cause and believes in absolute devotion to his master, to the point where no deed is considered beneath him. He displays a chilling willingness to kill innocent civilians and burn Parsian villages without hesitation to achieve his objectives. Despite his betrayal, he is also a prideful individual who does not seem to care about being called a traitor, as he believes he remains true to the rightful throne of Pars. His intellect is noteworthy; even his enemies like Daryun and Narsus consider him a smart and capable man.

Kharlan's primary motivation is his unwavering loyalty to Hilmes, the man known as the Silver Mask who claims to be the true heir to the Parsian throne. Betraying King Andragoras III, Kharlan defects to the side of the invading Lusitanian army to further Hilmes's cause. His actions are driven by a conviction that he is serving the rightful king, and he carries out terrible deeds, including massacres and the destruction of his own countrymen, for this sake.

His role in the story is pivotal as a catalyst for the kingdom's downfall. He contributes to the Parsian army's unprecedented defeat at the Battle of Atropatene by defecting at a critical moment. Following this, he is named a commander in the Lusitanian army and is tasked with hunting down the escaped Prince Arslan to eliminate him as a rival to Hilmes. He leads a force of a thousand men to ravage the countryside, attempting to draw Arslan out. His main confrontation with the prince and his companions forms a significant early hurdle in Arslan's journey to reclaim his kingdom.

Key relationships define Kharlan's character. His relationship with Arslan is one of initial deceptive kindness. He speaks to the young prince in a friendly manner before the battle, only to later try to kill him personally, revealing his treachery. Arslan is deeply shocked by this betrayal, and even as Kharlan lies dying, the prince shows him mercy by begging him not to die. His relationship with Hilmes is one of absolute fealty; he kneels before the Silver Mask and dedicates all his actions to his master's cause. His relationship with Daryun is that of a formidable foe. Daryun is the one who ultimately defeats Kharlan in single combat, saving Arslan's life and avenging the betrayal. Finally, while not extensively detailed, his relationship with his son Xandes is significant enough that Xandes later seeks to avenge his father's death.

Over the course of his development, Kharlan goes from a respected Marzban of Pars to a feared traitor and enemy of his homeland. He is ultimately killed in a duel with Daryun after being outmaneuvered by Narsus's strategy. In a final moment of irony, he dies after being accidentally impaled by his own spear. In his last moments, he expresses amusement and surprise that such a loyal and capable group serves Prince Arslan, and he informs them that King Andragoras is still alive before dying.

Regarding notable abilities, Kharlan is a highly skilled and powerful warrior, respected even by the mighty Daryun, who is aware of his strength. He is a general and cavalry commander, indicating significant tactical knowledge. His primary weapon of choice is a spear.