Taranto is a veteran mercenary who has escaped perilous situations over a rather long life. He met Groo when they both served in the same army. Groo treats him as an old friend and mostly trusts him. While Taranto hates the big oaf and manipulates Groo towards his own best interests.

Taranto has attempted to have Groo killed on several occassions. The bighearted fool always forgives him, possibly because of forgetting the exact details of previous encounters. Taranto has a tendency of double-crossing anyone for profit. It is rarely personal.