Tardol is a physically imposing native of the planet Raimon. He dislikes the fact that Raimon relies on it's mining treaty with the Federation. Whe he is a prime suspect in the murder of the Primarch (Raimon's ruler), he challenges the other suspect (Captain Picard) to a duel to determine the guilty party. Commander Riker insists on being the one to duel Tardol to protect his captain. Truth be known, neither Picard or Riker are much of a match for this beast of a man. Eventually, Picard agrees to let Riker do the fighting and Riker and Tardol's fight lasts for about six pages.