(UPDATE: For those who might be unaware, the latest version of the map should be marked with {V.1.4} in the description; if it says V.1.3 or V.1.2, you have an older version of the map.)

As noted in the map description on Bungie.net, Tartarus - named after the mythological pit beneath the underworld where guilty souls were tormented in - is a deep pit where ONI dumps the most undesirable scum in the galaxy...as they would put it. Basically, rebels, traitors, soldiers who are too dangerous to continue serving due to various reasons...the deadliest of the deadly are sentenced here.

The weapons can't cut or blast through the walls of the prison, and it's completely sealed off. So in all honesty, if the inmates want to be placated with a little blood...well, the ONI highers-up are willing to turn a blind eye.

/backstory off

This map is very small. Very much so. Ideal for 1 vs. 1 or 2 vs. 2, the map becomes truly chaotic for 8 FFA or 4 vs. 4 (Red vs. Blue teams)...as it was meant to be. With five cell blocks protruding from the ground, rocky spires - with which one can hide behind or scale to the top of the cells - and multiple nooks and crannies, this map gives one a feeling of tension, for you are never truly safe. After all, someone might be right...behind you...or even above you...or right around the corner.

WEAPONS

AR x 2
Needlers x 2
Spiker x 2
Plasma Rifle x 2
Plasma Pistol x 2
Plasma Repeater x 1
Concussion Rifle x 1
Shotgun x 1
Energy Sword x 1
Frag Grenades x 2
Plasma Grenades x 2

OTHER:

Health Station x 2

A VIEW OF THE BLUE SIDE

A VIEW OF THE RED SIDE

A VIEW OF THE SWORD FROM THE BLUE SIDE

A VIEW OF THE SWORD FROM THE RED SIDE

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR AN ENERGY SWORD?

KEEP ON YOUR TOES

DEATH CAN COME FROM ABOVE; EVEN IN A CAVE

FORGET YOUR MOTION TRACKER AT YOUR OWN RISK

THE GUY ON THE RIGHT PAID ATTENTION

SERIOUSLY; DEATH CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE

DEATH FAVORS NO SIDE

A COMRADE FALLS: WILL THERE BE VENGEANCE?

YES.

REST WHILE YOU CAN...

...NO PLACE IS SAFE FOR LONG IN TARTARUS.

For those who would like a video walkthrough, here you go:

YouTube - Tartarus Walkthrough (Halo Reach: Custom Map)

For those who would rather like to see the map in action, here's a glimpse at the chaos that is 4 vs. 4 Team Slayer:

YouTube - Team Slayer on Tartarus (Halo Reach)

If you wish to see all files associated with this map, here's a File Set for Tartarus: TARTARUS.

Enjoy.