# Tom Kivelson — Four-Day Planet character guide > Tom Kivelson in Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Kivelson **First appearance:** 0001-four-day-planet ## Snapshot A young hunter's son caught between his father's feud with the Coop and a mob that wants the Kivelsons dead or silenced. ## Who they are Tom Kivelson belongs to one of Fenris's most prominent hunting families, which makes him a target when Steve Ravick stages a riot to crush the opposition. He escapes the meeting hall with his father and a handful of Javelin men, then ends up burned in the tallow-wax fire that becomes the story's turning point. His loyalty and his injuries raise the stakes for everyone around him, turning a political fight into something personal. ## Relationships ### [Bish Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/bish_ware) _friendship_ Bish Ware is Tom Kivelson's loyal and protective mentor, guiding him through the dangerous politics of Port Sandor. ### [Glenn Murell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/glenn_murell) _rivalry_ Glenn Murell is a ruthless corporate enforcer who opposes Tom Kivelson's investigative efforts. ### [Oscar Fujisawa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/oscar_fujisawa) _friendship_ Oscar Fujisawa is a fellow journalist and ally who collaborates with Tom Kivelson to uncover the truth. ### [Steve Ravick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/steve_ravick) _rivalry_ Steve Ravick is a primary antagonist who actively works to undermine and threaten Tom Kivelson. ### [Walt Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/walt_boyd) _friendship_ Tom Kivelson and Walt Boyd are friends and allies, with Boyd providing local knowledge and support. ### [Al Devis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/al_devis) _professional_ Al Devis is a fellow journalist who works alongside Tom Kivelson, sharing information and resources. ### [Abe Clifford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/abe_clifford) _friendship_ Abe Clifford is a friend and ally of Tom Kivelson, often helping him navigate dangerous situations. ### [Morton Hallstock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/morton_hallstock) _rivalry_ Morton Hallstock is a corrupt politician who sees Tom Kivelson as a threat to his power. ### [Bish Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/bish_ware) _friendship_ Bish Ware is Tom Kivelson's loyal and protective mentor, guiding him through the dangerous politics of Port Sandor. ### [Bish Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/bish_ware) _friendship_ Bish Ware is Tom Kivelson's loyal and protective mentor, guiding him through the dangerous politics of Port Sandor. ### [Glenn Murell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/glenn_murell) _rivalry_ Glenn Murell is a ruthless corporate enforcer who opposes Tom Kivelson's investigative efforts. ### [Walt Boyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/walt_boyd) _friendship_ Tom Kivelson and Walt Boyd are friends and allies, with Boyd providing local knowledge and support. ## In the story ### [Four-Day Planet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/four-day-planet) Tom Kivelson is a central character, likely the protagonist, who is caught between survival and resistance. ### [The Ship from Terra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/the-ship-from-terra) Walter's friend, a young monster-hunter from the Javelin, in port for a special Coop meeting. ### [Reporter Working](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/reporter-working) Accompanies the reporter; suggests violent solutions for Ravick and Hallstock; offers to drive Murell. ### [Bottom Level](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/bottom-level) Pilot of the jeep, accompanies the group, clarifies ownership of tallow-wax. ### [Main City Level](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/main-city-level) Helps transport Murell's luggage to the Times; leaves to see his father before the Hunters' Hall meeting. ### [Meeting Out of Order](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/meeting-out-of-order) Declares Belsher is not a member of the Cooperative; targeted alongside Joe; escapes with the group. ### [Elementary, My Dear Kivelson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/elementary-my-dear-kivelson) Proposes taking Murell on a trip in the Javelin for safety. ### [Aboard the Javelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/aboard-the-javelin) Narrator; accompanies father to retrieve Murell and boards the Javelin. ### [Practice, 50 mm Gun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/practice-50-mm-gun) Instructs Walt on how to aim and fire the 50 mm gun at Jarvis's sea-monsters. ### [Mayday, Mayday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/mayday-mayday) Collects fleece-lined hip boots during the evacuation and is part of the crew discussing the sabotage. ### [Darkness and Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/darkness-and-cold) Recites Mayday calls into the radio and is assigned to help inspect the boat's engines. ### [Castaways Working](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/castaways-working) Works on the converters and helps make tools from a sewing kit and binoculars. ### [The Beacon Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/the-beacon-light) Suggests setting the woods on fire as a signal; assists in lighting the trees. ### [The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/the-rescue) Asleep during the return journey; present among the rescued. ### [Vigilantes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/vigilantes) Accompanies Oscar and Walt to the Times Building; participates in strategy discussions. ### [Civil War Postponed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/civil-war-postponed) Leaves with Joe Kivelson to round up the Javelin crew for fire fighting. ### [The Treason of Bish Ware](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/the-treason-of-bish-ware) Severely burned by splashing wax during the fire; reported in serious condition at the hospital. ### [Finale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/chapters/finale) Recovering in the hospital from burns sustained in the tallow-wax fire; Walt visits him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters/tom_kivelson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/four_day_planet_se/characters