# Portunus — Lud-in-the-Mist character guide

> Portunus in Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Master Portunus, old Portunus

**First appearance:** 0023-xxi-the-old-goatherd

## Who they are

A mysterious old goatherd living on the border of Fairyland.

## In the story

### [Ranulph Goes to the Widow Gibberty’s Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/v-ranulph-goes-to-the-widow-gibberty-s-farm)

An old weaver with bright eyes whose appearance at supper causes Ranulph to scream in terror.

### [XXII: Who Is Portunus?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxii-who-is-portunus)

A mysterious old man who speaks in riddles and repeatedly urges 'dig'. He is later revealed to be an old weaver who visits the farm.

### [XXVII: The Fair in the Elfin Marches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxvii-the-fair-in-the-elfin-marches)

Appears in Nathaniel's dream as a four-footed animal that follows him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/portunus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters