Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar · Character
Numa
A tawny lion whose envious glare at Tarzan's kill ignites a jungle feud of fruit-bombs, roars, and wounded feline pride.
supporting
First appearance: i belgian and arab
As a supporting figure in Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar, Numa is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Numa the lion confronts Tarzan over the deer kill, is driven off by fruit, then attacks a witch-doctor, and is ultimately killed by Tarzan in a fierce struggle.
Numa is the night's hungriest predator, drawn to the scent of fresh meat and the strange man-thing who squats over it with bestial growls. He has tasted human flesh before and knows it is easy prey, yet something in Tarzan's warning rumble reminds him of formidable antagonists and gives him pause. When hunger finally overwhelms caution, he charges, and Tarzan answers with a hail of hard fruit that drives him roaring from the kill — a humiliation that turns the great cat's attention toward a new scent on the wind.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Character Web
7 connectionsA slice of how Numa sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- Human antagonists and allies
- Protagonist
+2 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
La’s unprecedented departure from Opar and her pursuit of Tarzan with fifty priests marks the emotional and ps…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Numa the lion is a recurring natural adversary for Tarzan, representing the wild dangers… How this plays out →
- Jane Clayton
rivalry · negative
- Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Numa the lion is a recurring natural adversary for Tarzan, representing the wild dangers… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Numa in i belgian and arabIn the story
Numa appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- III: The Call of the Jungle
- The Altar of the Flaming God
- VII: The Jewel-Room of Opar
- Tarzan Becomes a Beast Again
- La Seeks Vengeance
- XIX: Jane Clayton and the Beasts of the Jungle
- Tarzan Recovers His Reason
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Numa unlock in the free preview.
See Numa in i belgian and arab