The Land That Time Forgot · Character

Thomas Billings

A resourceful American who joins the relief expedition to Caprona, he conceals a disassembled hydro-aeroplane in the hold and reveals it only when the cliffs demand it.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Tom Billings, Billings, Tom Billings, Tom, Mr. Billings

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in The Land That Time Forgot, Thomas Billings is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Protagonist of Part II, sets out to rescue Bowen J.

In the storyPart II: The People That Time ForgotOpen this moment free

See Thomas Billings in Part II: The People That Time Forgot Book page

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Billings leads the Toreador's search party, keeping his plans for scaling Caprona's barrier cliffs to himself until the island is actually sighted. Where others wager and speculate, he has quietly stowed an electric drill, a lifesaving mortar, and the crated parts of a hydro-aeroplane, unveiling the last as his most feasible scheme. His patient, methodical competence makes him the counterweight to the expedition's uncertainties, and his reconnaissance will determine whether the rescue party ever reaches the world Bowen Tyler described.

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The fuller portrait of Thomas Billings sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Thomas Billings in I

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Thomas Billings sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Protagonist and allies
Wieroo antagonists and crew
Native tribal leaders

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional/psychological peak occurs when the protagonist experiences his first true sense of peace and sec…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ajor
romantic · positive
Ajor and Thomas Billings develop a romantic relationship, with Ajor being a native woman… How this plays out →
Bradley
friendship · positive
Bowen J. Tyler
friendship · positive
Ajor
romantic · positive
Ajor and Thomas Billings develop a romantic relationship, with Ajor being a native woman… How this plays out →
Bradley
friendship · positive
Bowen J. Tyler
friendship · positive
Ajor
romantic · positive
Ajor and Thomas Billings develop a romantic relationship, with Ajor being a native woman… How this plays out →
Bradley
friendship · positive

Ajor
Ajor and Thomas Billings develop a romantic relationship, with Ajor being a native woman who becomes attached to Billings.
Bradley
Bradley and Thomas Billings are fellow explorers and friends, working together to survive and understand the strange land.
Bowen J. Tyler
Bowen J. Tyler and Thomas Billings are fellow explorers and friends, sharing a common goal of survival and discovery.
Ajor
Ajor and Thomas Billings develop a romantic relationship, with Ajor being a native woman who becomes attached to Billings.
Bradley
Bradley and Thomas Billings are fellow explorers and friends, working together to survive and understand the strange land.
Bowen J. Tyler
Bowen J. Tyler and Thomas Billings are fellow explorers and friends, sharing a common goal of survival and discovery.
Ajor
Ajor and Thomas Billings develop a romantic relationship, with Ajor being a native woman who becomes attached to Billings.
Bradley
Bradley and Thomas Billings are fellow explorers and friends, working together to survive and understand the strange land.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Thomas Billings in I

In the story

Thomas Billings appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Part II: The People That Time Forgot
Protagonist of Part II, sets out to rescue Bowen J. Tyler.
I
The dynamic and resourceful secretary of the late Mr. Tyler, now in command of the expedition. He devises the plan to use a hydro-aeroplane to scale the cliffs and flies alone over the barrier, after which he disappears.
II
Narrator and pilot; crashes his plane in Caspak while attempting to rescue Bowen Tyler and Lys La Rue.
III
Narrator and protagonist; captured by Band-lu, rescued by Ajor, and later struggles through the cave labyrinth with her.
VI
Narrator; struggles with his love for Ajor and his own cultural biases; disguises as a Galu to search for her.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Thomas Billings unlock in the free preview.

See Thomas Billings in I

See Thomas Billings in Part II: The People That Time Forgot