The Moon Pool · Character

Yolara

The beautiful and merciless high priestess of Muria, whose voice is sweeter than honey and whose favor is as dangerous as the Shining One she serves.

major

Also known as XIII Yolara, O Yolara

First appearance: XIII: Yolara, Priestess of the Shining One

As a major figure in The Moon Pool, Yolara is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The priestess of the Shining One, described as breathtakingly beautiful but sinister, with a cruel and unearthly quality that echoes the Dweller.

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Yolara rules the Council of Muria alongside Lugur, wielding her beauty and her voice as instruments of control over both her people and the strangers who fall into her realm. She is drawn to the Norseman Olaf with a cold, predatory curiosity, and her laughter at his grief reveals a cruelty that unsettles even her allies. Her authority and her caprice shape the political landscape the protagonists must navigate, and her interest in them is never benign.

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See Yolara in XIII: Yolara, Priestess of the Shining One

Character Web

22 connections

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

Relationship types

Psychological
Social
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Key protagonists and antagonists
Protagonist

+17 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

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Larry O’Keefe’…

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Relationships

The Shining One
psychological · negative
The Shining One exerts a hypnotic, possessive control over Yolara, using her as a vessel. How this plays out →
Rador
social · ambivalent
Lakla
rivalry · negative
Lugur
rivalry · negative
Marakinoff
psychological · negative
The Shining One
psychological · negative
The Shining One exerts a hypnotic, possessive control over Yolara, using her as a vessel. How this plays out →
Lakla
rivalry · negative
Lugur
rivalry · negative
Rador
social · ambivalent
Rador
social · ambivalent
Marakinoff
psychological · negative
Lakla
rivalry · negative

The Shining One
The Shining One exerts a hypnotic, possessive control over Yolara, using her as a vessel.
Rador
Rador serves as a subordinate and occasional confidant to the priestess Yolara.
Lakla
Lakla and Yolara are bitter rivals, competing for influence and for Larry's affection.
Lugur
Lugur is a jealous and ambitious rival to Yolara, vying for power in their society.
Marakinoff
Marakinoff manipulates Yolara, using her position to further his own scientific and political ambitions.
The Shining One
The Shining One exerts a hypnotic, possessive control over Yolara, using her as a vessel.
Lakla
Lakla and Yolara are bitter rivals, competing for influence and for Larry's affection.
Lugur
Lugur is a jealous and ambitious rival to Yolara, vying for power in their society.
Rador
Rador serves as a subordinate and occasional confidant to the priestess Yolara.
Rador
Rador serves as a subordinate and occasional confidant to the priestess Yolara.
Marakinoff
Marakinoff manipulates Yolara, using her position to further his own scientific and political ambitions.
Lakla
Lakla and Yolara are bitter rivals, competing for influence and for Larry's affection.

Relationship notes

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

See Yolara in XIII: Yolara, Priestess of the Shining One

In the story

Yolara appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIII: Yolara, Priestess of the Shining One
The priestess of the Shining One, described as breathtakingly beautiful but sinister, with a cruel and unearthly quality that echoes the Dweller.
XIV: The Justice of Lora
Priestess of the Shining One; demonstrates her power by executing Songar with a green ray; interrogates the strangers and shows romantic interest in Larry.
XV: The Angry, Whispering Globe
Referenced as the Priestess who dislikes Lakla; Rador warns not to tell her the dream.
XVI: Yolara of Muria vs. the O’Keefe
Priestess; tests O'Keefe with Keth and invisible forces, laughs at his claims, shows injured pride.
The Leprechaun
Presides over the interrogation with Lugur; seeks Larry's company increasingly; sings a song Larry taught her, thinking it a love song.
XVIII: The Amphitheatre of Jet
Stands on the dais opposite Lugur, smiling at O'Keefe with an intense, joyful demeanor.
The Madness of Olaf
Asserting her power, she claims Larry as hers, protects him and Olaf from Lugur, and commands the Shining One to cease.
XX: The Tempting of Larry
Attempts to seduce and claim Larry as her mate, defying Lugur and the Council.
XXI: Larry’s Defiance
Shows a mix of wrath and regret toward Larry, but ultimately agrees to the Council's plan to kill Lakla and the three prisoners.
XXVII: The Coming of Yolara
Leads the invisible assault, uses the Keth, taunts Larry, and threatens Lakla.
XXX: The Building of the Moon Pool
Mentioned as the priestess who, with Lugur, plans to open the way to the Earth face and use the Shining One to grasp the world.
Larry and the Frog-Men
Reported to have gone through the Portal, very angry, preparing to lead her hosts against the group.
XXXII: “Your Love; Your Lives; Your Souls!”
Mentioned as part of the attacking host alongside Lugur.
The Coming of the Shining One
Leads the Shining One and the dwarfs, taunts the Three, and is ultimately consumed by the Dweller and cast into the abyss.
XXXV: “Larry—Farewell!”
Not directly present; her men are slaughtered by ladala; her palace is avoided by Lakla.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Yolara in XIII: Yolara, Priestess of the Shining One