# Oro — When the World Shook character guide > Oro in When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lord Oro, the Lord Oro, old Oro, Moreover Oro, The Lord Oro, Sleeper, The Sleeper, the awakened Sleeper, Sleeper Oro, Spirit of Oro, XIII Oro **First appearance:** 0012-xi-resurrection ## Snapshot An ancient sleeper awakened from a tomb, once a god-king of a lost race, now brooding over vanished power and the dread of death. ## Who they are Oro is the resurrected lord of a prehistoric civilization, immensely learned and terrifyingly proud, whose ambitions outlived his empire. He awakens to find himself alone save for his daughter Yva, with whom he shares blood but not spirit, and he schemes to reclaim a greatness the world has forgotten. His cold grandeur and hunger for dominion set the moral stakes of the island, contrasting sharply with Yva's gentleness. ## Relationships ### [Yva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/yva) _family_ Oro and Yva are a married couple, deeply bonded and sharing a mystical connection as ancient beings. ### [Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/tommy) _friendship_ Oro is kindly and protective toward Tommy, treating him with paternal warmth. ### [Yva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/yva) _family_ Oro and Yva are a married couple, deeply bonded and sharing a mystical connection as ancient beings. ### [Yva](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/yva) _family_ Oro and Yva are a married couple, deeply bonded and sharing a mystical connection as ancient beings. ### [Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/tommy) _friendship_ Oro is kindly and protective toward Tommy, treating him with paternal warmth. ## In the story ### [VII: The Orofenans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/vii-the-orofenans) The native god, said to dwell on the mountain in the lake; Bastin adapts his teachings to incorporate Oro. ### [X: The Dwellers in the Tomb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/x-the-dwellers-in-the-tomb) Referenced as the true god in the cave; Bastin carries a wooden head of Oro used as a pillow. ### [XI: Resurrection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xi-resurrection) Resurrected from the coffin; debates whether to destroy the survivors; accepts the flower bough from Tommy as an omen; spares their lives; drinks water after a libation ritual. ### [XII: Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Years!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xii-two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-years) Studies the star plates using Bickley's torch; shows genuine astonishment at the modern device. ### [XIII: Oro Speaks and Bastin Argues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiii-oro-speaks-and-bastin-argues) Reveals he ruled and destroyed the ancient world with a deluge, then slept for 250,000 years; engages in theological debate with Bastin. ### [XV: Oro in His House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xv-oro-in-his-house) Speaks with icy rage at Bickley's disbelief, explains the history of Nyo and the destruction of his enemies, and expresses interest in learning about Bastin's faith. ### [Visions of the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvi-visions-of-the-past) Appears in the visions as the ancient ruler, angry at the prince's demand, and later retreats to the tomb. ### [Yva Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvii-yva-explains) Mentioned as Yva's father; described as a man with great powers who fears death and seeks to learn about Bastin's god. ### [XVIII: The Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xviii-the-accident) Reluctantly heals Arbuthnot after Yva swears never to leave him; is jealous of Arbuthnot's influence over Yva. ### [XIX: The Proposals of Bastin and Bickley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xix-the-proposals-of-bastin-and-bickley) Visits Arbuthnot at night, speaks of ancient history and offers Yva in exchange for Arbuthnot's help in ruling the world. ### [XX: Oro and Arbuthnot Travel by Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xx-oro-and-arbuthnot-travel-by-night) Leads the journey, observing modern civilization with detached curiosity, condemning Christian hypocrisy, and reaffirming his worship of Fate. ### [XXI: Love's Eternal Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxi-love-s-eternal-altar) Demonstrates his vast knowledge by reading the Encyclopædia Britannica and checking astronomical calculations; his powers and intentions are a source of dread. ### [XXIII: In the Temple of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiii-in-the-temple-of-fate) Oro sits on his throne in the Temple of Fate, preparing for a world-ending event, and shows affection for Tommy the spaniel. ### [XXIV: The Chariot of the Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chariot-of-the-pit) Prays to Fate for a sign; receives the falling sword as a divine omen; declares his intent to destroy the world and rebuild an empire. ### [XXV: Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxv-sacrifice) Determined to destroy the world, furious at opposition, but momentarily subdued by Bastin's courage. ### [XXVI: Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvi-tommy) Grieves and rages over Yva's death, blaming the trio, and is physically injured by the released forces. ### [XXVII: Bastin Discovers a Resemblance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvii-bastin-discovers-a-resemblance) Discussed in terms of his possible age, his threat to destroy the world, and his love for Tommy; Bastin compares him to the devil. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Creator of the ancient star charts depicted in the illustrations. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/oro - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters