# Yva — When the World Shook character guide > Yva in When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lady Yva, The Lady Yva, the Lady Yva, Fate Yva, Daughter Yva, Daughter **First appearance:** 0012-xi-resurrection ## Snapshot A radiant, ancient woman who wakes beside Oro, gentle where he is ruthless, and becomes the still center of Arbuthnot's heart. ## Who they are Yva is Oro's daughter, a being of another age whose beauty and hidden power mark her as not quite of this world, yet whose kindness draws everyone who meets her. She grows sadder and more human as the story unfolds, and both Bastin and Bickley fall helplessly in love with her before she gently redirects them. Her bond with Arbuthnot, deepening from awe into love, gives the expedition its emotional gravity. ## Relationships ### [Oro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/oro) _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_ Tommy is awestruck and friendly toward Yva, viewing her as a wondrous and kind figure. ### [Oro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/oro) _family_ Oro and Yva are a married couple, deeply bonded and sharing a mystical connection as ancient beings. ### [Oro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/oro) _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_ Tommy is awestruck and friendly toward Yva, viewing her as a wondrous and kind figure. ## In the story ### [XI: Resurrection](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xi-resurrection) Awakens and embraces Arbuthnot; makes a libation offering to Oro; argues with Oro to spare the survivors; speaks in archaic Orofenan; strokes Tommy. ### [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) Explains the 250,000-year sleep and hints at memories from other lives; laughs at Bickley's disbelief. ### [XIII: Oro Speaks and Bastin Argues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiii-oro-speaks-and-bastin-argues) Whispers to Bastin that she hopes to learn about his religion; later speaks with Arbuthnot about her age and youth. ### [XIV: The Underworld](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xiv-the-underworld) Leads the group; explains the properties of the Water of Life; shows affection for Tommy; guides the descent into the underworld. ### [XV: Oro in His House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xv-oro-in-his-house) Kneels in prayer before the statue of Fate, offers to show a vision of her people's history, and responds to Bastin's comments about her god. ### [Visions of the Past](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvi-visions-of-the-past) Channels the visions in a trance-like state, narrating the ancient events; later speaks naturally and guides the group back. ### [Yva Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xvii-yva-explains) Explains Oro's powers and her own knowledge; expresses curiosity about modern dress and Arbuthnot's wife; reveals her doubts about life after death and her interest in spiritual matters. ### [XVIII: The Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xviii-the-accident) Nurses Arbuthnot, learns English from Bastin and Bickley, bargains with Oro for Arbuthnot's life, and explains the caste system of her people. ### [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) Refuses proposals from both Bastin and Bickley; later visits Arbuthnot, dressed in more modern attire. ### [XXI: Love's Eternal Altar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxi-love-s-eternal-altar) Reveals her fears about Oro's plans, speaks of love and sacrifice, and hints at a deeper connection between herself, Arbuthnot, and Natalie. ### [The Command](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxii-the-command) Appears suddenly in the sepulchre; is the object of all three men's affections; bound to Arbuthnot for eternity. ### [XXIII: In the Temple of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiii-in-the-temple-of-fate) Yva reveals her love for Arbuthnot, hints at being the reincarnation of Natalie, and declares her defiance of Fate through love and immortality. ### [XXIV: The Chariot of the Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chariot-of-the-pit) Leads the group to the subterranean cavern; renounces Oro and his god; speaks of sacrifice as the keystone of faith; kisses Arbuthnot and blesses him. ### [XXV: Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxv-sacrifice) Warns her father that his plans will fail, and shows concern for Arbuthnot. ### [XXVI: Tommy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvi-tommy) Sacrifices herself by leaping into the path of the flash to save others; her ring is found by Arbuthnot. ### [XXVII: Bastin Discovers a Resemblance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/xxvii-bastin-discovers-a-resemblance) Mentioned as having been baptized and confirmed by Bastin before her sacrifice, and as the object of Arbuthnot's enduring love and memory. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/chapters/endnotes) Her offer is referenced as something that would have led to peril. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters/yva - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_the_world_shook_se/characters