Tolyn

Tolyn was a Gelfling Castle Guard during the late Age of Division.

Biography

Tolyn was respected by Ordon for his adherence to tradition and excellence in guard drills, having been left in charge of the Castle's security when Ordon accompanied skekLach the Collector and skekOk the Scroll-Keeper to Ha'rar.^[1]

When Rian was framed by skekSil the Chamberlain for Mira's murder, Tolyn became suspicious of Gurjin, Rian's friend, and questioned his loyalty.^[2] Later ordered to escort Aughra from the castle, Tolyn became fearful, remembering stories of Aughra sneezing and crumbling an entire mountain range. Using their fear, Aughra claimed all of the stories to be true, and threatened to do horrible things to him and his compatriot if they didn't let her pass. Frightened of her every move, Tolyn stayed behind and let her go.^[3]

Days later, a Vapra Paladin informed the castle guards that Rian was telling the truth of the Skeksis crimes, and that skekVar the General had murdered the All-Maudra. The guards decided to rebel against the Skeksis, but not Tolyn, believing the Vapra paladin's mind was infected from dreamfasting with Rian, and so he informed the Skeksis of the guards' revolt.^[4] Despite his loyalty to the Skeksis, skekTek the Scientist had the Arathim bring Tolyn to his laboratory to be drained of essence. Horrified to find out the rumors of the Skeksis draining essence was true, Tolyn begged skekTek to free him for his loyalty, only for the Scientist to tell him that his treachery to his fellow Gelfling was worthy of the same fate his fellow guards received for betraying the Skeksis. Tolyn's essence was drained, obliterating his body.^[5]

Personality and traits

Very little is known of Tolyn before the nature of the Skeksis was revealed. All that is known is that he was considered disciplined, something Ordon valued when compared to his young son, Rian. Though again, he rarely spoke, his expression could be read that he looked down on the young and immature soldiers like Rian.

Whether cruel or in extreme denial, he's shown to be extremely loyal to the Skeksis. When the other guards began to flee, amongst the rumors, Tolyn remained completely loyal. And when word among the guards spoke of an attempt to fight back against their former masters, Tolyn revealed the truth to them without delay. This blind loyalty would prove his character's undoing.