Tolina

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Tolina
Alias(es)	Sorrowful Madonna; August Hour-God; Holy Mother
Species/Race	Hour-God; embodiment of the Darkness Law
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Black Castle
Occupation/Role	Mistress of Black Castle; filter for the world's Miasma and bearer of suffering
Status	Alive
First Appearance	173

Background

Tolina was born without legs, a condition described as the price of being the Crippled King's daughter. She was later made the vessel containing Duke of Sulfur's body; through this, she ascended as the Sorrowful Madonna, an Hour-God associated with sacrifice and incompleteness. She was also turned into a “filter” that absorbs and purifies the world's Miasma. 323 619

Her role left her confined to Black Castle in the Dream Sea. Unable to wake into or freely enter the mortal world, she endured isolation, darkness, and the accumulated suffering connected to her Law. Leaving required both peace in the mortal world and a vessel for her Other Self. 270 459

Duke of Sulfur's influence worsened her condition and contributed to the pain surrounding her disability. Windmill Cat, Duke of Sulfur's messenger, carries a portion of that power; its blood and Law could therefore temporarily ease Tolina's injuries, while its Crown offered the prospect of fully restoring her legs. 352 460

Appearance

Tolina is a serene, dark-haired young woman with a refined and dignified presence. During her confinement and illness, she was typically seen in a wheelchair, with deathly pale skin, trembling hands, and an empty skirt where her legs should have been. 322 352

• Long black hair, sometimes worn loose and sometimes braided and coiled in a vintage style. 461 583
• Dark eyes noted for their clarity and gentle expression. 460 582
• Favours simple dresses, including a brown dress with white lining and a white dress paired with stockings. 517 583
• Regains her health and ability to walk after her Law is completed and a vessel is created for her Other Self. 580 581

Personality

Tolina is gentle, thoughtful, and unusually compassionate despite the burden placed upon her. She is willing to endure suffering for others, viewing it as her mission even when Barbara challenges her for accepting a role forced upon her. 458 459

Her isolation left her deeply curious about ordinary mortal life. Gilan's accounts of food, clothing, work, battles, and city life fascinate her; toys, postcards, snacks, automobiles, sunlight, and street food all become precious discoveries once she can experience them. 173 270 459 582

Although initially reserved and resigned to her circumstances, Tolina becomes more cheerful, talkative, and hopeful through Gilan's visits. Her affection for him develops into intense devotion, protectiveness, and occasional possessiveness; she repeatedly deepens the incomplete-circle cross mark on him so she will never lose him. 458 585

Abilities & Skills

Darkness Law

As the August Hour-God, Tolina commands a Law associated with darkness, suffering, and incompleteness.

• Creates an absolute space through her Law that cannot be entered or observed from outside. 580
• Erased an apostle's protective mark from Gilan and replaced it with her own incomplete-circle cross. 460
• Her uncontrolled power once manifested as a sphere of darkness that sent Gilan back to the mortal world. 461
• Deflected a Moonfire attack back at its users with a black-hole-like phenomenon, killing six senior cultists comparable to sixth-rank Long-Lived Ones. 586

Scapegoat and Miasma Bearing

Tolina's Law makes her a receptacle for suffering that would otherwise harm others.

• Absorbs and purifies Miasma, protecting mortals from the sickness, madness, and death it causes. 583 619
• Was exploited as a “scapegoat,” apparently receiving the fatal wounds transferred from Federation soldiers to sustain their immortal bodies. 566 581
• Her incomplete-circle cross on Gilan functions as a medium through which she can take damage in his place. 606
• Endured Blind General's attack for Gilan, suffering cracks across her body and bloody tears. 606

Healing and Divine Assistance

Tolina can relieve pain, perceive abnormalities in spirituality, and use her Law to oppose restrictions imposed by other laws.

• Reduced Gilan's pain and comforted him when his frenzied id threatened to take control. 223
• Identified the imbalance between Gilan's id and ego after his advancement to Actor. 223
• Broke the World Laws' restriction preventing Gilan from advancing to Rank 6, though the effort severely injured her. 517 518
• Recovered from Blind General's damage after Omer's intervention healed both her and Snow Lady. 608

Mystical Knowledge and Counsel

Tolina possesses extensive knowledge of Origin Substances, Hour-Gods, secret histories, and the Dream Sea.

• Advised Gilan to consider the Actor Origin Substance as a means of controlling his unstable emotions. 173
• Recognized the potential of Gilan's Streamer essence to suppress his frenzied id. 224
• Explained that the Dream Sea reflects humanity's negative emotions and darkens as mortal despair grows. 323
• Revealed Windmill Cat's relationship to Pal Solomon and Duke of Sulfur's power. 323 352

Equipment / Items

• Wheelchair — Tolina's primary means of movement before her recovery; Gilan frequently pushes or carries her through Black Castle. 270 352
• Heart Black Coffin — A black iron coffin beneath Black Castle in which she sleeps during periods of severe pain and exhaustion. 352 458
• Dawn Cross — Gilan's Kingdom Brand token, which gave Tolina warmth and light during one of her illnesses. 322 323
• Messenger Comb — A horn comb Tolina gave Gilan, allowing him to summon her messenger or travel through dreams to Black Castle. 173 224
• Gray rabbit plush doll — A toy gifted by Gilan that can replay his recorded message promising to take her beyond Black Castle. 459 461

Relationships

• Gilan Iros — Initially a visitor seeking her guidance, then her only friend, confidant, protector, and eventual lover. Gilan fulfills his promise to free her from Black Castle and takes her into the mortal world. 173 323 580 582 616
• Jora Jocks — Her butler, guardian, and fiercely protective attendant. He worries that Gilan may give Tolina false hope, but later thanks him for saving her. 223 352 581
• Barbara / Torrent — A fellow Hour-God and close friend who is concerned that Tolina's attachment to Gilan may leave her vulnerable. 458 459
• Crippled King — Tolina's father. Though he holds paternal affection for her, she believes that he and Snow Lady treated her as a pawn in their larger plans. 323 620
• Snow Lady — Tolina's mother. Her injury and the failure of the Law of Balance preceded the crisis that turned Tolina into a scapegoat. 566 608
• Windmill Cat / Pal Solomon — An enemy tied to Duke of Sulfur and Tolina's injuries. Its blood, Law, and Crown are central to her eventual recovery. 352 460 580
• Caesar — The Head of State who expresses relief and joy after Tolina becomes free; Tolina addresses him as “Dad.” 582

Story Role / Major Arcs

Arc	Role
Black Castle meetings	Meets Gilan, advises him on choosing Actor, gives him the Messenger Comb, and becomes a source of guidance during his struggle with his id. 173 223 224
Growing friendship	Receives Gilan's stories and gifts from the mortal world, while he learns of her confinement, pain, and wish to see the outside world. 270 322 323
Sorrowful Madonna revelation	Reveals herself as the August Hour-God and begins openly exploring feelings she had never understood while isolated in Black Castle. 460 461
Rank 6 breakthrough	Breaks the World Laws' restriction on Gilan's advancement, suffering severe pain so that he can become Rank 6 Game. 517 518
Scapegoat crisis	Is tortured through the transferred injuries of the Federation's immortal soldiers; Gilan resolves to expose and destroy those responsible. 566 572
Healing and liberation	Is healed with energy refined from apostle crowns, regains her mobility, and receives a vessel for her Other Self. 580 581
Life in the mortal world	Leaves Black Castle with Gilan, experiences the city for the first time, assists him against Old God cults, and remains at his side through the final conflict. 582 585 588 616

Notable Quotes

“Knowing your pain, I am willing to show you mercy.” 518

“In this endless void, only Mr. Gilan can feel my pain. And only he has ever said he would take me out to see the sun beyond.” 459

“No matter when or where, I will stand behind you and face everything with you.” 606