Pastoria

Pastoria
Oz character
1925 cover illustration by John R. Neill
First appearanceThe Wizard of Oz (1902) (non-continuity)
The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904) (mentioned)
Created byL. Frank Baum
In-universe information
NicknameThe Lost King of Oz
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
FamilyA previous King (father)
SpouseLurline
ChildrenOzma (daughter)

King Pastoria is a fictional character mentioned in the Oz books by American author L. Frank Baum.[1] He was the rightful ruler and King of the undiscovered Land of Oz, but was mysteriously removed from his position when the Wizard of Oz unexpectedly came to the country and took the throne, proclaiming himself as the new dominant ruler of Oz. Shortly after, Pastoria's only child and heir, Princess Ozma, suddenly vanished, leaving not a single clue of her whereabouts.

Eventually in the second Oz book The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904) (where Pastoria's past is first mentioned in detail), Glinda the Good finally finds Ozma, who was transformed by the evil witch Mombi into a boy, preventing anyone from recognizing her and thus allowing Mombi to ascend to the throne. Glinda forces Mombi to undo this curse and Ozma was established back in her place as the official child Queen of Oz.

  1. ^ Jack Snow, Who's Who in Oz, Chicago, Reilly & Lee, 1954; New York, Peter Bedrick Books, 1988; p. 156.