TV-Series
Description
Dr. Briac Lao is a central figure in the story, known primarily as the grandfather of the girl Lana. Before the events of the narrative, he was a prominent scientist and a member of the High Council of the militaristic city-state of Industria. His most significant achievement was the development of solar power technology, a discovery with the potential for both civil and wartime applications. Realizing that the ambitious and power-hungry leader Lepka intended to use this knowledge for destructive purposes, Dr. Lao defected. He fled Industria, taking with him the crucial secret of how to access the last remaining orbital solar power station from the pre-war era, believing that the people of Industria must be taught to discard their weapons and begin new lives in peace.
During his escape from Industria in a small flying boat, Dr. Lao was attacked and his vessel was shot down. He survived the crash but suffered severe injuries, losing the sight in one eye and receiving a deep scar on his head. These injuries dramatically altered his appearance, transforming him from a benevolent-looking, bearded old man into a bald and rather intimidating figure. To hide from the forces of Industria who were hunting for him, he adopted a new identity as a hard-handed and gruff salvaging crew captain named Patch, or Pachi. This alter ego was a masterful disguise, as he purposely behaved in a manner completely opposite to his true nature. As Patch, he acted blunt, rough, and even cruel, famously declaring that he would work the young Conan and his own granddaughter Lana until they collapsed. His demeanor was so effective that even his own granddaughter did not recognize him, and the people of his salvage island, as well as Industria's own administrators, knew him only as the difficult and fearsome Mr. Patch.
Beneath this rough exterior, Dr. Lao is a man of profound principle and benevolence. His primary motivation is the preservation of peace and the prevention of his solar energy technology from being weaponized. He is willing to live in hiding, disfigured and disguised, to keep this power out of the wrong hands. After the great war that devastated the Earth, he also used his flying boat to search for and save survivors, demonstrating his inherent compassion. His role in the story is that of a hidden mentor and a key to the central conflict, as Industria’s search for him is the catalyst for the entire adventure. He possesses a notable telepathic ability, which allows him to communicate with his granddaughter Lana. This connection is strong at close range, but he can also send her short messages even from a distance.
His key relationships are with his granddaughter Lana, whom he loves deeply, and with the protagonist Conan. Despite his harsh treatment of Conan while disguised as Patch, he ultimately becomes an ally and father figure to the boy. He also has a relationship with his two daughters; Lana’s mother is his first daughter, and Lana’s aunt, Meizel, lives in the community of High Harbor. Dr. Lao undergoes a significant development as the story progresses. He is initially a mysterious and antagonistic figure in his Patch persona, but as his true identity is revealed, he transforms into a wise and guiding force. In a final act of bravery, he returns to Industria to warn the High Council that the land is about to sink into the sea. During the ensuing chaos and coup led by Lepka, the already weakened Dr. Lao becomes deaf and barely able to move. He ultimately perishes from his frailties, passing away in front of Conan, Lana, and the people of Industria after they have escaped to safety. His telepathic connection with Lana allows him to sense the world around him until the very end. Among his notable abilities, beyond his scientific genius and telepathy, he is also a surprisingly capable fighter, being one of the few people who can subdue the physically powerful Conan in a direct confrontation.
During his escape from Industria in a small flying boat, Dr. Lao was attacked and his vessel was shot down. He survived the crash but suffered severe injuries, losing the sight in one eye and receiving a deep scar on his head. These injuries dramatically altered his appearance, transforming him from a benevolent-looking, bearded old man into a bald and rather intimidating figure. To hide from the forces of Industria who were hunting for him, he adopted a new identity as a hard-handed and gruff salvaging crew captain named Patch, or Pachi. This alter ego was a masterful disguise, as he purposely behaved in a manner completely opposite to his true nature. As Patch, he acted blunt, rough, and even cruel, famously declaring that he would work the young Conan and his own granddaughter Lana until they collapsed. His demeanor was so effective that even his own granddaughter did not recognize him, and the people of his salvage island, as well as Industria's own administrators, knew him only as the difficult and fearsome Mr. Patch.
Beneath this rough exterior, Dr. Lao is a man of profound principle and benevolence. His primary motivation is the preservation of peace and the prevention of his solar energy technology from being weaponized. He is willing to live in hiding, disfigured and disguised, to keep this power out of the wrong hands. After the great war that devastated the Earth, he also used his flying boat to search for and save survivors, demonstrating his inherent compassion. His role in the story is that of a hidden mentor and a key to the central conflict, as Industria’s search for him is the catalyst for the entire adventure. He possesses a notable telepathic ability, which allows him to communicate with his granddaughter Lana. This connection is strong at close range, but he can also send her short messages even from a distance.
His key relationships are with his granddaughter Lana, whom he loves deeply, and with the protagonist Conan. Despite his harsh treatment of Conan while disguised as Patch, he ultimately becomes an ally and father figure to the boy. He also has a relationship with his two daughters; Lana’s mother is his first daughter, and Lana’s aunt, Meizel, lives in the community of High Harbor. Dr. Lao undergoes a significant development as the story progresses. He is initially a mysterious and antagonistic figure in his Patch persona, but as his true identity is revealed, he transforms into a wise and guiding force. In a final act of bravery, he returns to Industria to warn the High Council that the land is about to sink into the sea. During the ensuing chaos and coup led by Lepka, the already weakened Dr. Lao becomes deaf and barely able to move. He ultimately perishes from his frailties, passing away in front of Conan, Lana, and the people of Industria after they have escaped to safety. His telepathic connection with Lana allows him to sense the world around him until the very end. Among his notable abilities, beyond his scientific genius and telepathy, he is also a surprisingly capable fighter, being one of the few people who can subdue the physically powerful Conan in a direct confrontation.