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{{sidebar individual
[[Image:GrathonTolar.jpg|thumb|Grathon Tolar.]]'''Grathon Tolar''' was a skilled holographic forgery artist, con-man, and general degenerate in the temporary employ of [[Starfleet]] for the ultimate purposes of bringing the [[Romulan Star Empire]] into the [[Dominion War]] on the side of the [[Federation]].
 
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|image = Grathon Tolar.jpg
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|caption = Grathon Tolar
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|gender = [[Male]]
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|species = [[Grathon Tolar's species]] (similar to [[Krit's species]])
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|occupation = [[Forgery]] and [[con artist|con]] [[artist]]
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|status = Deceased, killed by [[Elim Garak]]
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|datestatus = 2374
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|died = [[2374]]
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|actor = [[Howard Shangraw]]
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}}
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__NOTOC__
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{{aquote|Think of [[Vreenak|them both]] as tragic victims of war.|Elim Garak|2374|In the Pale Moonlight}}
 
'''Grathon Tolar''' was a skilled [[holographic]] [[forgery]] artist, [[con artist|con-man]], and general degenerate in the temporary employ of [[Starfleet]] for the ultimate purposes of bringing the [[Romulan Star Empire]] into the [[Dominion War]] on the side of the [[Federation]]. He belonged to a blue-skinned [[humanoid]] [[species]] that had a fin-like structure running along the top of the head.
   
In [[2374]], Grathon Tolar was serving in a [[Klingon]] prison, awaiting execution for unspecified crimes. It was at this time when [[Captain]] [[Benjamin Sisko|Sisko]], acting under the guidance of [[Elim Garak]] and with the support of Starfleet, arranged for his release from a sentence of death into his custody. Grathon's utility to Captain Sisko was that of his renowned skill in [[holographic]] forgery which Sisko wished to put into use to create a faux recording of a high-level [[Dominion]] meeting in which the supposed plan for the invasion of [[Romulus]] was discussed.
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In [[2374]], Tolar was awaiting [[execution]] in a [[Klingon]] [[prison]] for unspecified [[crime]]s. It was at this time when {{Captain}} [[Benjamin Sisko]], acting under the guidance of [[Elim Garak]] and with the support of Starfleet, contacted [[Klingon Chancellor|Chancellor]] [[Gowron]] to arrange a pardon. Garak selected Tolar for the task, and Tolar knew him. Under the terms of his [[parole]], Tolar was to stay away from the [[Klingon Empire]] and create a holo-program for Sisko. Tolar was renowned for his skills in holographic forgery which Sisko wished to put to use to create a fraudulent recording of a high-level [[Dominion]] meeting in which the supposed plan for the invasion of [[Romulus]] was discussed.
   
However, before Grathon could complete the recording for Sisko and Garak, he was involved in an altercation in [[Quark's Bar]] with the [[Quark|proprietor]] and one of his [[dabo girl]]s. This was to bring the involvement of station security as well as reports and documentation revealing Grathon's unlawful presence on [[Deep Space Nine]]. Ultimately, Quark did not press charges against Grathon, but only after receiving a substantial bribe from Captain Sisko for compensation.
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However, before Tolar could complete the recording for Sisko and Garak, he was involved in an altercation in [[Quark's]] with the [[Quark|proprietor]] and [[M'Pella]], one of [[Quark]]'s [[Dabo girls]]. Consequently, this brought the attention of [[space station|station]] [[security]] as well as the potential for reports and documentation exposing Tolar's presence on [[Deep Space 9]]. Ultimately, Quark did not press charges against Tolar, after Captain Sisko negotiated a substantial [[bribe]] to him in exchange for his silence.
   
Subsequently restricted to his [[quarters]], Grathon finished the ersatz recording and proffered it to Sisko and Garak soon afterwards. After being tentatively accepted by Captain Sisko, Grathon was rebuffed when attempting to excuse himself -- his freedom was not his own until his recording had been accepted by the Romulan officials it needed to fool.
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Subsequently restricted to his [[quarters]], Tolar finished the ersatz recording and proffered it to Sisko and Garak soon afterwards. After Captain Sisko tentatively accepted the recording, he rebuffed Tolar's attempt to excuse himself -- freedom was not to be his until his recording fooled the [[Romulan]] officials it needed to fool.
   
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Ultimately, Tolar's forgery failed to fool the Romulan [[senator]] [[Vreenak]]. After Vreenak left Deep Space 9 to expose the "vile deception" to the entire [[Alpha Quadrant]], his shuttle exploded, killing Vreenak and his staff. An investigation by the [[Tal Shiar]] pointed to Dominion [[sabotage]], and the recording was accepted as genuine, with the imperfections in the forgery being attributed to damage from the explosion. Known only to Sisko and Garak at the time, Garak had actually placed a bomb aboard Vreenak's shuttle, suspecting that Tolar might well not be up to the job they needed him to do. At some point, Garak also eliminated Tolar to ensure no other witnesses to the operation would remain. ({{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}})
After [[Senator]] [[Vreenak]] rejected the recording as a fake and left to return to Romulus, Grathon Tolar was not seen from again. Having never received his leave by Garak, he was presumed to have been murdered and disposed of soon thereafter.
 
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{{clear}}
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==Appendices==
 
===Background information===
 
Grathon Tolar was played by actor [[Howard Shangraw]].
   
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In the first draft script of {{DS9|In the Pale Moonlight}}, the reason that Grathon Tolar was awaiting execution in a Klingon prison, according to Garak, was that he was accused of "the murder of a [[Klingon High Council|High Council]] member's [[son]]."
==Appearances/References==
 
* [[DS9]]: "[[In the Pale Moonlight]]"
 
   
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The final draft script for "In the Pale Moonlight" stated the pronunciation of Tolar's name was "GRAY-thun TOE-lar". Additionally, it described him as "''a small, weasel-faced ALIEN and does not look like someone who'd last very long in a Klingon prison. His clothes are clean and neatly worn, but there's a palpable oiliness to him that makes you want to bath immediately after any visit. He has a low, nervous laugh that only serves to get under Sisko's skin.''" {{st-minutiae|resources/scripts/543.txt}}
==Background Information==
 
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''Grathon Tolar was played by [[Howard Shangraw]]; on [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0788115/ IMDB].''
 
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===Apocrypha===
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Grathon Tolar is referenced in the [[Pocket DS9]] novel ''[[Hollow Men]]'', whereby Enderby of [[Starfleet Intelligence]] learns of Tolar's involvement in the Romulan plot, and his murder by Garak. Enderby and Jedburgh then blackmail Garak into attempting the assassination of Tomas Roeder by threatening to reveal his involvement. The novel also reveals that Captain Sisko later informs Admirals [[William Ross]] and [[Marta Batanides]] of the plot and Tolar's death.
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===External links===
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*{{mbeta}}
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*{{Startrek.com|tolar}}
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{{featured|date=April 2005|id=83425}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT|Tolar, Grathon}}
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[[de:Grathon Tolar]]
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[[nl:Grathon Tolar]]
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[[Category:Individuals]]

Revision as of 16:36, 27 February 2020

"Think of them both as tragic victims of war."
– Elim Garak, 2374 ("In the Pale Moonlight")

Grathon Tolar was a skilled holographic forgery artist, con-man, and general degenerate in the temporary employ of Starfleet for the ultimate purposes of bringing the Romulan Star Empire into the Dominion War on the side of the Federation. He belonged to a blue-skinned humanoid species that had a fin-like structure running along the top of the head.

In 2374, Tolar was awaiting execution in a Klingon prison for unspecified crimes. It was at this time when Captain Benjamin Sisko, acting under the guidance of Elim Garak and with the support of Starfleet, contacted Chancellor Gowron to arrange a pardon. Garak selected Tolar for the task, and Tolar knew him. Under the terms of his parole, Tolar was to stay away from the Klingon Empire and create a holo-program for Sisko. Tolar was renowned for his skills in holographic forgery which Sisko wished to put to use to create a fraudulent recording of a high-level Dominion meeting in which the supposed plan for the invasion of Romulus was discussed.

However, before Tolar could complete the recording for Sisko and Garak, he was involved in an altercation in Quark's with the proprietor and M'Pella, one of Quark's Dabo girls. Consequently, this brought the attention of station security as well as the potential for reports and documentation exposing Tolar's presence on Deep Space 9. Ultimately, Quark did not press charges against Tolar, after Captain Sisko negotiated a substantial bribe to him in exchange for his silence.

Subsequently restricted to his quarters, Tolar finished the ersatz recording and proffered it to Sisko and Garak soon afterwards. After Captain Sisko tentatively accepted the recording, he rebuffed Tolar's attempt to excuse himself -- freedom was not to be his until his recording fooled the Romulan officials it needed to fool.

Ultimately, Tolar's forgery failed to fool the Romulan senator Vreenak. After Vreenak left Deep Space 9 to expose the "vile deception" to the entire Alpha Quadrant, his shuttle exploded, killing Vreenak and his staff. An investigation by the Tal Shiar pointed to Dominion sabotage, and the recording was accepted as genuine, with the imperfections in the forgery being attributed to damage from the explosion. Known only to Sisko and Garak at the time, Garak had actually placed a bomb aboard Vreenak's shuttle, suspecting that Tolar might well not be up to the job they needed him to do. At some point, Garak also eliminated Tolar to ensure no other witnesses to the operation would remain. (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight")

Appendices

Background information

Grathon Tolar was played by actor Howard Shangraw.

In the first draft script of DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight", the reason that Grathon Tolar was awaiting execution in a Klingon prison, according to Garak, was that he was accused of "the murder of a High Council member's son."

The final draft script for "In the Pale Moonlight" stated the pronunciation of Tolar's name was "GRAY-thun TOE-lar". Additionally, it described him as "a small, weasel-faced ALIEN and does not look like someone who'd last very long in a Klingon prison. His clothes are clean and neatly worn, but there's a palpable oiliness to him that makes you want to bath immediately after any visit. He has a low, nervous laugh that only serves to get under Sisko's skin." [1]

Apocrypha

Grathon Tolar is referenced in the Pocket DS9 novel Hollow Men, whereby Enderby of Starfleet Intelligence learns of Tolar's involvement in the Romulan plot, and his murder by Garak. Enderby and Jedburgh then blackmail Garak into attempting the assassination of Tomas Roeder by threatening to reveal his involvement. The novel also reveals that Captain Sisko later informs Admirals William Ross and Marta Batanides of the plot and Tolar's death.

External links

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