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Faulkner

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People always seem to underestimate me.

Chapter 2: And Next Of Dark Deceit


Faulkner is a follower, and believes himself to be a prophet, of the Trawler-man. Faulkner is said to be young-faced and described as having "kind eyes."[1]

ATTENTION: SPOILERS AHEAD! Beyond this point, major plot spoilers are expected. Continue at your own risk.

Personality[]

Faulkner appears good-natured and naive, and while he admits that this isn’t a complete farce, growing up the youngest of three has taught him that keeping up the appearance of stupidity is safe and something he can use to his advantage.[2]

He's shown in his actions to be clever and observant; however, devotion and zeal lead his faith, which can also make him reckless and violent. Faulkner often tries to forgive his less-than-moral actions with the belief that he is a chosen prophet, but it’s shown that he holds some fear of and uncertainty in his faith, though he never outwardly admits it.

Gallery[]

Background[]

Faulkner grew up in the noisy and polluted trade roads of the Whisper Plains, by the name of ”Richard,” with his father and two older brothers, Eddie and Charlie. Because Faulkner and his brothers were often left to care for themselves throughout the day, they rarely bothered to go to school and instead opted to explore the vast forest, which is where he found the Trawler-man.

At the age of 13, he found himself enamoured with a water tank, out in the woods and painted with white marks (presumably prayer marks) on the inside, as it reflected a "version of yourself that was not yourself." He visited the tank three times in total before being confronted by Charlie. This is when the Trawler-man first spoke to Faulkner, whispering to him a message he would convey to Charlie: “If you lower your head into the water of this tank and hold it there...you will begin to hear music," whereafter he drowns Charlie as a sacrifice to the Trawler-man. Faulkner considers this moment his calling to be a prophet.

The "Drowning Song" began to spread across the Peninsula after this. While their father receded, Eddie became more fatherly to Faulkner in an attempt to keep him safe, leading him every morning to school, where he garnered popularity for the cause of Charlie's death and would attempt to convert people secretly by practicing and carving prayer marks wherever he could, in the hopes they would be passed on by his peers and become their "holy truth."[2]

Faulkner's father left Faulkner with a note when he was 18 but Faulkner didn't bother to read it. Instead, he spent a few days at home alone and then left as well, hitchhiking towards the river. Eventually, he found the Parish and spent an unspecified amount of time learning there before being set off on a pilgrimage with Carpenter.[3]

Episode Appearances[]

Chapters Synopsis
Chapter 1: Let Me Speak First Of Revelations Faulkner is introduced through the perspective of Carpenter as they are reaching Marcel's Crossing after 16 days of travel for Faulkner's first pilgrimage and only one of Carpenter's many. By the end, despite their tense and slightly hostile relationship, they manage to witness the miracle of the Trawler-man they came searching for.
Chapter 2: And Next Of Dark Deceit Faulkner is engrossed in earnest prayer until it's time to leave with Carpenter to the bookshop where they are able to acquire a map, but at the cost of witnessing a Saint of the Scrivener. Carpenter heads into the woods. Left alone, Faulkner's sinister manipulation and calling to the faith is revealed, including the death of Charlie.
Chapter 4: Of Lovers, gods, and Beasts Faulkner drives Carpenter away from Charity.
Chapter 5: My Song Is Long And Twisted Faulkner drives them back to the motel, where he tries to acquire information from Stanton, the hotelier, about other guests staying at the hotel but quickly realizes that his and Carpenter's cover's been blown and resorts to turning Stanton into a Saint, which Faulkner reveals to Carpenter at the end of the episode.
Chapter 6: It Winds It Worms It Wends Faulkner recounts his conversion to the Parish of Tide and Flesh and journey to the Paraclete's Gulch at the age of 18. It is revealed that he was abandoned by his father.
Chapter 7: It Carries Few, It Drowns many Faulkner and Carpenter make clumsy work of stealing Paige's car.
Chapter 8: And Those I Love, It Rends Faulkner bickers with Carpenter as they head to 113 Longray Mansions, with Paige as their hostage. There, they uncover the true history of the Trawler-man's most recent miracles, but then, they are attacked by Augustus Roake's angel, and Faulkner is heavily injured when attempting to hold the angel back.
Chapter 10: It Grips My Tongue, My Throat Faulkner is still injured and spends the episode mostly being taken care of by Carpenter and Paige, as he's unconscious and helpless, only deliriously describing bad dreams when he's awake.
Chapter 11: My Voice Cries Truths I Never Knew Faulkner fearfully wanders the Drowning Fields with the Trawler-man in a dream-like state induced by his injuries. Carpenter and Paige escort him to the nearest dump where he is healed by the Pox Monk Brother Wharfing.
Chapter 12: And To Fight Is Just To Choke Faulkner, Carpenter and Paige share a farewell meal at Chitterling's Chapel. After, Faulkner and Carpenter have a heart-to-heart about their faith by the river.
Chapter 13: So Let Me Dwell Eternal Faulkner and Carpenter find the Wither Mark. When Carpenter has doubts about sharing this weapon with the Parish, he attacks her and leaves to do it himself. But when she's accosted by Hayward and Daggler, he comes back to set an angel on them and save her, which kills Daggler and separates Faulkner and Carpenter.
Chapter 14: And In Ruined Flesh Ascend Faulkner calls Mason, begging for help, but as soon as Faulkner gives him the Wither Mark, Mason hangs up on him. In a moment of desperate, he contacts Eddie, who greets him with pleasant surprise that Faulkner finds difficult to accept. He hangs up and instead finds and steals a truck when he realises the driver has fallen asleep.
Chapter 15: For My Song Has No Beginning... Faulkner, despite his earlier protests, doesn't go through with completing the Wither Mark out of guilt for the lives he'll be endangering. After reuniting, he speaks with Carpenter about the Parish and their role, to which Carpenter snaps at the Trawler-man, summoning a great wave that saves them from the police but buries the two of them under silt.
Chapter 16: And the Current Flows On Without End Faulkner barges into the Gulch as Mason gives a sermon. Faulkner is exhausted and in poor condition but acts with confidence, revealing the false Wither Mark he gave Mason and using his knowledge of the real one as leverage to get his own private chambers and initiates to follow him. He covers for Carpenter's loss of faith to protect her reputation.
Chapter 21: We'd Both Go Plunging Downwards Faulkner asks someone to turn off the radio. He is travelling in a van.
Chapter 22: One Final Fall From Grace Faulkner and his acolytes try and contact the Endless Drear but are tricked by Reverend Toes into venturing into a cave with an Echo Angel. Sibling Jasp and Brother Wallace are killed by it, while Faulkner, Sister Thurrocks and Brother Tapper are kidnapped by the Carving Chapter.
Chapter 25: But We'll Never Be Rid Of Each Other Faulkner, trapped in a room next to Carpenter's, smashes through a wall to be reunited with her. They are astounded to find each other alive and go to retrieve Thurrocks, who informs them of Tapper's unfortunate sacrifice. Carpenter, Faulkner and Thurrocks escape the Carving Chapter and from Mercer and Gage.
Chapter 27: So I'll Bear It Trembling Onwards Faulkner tries to contact Mason to warn him of Mercer and Gage, but when dismissed, makes haste with Carpenter and an injured Thurrocks to try and warn the people of the Parish of the attack to come themselves.
Chapter 28: To Drift On, To Dream, To Die Faulkner and Carpenter, upon discovering a lack of supplies to help the entire Parish to escape, instead come up with a plan to defend the Gulch, which is swiftly put into action. During the battle, Thurrocks calls him to offer herself as sacrifice and use the Wither Mark if needed.
Chapter 29: And Where My Final Footsteps Fall Faulkner is attacked by Mercer. Carpenter returns to rescue him. Mason and Thurrocks confront him in his chambers and reveal the plan to legalise the Parish. Faulkner kills them both in anger. When Carpenter enters and uncovers Faulkner's actions, he decides to frame Carpenter for their deaths.
Chapter 30: Something Dreadful Shall Arise Faulkner is questioned about the events at the Gulch by the Katabasian's council High Katabasian Roemont and Katabasian Greve. He returns to the Gulch with Sibling Rane.
Chapter 33: And Where Once Its Howling Forebears Walked Faulkner returns to the Gulch, which has grown in size. The Parish sing the Drowning Song to welcome him. He is given the respect anticipated by a Prophet and Katabasian but is lonely and filled with regret for his actions towards Carpenter. He is, at least, glad to hear she's still alive.
Chapter 35: The Wise Man Knows The Taste Of Rot Faulkner welcomes Roemont to the Gulch. He is informed of Roemont's plot against his life by Greve and enjoys mocking Roemont for it, but also sincerely confessing his loneliness and guilt when asked to. Once he has the kelp wreath require to name him as Katabasian, Faulkner sends Roemont on his way with a prayer-mark in his pocket. Greve tells Faulkner that she has already announced Roemont's death and named Faulkner as his assassin.
Chapter 38: Shall Wither In Ruin And Rust Faulkner and Rane break into a radio station. After the Gulch is attacked by Greve and the Legislatures, he considers his childhood home as a base of operations. But he finds his father pruning the garden there and is instead tasked by Eddie to care for him for a few days, during which the two are tormented by a stray god. At the end of the episode, Faulkner’s father offers himself to the angel.
Chapter 42: I’ll Wheeze Through Splintered Teeth Faulkner travels to the Grand Aquifer with Rane. He is put on suicide watch and closely monitored. He openly contradicts himself and his belief in his faith in front of Sister Cull, a disciple who monitors the radio broadcasts.
Chapter 43: One Last Song Of Revelations Faulkner listens to Greve's radio broadcast as he prepares to face the crowd of his disciples. In the hall, he fails to meet their adoration. Sibling Rane pressures him to speak to Brother Philly in front of his congregation. He gives out The Wither Mark to his crowd and Brother Philly's team. Afterwards, Faulkner sits inconsolable in the hall. When he is told that Carpenter is there he breaks down. Rane lies that he is unwell and tells Brother Philly to proceed.
Chapter 44: Of Prophets' Dark Deceptions Faulkner cackles when he hears how the Legislatures are spinning the story in Glottage. He, as a result of the use of the Wither Mark by Brother Philly's team and Carpenter's supposed death at the hands of the Parish, has been led to the brink of his sanity. He speaks with Rane, locking his chamber door and luring them into the Drowning Pools. There, he forcefully holds them in the shallow end of the water and drowns them.
Chapter 45: Of Love, And Gods' Defeat (Part Two) Faulkner has lost his grip on reality. He holds counsel to his empty room in the Aquifer and feels that he is still being watched. He rejects Carpenter's offer to come with her, believing it to be spiteful. It isn't until he spins his own tale about the events that he realises his mistake. As he hurries after her, through the sinking Aquifer, Faulkner drowns.

Connections[]

  • Faulkner's Father was neglectful, leaving his sons to manage everything when it came to their meals, studies, and pastimes. He only receded further throughout Faulkner’s childhood and finally left him to fend for himself at the age of 18. Faulkner feels that his father had no use for him beyond practicality and despises his indifference, but is unable to voice his anger to his father, presently a patient of dementia. Instead, Faulkner confides in him and finds himself his father’s last caretaker.[4]
  • Eddie is Faulkner's eldest brother. It's implied that both he and Charlie often picked on Faulkner as children, but upon Charlie's death, Eddie became more fatherly towards him out of worry. Somewhere between Faulkner being 13 and 18, Eddie left for the city.[3] He contacts Eddie a few years later, but does so infrequently, as there are many unspoken grievances between them. He feels that Eddie leaving was his fault and that he is undeserving of his kindness. He is also frustrated with Eddie for leaving his father alone in their childhood home, feeling that he was not being adequately cared for.[4]
  • Charlie is Faulkner's older brother. Charlie often picked on and belittled Faulkner as kids. Faulkner was whispered to by the Trawler-man, for the first time, he drowned his brother, which is an act Faulkner feels a mixed sense of pride and guilt for.[2][4]
  • Carpenter is introduced as Faulkner's partner on his first pilgrimage. At first, he dislikes and pities her for her jaded faith, and admits to not minding drowning her in service of the Trawler-man.[2] However, when he acquires an injury and is experiencing conflicting feelings towards using the Wither Mark, she cares for and consoles him; this is when they start building an amiable bond, even if out of mutual suffering and failure. Thereafter, despite their purposes and serving faiths sundering, they are ecstatic to reunite and continue to help each other; Faulkner even admits to viewing Carpenter as the older sister figure he'd hoped for since childhood.[5] A defining feature of their relationship is the way it teeters between threats, banter, and awkward affection, but an extra layer of conflict is added to that when Faulkner frames Carpenter for Mason and Thurrocks's deaths and forces her to flee.[6] He is relived to hear that she is still alive[7], but is haunted by what he has done to her.[8] When he finds out that Carpenter is with Shrue, Faulkner breaks down and demands that they let her live.[9]
  • Paige is originally Faulkner and Carpenter's hostage, as they awkwardly stole her car and put her in the trunk,[1] but it becomes quickly clear that neither one of them is very fit to be a captor and their relationship transitions into one of companionship. They both open up to each other a little, and she helps take care of him when he's injured.[10] They eventually have a meal together, along with Carpenter, before amiably parting ways.
  • Mason is Faulkner's rival. Mason is originally his superior and someone that Faulkner respects, even slightly fears, but after being abandoned by him, Faulkner's feelings fester into anger and hatred.[11] However, he makes an attempt to remain civil, at least until Mason tricks him and reveals his plan to legalize the Trawler-man's faith, which Faulkner kills him for.[6]
  • Roemont is Faulkner's rival, as the High Katabasian. Faulkner thinks Roemont is too old and detached from the struggles of the Parish to be in power, and upon being targeted for assassination by Roemont, Faulkner turns the tables and sends him off, knowing full well what sort of fate awaits Roemont out there.[12]
  • Greve is Faulkner's rival, as a Katabasian and the leader of a group of the Parish upriver. They are the ones who inform Faulkner of Roemont's plot, but only for their own use, as they too think his use has expired.[12] Greve seems to be one of the few people who has a grasp on the way Faulkner thinks and lies, a fact that worries him. Greve makes it clear that she does not like Faulkner.[4]
  • Sister Thurrocks is Faulkner's trusted acolyte, who he enjoys the respect and admiration of, up until she reveals that she's been plotting with Mason behind Faulkner's back, which he kills her for.[6]
  • Wallace and Jasp are a few of the acolytes that follow Faulkner in search of the Endless Drear, but each one of them meets a dreadful end to an Echo Angel before making it back home.[13]
  • Sibling Rane is Faulkner's confidante in the Parish. The two are quite close. Rane openly believes deeply in Faulkner’s message and mission, and Faulkner has revealed much of himself and his past to them, though he continues to lie about what might change their opinion of him. Rane looks out for Faulkner, offering advice on his father[4] and attempting to save him from himself.[8] However, Rane also disregards his emotional state and desires in order to protect the version of Faulkner that they see as useful to the Parish.[9] He believes Rane to be Carpenter's murderer and that they betrayed him.[14]

Trivia[]

  • Faulkner can't swim.[15]
  • Faulkner is an occupational name for someone who keeps and trains falcons. This is in line with the occupational names followers of different faiths seem to take or are given (Mason, Carpenter, etc.).
  • Faulkner mentions having an ex-boyfriend [16]
  • B. Narr's performance of Faulkner was so likeable that during the production of Season One, Jon Ware pulled Faulkner back from being an out and out villain.[16]
  • B. Narr watched clips of Bryan Cranston's performance as Walter White in Breaking Bad to develop Faulkner's non-monologue delivery.[16]
  • According to Jon Ware, Faulkner's DnD class would be a cleric.[16]
  • Faulkner's shoes are brown, because they are "caked in river shit".[16]
  • Faulkner mentions having an ex-boyfriend called Joe Quaid, who he was in the seminary with.[17]
  • Faulkner was first confirmed to be transgender in the Season 2 Q&A.[18] It is made clear in the show in Chapter 38.[19]
  • Faulkner is 50/50 in combat, he does well because he often takes people by surprise.[18]
  • The name Richard matches the complicated regal connotations of the full names of his brothers, Edward and Charles.[20]
  • When Faulkner kills Rane, he calls them "Charlie".[14]
  • Faulkner's final words in the series are the same as his first, "Marco". This time he doesn't receive a response.[21]
  • Faulkner has blond hair.[22]
  • Faulkner appears in 28 out of 46 episodes.

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chapter 7: It Carries Few, It Drowns Many
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Chapter 2: And Next Of Dark Deceit
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 6: It Winds, It Worms, It Wends
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Chapter 38: Shall Wither In Ruin And Rust
  5. ↑ Chapter 28: To Drift On, To Dream, To Die
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Chapter 29: And Where My Final Footsteps Fall
  7. ↑ Chapter 33: And Where Once Its Howling Forebears Walked
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Chapter 42: I’ll Wheeze Through Splintered Teeth
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chapter 43: One Last Song Of Revelations
  10. ↑ Chapter 8: And Those I Love, It Rends
  11. ↑ Chapter 14: And In Ruined Flesh Ascend
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chapter 35: The Wise Man Knows The Taste Of Rot
  13. ↑ Chapter 22: One Final Fall From Grace
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Chapter 44: Of Prophets' Dark Deceptions
  15. ↑ Chapter 1: Let Me Speak First Of Revelations
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Season One QnA
  17. ↑ Chapter 27: So I'll Bear It Trembling Onwards
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Season Two QnA
  19. ↑ thesiltverses on Tumblr on 1st of August, 2022
  20. ↑ thesiltverses on Tumblr on 26th of June, 2024
  21. ↑ Chapter 45: Of Love, And Gods' Defeat (Part Two)
  22. ↑ Chapter 45 Part 2 Official Transcript
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