Randall Flagg

Lore & Background

In The Dark Tower series, Flagg appears under several guises. He first appears as Walter O'Dim, chased across the desert by gunslinger Roland Deschain. In flashbacks, Flagg assumes the identity of Marten Broadcloak, a wizard who conspires with the Crimson King to cause the fall of the Dark Tower. In the original edition of the first novel, Marten and Walter were separate characters, but they were retconned into one character in the revised version. The series reveals more of Flagg's background: he was born Walter Padick in Delain to Sam the Miller of Eastar'd Barony. At age 13, he set out for a life on the road but was raped by a fellow wanderer. He learned various forms of magic, achieving quasi-immortality. After centuries of wreaking havoc, Flagg attracts the attention of the Crimson King.

In Their Own Story

Flagg makes several appearances in King's Dark Tower series (1982-2012). His presence is felt in the opening sentence of the first book: "The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed". When Roland was young, Marten had an affair with Roland's mother, Gabrielle, to provoke Roland to take the gunslinger test early, hoping he would fail and be exiled. Roland passed. In The Waste Lands, Flagg saves Tick-Tock Man Andrew Quick in the city of Lud, and Quick becomes his devoted servant. In Wizard and Glass, Flagg as Marten Broadcloak warns Roland and his ka-tet to abandon their quest. In Wolves of the Calla, Flagg appears as Walter o'Dim and gives Father Callahan Black Thirteen, a dangerous crystal ball, hoping it will kill Roland. In The Dark Tower, Flagg reveals plans to climb the Tower and become a god. He tries to befriend Mordred Deschain but Mordred telepathically senses Flagg's true motives and eats him, forcing him to rip out his eyes and tongue first.

Reader's Guide

Flagg is a primary antagonist in King's epic series, The Dark Tower, where he works with the Crimson King to keep protagonist Roland Deschain from reaching the Tower – the linchpin of existence – so he can claim it for himself and become a god. The Dark Tower expanded on Flagg's background and motivation, linking his previous appearances. In flashbacks in The Drawing of the Three, Roland recalls seeing two men named Thomas and Dennis pursuing a man named Flagg, implied to be the same characters from The Eyes of the Dragon. The "Argument" beginning Wolves of the Calla notes that Flagg is known as Broadcloak, Fannin and John Farson, depending on the world in which he lives. Flagg indicates in The Dark Tower that he is not John Farson, but served under him until the latter's downfall. Flagg believes he can only achieve godhood by killing Mordred and taking his birthmark-stained foot.

Did You Know?

• Flagg was born Walter Padick in Delain to Sam the Miller of Eastar'd Barony.
• At age 13, Walter set out for a life on the road but was raped by a fellow wanderer.
• Flagg's presence is felt in the opening sentence of the first Dark Tower book: 'The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed'.
• In The Dark Tower, Mordred Deschain eats Flagg, forcing him to rip out his eyes and tongue first.
• Flagg has a variety of names, usually with the initial letters 'R. F.' but with occasional exceptions, such as Walter o'Dim and Marten Broadcloak.