Mordred Deschain

Mordred Deschain is a fictional character in author Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. Mordred is the son of two fathers (Roland Deschain and The Crimson King) and two mothers (Susannah Dean and Mia).

Conception

Mordred’s conception started with Roland Deschain having intercourse with a demon or spirit in the speaking ring in the willow forest. The sperm was then in some way mixed with the Crimson King's. Later, Susannah Dean had intercourse with a demon or spirit in the stone circle outside Lud. The demon was at that time carrying Roland's semen, and impregnated Susannah.

Susannah was later possessed by Mia, a spirit left behind after the recession of the Prim. Mia’s sole purpose was to take care of Mordred, whom she refers to as the chap.

Mordred’s name is chosen by Mia from a story she discovers in Susannah’s memory. The name comes from Arthurian legend, which tells of King Arthur having intercourse with his half-sister, producing Mordred (Arthur's illegitimate son). This Mordred later becomes King Arthur's downfall, as the chap is to become the downfall of his White father, Roland.

Birth

When Mordred was born he was a human baby. He had the same blue eyes as Roland, and a red birthmark on the heel of one foot. Almost immediately after his birth, Mordred transformed into a spider, with a mark on one side that resembles the black-widows mark, and on the other, Mordred's human face. He then has his first feeding, draining his birth mother, Mia, completely dry of fluid.

Mordred then goes after Susannah, who has managed to take a gun from one of the hospital guards. She shoots off one of Mordred’s spider legs, leaving him with a wound that will not heal.

Mordred has an immediate understanding of his purpose. He is to kill Roland Deschain, and use the birthmark on his heel to enter the Dark Tower and rule next to the Crimson King. As Mordred focuses on his purpose, he grows more jealous of Roland and his ka-tet. At one time, Mordred even thinks of joining Roland, but knows he cannot accept his White father as his dinh.

Life

Mordred Deschain, in spider form, has a very high metabolism. He feeds on small animals as he grows and gets used to his human form. He grows much more rapidly than a human and his very intelligent given the short time he has been in existence.

Mordred’s need to feed on animals and humans eventually makes him extremely ill. He feeds on Lippy, Dandelo’s dead, rotted horse, and develops a severe case of food poisoning.

One of Mordred’s more impressive feats is the killing of Randall Flagg. He subdues Flagg using his telepathic powers and takes control of the man.
He tortures Flagg before finally consuming him alive.

Death

By the time Mordred catches up with Roland, he is sick from eating the horse and extremely tired and cold. Mordred’s Red father, the Crimson King, helps Mordred to attack Roland’s camp by putting Patrick to sleep, thus leaving the camp unguarded. Mordred makes his move, but has forgotten one important detail: Oy. The billy-bumbler attacks Mordred as he rushes the camp, giving his life to save Roland and allowing the gunslinger enough time to draw his guns and kill his son.

Original artwork by Michael Whelan

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References

Furth, Robin. Stephen King’s The Dark Tower: The Complete Concordance. Scribner, 2006. ISBN 0743297342

King, Stephen. The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book I, Revised). Viking Adult, 2003. ISBN 0670032549

King, Stephen. The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower, Book II). Viking Adult, 2003. ISBN 0670032557

King, Stephen. The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book III). Viking Adult, 2003. ISBN 0670032565

King, Stephen. Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower, Book IV). Viking Adult, 2003. ISBN 0670032573

King, Stephen. Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower, Book V). Donald M. Grant/Scribner, 2003. ISBN 1880418568

King, Stephen. Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower, Book VI). Donald M. Grant/Scribner, 2004. ISBN 1880418592

King, Stephen. The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower, Book VII). Donald M. Grant/Scribner, 2004. ISBN 1880418622

Vincent, Bev. The Road to the Dark Tower: Exploring Stephen King’s Magnum Opus. New American Library, 2004. ISBN 0451213041