~ The Fool ~

The Fool, as readers may well know, is of a different kind than most people in the six duchies. He was taken when he was a child, as they recognized him to be the White Prophet. He was the court jester for old King Shrewd. He likes to carve toys and create puppets as well. The White Prophet has predicted of a Catalyst. However, unlike the usual prophecy-based fantasy stories out there, this catalyst will bring changes, but he will not be the main player to do so. He is not the character of the most importance. Rather, he is somewhat like a sidekick, an aid to help get things going.

Personality-wise, the Fool can be, yes, like a jester. He is very witty and quick with words. He can be very cynical, sarcastic, and scathingly insulting, especially to Fitz. Half the time, some of what he says is complete nonsense. And yet, his jests seem to be welcome rather than shown annoyance. He seems much more mature that Fitz at times, then stupider at others. I guess the two just keep each other rolling onwards. >)

The Fool's appearance is noted for its apparent lack of all color-- he is pale, his hair is white, his eyes colorless. As the Fool begins to mature, his eyes take on a tawny, cat-like yellow color. As he himself states, the Fool may gather more color as he ages -- a trait of his kind (?).

Of Fitzy and the Fool they share a slight Skill-link. It is, as Nighteyes claims, more like the Wit than anything else. The Fool can sometimes pick up feelings from Nighteyes, but it is, again, slight. However, from Verity, the Fool obtained three silvered fingers, from magic that the prince had drawn out from the Skill-river in order to aid the carving of his dragon. With this silvered fingers, the Fool can partake in some exploration of the Skill. And there was that time that the Fool shared a Skill-link with Fitz by touching the other man's wrist with his silvered fingers, leaving marks on Fitz's wrist as well.

Is the Fool Female? There are many theories out there, and reasons to support both sides. My theory is that he is male, but who knows, really? The reason to assert my belief is that Nighteyes calls him "little brother," and I would think the wolf would be able to discern if the Fool is really male or female. In Assassin's Quest, it has been mentioned that he has had a (quasi?) relationship with some servant at Buckkeep, but this is just one sentence and very glacingly brief. He's been written and referred to as being male for so long, the reader might have become used ot it.

Here's the other thing: the Fool doesn't really care about gender and finds it funny how humans put such a significance upon it. To him, it is "mere plumbing, when all is said and done" (AQ). And something I found very amusing is also said in the same chapter-- in regular Fool style. Personally, I'd have to agree with him-- I don't really care what gender he is, because he's just such a cool character either way.