The Weeping Monk

## Lancelot Tartarus

**The Weeping Monk** also known as **Lancelot Tartarus**, serves as a secondary antagonist on Netflix's *Ogre Battle Saga*. He works with the Dark Knights Loslorien and hunts the Walister, and he is famous for it. It is later revealed that he is also a Fey but refuses to acknowledge that part of himself.

## History

### Background

The marks on his face show that he is part of the Felis People, a house of Lodis that has few remaining members. He is able to sense other Fey and uses this to help the knights. He is also very skilled in swordfighting and is able to defeat many seasoned soldiers by himself.

He engages in flagellation to try to beat the "evil" out of himself, and has many scars and open cuts on his back because of it. He was carefully groomed by Pope Sardian since he was young to believe that he is evil and needed to be saved.

### Versalia

When the Dark Knights attack Denam's village, Catiua , from hiding, recognizes the Weeping Monk as a powerful figure and someone to fear. He walks up to Pope Sardian and bows before him.

### Cursed Image

He and Pope Sardian come upon the remains of wolves that have been slain by Catiua. Sardian asks him if he has found something and he replies that he found a single set of tracks, those of a Dynast girl. This leads Pope Sardian to realize that the sword Catiua is carrying cannot be ordinary. They join a group of knights who have discovered another dark knight up in a tree, bound in vines. The Monk begs Pope Sardian to let him find her, but he tells him that he needs him to kill every Fey in the wood. Later, while searching the woods, he comes upon the young boy Squirrel. He tricks the boy by reciting the Fey phrase "Born in the dawn..." to which Squirrel begins to reply "...to pass in the twilight." He grabs him roughly and tells him to answer his questions and not lie to him, or he will know it and hurt him. Squirrel is defiant, so he grabs him and leads him away. Squirrel insults him, calling him and his horse ugly.

When Pope Sardian and his Dark Knights Loslorien begin their campaign across Duke Ronwey's lands, he is at the forefront, helping to snuff out the Fey. He proves one of their greatest assets, personally killing many of the Fey. However, seeing Squirrel seems to change something within him. When Squirrel is turned over to Brother Veruca Salt to be tortured, he comes to rescue him at great personal risk. Brother Veruca Salt recognizes his presence and asks him if he has come watch, but he beheads him, then slices away the ropes binding Squirrel.

The two stop to rest and are discovered by a party of Fey, including Josselyne. He asks the Weeping Monk what it was he had in mind for Squirrel. "I've got no interest in the boy," reveals the Monk. "He's bait... for you." He then kills the entire group, saving only Squirrel, telling him to tell his brethren what he saw there.

### Alone In The Dark

When the Dark Knights arrive at Jawohl Abbey, the Weeping Monk senses Catiua's presence within the abbey. He reports this to Pope Sardian, but tells him that exactly whose scent is not yet clear. Based on this, Sardian orders an assembly of all of the sisters within the abbey. The Weeping Monk then personally examines each one, but Catiua escapes via a secret underground stream thanks to the aid of a sister who goes by "Igrene," but who is secretly Olivya.

### The Red Wedding

The Weeping Monk is present when Olivya returns, claiming that Catiua attacked her and escaped. Later, he and his men confront a caravan headed for Grimoire which is sheltering Catiua. They allow it to pass. He attacks another caravan led by a TuskHusker and shows Pope Sardian directions carved into the woods to a Fey sanctuary. He tells him that wherever the signs lead is where they'll find them all. Much later on, he and Pope Sardian come upon a large group of Dark Knights Loslorien who have been slain by Catiua following their own attack on the caravan that had sheltered her. Pope Sardian tells the Weeping Monk that it's a message, that Catiua is taunting him with his dead brothers. The two pray together for the lost souls of the paladins.

### The Joining of the Spheres

The Weeping Monk and Pope Sardian arrive at a camp and find themselves faced with the Death Templars of Ozma. The Monk, however, is prevented by the Guards from joining Father Carden in the Pope's tent. Carden's meeting with the Pope does not go well and he exits the tent fuming at the Monk, telling him that it's his failure that brought him there to be the subject of such humiliation. He tells him that if he burns, it won't be alone.

### Festal and Lorelei

Father Carden tells the Monk that the Fey have blended into the wood, but that even demons must eat. He narrates that they will starve them out and burn their fields, as the Monk fires a flaming arrow to accomplish just this.

When a party, including Gawain and Arthur, go to investigate, he shoots an arrow which kills another member of their group, Mogwan. He then draws to fire another.

### Bring Us In Good Ale

The Weeping Monk battles Arthur valiantly until Gawain comes out rescue him. The two then flee for shelter in a nearby windmill along with Gawain's second, Bergerum, but Bergerum is shot down by one of the Red Paladins. The Monk then realizes that Bergerum is still alive. He then drags away Bergerum and begins savagely torturing him, warning Gawain that it will continue until he surrenders. Arthur is dead set against the idea, feeling it will do no good, but Gawain makes to leave the windmill anyway. At this, Arthur shoots Bergerum dead, telling Gawain it was necessary. Thwarted, the Monk considers Bergerum's dead body, then walks away. Later, he begins firing flaming arrows at the windmill in an attempt to burn the group out. Arthur and Gawain rush out to make a valiant last stand, in the hopes that the others trapped in the windmill may flee. The Monk races into the fray, but then watches as an unnatural wind consumes the fire. He shouts for quiet as the others warn of the "witch" having come for them. In the confusion of the wind and the battle, he accidentally cuts down one of the Red Paladins.

### The Fey Queen

Searching the woods, the Monk finds blood on several leaves. He tells the Red Paladins to send word to Father Carden that he's found the camp. He says that they should ride fast and return with numbers. However, when the group arrives at the camp, they discover it completely empty. The Monk orders them to find the Fey, saying they couldn't have gone far. He then orders the entire camp to be burned. Later, after the Fey have captured Gramaire, Gawain goes out to investigate a missing convoy. He is confronted by the Monk and the two engage in a fierce battle. The Monk overwhelms him, leaving him bloodied on the ground. "They want you alive, Green Knight," he tells him, pointing his sword at him. He then takes him away, dragging him by the arm, while Squirrel watches from afar, hidden.

### Poisons

Abbott Wicklow and a contingent of Trinity Guards arrive at the Red Paladin camp, sent by Pope Abel, and Wicklow professes to be very interested in meeting the Weeping Monk. The Monk arrives with Gawain and Father Carden explains to him about Wicklow having been sent by the Pope. Father Carden is very pleased with his capture of the Green Knight, saying that God smiles upon them. After Gawain is sent to Brotehr Salt's "kitchen" to be tortured, the Monk pays him a visit. When the Monk stands away from him, he tells him not to be afraid, that he doesn't bite, calling him "Ash Man." He reveals that he recognizes him as being of a type of Fey called the "Ash Folk" because of his eyes. He asks he came to be there, givent that there haven't been any Ash Folk in the area for centuries. When he gets no answer, he asks if he has just come to watch him die.

The Monk asks him why he didn't tell Abbott Wicklow what he knew, why he didn't reveal him. "Before, you could have told them. But you didn't. Why?" Gawain replies that all Fey are brothers, even the lost ones. The Monk tells him that his suffering will cleanse him, but he replies that the Monk parrots the words of the paladins, though he knows it's all lies. He says that he can feel it. He continues that they've turned his mind so far inside-out, he doesn't know the difference between kindness and hate. He asks who it was that did this to him, but the Monk replies only that they are saving souls. Gawain tells him to tell it to the little ones her burns and the Monk counters that he never harms children. Gawain replies that while he may not personally do so, he burns homes and watches his Red Paladin brothers kill, which is just as bad. He tells the Monk that he could be the Fey's greatest warrior, that his people need him. He replies that the Fey are not his people and Gawain dares him to tell the paladins the truth if this is so. The Monk tells him that he'll pray for him. "And I for you," replies Gawain, and the Monk leaves the room.

The Monk joins Father Carden as he reports to King Uther. Later, he is present when Squirrel, having been captured, is brought before Father Carden. He is troubled when it is ordered that Squirrel be sent to Brother Salt, arguing "He's just a boy." After Squirrel is taken away, Carden slaps the Monk in the face, asking why he would embarrass him. The Monk simply remains silent.

### The Sacrifice

Father Carden pays a visit to the Weeping Monk, who is inside a tent, shirtless. On his back is a massive network of bloodied flesh and scars. Carden complains that he has ignored his summons and he replies that he cannot feel God's grace. He calls out to him, reaches out, but there is only darkness. Carden replies that the Monk is the avenging sword of light in the battle against the Lord of Darkness. He asks if the Monk really thought he could avoid the Beast's touch, saying that it does not tear the flesh, but rather the soul. The Monk asks Carden if he loves him. Carden seems briefly hesitant, but then replies that he of course does. The Monk asks if he would do so even he was damned. "Those are dangerous words," replies Carden. He says that they will speak of it one more time: that he was demon-born and an abomination in the eyes of God, but he spared him from the fire because he could sense his own kind. He tells him that though he laid the first brick on his road to salvation, he cannot walk it for him. He asks if he has the will to do what is necessary and he tells him that he does.

As Brother Salt prepares to torture Squirrel, telling him he will cut out his tongue first, the Monk enters the tent. Salt asks who is there as the Monk approaches quietly from behind, then, recognizing the Monk's presence, he asks "Come to watch, my weeping brother?" In response, the Monk suddenly pulls out his sword and slashes Brother Salt's throat. He then cuts away the chains binding Squirrel and leads him away. The two then attempt to escape through the camp, but are confronted by the Trinity Guards and Abbott Wicklow. Wicklow asks the Monk if Squirrel reminds him of someone, saying that he has the Monk's power to sniff out others of his own kind. The Monk tells Squirrel to find cover. As Squirrel runs off, Wicklow tells the Monk that while he may have a reputation, he knows the Trinity Guard's skill. Nevertheless, the Monk pulls out his swords and manages to slay many challengers, before finally being fought to apparent standstill. Before they can finish him off, however, Squirrel tosses a rock, hitting one of them, then raises a sword, asking "Who's first?" The Monk then rises, takes his remaining sword, and manages to defeat the remainder of the Guards before pointing his sword at Abbott Wicklow, who flees. He then collapses to the ground, badly injured, and Squirrel rushes up to him, pulling him up and onto a horse, telling him they have to go. The two then ride off together, Squirrel at the fore.

In the quiet countryside, the Monk asks Squirrel for his name. When he gives it, he tells him that a squirrel is an animal, asking what name he was given at birth. Squirrel tells him that he he doesn't like that name, and he replies that it's still his name. "Fine, it's Percival," replies Squirrel. He asks the Monk if he has a real name, and he tells him that a long time ago, his name was Lancelot.

## Personality

The Weeping Monk is indeed a very complex character, who is both a tormented soul due to not being able to accept his Fey heritage and a villainous crusader who hunts the Fey for the Red Paladins. His morals have been jeopardized by the brotherhood of the Red Paladins, to which he is known to slaughter down any Fey kind just for existing. Though he does work for the Red Paladins and is known across the land for being mercilessness, he personally does not kill or harm children, which is seen with Squirrel and Amvri.

Although he is perceived as an antagonist, he constantly seeks God's forgiveness and punishes himself by whipping his back as he himself is Fey, known as the Ash Folk.

### Powers and Abilities

It seems much more powerful than other Fey, since it can feel its trace and far surpass Gawain, possibly these powers come from the Christian God, giving the possibility of the supposed existence of that God. He has also shown to be able to sense fey out and track them even being able to tell what clan they are from.

## Relationships

#### Gawain

Gawain learns that the Monk is Fey and though he is tortured, he doesn't reveal this information to the paladins. Gawain tries to convince him to leave the Red Paladins, but the Monk resists.

#### Squirrel

The Monk captures Squirrel, using him as a bait to capture other Fey; however, unlike the Fey who were drawn to him, who had been killed, the Weeping Monk released the boy, though he advised him to tell the rest of the Fey that he was coming for them.

When the Monk takes Gawain to the Red Paladins' camp, Squirrel follows them and get captured by Father Carden. The Monk then kills Brother Salt for trying to torture him, thus betraying the Red Paladins. While trying to escape, they are stopped by the Trinity Guard, the Monk is injured and almost gives up, but doesn't after Squirrel confronts them himself. With a final push of energy, the Monk kills all of the Trinity Guards at the camp. Squirrel helps him up onto a horse and they leave the camp together.

#### Father Carden

He serves Father Carden and helps him kill the Fey. Father Carden took in the Monk as a child when he conquered his village of Ash Folk because the Monk could find other Fey. He groomed him into becoming a weapon for the paladins.

## Appearances

Season One
* *Nimue*
* *Cursed*
* *Alone*
* *The Red Lake*
* *The Joining*
* *Festa and Moreii*
* *Bring Us In Good Ale*
* *The Fey Queen*
* *Poisons*
* *The Sacrifice*

## Memorable Quotes

* Squirrel: *Do you have a real name?*
	+ Weeping Monk: *Lancelot.. A long time ago, my name was Lancelot.*

## Trivia

In Arthurian legend, Lancelot is considered to be one of the greatest knights in the Round Table.

Lancelot, in Arthurian legend, was actually raised by the Lady of the Lake, Nimue, after his father died which is why in some literature his name is Lancelot du Lac (which translates to Lancelot of the Lake).

His horse his named Goliath.

In the *Cursed* novel, his identity as Lancelot is revealed much sooner in the story, with Father Carden referring to him by this name.

## Behind the scenes

In an interview regarding the character, show creator Frank Miller stated regarding Lancloet that "*I think it’s the only way Lancelot makes sense because Lancelot is a fanatic. He is the best swordsman and he is driven by unholy passions and hates himself for it.*" Tom Wheeler added "*...I think when the idea of just maybe hiding the bomb in terms of who the Weeping Monk actually was, the whole idea of starting with Nimue gives you all kinds of new avenues for meeting these characters.*" Regarding his performance of the character, actor Daniel Sharman described that he "*...was trying to see how far could you go the other way to get to the Lancelot that we know. How much could you subvert it? That’s what largely I did, was to start with someone who had no empathy and no ability to relate. That’s why you see the Weeping Monk, that’s the beginning.*"

## References

1. ↑ Flook, Ray (July 4, 2020). Cursed Teasers Introduce Nimue's Friends & Foes; The Hidden Summon. Bleeding Cool. Retrieved on July 4, 2020.
2. ↑ https://www.ancient.eu/Lancelot/
3. ↑ "Cursed"
4. ↑ Foutch, Haleigh (August 17, 2020). ‘Cursed’: Daniel Sharman & Series Creators Explain the Mysteries of the Weeping Monk. Collider. Retrieved on August 18, 2020.