Sage Freke, The Visionary

Lore

Sage Freke is adorned in dirt-covered, Venerable Sage's robes, which look similar to Saint's robes, and he wields a catalyst in one hand and a Baby's Nail in the other. He teaches advanced magic by using Demon's Souls. Sometimes his lust for souls is greater than his desire to learn more about the Soul Arts.

Sage Freke is initially found in a cell in the Tower of Latria. After he has been freed from the Tower of Latria, he can be found on the bottom floor of the Nexus to the right of his apprentice.

Sage Freke, the Visionary observed how Demons channeled the Soul Arts in order to cast spells so that humans would be able to mimic that power. With his knowledge of Demon magic he hoped to slay the Demons in Latria but was overpowered by the Old Monk and imprisoned in the dungeons below the Tower of Latria. Once rescued by the player using the key which hangs next to the Liar in the church of the Fool's Idol, he can study the essence of a Major Demon's Soul in order to create a new, powerful spell.

He believes the awakening of the Old One has energized magic far beyond anything that was before possible. He also believes prayer is for the foolish and that the Church's God and the Old One are one in the same, unbeknownst to Saint Urbain and the rest of the Church leadership. His contempt for the Church is likely connected to his time as a high-ranking priest in his younger years. The robes Freke wears show his "origins quite well" as it is a well worn, blackened, slightly modified saint's robe armor set. It is unknown for what reason Sage Freke turned against God and the Church. Since he served the Yormedar royal family he either settled in Latria after leaving the priesthood or is originally from Latria.

Over time, Freke becomes increasingly obsessed with the dark arts. First he envies those humans who have evolved to a "higher state" and become Demons. Then, he momentarily doubts that defeating the Old One, which would end most magic, is the right thing to do. Finally, he beseeches the player to murder the Maiden in Black while she attempts to lull the Old One back to sleep so that the player will gain the Old One's Demon soul. With that Demon soul, the player would gain power beyond imagination and Freke's knowledge "from beyond".

Freke is friends with the magical craftsmen Geri. He is rivals with Saint Urbain and believes the devout priest is worshipping a false God

Theories

Freke's Namesake

+ Expand Theory

In Norse mythology Freki and Geri, known as the "Ravenous Ones," were wolves who always accompanied the supreme Viking god Odin into battle. At the conclusion of the fighting, the hounds were known to roam the battlefield to greedily devour the corpses of the fallen. This is a parallel to Freke's intense desire for the player to bring him the mature souls of Demons which have fallen in battle.

Dialogue

+ Expand Dialogue

First encounter (Tower of Latria, behind bars):
"Oh, human, are you? I am Freke. I have been trapped here for ages. Perhaps you could help me get out of here? I am a sage, and I can lend you my power in return. Oh, take heed of those octopus-headed guards."

When rescued:
"Magnificent. I never expected to get out of there alive. My name is Freke, I am known as a Sage. I thought my magic would give me an edge against these Demons, but how wrong I was… I have been enfeebled by my long imprisonment. But I can still move my legs, and I can make it back to the Nexus. I thank the stars that I escaped when I did. I owe you my life."

In the Nexus (player Magic below 10):
"Hello. You assisted me in Latria. For that I thank you. But at my age, I do not believe that I can be of help to you."

In the Nexus (player Magic above 10):
"Hmm… I have a proposal for you. Could you bring your Demon Souls to me? As I determine more about the essence of the soul, I can teach you new magic. A Demon's soul is no mere amalgamation of lesser souls. You have your wits about you; surely you understand me? Do you have a connection to the disciples? Do not pay attention to them if they speak poorly of me and my magic. Prayer is for the foolish, quaint, and soon-to-be dead. And heaven forbid the day you find out what their so-called God really is… I was defeated and captured by the golden elder beyond that dungeon. Beware of him, for he manipulates souls. He has power over dark souls, those susceptible to madness and paranoia. I know of three human leaders who became Demons. King Allant of Boletaria, Astraea of the Valley of Defilement, and the golden elder of Latria. They have proven that humans can evolve to a higher state. We were wrong to assume that only Demons could do demon work."

Greeting (with a Demon Soul in possession):
"Bravo! Thank you for offering your Demon souls! I cannot express my gratitude. To have my wish granted at so late an age…! Thank you. You are a fine magician. As promised, let me teach you new magic."
"Bravo! You have brought more Demon souls to me! Thank you. You are a fine magician. Let me pass on further arts of the wand. …I am one step closer to the essence of the Demon soul… …Our human potential is great…"

After talking to Yuria:
"That witch Yuria is quite a compelling woman. She uses a different type of magic than I. Hers is powered by emotion; a lesser type of miracle. I wonder if it is related to her gender? I still have much to learn…"

After ?:
"As you know, magic is one of the soul arts. The scourge of Boletaria has activated all souls, and energized all magic. Perhaps, then, we should work to preserve this state of heightened reality? No, no, heaven forbid. The Demons steal souls, and with them, our sanity. Such blasphemy must not be permitted."

After all Archdemons are defeated (seal is opened):
"Why, you have defeated all the demons, have you not? This ghastly howl. The Monumental has spoken of it before… There is a question I have long had in my mind
It is whether we are right to banish the Old One, and I now have the answer, and it is a resounding no. Listen closely. The Old One must not be cut off from us. If the candle maiden tries to entrap it, kill her. Then Absorb the souls of the Old One for yourself. The Old one is an unfathomable deposit of energy, it contains all the souls collected by the Demons you will gain the power of a King, and I will gain knowledge from beyond. And that, my dear friend, is the righteous path. You must not allow trifling matters to dissuade you. The Demon souls shall be ours! If truth be told, that woman has been tainted by Demons herself. She would thank you in her death for relieving her…agony."

Upon leaving without making a transaction:
"I am fully prepared. Please fetch more Demon Souls. I can still be patient, my fine magician friend!"

Upon leaving having made a transaction:
"Bring me more Demon souls when you can! I patiently await you, my fine magician friend!"

When attacked:
"What in the devil is wrong with you? What can you gain by killing me?"

Sources

+ Expand Sources

Venerable Sage's Hood
Sage Freke the Visionary's equipment.
A plain traveling suit which makes long marches possible, however it is the travel wear of a dirty sage. This shows Sage Freke's origins quite well.

Venerable Sage's Robes
Sage Freke the Visionary's equipment.
A plain traveling suit which makes long marches possible, however it is the travel wear of a dirty sage. This shows Sage Freke's origins quite well.

Baby's Nail
A dagger treated with plague. The blade is curved like a talon.
A dagger often used by women and children for assassination. Among the various unique weapons, this is one of the especially sinister.

Ring of Magical Sharpness
A soft ring bearing a light green seal.
Increases magic attack power, decreases defense against magic.
Made by Geri, a friend of Sage Freke, the Visionary, who is known for his magical handicrafts.
The seal's design is a left-facing man.

Geri's Stiletto
An extremely small rapier. Dagger-sized and bladeless, it is imbued with special magic.
It was made by Geri, a friend of Sage Freke, the Visionary, who is known for his magical crafts. It steals a small amount of MP from its targets.

Saint Urbain Dialogue
As you know, souls are a source of evil power emanating from the Demons.
King Allant was overcome by a lust for such power, and has placed Boletaria in her present predicament.
Old Freke and the candle maiden are no exception…

Freke's Apprentice Dialogue
Are you here to face the Demons?
If so, please free Sage Freke the Visionary from the dungeon of Latria.
I will help you however I can. I can teach you elementary spells.
Sage Freke is a gleaming hope for humankind, but I have not the power to save him alone.
Freke is a great sage who systemised the magic of the Soul arts to make it possible for human imitation.
By observing the state of Boletaria and the Demons within it, he is likely to pave the way for greater things.
All the more reason that I must meet Freke as soon as possible…
…
Me? Without doubt, I made my best effort to save Sage Freke.
But I had not the strength. It is as simple as that.
Besides if I myself were captured, who would stand here and recruit rescuers?
…
You saved Sage Freke, did you not? Then I was right to bend the rules and teach you a few tricks.
Nevertheless, I am grateful to you. Do you see how important selfless acts are in this dreary world?
What is it? Are you still begging for magic lessons? Oh, so be it. Better than having you bother Sage Freke.
Sage Freke prefers to work alone. Do not dare to bother him by gabbing about trifling nonsense.
He is on the verge of discovering something that will rival even the Demon Souls.

Yuria Dialogue
…my witchcraft is of a dark nature, and arouses suspicions.
Why not try the magic of great Sage Freke?
…
Freke wields a different kind of magic from my witchcraft.
Freke's magic stems from an understanding of the essence of the Demon soul,
while my witchcraft merely channels its energy. If the Demon is cursed, so shall be the witchcraft.
Freke's power comes from human potential, while mine is a dark, dependent art.
…
I feel great misgivings about Freke.
…
I am afraid that Freke, too, has ventured down the wrong path. He has become obsessed with the dark arts.

---

PREV: Patches, the Hyena

NEXT: Saint Urbain

---

Comments