Knower
Knower is the Shapen Sister in charge of the the Orchard's library and archive. She oversees all knowledge related to the time before the collapse, and during ALLMOTHER’s reign. Cold and calculating, Knower knows more than she lets on – she's been around long enough to know what has consequences and what doesn't.
⚠️ CAUTION! major spoilers ahead! ⚠️
When the Provisional Government comes to power, Knower becomes the High Minister, reporting directly to Principal and holding authority over the other Ministers and Red Guard.[1]
Personality[edit | edit source]
SECRETARY: An adaptable sister who will do or say anything to survive.
Knower is a pragmatic, shrewd woman. As head of the archives, she meticulously records and annotates major events into the annals of history. Though she is aloof, she is willing to teach others about the ALLMOTHER and the old ways if they ask. She seems to be strict towards her subordinate Knower-type shells, as Unlucky Shell laments disappointing her over a failed test.
Knower's pragmatism extends to her way of life. Though there are secrets revealed to her that would upset any other sister, she sees no reason to react to it. No matter what foundation society was built upon, as long as she is safe, fed, warm, and well, she sees no reason to cry out or rebel. Dissent may bring death, and why destroy yourself over feelings? There is no feeling worth getting incinerated over.
When she is pushed to the brink and her survival is on the line, Knower is not afraid to do what she must, even if it means abandoning her morals. She is opportunistic and willing to disregard others in the means of securing her own safety, and willing to inflict violence on others if it means keeping up a facade. She strategically plays both sides to achieve her long-term goals, believing that the ends justify the means.
Despite this, Knower is not entirely without feeling. She simply believes that when things get dangerous, people are going to get hurt – if she can help it, she isn't going to be one of those people.
KNOWER: It's a perpetual dance of grace, you know? When to hold your tongue. When to look away. (ch.7)
History[edit | edit source]
Knower has maintained her seat of power for a long, indeterminate amount of time. The train had arrived for her multiple times, signaling the end of her tenure and her ascension to ALLMOTHER’s side, yet she has ignored the call every time. Knower can be found throughout the Orchard, usually with Observant Shell at her heel.
Knower is the first person Watcher can talk to in The Orchard, during Chapter [Redacted]. She tells Watcher to put her grievances aside and say goodbye to Fixer, before Fixer departs to the Other Side. Here is when Knower first tells Watcher, "There is no feeling worth being incinerated over."
For the ALLMOTHER's birthday in Chapter 3, Knower prepares a bouquet in the garden. She asks Watcher for ideas on the flower choices, and provides the symbolic context of each corresponding flower.
In each conversation so far, Knower discreetly makes skeptical comments about the nature of the ALLMOTHER and the Orchard. She contemplates the construction of the Orchard and it's growing water reserves.
Occupant Alert[edit | edit source]
In Chapter 4, Knower and the other sisters are gathered at the bar to celebrate the graduation of the new Fixer. When an Occupant alert occurs, it forces everything around them into chaos. During the commotion, Knower orders Observant Shell to burn the library to the ground, with all the archives inside it. The two then join the rest of the sisters underground. Knower waits near the horse statue, contemplating what the creature is.
After Watcher has finished accounting for every sister, dead or alive, in the underground, Knower requests that Watcher host their mandated communion together.
Communion with Watcher[edit | edit source]
The first scene in the communion places them in limestone caves with Occupant rings nestled throughout; it is here Knower divulges her relationship with the previous Watcher, a quiet girl who allegedly left in the middle of the night to board her train without telling anyone.
During this communion, Watcher and Knower witness Iris’s first contact with the Occupants, learn their method of communication, see the ultimate fate of The 50, and learn Secretary’s true nature. While Watcher is devastated by these revelations, Knower chides Watcher’s outburst. In Knower’s view, there is no point in getting wrapped up in your feelings when you are safe, well-fed, and healthy. Knower also reveals the true fate of the previous Watcher: she killed herself in what Knower describes as a “useless bout of passion and protest.” She uses this example to cement her stance that “there is no feeling worth getting incinerated over.”
Once the communion ends and they’re back in the underground, Watcher takes the train meant for Knower, and kills ALLMOTHER at its destination. Knower then goes to inform BBF and Healer that things are going to "take a turn for the worse".
Watcher's Imprisonment[edit | edit source]
After Principal orders Watcher’s capture, Knower is one of the few people allowed in her holding chambers. Observant Shell monitors Watcher 24/7, possibly at Knower's insistence.
Year 1 AA[edit | edit source]
At the start of Year 1 AA, Knower gives Watcher updates on the aftermath of ALLMOTHER’s death, including mass hysteria and Shell suicides. Knower brings Watcher her box full of Fixer’s things to remind her of “happier times.” Knower listens to Watcher’s account of the murder and Principal’s orchestration of events and explains how Principal is attempting to restructure their society. She reassures Watcher:
KNOWER: It’s going to be alright. You killed mother. But you are still my sister. I’ll do what I can to protect you. If I can tell our sisters what you told me, I know they’ll believe you too.
Near the end of Year 1 AA, she warns Watcher that things are changing quickly, and that she has been appointed a position in the budding ministry. She claims she has no choice if she wants to survive under Principal’s fist; at the same time, she plans to use this strategic closeness to their advantage. This is when Knower starts administering drugs to Watcher, but she also frees Watcher from her bindings. Her outfit colors have changed from purple to dark grey.
Year 2 AA[edit | edit source]
In Year 2 AA, Knower reveals that the communion with Fixer was staged, and that Fixer is still alive. When Watcher begs to see her, Knower says “I’ll see what I can do.” Later into Year 2, Knower tells Watcher that Fixer doesn’t want to see Watcher, that Fixer even hates Watcher. Knower declares that “there is no one left alive who loves you but me.”
At the end of Year 2 AA, Knower tells Watcher that she can get Watcher out, but they need to go over the sequence of events again. When Watcher recounts the events and claims that she rode the train alone, Knower stops her and says that it contradicts her earlier statement – that Watcher had claimed she and Principal rode the train together. Knower continues to gaslight and warp Watcher’s recollection of events.
KNOWER: Are you saying you were lying to me last time?
KNOWER: Is it possible that you’re remembering wrong? That you’re losing grasp on the past?
KNOWER: Based on my observations, it’s safe to say you inherited such sickness from [ALLMOTHER].
Year 3 AA[edit | edit source]
In Year 3 AA, red colors have begun to accent Knower’s uniform. She brings good news to Watcher – she can go free on one condition. Watcher must confess her guilt on camera and praise the Provisional Government.
Accept these conditions, and Watcher gets her identity wiped and the chance to live a new life as a Miscellaneous. Refuse, and her entrapment in the cold holding cell continues. Watcher refuses, and Knower orders Watcher be bound again.
KNOWER: I lied Watcher. If you don’t confess, it won’t be always like this. It will get much, much worse.
In mid-Year 3 AA – with Knower completely clad in red – Watcher breaks down and says she will confess. Knower orders a fresh change of clothes, a haircut and some new glasses for Watcher so she looks primed and ready for the recording. She reassures Watcher that she’s looking out for her, if she just repeats the lines as written. When Watcher instead reveals the truth on camera, Knower tells her that it was never a live feed. She threatens Watcher with the piece of Secretary used to kill ALLMOTHER. When Watcher refuses to bend, Knower carves out her right eye, then her left when Watcher still refuses to yield.
KNOWER: A Watcher…who can no longer see.
KNOWER: You should be dead. Principal asked for your head. But I couldn’t do that to my own sister. So I brought her your eyes instead.
At the end of Year 3 AA, Watcher’s cell is broken into by Bang Bang Fire and Fixer. Seeing Watcher's tortured and blinded state, Fixer is outraged, but Knower snaps at her, coldly stating "I did what I had to do.”
Knower kept Watcher alive throughout the years, despite Principal and outward pressure demanding Watcher’s life, her head, her incineration. Knower claims that things might have been different if the others hadn’t taken so long to create "the perfect extraction plan". Before the others leave with Watcher, Knower asks that Fixer knock her out, to "make it look convincing.”
The Provisional Government[edit | edit source]
By Year 7 AA, Knower – officially called The High Minister now – continues to hold onto her power and oversees the oppressive Red Guard police force. Not even her closest confidante, Capital Red, is aware of Knower's double agent role. To all other sisters, she is a tyrannical agent of the Provisional Government.
Knower’s next chronological appearance is at the site of Bartender’s death. She chides Blue for coming up behind her without announcing her presence. Blue apologizes, saying that she knew Bartender. Knower recognizes her as Bartender’s assistant, and says that she too knew Bartender, long before Blue was born. Knower claims that Bartender shot herself, even though the gunshot wound is in her back. She quickly shuts down any objections from the Miscellaneous.
Even though Knower was covertly working with the original Shapen Sisters to bring down Principal's authoritarian regime, the way she publically disregarded Bartender's murder drove Blue to action and sparked a rebellion. The Miscellaneous, the Jiaos, other dissenting sisters, and even Capital Red organize a plot to destroy the Provisional Government. They create and plant a bomb at the annual play, killing every minister – except The High Minister, Knower, who was absent from the play's attendance.
Initiating The Mass Communion[edit | edit source]
In the days following the explosion, Miscellaneous shells in Old Town begin to riot and self-immolate in further protest. Knower uses the timing of the protests in Old Town to divert the Red Guard further underground. She orders they be sent to deal with the protestors, and that the units guarding the station move out to deal with the Jiao-types striking in The Other Side.
Capital Red finds this suspicious, but Knower shuts her down. However, Capital Red's suspicions are proven correct: Knower redirected the guards to give the Shapen Sisters unhindered access to transportation and allowed them time to start the mass communion from their position atop the inside sky.
During the final communion, Knower is one of the lights that Blue can decide to turn off. Knower is described by Secretary as "an adaptable sister who will do or say anything to survive."
KNOWER: Do what you must, Sister. That's what I've always done, and I'm not going to apologize for it.
Epilogue[edit | edit source]
| Epitaphs (Blue) | Epitaphs (Red) |
|---|---|
| REMAINS: Remember a tight-lipped and two-faced Knower whose sacrifices outlived her. She made enemies, over and over. She was not for the faint of heart. For you, something soft.
|
REMAINS: Here lies a stoic Knower who listened smartly to every story she was told, and committed her life to architecture. You were my trusted and burdened. You are safe to be soft now. Hekki grace.
|
Relationships[edit | edit source]
Watcher[edit | edit source]
KNOWER: Do you remember what I told you? I want you to listen this time. Listen carefully. There is NO FEELING worth getting incinerated over. (ch.4)
Knower acts as a foil to Watcher’s personality and ideology. Where Watcher sees injustice in the system and will rally against it, Knower is content to leave things as they are so long as she and those she cares for are provided for. She believes that Watchers “feel” too much and are willing to throw away their life and safety for frivolous and intangible things.
KNOWER: We were happy before, weren’t we? We had our functions. Our simple pleasures. We had each other. … And now look at us. I guess mother was right. It is our lot to be bound. (ch.7)
After Watcher is imprisoned for murdering ALLMOTHER, Knower becomes her only connection to the outside world. At first Knower tries to be a comforting presence, but when Principal begins driving tumultuous political change, Knower quickly becomes one of Principal's right hand women to ensure her survival. Knower frequently asks Watcher to comply with Principal's demands or to cooperate for the sake of freedom and comfort, but Watcher always resists. Even though Knower's ultimate goal is to keep Watcher alive for the Shapen Sisters' rescue, she resorts to verbally abusing, gaslighting, and physically torturing Watcher to keep Principal's suspicions away.
Previous Watcher[edit | edit source]
BARTENDER: Big sis Knower...always reading, keeping to herself...not exactly a spice queen, right? Well, once upon a time, she was close as can be with a WATCHER.Then one night, the Watcher's train came, and she snuck off without a word...they say Knower didn't leave the library for a whole year... (ch.3)
KNOWER: You Watchers are all the same. So prone to outbursts of FEELING. Have you ever stopped to THINK before you act? [...]
KNOWER: I lied to you. About your predecessor. Yes, she was quiet. Yes, she kept to herself. But she would FEEL so many things, all the time. She didn't leave on the train. I found her dead one night in her room. She killed herself. In a bout of useless passion and protest. Has anything changed? No. Except she's dead now. And I have you. Instead of her. (ch.4)
Not much is known about the previous Watcher, except for her close relationship with Knower. Only Knower was privvy to her true fate – that she killed herself, without ever saying goodbye. The loss of her closest companion (and possible lover) drove Knower to close herself off from everyone else, and repress her emotions more.
Observant Shell/Capital Red/Mauve[edit | edit source]
During the ALLMOTHER era, Knower is rarely seen without Observant Shell by her side. While Knower doesn't seem to publicly acknowledge her presence, it is unlikely Observant Shell would've been able to remain close to someone high-rank like Knower, without Knower letting her. It is of note that Knower's previous confidante was also a watcher-type, so there may be an element of sentimentality or "filling the void".
Knower seems aware of Observant Shell's devotion towards her, and thus compliance to her orders. She has leveraged this devotion to order Observant Shell to do what would be unspeakable to most sisters – burning down the library during the chaos of the Occupant alert. Knower trusts her loyalty, and Observant Shell trusts Knower's judgement.
Observant Shell continues following Knower's orders well into the rise of the Provisional Government. During Watcher's imprisonment, Knower also commands Observant Shell to drug and guard Watcher, and Observant Shell silently complies. As Knower becomes the High Minister and oversees the Red Guard, Observant Shell becomes Capital Red, a special police of the Red Guard.
CAPITAL RED: (in response to Knower diverting guards) That's excessive, don't you think?
KNOWER: You have an opinion?
CAPITAL RED: The alarm? …The station will be left unguarded.
KNOWER: Would you like to suggest a different course of action?
CAPITAL RED: ...No. Of course not.
KNOWER: Do as I say.
CAPITAL RED: .....If you don’t care about the station...And this alarm...What are you trying to cover this time? (ch. X)
[...]
KNOWER: What do you mean you can’t find her? She was here a moment ago.RED SHELL: I searched everywhere.
KNOWER: ... Look. Again.
RED SHELL: Yes, High Minister.
KNOWER: She is dangerous. She needs to be found. (ch.9)
As time goes on however, Knower and Capital Red grow distant and now distrust each other. Their relationship seems to have eroded, and both sides now resent and hold secrets from each other. Knower is aware of Capital Red's proclivities towards destruction, and becomes alarmed at her sudden disappearance during the uprising against the Provisional Government, calling her dangerous.
Bartender[edit | edit source]
BARTENDER: Well, look at you! In here at this hour? Is that a promotion I see?
BARTENDER: ... Hey, I can keep a secret, you know.
KNOWER: A secret...
BARTENDER: Did you sneak something while I wasn’t looking?
KNOWER: (amused) You... keep a secret?
BARTENDER: What. Oh, come on! I'm good for it! I promise!
KNOWER: ... (laughs uncontrollably) A secret? (still laughing) You? You couldn't keep a secret to save your life!
BARTENDER: Knower... Are you okay?
KNOWER: (sigh) It's been so long since anyone has called me that...
BARTENDER: Bad day?
KNOWER: Same old story. You know the one.
BARTENDER: I know the one – hiding in plain sight.
KNOWER: I still miss her. Watchers are just so...
KNOWER: (sigh) You know what I mean.
BARTENDER: ... What can I get you?
KNOWER: It's been a while... Let me think.
KNOWER: ... One Dark n' Sinful – extra strong.
BARTENDER: Are you sure you don't want to try something else for a change?
KNOWER: It's alright.
KNOWER: (sigh) Hmph. It's all I deserve. (ch.X)
they both play both sides in a way. knower is responsible for covering up bartender's murder
Principal[edit | edit source]
During the Provisional Government era, Knower becomes Principal's primary liaison to the Ministers and Red Guard. Knower plays the part of the loyal High Minister, while feeding information to and coordinating with the Shapen Sisters' resistance.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Knower
Knower in the library
Knower asks Watcher how the horse statue makes Watcher feel
Knower responding to Watcher (ch. 4)
Knower logo ( 賢 )
Knower concept art
Knower bust shot
High Minister Knower
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Knower's text color is #D158FF
- Knower's associated (and favorite) flower is a purple chrysanthemum. It symbolizes longevity.
- When asked about 1000xRESIST's Star Trek: Deep Space Nine inspirations, Remy Siu mentions that "Knower for sure has shades of Odo and sometimes Garak. 😅 "[2]
