Roland of Gilead

Roland is one of the main characters of this novel. He is originally from Gilead, in the world where the Dark Tower is located. This book is one in a series that details Roland's quest for the Dark Tower. Roland was raised hearing stories about the Twelve Guardians, the Beams and the Dark Tower. Up until the time that he encounters Shardik in the Great West Woods, Roland is not entirely convinced that the guardians exist. He does, however, know enough about the guardians to instruct Susannah to shoot for the radar dish on top of the bear's head in order to destroy it. Because he has lived in this world all of his life Roland has the knowledge about his world that Eddie and Susannah do not have.

When the story opens Roland is just recovering from his attack by the lobstrosities. These creatures took...