Leland Gaunt from 'Needful Things' (1993)

Oh, You know, there are days I really hate this job. This is not my best work, not by a long shot. Oh, sure, a few murders and a couple of rather lovely explosions. I would hardly call it a rousing success, but what the hell? I'll be back.

Although it would seem I’m on a Stephen King kick right now, the decision to include Leland Gaunt was based more out of the wonderful performance of Max Von Sydow than the concept of Needful Things. Although I thought the book was wonderful, the movie really excelled at driving the devilishly charming Gaunt as the sort of adversary that operates indirectly.

Why Leland Gaunt?

Outside of the great one-liners and the performance, I think that Leland Gaunt is a different sort of nemesis and adversary that faces the heroes – Gaunt doesn’t really force anyone to do anything, and at no point does he overplay his hand towards his goals. I think a lot of time the more sinister horror figures work best when they do very little – a presence which is the motivation for the chaos around them. Gaunt in many ways is the older, more refined Randall Flagg – a bit more polished and certainly a bit more of a threat in a small scale.

So, Leland Gaunt.

Leland Gaunt

The Devil, in Leland Gaunt persona

F: Gd (10)
A: Typ (06)
S: Gd (10)
E: Rm (30)
R: Rm (30)*
I: Mn (75)*
P: Mn (75)*

Health: 56
Karma: 180
Resources: Rm (30)*
Popularity: 10 (Initially in Castle Rock), - 50 (After the events of the film in Castle Rock)


Talents:
Leland Gaunt has many, many talents. For the purposes of this write-up, Gaunt’s displayed talents included:
Business/Finance
Psychology
Mystic Origin*
Knowledge: Demonology
Firearms
Knowledge: Religion
Knowledge: Human Nature
Knowledge: History
Multi-Lingual

Powers:
Demonic Powers: Although not expressly stated in the film, it is clearly indicated that Leland Gaunt is Satan. As such, Gaunt is immune to most forms of damage (and for the purposes of this write-up, his additional FASERIP, abilities, and talents would match the MSH Mephisto write-up). Gaunt however does not seek to use his powers directly however, preferring to work behind the scenes to incite as much chaos and destruction as possible. As such, Gaunt’s displayed powers are as follows:

• Needful Things: Gaunt’s store literally has everything a person would want within reason, the little things that a person might desire or would benefit them in the direct moment. Gaunt’s store seems to feature items which are not normally needed, but may be coveted or wanted. Once a person has entered the store, they must make an opposed Psyche FEAT vs. Gaunt’s psyche. Gaunt will immediately know their desire and an object will appear, initially overlooked by the victim. The item may provide small power-like effects – limited luck manipulation, limited iron will, etc. at Gd (10). The victim must then make a Psyche FEAT vs. their own score in order to resist the item. It will never be forced nor will it be compelled. Gaunt will offer the item for something small – usually a seemingly innocent prank against friends or neighbors with far reaching consequences. Once the task has been performed, Gaunt will willingly give the item and its benefit, no strings attached….
• Psi-Screen: Gaunt’s thoughts and mind cannot be read, period.
• True Sight: Gaunt can perceive something (and someone’s) true nature with a simple Intuition FEAT.
• Empathy: Gaunt seems to understand human nature better than most, granting him a type of empathy at Un (100). Gaunt can understand and truly sense a person’s wants, fears, and desires, and subtly plays on them to gain both trust and information. Gaunt never outwardly reads a mind, but rather, uses their understanding to achieve his goals. Normal individuals must make an Intuition role vs. Ex (20) intensity not to believe Gaunt’s sincerity. Once doubt has set in, Gaunt’s abilities cannot work on an individual, hence the use of others.
• Influence: The longer Gaunt is in an area, the greater his influence. As Gaunt’s influence spreads, Gaunt is able to lower the Intuition and Psyche scores of those around him. In essence, for every five to ten individuals who do business with Gaunt, the general population’s Psyche and Intuition scores alternately lower by -1cs to a minimum of Typ (06). Gaunt utilizes this influence to increase chaotic or extreme behaviors, setting up for murder, property damage, and general chaos. Whereas Needful Things sells many things, it only sells weapons like knives and guns after Gaunt’s influence is at its greatest.
• Otherworldly: Gaunt is heavily suggested to be Satan, and as such, cannot be harmed or destroyed in the traditional sense. In addition, Gaunt seems to have some level of precognition towards his future victims, such as when he described his future encounters. Gaunt has no cosmic awareness or certainty of information (See Limitations).
• The Car: Although only seen in two scenes, it is heavily implied that Gaunt’s Car is the The Car from the 1970’s horror film.

Contacts:
Gaunt theoretically has whatever contacts he amasses wherever he sets up shop.

Limitations:
Despite his formidable abilities, Gaunt seems bound by the following limitations:

• The rules of the game: Gaunt seemingly cannot do anything directly, requiring others to perform his actions. Gaunt openly prefers using others, tempting them and using their knowledge, positions, and powers for the purposes of spreading chaos. Despite his obvious powers, Gaunt cannot interfere with free will.
• Refusal: Gaunt’s gifts and offers can be refused and rebuked. As such, once a person has sided against Gaunt, it seems that they cannot be tempted again.
• Limitations to form: While Gaunt seems to be an older man, and although he is stronger than most men half his age, he is bound by the physical limitations of his form while acting.

Notes:
Well…

It’s hard to do write-ups on characters who really are just concepted beings of power…that being the case, if you’ve not seen Needful Things it’s worth watching solely for Max Von Sydow playing the Devil.