Character Analysis
Faheel's a bit of a puzzle. He's a great wizard who saved the Valley from the invading Empire by blocking it off magically and ordering the Urlasdaughters and Ortahlsons to renew that power annually—but by Tilja's time (twenty generations later), he's a mythical figure (3.113) because it's been so long since anyone actually had contact with him.
The Magician Next Door
When Tilja meets Faheel though, she finds that he's not the all-powerful wizard she thought he was. He's really old and nothing about him screams magician or super-powerful—he actually looks and behaves like a normal person. Faheel is a human man, with flaws and virtues, wants and needs, before he is a magician. Check it out:
"Well, I think I am the man you are looking for. My name is Faheel."
Already, with a sinking heart, Tilja had guessed this was so. So old, so feeble and unsure of himself. So quiet and peaceful too. How could he wield powers enough to hold back the might of the Empire from the Valley for twenty more generations? Was all their long and dangerous journey for nothing? (11.83-84)
Only adding to his ordinariness are his house and garden. Tilja is disappointed on first sight when they land on the island and she sees such pedestrian surroundings.
Who Says Nice Guys Finish Last?
Faheel is really nice to Tilja, offering her food and using the last of his powers to help her. He takes the time to teach her about the nature of magic, like the nature of the roc:
"Won't one of the Watchers see it?" asked Tilja. "It's magical, isn't it?"
"To perceive something takes time, however short. They are all fixed in the instant when time stopped for them, a little while after you saw the parade in my table. Now, bring the box that holds the ring and keep it in your hand. Good. Over here." (12.2-3)
Pretty much no one has bothered to break the basics of magic down for Tilja, which just makes Faheel's patience with her seem even kinder. Plus he cares about the future of the Empire, and decides to destroy the evil Watchers—even though he's certain to die once it's all over.
But Not Everyone's a Goody Two-Shoes
But Faheel isn't completely selfless—he's also driven by power. He wants to make sure that nobody gets their paws on his ring except for the Ropemaker, and the only magic usually allowed on his island is his own.
Not convinced? Consider this: Faheel was once so greedy that he wanted Asarta's magic ring (13.64) for himself and, after failing to steal it, destroyed anyone who knew about it. The only living folks who knew about it were those who lived in the Valley—and they didn't meet the guys from the Empire because they were sealed off.
Still not convinced that Faheel's got at least a little evil mixed in? He's the guy who created the Watchers (15.80)—which means he bears some responsibility for the bad people they turned into.
In short, it looks like Faheel's a complex individual who's matured over time… kind of like our girl Tilja.