Famine, also known as the Black Horseman of the Apocalypse, is the second Horseman of the Apocalypse to be seen in the series, but is defeated by Sam and Dean Winchester. As his name implies, he is the hunger of human kind, being able to manipulate people's hunger from the soul. He rides the black horse, which, due to have gotten with the times, is now a black SUV. He also possesses a glass ring with a black gem, which makes him able to control his powers. Famine has the appearance of a sickly old man confined to a wheelchair and relies on the assistance of lower-level demons to move him from place to place.
History
My Bloody Valentine
After Famine was raised by Lucifer, the Devil sent several demons to look after him, as he has become very weak through the times and is at the beginning unable to walk and talk properly. The plan is that when Famine has regained his strength, he shall march through the land to spread his influence. As so, they go to America, to a small town, where he can use his influence to kill humans and eat their souls.
An unknown amount of time later, the demon responsible for collecting the souls of the dead humans arrives and informs Famine that Sam Winchester is in town, and that they fought and he barely came out of it alive with the keys to his motel room. Although glad for the information, Famine is still hungry and asks where the soul he waited for is. The demon states that he lost it during the fight and is about to go and get a new one, but Famine, too hungry to wait, sucks the demon's soul and eats it, stating it is delicious. Off-screen, he orders two demons to go and bring Sam to him, but as he knows that he has influenced Sam's thirst for demon blood, he actually sends them as snack for him, knowing that he will find him when he is released, anyway.
Later, Castiel comes to their hideout to try to take Famine's ring, but fails when he gets too close to his presence, resulting in his hunger for red meat to increase dangerously. Dean then comes inside, but is taken over by two demons. Famine explains to Dean that he loves being in America, where he can eat everything he wants all the time, as hunger does not only come from the body, but also from the soul. He also questions how Dean remains unaffected by his pressence, in which Famine finds out that it is because Dean's soul is empty, defeated, and that he cannot be hungry because inside, he is already dead. Sam then arrives, having drunk all the blood from the two demons, and tells him to let Dean go. Famine tells the other demons not to touch him, as he sees Sam as a precious, sweet boy. He then proceeds to tell Sam how his thirst will never kill him, that he is the exception to the rule of famine, just the way Lucifer wants him. He offers Sam to drink the blood of the rest of his demons, but is surprised when Sam manages to fight his hunger and instead drag away the demons from their meatsuits. Angry, Famine eats the demon souls instead, and Sam tries to use his powers on him, but, as Horsemen cannot be killed, he instead tries to use his powers on the demon souls inside Famine.
Hammer of the Gods
In "Hammer of the Gods", it is revealed that the Four Horsemen's rings can lock Lucifer back in his cage, and that after Famine was weakened by Sam exorcise, they took his ring.
The Devil You Know
In "The Devil You Know", Pestilence's loyal servant Brady tells Dean, who offers him the rings in exchange for Pestilence's location, that without the rings, the Horsemen of the Apocalypse cannot control their powers. As a result of losing their rings, Famine and War are now locked in a fetal position, which Brady describes as "nothing more than shriveled husks". As he does not accept the offer to get their rings back, it is most likely assumed that they are unable to regain their former selves even with their rings.
Powers
- Indestructible - As stated by Famine when Sam tries to kill him, one cannot kill a Horseman in any way. However, it is possible to weaken them severly by separating them from their rings.
- Insatiable hunger - Horseman has an insatiable appetite as he embodies extreme hunger itself, and he sustains himself by devouring the souls of his victims. However, he is capable of eating demon souls, as well, though he seems to prefer the souls of those influenced by his powers.
- Influencing hunger - Because of his weakened state, Famine cannot influence people over great distances and must be near an individual to infect them with his influence, though as the episode "My Bloody Valentine" goes on, his influence begins to spread further. The closer someone is to Famine, the more extreme their symptoms become. For example, a whole diner of people were infected by him only being in the room for a few seconds, and Castiel's hunger for red meat made him so hungry that he started to eat raw meat when too close to Famine. It is unknown if these powers can infect demons, but none of his servants seem to be affected by any kind of hunger.
Connections
- War (Brother)
- Pestilence (Brother)
- Death (Brother)
- Lucifer (Leader)
Trivia
- Famine's weakened appearance in comparison to War may be due to the fact that famine is not such a major problem in the world any more, so the Horseman of Famine does not have enough natural energy to sustain himself yet.
- It is unknown presently if the Horsemen are high ranking Angelic or Demonic figures, but it is most likely that they are natural phenominon that have gained conciousness, explaining why they cannot be killed.
- Although it is said that Famine was the third Horseman to rise after War and Pestilence and before Death, in Supernatural it is unknown when he rises, and he appears before Pestilence and Death.
Appearances
- "My Bloody Valentine"
- "Hammer of the Gods" (through a flashback)
- "The Devil You Know" (mentioned by Brady)