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{{Era|Individuals|Ancients}}
{{Era|Individuals|Ancients}}
{{Update|''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''}}
{{Quote|I often presume too much of my audience. Men who fear damnation, when ignorance is the greatest of all evils.|Fulke to Eivor Varinsdottir, c. 874,|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Fiery Ambush}}
{{Character Infobox
{{Character Infobox
|name = Fulke
|name = Fulke
|native =
|image = ACV DB Fulke.png
|image = ACV DB Fulke.png
|birth =  
|birth = c. 840s<ref>{{WP|Timeline of Belgian history#9th century|Timeline of Belgian history}}</ref><br>{{Wiki|Bruges}}, {{Wiki|West Flanders}}, [[Francia|Carolingian Empire]]
|death = c. 875<br>[[Sussex|Suthsexe]]. [[Wessex|Kingdom of Wessex]]
|death = c. 875<br>[[Portcestre]], [[Sussex|Suthsexe]]. [[Wessex|Kingdom of Wessex]]
|active =
|species = [[Human]]
|species = [[Human]]
|database = [[Database: Fulke|Fulke]]
|database = [[Database: Fulke|Fulke]]
|affiliates = [[Wessex|Kingdom of Wessex]]<br>[[Order of the Ancients]]
|affiliates = *[[Holy Roman Empire]]
*[[Warden of Relics]]
*[[Wessex|Kingdom of Wessex]]
*[[Order of the Ancients]]
**[[Wardens of Relics]]
}}
}}
'''Fulke''' (died c. 875), also known as '''the Instrument''', was a {{Wiki|Flanders|Flemish}} member of the [[Order of the Ancients]] who served as [[Maegester]] of the [[Wardens of Relics]] sect.
'''Fulke''' (died c. 875), also known as '''The Instrument''', was a {{Wiki|Flanders|Flemish}} scholar and a member of the [[Order of the Ancients]] in [[England]] who served as the [[Maegester]] and sole member of the [[Wardens of Relics]] sect.


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early life===
{{Quote|I throw myself at the strange language that Emperor Louis bade me to decipher. yet all my knowledge of the Ancient Ones and their artifacts falls short of shedding even the thinnest ray of light upon this beautiful script.|Fulke writing about her task from Emperor Louis II in her journal, 870s.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|A Bloody Welcome}}
Fulke was born in {{Wiki|Bruges}} in the region of {{Wiki|Flanders}} which at that period of time was part of the [[Francia|Carolingian Empire]] and suffered from numerous [[Vikings|Viking]] [[raid]]s from the north.<ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Fulke]]</ref> With a fish-wife as a mother, Fulke grew up in a blooming community, which was doing well in its trade endeavors. With [[merchant]]s passing on by, Fulke listened on their conversations, which stemmed from their travels as far as the {{Wiki|Baltic Sea}}. From these speeches, Fulke dreamed of a long adventure. Being self-taught to read, Fulke looked over any reading material she found and this led her to accumulate certain perspectives and truths.<ref name="Target menu">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Target menu#Fulke|Target menu]]: Fulke</ref>


=== Early life ===
Along her self-education journey, Fulke came across references of [[Isu]] relics and followed their trail with a vigor. Catching the [[Order of the Ancients|Order]]'s attention, Fulke was offered a place within the organization. Despite her actual beliefs, Fulke had her talent speak for herself and rose quickly from [[Palatinus]] to [[Maegester]]. However, she retained the title, "Paladin", for unknown personal reasons.<ref name="Target menu" />
With a fish-wife as a mother, Fulke grew up in a blooming community, which was doing well in its trade endeavors. With merchants passing on by, Fulke listened on their conversations, which stemmed from their travels as far as the Baltic Sea. From these speeches, Fulke dreamed of a long adventure. Being self-taught to read, Fulke looked over any reading material she found and this led her to accumulate certain perspectives and truths.<ref name="ACV">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Breaking the Order]]</ref>


Along her self-education journey, Fulke also came across references of [[Isu]] relics and followed their trail with a vigor. Catching the [[Order of the Ancients|Order]]'s attention, Fulke was offered a place within the organization. Despite her actual beliefs, Fulke had her talent speak for herself and rose quickly from Palatinus to [[Maegester]]. However, she retained the title, "Paladin" for unknown personal reasons.<ref name="ACV" />
In her early years of service, Fulke served in the court of [[Holy Roman Empire|Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Louis II of Italy|Louis II]], himself a leader of the Order of the Ancients like his great-grandfather [[Charlemagne]]. There, the emperor tasked her to decipher numerous documents that contained an unknown [[Isu script|script]] and language, transcribed from an etchings of a Palatinus who served in the days of Charlemagne.<ref name="ABW">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[A Bloody Welcome]]</ref> While initially struggling to decipher these words, Fulke worked to expand her knowledge and continued her search for Isu relics throughout {{Wiki|Germania}} and Francia.<ref name="PSA">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Pilgrimage to St. Albanes]]</ref>


===The Paladin's Stone===
===Deciphering the Saga Stone===
[[Vikings|Viking]] [[shieldmaiden]] [[Eivor Varinsdottir|Eivor]], who was securing alliances, decided to talk with [[Randvi]] about pledging to [[Oxfordshire|Oxenefordscire]], where Sigurd and [[Basim Ibn Ishaq|Basim]] were trying to install a thegn [[Geadric]] as [[ealdorman]] of the region.<ref name="BR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Brewing Rebellion]]</ref> Agreeing to go, Eivor sailed her [[longship]] towards the region. Upon finding Sigurd and Basim, Eivor planned to rescue a captured Geadric, who was nabbed by [[soldiers]] of Lady [[Eadwyn]]. The Lady Eadwyn were also supported by [[Alfred the Great|King Aelfred]] of [[Wessex]]. After rescuing Geadric, Eivor and her company were asked by Geadric to free his fellow thegns while Basim asked of the holy woman, Fulke. However, Fulke's location was known by a Thegn Holt, who was captured. Heading towards [[Leah Villa Garrison]] to free the thegns, Eivor asked about Fulke. Sigurd responded that she is a holy woman who specializes in prophecies and secret knowledge. Upon arrival, Eivor and her company rescued the thegns and was then told by Holt that Fulke was captured by Lady Eadwyn. Reporting back to Geadric, Eivor agreed to do a siege on Eadwyn's fortress and limiting her supply run, too.<ref name="BR" />
{{Dialogue2|Sigurd|We only wish to see the stone, to read the runes inscribed upon it.|Fulke|No one on earth can read those runes. The language is unknown and probably long dead.|There is no risk in letting us look.|Sigurd asking Fulke for permission to look at the Saga Stone, c. 874.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Pilgrimage to St. Albanes}}
In the early 870s, Fulke traveled to the island of [[Great Britain]] and joined the service of King [[Alfred the Great|Alfred of Wessex]], who was secretly the [[Grand Maegester of the Order of the Ancients|Grand Maegester]] of the Order in [[England]]. Serving as his personal attendant, Fulke continued her research of Isu artifacts which took her to [[Oxenefordscire]].<ref name="ACV">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla''</ref> There, she came into possession of a relic belonging to the late Viking leader [[Ragnar Lothbrok]]. Dubbing it the [[Saga Stone]], she tasked an acolyte by the name of [[Paul]] to relocate it to the [[Evinghou Tower]] before she was captured by Lady [[Eadwyn]]'s men for her heretic beliefs<ref name="PSA" />


[[File:ACV Fulke Rescue.jpg|left|thumb|236x236px|Fulke's Rescue by Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd]]
[[File:ACV Pilgrimage to St. Albanes 5.png|thumb|250px|left|Fulke rescued by Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd]]
Back to Sigurd at [[Linforda]], Eivor learned from Sigurd that Fulke was held at [[Saint Albanes Abbey]] and agreed to rescue her.<ref name="PSA">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Pilgrimage to St. Albanes]]</ref> Arriving at the abbey, Eivor fought her way in and tried to locate the monastery's crypt, where Fulke was being held. After locating Fulke, Eivor and her company found a monk guarding her and stated she must be punished by true Christians. After Eivor found a way to get the key from the monk, Fulke was freed. With Fulke leading the way to a more private setting, Eivor and her company followed her to a farm.<ref name="PSA" />
Fulke was held at [[Saint Albanes Abbey]], within the monastery's crypt, with a monk guarding the entrance to her cell. However, she was soon freed by the Vikings [[Sigurd Styrbjornsson]] and [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] and the [[Assassins|Hidden One]] [[Basim Ibn Ishaq]], who sought information on the Saga Stone in her possession. Quickly, Fulke led the way to a more private setting to talk with her rescuers.<ref name="PSA" />


At the farm, Fulke spoke of an artifact called the [[Saga Stone]], which came to England from Viking [[Ragnar Lodbrok]]. With Sigurd and Eivor arguing, Fulke left them to resolve any differences. However, Sigurd promised this stone will lead to his true nature as a [[Tyr|God]]. Meanwhile, Fulke promised that the stone was being kept by one of her acolytes. Reluctantly agreeing to go, Eivor followed as Fulke led the way to the stone.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Blood from a Stone]]</ref> Arriving at [[Evinghou Tower]], Fulke and her company went in to find Fulke's priest, but his place of refuge happened to be ransacked. The priest, Paul, was found dead and Fulke figured that Lady Eadwyn stole her stone. Outside, Lady Eadwyn surrounded the group and offered a deal, which was the stone for Geadric's head. Sigurd accepted the terms but a shocked Eivor rejected and started a fight. Abandoning the deal and Eadwyn's men, Eivor reminded Sigurd of his oath while Sigurd rebuffed and backtracked. Fulke then spoke with Eivor about crippling Eadwyn's supplies and rations and Fulke agreed to help.<ref name="FA">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Fiery Ambush]]</ref>
At a farm, Fulke told Sigurd, Eivor and Basim what she knew about the Saga Stone before offering to lead the way to the Evinghou Tower, where Paul had hidden the relic. As soon as the group arrived at the tower, however, they found the place ransacked and Paul dead, leading Fulke to conclude that Lady Eadwyn had stolen the Stone. Just then, Eadwyn arrived outside the tower, having her guards surround the group.<ref name="BS">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Blood from a Stone]]</ref>


Arriving at [[Eatun Barn]], Fulke was met by Eivor to plan out the damage of Eadwyn's supply run. Fulke tried to buy the merchant's wares but to no avail. However, Eivor happened to relieve the merchant and took the supply from him. From here, Fulke and Eivor devised a plan to burn Eadwyn's reinforcements alive when they walked near the road. After their attack, Eivor and Fulke talked about Sigurd's proclamation of being descended of the Isu. Eivor wondered what Fulke means but then focused into her aid for Geadric. Fulke stated she would join after she prayed for the dead they killed.<ref name="FA" />
After the Lady offered them a deal – [[Geadric]]'s head in exchange for the Stone – Sigurd pretended to accept it, causing a furious Eivor to reject the offer by killing one of Eadwyn's men. The Lady then fled while Fulke and the others fought and defeated her remaining soldiers. After the battle, Fulke stood back as she watched the Viking siblings argue with each other, before the group devised a plan to besiege [[Cyne Belle Castle]], Eadwyn's stronghold, and recover the Saga Stone.<ref name="BS" />


Going to Geadric, Eivor found the thegn and began the first step, which was to weaken [[Cyne Belle Castle]] at its defenses.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Ringing Cyne Belle]]</ref> After destroying their oil cauldrons and bow machinations, Eivor reported back to Geadric, who was joined by Fulke, Basim, and Sigurd. Despite tensions, Eivor agreed to begin the assault.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[The Saga Stone]]</ref> Along with her company, Eivor opened the blocked passages and made way to Lady Eadwyn. After defeating Eadwyn, Eivor and the company headed inside the monastery and found the Saga Stone, which was made by the Isu. Before trying to decipher the stone, King Aelfred arrived and Sigurd made sure to parlay instead.
[[File:ACV Fiery Ambush 2.png|thumb|250px|Fulke and Eivor planning to ambush Eadwyn's reinforcements]]
Fulke later spoke with Eivor about crippling Eadwyn's supplies and rations ahead of the siege. Arriving at [[Eatun Barn]], Fulke tried to negotiate with a merchant who was supplying Eadwyn, to no avail, so she left Eivor to handle the situation. Afterwards, the two women devised a plan to ambush Eadwyn's reinforcements when they passed by, using the merchant's oil jars to set a trap. After their attack, Fulke talked with Eivor about Sigurd's proclamation of being a descendant of the Isu. She then stated that she would join Eivor's other allies at Cyne Belle Castle, and left after praying for the soldiers they had just killed.<ref name="FA">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Fiery Ambush]]</ref>


[[File:ACV Fulke Betrayal.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Fulke Betrays Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd]]
Once Cynce Belle Castle's defenses had been weakened enough,<ref name="RCB">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Ringing Cyne Belle]]</ref> Eivor and her allies, including Fulke, laid [[Assault on Cyne Belle Castle|siege]] to the fortress, defeating Eadwyn and her army. Afterwards, Fulke, Eivor, Sigurd and Basim headed to the castle's monastery and found the Saga Stone. However, just as they were attempting to decipher its Isu script, they were informed of the arrival of King Alfred, whom Eadwyn had summoned for help ahead of the battle.<ref name="TSS">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[The Saga Stone]]</ref>
Upon the conversation between Sigurd and King Aelfred, negotiations seemed to be over until Fulke ran in and interrupted. Known as Paladin, Fulke betrayed Sigurd and Eivor as she stated that Sigurd figured himself to be a God. Nothing left to do, Sigurd accepted his place when trading himself with Aelfred's war thane. Fulke, in private, asked Aelfred to have Sigurd in her care and Aelfred agreed. Basim then told Eivor that he will shadow them while Eivor returned home to report to Randvi.<ref name="RO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Reporting on Oxenefordscire]]</ref> During her report, Eivor received a letter by Randvi, who stated it was from a woman named Fulke. The letter generally stated that Sigurd is in Fulke's care and her belief that he is a flesh descendant of the Gods is amazing. At the end of the letter, Fulke admitted to being part of the Order and her title, The Instrument. Disgusted, Eivor then told Randvi to look for Basim's letter for an account of Fulke's whereabouts.<ref name="RO" />
 
Alfred mediated the dispute between the two parties and Sigurd suggested a trade of warriors to secure peace and get Alfred to leave [[Mercia]]. Basim offered himself to be taken prisoner by the king, while a soldier named [[Wolfrich]] was chosen on Alfred's behalf. However, at the last minute, Fulke interrupted the peace negotiations, betraying her allies and revealing her allegiance to King Alfred.<ref name="TSS" />
 
[[File:ACV The Saga Stone 14.png|thumb|250px|left|Fulke betraying Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd]]
Aware of Sigurd's nature as a [[Isu incarnation|reborn Isu]], Fulke wished to experiment on him in the hopes of awakening the dormant memories of his past life, and convinced Alfred to take him prisoner in Basim's place. Enraged by the paladin's treachery, Eivor drew her axe but was stopped by Sigurd, who accepted the terms and left with Fulke. Prior to her departure, Fulke also reclaimed the Saga Stone in order to further research it.<ref name="TSS" />
 
Fulke later sent a letter to Eivor, stating that Sigurd was in her care and was being looked after. She also expressed her belief that Sigurd was special for being descended from the Gods, and revealed her affiliations with the Order of the Ancients and her title, The Instrument.<ref name="RO">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Reporting on Oxenefordscire]]</ref>  


===The Instrument of the Ancients===
===The Instrument of the Ancients===
After some time procuring alliances, Eivor asked Randvi about pledging to [[Kent|Cent]]. From here, Randvi had let Eivor know that Basim tracked Fulke to this region and thus, by transition, Sigurd as well. Sparing no time, Eivor pledged to Cent but is stopped by [[Dag]], who just insulted her lack of attention and care for her home. Nevertheless, Eivor travelled to Cent to meet and to speak with Basim.<ref name="TAG">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[The Abbot's Gambit]]</ref> Trying to find an ally in Cent, Eivor and Basim striked an allyship with Abbot [[Cynebert]]. The abbot promised a meeting with Fulke if Eivor could find the emissary, who had the new ealdorman of Cent's name. After investigating and doing errands, Eivor found the emissary's location, which was [[Dover Fortress]]. After obtaining the message from the emisssary, Eivor saw the next ealdorman was thegn [[Tedmund]].  
{{Dialogue|Eivor|You mock me. I have killed for much less.|Fulke|Of course you have. Isn't that the way of this ugly world? We cull the sheep and thin the flock as we see fit, you and I. Most who walk the earth are little more than talking blood-bladders. Wasted flesh. But not Sigurd. Sigurd is something else. Sigurd has been touched. He is deified. The gods, they speak through him.|Fulke explaining Sigurd's true nature to Eivor, c. 874.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|A Bloody Welcome}}
For the next several months, Fulke was tracked by Eivor and Basim, who sought to rescue Sigurd from her captivity.<ref name="TAG">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[The Abbot's Gambit]]</ref> After a series of events, Fulke was invited by Abbot [[Cynebert]] for supper at his quarters near [[Saint Hadrian's Priory]]. Suspecting a trap, Fulke killed the abbot after he prepared a feast for them, and awaited the arrival of Eivor and Basim, who had allied with Cynebert to find her.<ref name="ABW" />


Reporting back to Cynebert, Eivor arrived in [[Folcanstan]] and talked with the abbot about Fulke and then finding fealty for the abbot to the thegn. However, Eivor thought of a fake kidnapping and then the abbot would take credit in the rescue.<ref name="PP">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Puppets and Prisoners]]</ref> With the task at hand, Eivor and Basim follow through and find Tegmund. However, when meeting up with the abbot, the kidnapped victim spoke the truth and stated he is just a decoy named Brother Shergar. Tired of waiting, Eivor became impatient of keeping him alive but Shergar told them of Danes captured that may be freed for the siege against the thegn. After garnering the Danes and calling on Geadric, Eivor readied her upcoming assault and then had a chat with Basim to end the day.<ref name="PP" />
[[File:ACV A Bloody Welcome 4.jpg|thumb|250px|Fulke surprising Eivor and Basim]]
When the Viking and the Hidden One arrived, Fulke greeted them and mocked Eivor after she demanded to know her brother's whereabouts. Following a heated exchange, Fulke admitted that she had no intention of turning Sigurd over and cryptically explained that he was "something else", which allowed the ancient Gods to speak through him. She then left the abbot's chambers and trapped Eivor and Basim inside, ordering her guards to kill the Viking and the Hidden One and bring their bodies to [[Canterbury]].<ref name="ABW" />


The next morning, Eivor began the preparations by disabling the [[Rouecistre Blockade]] to let the Dane longships in for their attack.<ref name="MBM">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[The Man Behind the Man]]</ref> Afterwards, Eivor regrouped with her allies and then started the siege on [[Rouecistre Fortress]]. Fighting to get inside, Eivor finally arrived to Tegmund and fought one-on-one against the thegn. The thegn submitted and all parties gathered to meet Cynebert. However, the thegn seemingly committed suicide by poison, but Eivor did not relent and still asked for Fulke from the abbot. Cynebert agreed and asked for a day to get his affairs in order.<ref name="MBM" />
After Eivor and Basim escaped Fulke's trap, they headed to Canterbury, finding the Ancient's sanctum beneath the [[Canterbury Cathedral]]. Unbeknownst to them, it was Fulke's intention to lead them there all along, as she had left behind a "surprise" for them: Sigurd's right arm, which had severed in order to awaken his "other side". However, Fulke had also carelessly left evidence revealing her location to be the [[fort]]ress of [[Portcestre]] in [[Sussex|Suthsexe]].<ref name="ABW" />


[[File:ACV Fulke Trap.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Fulke Ambushes Eivor and Basim]]
===Siege of Portcestre and death===
Returning back to the abbot, Eivor met before with Basim, who noticed silence as none of the abbot's parish was to be found. Cautious, both warriors went to meet with Cynebert in his chambers and they found Fulke waiting for them.<ref name="ABW">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Bloody Welcome]]</ref> After a heated exchange, Fulke had no intention in giving up Sigurd and killed the abbot before the meeting took place. Fulke also admitted that Sigurd is a reincarnation of the gods from before. After leaving Basim and Eivor, Fulke ordered her guards to kill them and then bring their bodies to [[Canterbury]]. Escaping the ambush, Basim and Eivor, with caution, travelled to Cantebury to rescue Sigurd. Sneaking into [[Canterbury Cathedral]], both warriors fought off soldiers and searched for Fulke and Sigurd. Upon a red door below the cathedral, Eivor found a dark room with rats around and a bloody torture chair. On top of the chair, Eivor saw a box, which contained a severed arm of Sigurd. Screaming in anger, Eivor attracted Basim to her and Basim found that a fortress in [[Portcestre]], [[Sussex|Suthsexe]] is where Sigurd may be held. Eivor, sadden, stated she must go back home and deliver the bad news to her people, while Basim went back to tracking.<ref name="ABW" />
{{Dialogue2|Fulke|Animals, we are. Spit and vomit, shit and soil. But Sigurd is so much more. I gave him that understanding, that gift.|Eivor|You gave him pain!|Yes! To awaken him! All that power! All that potential, locked away. A god trapped in a prison of bones! The pain was necessary to free him!|Fulke's final moments, c. 875.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Storming the Walls}}
[[File:ACV Storming the Walls 7.png|thumb|250px|left|Fulke taunting Eivor from Portcestre's tower]]
Around 875, Fulke sent scouts to the woods to find Eivor and her allies, who were planning to besiege Portcestre. Fulke's forces immediately ambushed Eivor and her company, and her [[Fulke's Champion|champion]] managed to kill one of Eivor's close friends, [[Brothir]]. However, the champion soon fell to Eivor's blade and Fulke's forces were forced to retreat.<ref name="RS">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Reaver of the South]]</ref> After the ambush, Fulke's supplies and reinforcements were soon depleted by her enemies, who captured encampments and destroyed resources and infantry.<ref name="AE">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Arrive Unexpected]]</ref><ref name="LTA">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Let Them Eat Ashes]]</ref><ref name="SET">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Scorched Earth]]</ref><ref name="SL">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Severing the Lines]]</ref>


Upon arrival, Eivor returned home to report, but not until Dag accused her of not looking and being power-hungry. Pushing him away, Eivor finally reported to Randvi about the horrible chain of events in Cent, including Sigurd being tortured and possibly being killed soon.<ref name="RC">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Reporting on Cent]]</ref>
Before the start of the siege, Fulke sent for reinforcements from [[Winchester|Wincestre]], and talked with Eivor and her allies [[Soma]] and [[Ubba Ragnarsson]] from a tower at the main gate of Portcestre. After a heated exchange, Fulke taunted Eivor to come and rescue Sigurd if she could. During the subsequent battle, Fulke fled into the fortress' church, where an injured Sigurd was located. When Eivor and Basim cornered her, Fulke left Sigurd behind and escaped through an underground passage.<ref name="STW">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Storming the Walls]]</ref>


===The Siege of Portcestre===
Eivor gave chase and Fulke took advantage of the catacombs' darkness to stay hidden while continuing to taunt Eivor. After the Viking told her that she wanted no more babble, just bloodshed, Fulke revealed herself and fought Eivor, occasionally retreating back into the shadows to ambush the Viking. Eventually, however, she was injured and decided to make her escape, fleeing the tunnels.<ref name="STW" />
After some time later, Eivor later return to ask Randvi about pledging to Suthsexe. Wanting to save Sigurd, Eivor pledged for the region and then travelled to meet Basim in [[Croindene]].<ref name="RS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Reaver of the South]]</ref> Upon arrival, Eivor is met by [[Guthrum]] and Basim, with Reeves [[Stowe]] and [[Erke Bodilsson]] from [[London|Lunden]] around as well.. Before the assault on Portcestre, Eivor concluded that she must take care of Fulke's scouts within the woods between Fulke and Eivor. After dealing with the scouts, Eivor and her company were ambushed before concluding their talk about Fulke's reinforcements coming to Portcestre soon. However, Fulke's champion came along and killed one of Eivor's friend, [[Brothir]] at the ambush's end. Thus, Eivor came in, battled the champion, and won against him.<ref name="RS" />


After retreating, Eivor spoke with Guthrum about the next stage of her siege, while [[Ubba Ragnarsson]] and [[Soma]] arrived too late for the first battle. Eivor then spoke with her allies around her on how to weaken Fulke's supplies and foot soldiers and to set up a new camp. After taking over a [[Anglo-Saxons|Saxon]] camp, [[Forward Camp]],<ref name="AE">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Arrive Unexpected]]</ref> burning grain silos<ref name="LTA">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Let Them Eat Ashes]]</ref> and supply houses,<ref name="SET">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Scorched Earth]]</ref> and sabotaging her boats and soldiers,<ref name="SL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Severing the Lines]]</ref> Eivor laid out her plan of the siege and rounded up her allies.
[[File:ACV Storming the Walls 24.png|thumb|250px|Fulke's last stand]]
Outside, Fulke was surrounded by Eivor's allies, who had defeated her forces, leaving her with no means of escape. As Eivor caught up to her and insisted that she deal with the Ancient herself, Fulke decided to make her last stand, grabbing a giant cross from the ground to use as a weapon. Already bloodied and beaten, Fulke was ultimately defeated and killed by Eivor. In her final moments, the Ancient tried once again to explain to Eivor that her torture of Sigurd was meant to help him unlock his "potential", but her efforts were in vain as Eivor deemed her insane.<ref name="STW" />


[[File:ACV Fulke Confrontation.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Fulke Awaiting at Portcestre]]
Following Fulke's death, Eivor recovered a [[Order of the Ancients clues|clue]] from her body, relating to the [[Grand Maegester of the Order of the Ancients|Grand Maegester of the Order]]. The clue stated that Fulke must always follow "The Father's" orders, not her own.<ref name="STW" /><ref>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Breaking the Order]]</ref> Later, within the [[Temple of Mithras, Winchester|Temple of Mithras]] in Wincestre, Eivor found a letter from Fulke, in which she informed her fellow Order member [[Ealhferth]] of King Alfred's correspondence with the mysterious informant known as the "Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ", and ordered that Alfred be "burned to ash" for his betrayal.<ref name="ITS">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Impaling the Seax]]</ref>
Before starting the siege, Eivor and her allies, now including Bishop [[Deorlaf]], discuss the current situation. Soma then let Eivor know that Fulke called out for reinforcements from [[Winchester|Wincestre]]. Deorlaf agreed to meet the marching soldiers to buy Eivor some time.<ref name="STW">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Storming the Walls]]</ref> Before the assault, Eivor, with Soma and Ubba, went to the main gate of Portcestre, where Fulke met them above from a tower. After a heated exchange, Fulke taunted Eivor to try to come and rescue a screaming Sigurd. After breaching the gate, raising the portcullis, and destroying the palisade, Eivor entered the keep of the fortress and searched intensely for her brother. All she found was another bloody chair of torture. Eivor then looked outside and saw Fulke running to the fortress' church.<ref name="STW" />


Entering the church with Basim, Eivor found a bleeding Sigurd with Fulke stating that she done all she could and that the rest is up to Eivor. Escaping through a hidden ground passage, Fulke made her escape as Eivor and Basim tended to Sigurd. Basim stated to Eivor to go after Fulke while he took care of Sigurd. Going after Fulke, Eivor ran after the trail of the Order member and found herself in a dark chamber with Fulke. Fulke, wanting to show her truth to Eivor, talked to Eivor about the general darkness but Eivor shut her out and wanted no more babble, but bloodshed instead. During the battle, Fulke fled once again only to be met by Eivor's army, which surrounded her. Shouting no one to touch her, Eivor stated outright that Fulke was hers.<ref name="STW" />
==Behind the scenes==
Fulke is an antagonist and assassination target in the 2020 video game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'', where she was voiced by [[France|French]] actress [[Gaia Weiss]].


[[File:ACV Fulke Last Fight.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Fulke's Last Fight]]
Through the course of the game, Fulke is revealed to be one of four Order members who plotted the attempted assassination of King Alfred, along with [[Ealhferth|The Seax]], [[Selwyn|The Gallows]], and [[Hilda|The Quill]]. Whether before or after Fulke's death, the letter found in the Temple of Mithras under Wincestre summarized that Fulke ordered that Alfred be killed for his betrayal. However, Fulke did not join the other three Order members in planning Alfred's assassination, most likely because of her time studying Sigurd's nature as a reborn Isu.
Fulke, realizing this is the end for her, stated that Sigurd is now truly open to the reality of his fate. Fulke then picked up  a giant cross from the ground and then stated to Eivor that if she is going to die, Eivor is coming with her. With one last ditch effort, a bloodied Fulke fought against Eivor one last time. Eivor, however, overpowered her and killed the Maegester in battle. After her death, Eivor found her [[Order of the Ancients medallion|medallion]] and a [[Order of the Ancients clues|clue]], relating towards the Grand Maegester. The clue stated that The Instrument must always follow "The Father's" orders, not her own. Realizing she achieved what she came to do, Eivor and her allies left before Fulke's reinforcements arrived. Eivor then fended out some of the reinforcements for Sigurd and Basim to escape.<ref name="STW" /> After all was done, Eivor returned home to report the events to Randvi.<ref name="RSS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Reporting on Suthsexe]]</ref>


==Trivia==
Her title, The Instrument, echoes a similarity with the [[Instruments of the First Will]], a secret organization which sought to revive the Isu [[Juno]] and restore humanity's place as slaves beneath their creators. The Assassin [[Shaun Hastings]] speculated that the Instruments might have been a successor organization to the Order of the Ancients, more so than the [[Templars]], and Fulke's Order cryptonym could possibly be a clue to support this theory.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' – [[Layla Hassan's personal files#Physical notes|Layla Hassan's personal files]]: "The Order of the Ancients"</ref>
*In the final fight with Eivor, Fulke wielded both a flail and a greatsword, attacked with fire bombs, and used the darkness as a means of surprise attacks.
**When defeated halfway and then running out in the light outside via smoke bomb, Fulke picked up a grave cross and used it against Eivor as a means for heavy attacks.
*Fulke is one of four Order members who wanted and planned for the death of King Aelfred, along with [[Ealhferth|The Seax]], [[Selwyn|The Gallows]], and [[Hilda|The Quill]].
*For unknown reasons, Fulke found herself to be the only Warden of Relics, unlike other branches of the Order in England.
*Her title, The Instrument, is also quite coincidental towards the title of a secret organization, [[Instruments of the First Will]], who wanted to revive [[Juno]] into the modern world.


==Trivia==
===Etymology===
*In the final fight with Eivor, Fulke wielded both a flail and a greatsword, attacked with fire bombs, and used the darkness as a means of surprise attacks.
The name Fulke is derived from the Old High German name Folcher further derived from combining ''[[wikt:folk#Old High German|folk]]'' ("people") and [[wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/harjaz|''*harjaz'']] ("army leader", "commander", "warrior"), all together meaning "people's fighter".
**When defeated halfway and then running out in the light outside via smoke bomb, Fulke picked up a grave cross and used it against Eivor as a means for heavy attacks.
*Fulke is one of four Order members who wanted and planned for the death of King Aelfred, along with [[Ealhferth|The Seax]], [[Selwyn|The Gallows]], and [[Hilda|The Quill]].
*For unknown reasons, Fulke found herself to be the only Warden of Relics, unlike other branches of the Order in England.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
<gallery position="center" widths="180" captionalign="center">
ACV Menu Render Fulke.png|Order of the Ancients menu render
ACV - Fulke Concept 1.jpg|Concept art
ACV - Fulke Concept 2.jpg|Concept art of Fulke as a man
ACV Blood from a Stone 4.png|Fulke, Basim, Sigurd and Eivor making their stand against Lady Eadwyn
ACV The Saga Stone 9.png|Fulke and the others looking at the Saga Stone
ACV Storming the Walls 20.png|Fulke confronted by Eivor in the underground catacomb
ACV Storming the Walls 23.png|Fulke cornered by Eivor
ACV Storming the Walls 26.png|Fulke in the Memory Corridor
ACV Storming the Walls 29.png|Eivor standing over Fulke's body
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One]]'' {{Io}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Templars nav}}
{{ACV}}
{{ACV}}
[[Category:875 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:875 deaths]]
[[Category:Flemish people]]
[[Category:Flemish people]]
[[Category:Scholars]]
[[Category:Scholars]]
[[Category:Order of the Ancients members]]
[[Category:Order of the Ancients]]
[[Category:Warden of Relics members]]
[[Category:Warden of Relics members]]
[[Category:Maegesters]]
[[Category:Maegesters]]
[[Category:Occultists]]
[[Category:Occultists]]
[[fr:Fulke]]
[[de:Fulke]]

Latest revision as of 04:56, 11 October 2024

"I often presume too much of my audience. Men who fear damnation, when ignorance is the greatest of all evils."
―Fulke to Eivor Varinsdottir, c. 874,[src]-[m]

Fulke (died c. 875), also known as The Instrument, was a Flemish scholar and a member of the Order of the Ancients in England who served as the Maegester and sole member of the Wardens of Relics sect.

Biography[edit | edit source]

Early life[edit | edit source]

"I throw myself at the strange language that Emperor Louis bade me to decipher. yet all my knowledge of the Ancient Ones and their artifacts falls short of shedding even the thinnest ray of light upon this beautiful script."
―Fulke writing about her task from Emperor Louis II in her journal, 870s.[src]-[m]

Fulke was born in Bruges in the region of Flanders which at that period of time was part of the Carolingian Empire and suffered from numerous Viking raids from the north.[2] With a fish-wife as a mother, Fulke grew up in a blooming community, which was doing well in its trade endeavors. With merchants passing on by, Fulke listened on their conversations, which stemmed from their travels as far as the Baltic Sea. From these speeches, Fulke dreamed of a long adventure. Being self-taught to read, Fulke looked over any reading material she found and this led her to accumulate certain perspectives and truths.[3]

Along her self-education journey, Fulke came across references of Isu relics and followed their trail with a vigor. Catching the Order's attention, Fulke was offered a place within the organization. Despite her actual beliefs, Fulke had her talent speak for herself and rose quickly from Palatinus to Maegester. However, she retained the title, "Paladin", for unknown personal reasons.[3]

In her early years of service, Fulke served in the court of Holy Roman Emperor Louis II, himself a leader of the Order of the Ancients like his great-grandfather Charlemagne. There, the emperor tasked her to decipher numerous documents that contained an unknown script and language, transcribed from an etchings of a Palatinus who served in the days of Charlemagne.[4] While initially struggling to decipher these words, Fulke worked to expand her knowledge and continued her search for Isu relics throughout Germania and Francia.[5]

Deciphering the Saga Stone[edit | edit source]

Sigurd: "We only wish to see the stone, to read the runes inscribed upon it."
Fulke: "No one on earth can read those runes. The language is unknown and probably long dead."
Sigurd: "There is no risk in letting us look."
—Sigurd asking Fulke for permission to look at the Saga Stone, c. 874.[src]-[m]

In the early 870s, Fulke traveled to the island of Great Britain and joined the service of King Alfred of Wessex, who was secretly the Grand Maegester of the Order in England. Serving as his personal attendant, Fulke continued her research of Isu artifacts which took her to Oxenefordscire.[6] There, she came into possession of a relic belonging to the late Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok. Dubbing it the Saga Stone, she tasked an acolyte by the name of Paul to relocate it to the Evinghou Tower before she was captured by Lady Eadwyn's men for her heretic beliefs[5]

Fulke rescued by Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd

Fulke was held at Saint Albanes Abbey, within the monastery's crypt, with a monk guarding the entrance to her cell. However, she was soon freed by the Vikings Sigurd Styrbjornsson and Eivor Varinsdottir and the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq, who sought information on the Saga Stone in her possession. Quickly, Fulke led the way to a more private setting to talk with her rescuers.[5]

At a farm, Fulke told Sigurd, Eivor and Basim what she knew about the Saga Stone before offering to lead the way to the Evinghou Tower, where Paul had hidden the relic. As soon as the group arrived at the tower, however, they found the place ransacked and Paul dead, leading Fulke to conclude that Lady Eadwyn had stolen the Stone. Just then, Eadwyn arrived outside the tower, having her guards surround the group.[7]

After the Lady offered them a deal – Geadric's head in exchange for the Stone – Sigurd pretended to accept it, causing a furious Eivor to reject the offer by killing one of Eadwyn's men. The Lady then fled while Fulke and the others fought and defeated her remaining soldiers. After the battle, Fulke stood back as she watched the Viking siblings argue with each other, before the group devised a plan to besiege Cyne Belle Castle, Eadwyn's stronghold, and recover the Saga Stone.[7]

Fulke and Eivor planning to ambush Eadwyn's reinforcements

Fulke later spoke with Eivor about crippling Eadwyn's supplies and rations ahead of the siege. Arriving at Eatun Barn, Fulke tried to negotiate with a merchant who was supplying Eadwyn, to no avail, so she left Eivor to handle the situation. Afterwards, the two women devised a plan to ambush Eadwyn's reinforcements when they passed by, using the merchant's oil jars to set a trap. After their attack, Fulke talked with Eivor about Sigurd's proclamation of being a descendant of the Isu. She then stated that she would join Eivor's other allies at Cyne Belle Castle, and left after praying for the soldiers they had just killed.[8]

Once Cynce Belle Castle's defenses had been weakened enough,[9] Eivor and her allies, including Fulke, laid siege to the fortress, defeating Eadwyn and her army. Afterwards, Fulke, Eivor, Sigurd and Basim headed to the castle's monastery and found the Saga Stone. However, just as they were attempting to decipher its Isu script, they were informed of the arrival of King Alfred, whom Eadwyn had summoned for help ahead of the battle.[10]

Alfred mediated the dispute between the two parties and Sigurd suggested a trade of warriors to secure peace and get Alfred to leave Mercia. Basim offered himself to be taken prisoner by the king, while a soldier named Wolfrich was chosen on Alfred's behalf. However, at the last minute, Fulke interrupted the peace negotiations, betraying her allies and revealing her allegiance to King Alfred.[10]

Fulke betraying Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd

Aware of Sigurd's nature as a reborn Isu, Fulke wished to experiment on him in the hopes of awakening the dormant memories of his past life, and convinced Alfred to take him prisoner in Basim's place. Enraged by the paladin's treachery, Eivor drew her axe but was stopped by Sigurd, who accepted the terms and left with Fulke. Prior to her departure, Fulke also reclaimed the Saga Stone in order to further research it.[10]

Fulke later sent a letter to Eivor, stating that Sigurd was in her care and was being looked after. She also expressed her belief that Sigurd was special for being descended from the Gods, and revealed her affiliations with the Order of the Ancients and her title, The Instrument.[11]

The Instrument of the Ancients[edit | edit source]

Eivor: "You mock me. I have killed for much less."
Fulke: "Of course you have. Isn't that the way of this ugly world? We cull the sheep and thin the flock as we see fit, you and I. Most who walk the earth are little more than talking blood-bladders. Wasted flesh. But not Sigurd. Sigurd is something else. Sigurd has been touched. He is deified. The gods, they speak through him."
—Fulke explaining Sigurd's true nature to Eivor, c. 874.[src]-[m]

For the next several months, Fulke was tracked by Eivor and Basim, who sought to rescue Sigurd from her captivity.[12] After a series of events, Fulke was invited by Abbot Cynebert for supper at his quarters near Saint Hadrian's Priory. Suspecting a trap, Fulke killed the abbot after he prepared a feast for them, and awaited the arrival of Eivor and Basim, who had allied with Cynebert to find her.[4]

Fulke surprising Eivor and Basim

When the Viking and the Hidden One arrived, Fulke greeted them and mocked Eivor after she demanded to know her brother's whereabouts. Following a heated exchange, Fulke admitted that she had no intention of turning Sigurd over and cryptically explained that he was "something else", which allowed the ancient Gods to speak through him. She then left the abbot's chambers and trapped Eivor and Basim inside, ordering her guards to kill the Viking and the Hidden One and bring their bodies to Canterbury.[4]

After Eivor and Basim escaped Fulke's trap, they headed to Canterbury, finding the Ancient's sanctum beneath the Canterbury Cathedral. Unbeknownst to them, it was Fulke's intention to lead them there all along, as she had left behind a "surprise" for them: Sigurd's right arm, which had severed in order to awaken his "other side". However, Fulke had also carelessly left evidence revealing her location to be the fortress of Portcestre in Suthsexe.[4]

Siege of Portcestre and death[edit | edit source]

Fulke: "Animals, we are. Spit and vomit, shit and soil. But Sigurd is so much more. I gave him that understanding, that gift."
Eivor: "You gave him pain!"
Fulke: "Yes! To awaken him! All that power! All that potential, locked away. A god trapped in a prison of bones! The pain was necessary to free him!"
—Fulke's final moments, c. 875.[src]-[m]
Fulke taunting Eivor from Portcestre's tower

Around 875, Fulke sent scouts to the woods to find Eivor and her allies, who were planning to besiege Portcestre. Fulke's forces immediately ambushed Eivor and her company, and her champion managed to kill one of Eivor's close friends, Brothir. However, the champion soon fell to Eivor's blade and Fulke's forces were forced to retreat.[13] After the ambush, Fulke's supplies and reinforcements were soon depleted by her enemies, who captured encampments and destroyed resources and infantry.[14][15][16][17]

Before the start of the siege, Fulke sent for reinforcements from Wincestre, and talked with Eivor and her allies Soma and Ubba Ragnarsson from a tower at the main gate of Portcestre. After a heated exchange, Fulke taunted Eivor to come and rescue Sigurd if she could. During the subsequent battle, Fulke fled into the fortress' church, where an injured Sigurd was located. When Eivor and Basim cornered her, Fulke left Sigurd behind and escaped through an underground passage.[18]

Eivor gave chase and Fulke took advantage of the catacombs' darkness to stay hidden while continuing to taunt Eivor. After the Viking told her that she wanted no more babble, just bloodshed, Fulke revealed herself and fought Eivor, occasionally retreating back into the shadows to ambush the Viking. Eventually, however, she was injured and decided to make her escape, fleeing the tunnels.[18]

Fulke's last stand

Outside, Fulke was surrounded by Eivor's allies, who had defeated her forces, leaving her with no means of escape. As Eivor caught up to her and insisted that she deal with the Ancient herself, Fulke decided to make her last stand, grabbing a giant cross from the ground to use as a weapon. Already bloodied and beaten, Fulke was ultimately defeated and killed by Eivor. In her final moments, the Ancient tried once again to explain to Eivor that her torture of Sigurd was meant to help him unlock his "potential", but her efforts were in vain as Eivor deemed her insane.[18]

Following Fulke's death, Eivor recovered a clue from her body, relating to the Grand Maegester of the Order. The clue stated that Fulke must always follow "The Father's" orders, not her own.[18][19] Later, within the Temple of Mithras in Wincestre, Eivor found a letter from Fulke, in which she informed her fellow Order member Ealhferth of King Alfred's correspondence with the mysterious informant known as the "Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ", and ordered that Alfred be "burned to ash" for his betrayal.[20]

Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

Fulke is an antagonist and assassination target in the 2020 video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, where she was voiced by French actress Gaia Weiss.

Through the course of the game, Fulke is revealed to be one of four Order members who plotted the attempted assassination of King Alfred, along with The Seax, The Gallows, and The Quill. Whether before or after Fulke's death, the letter found in the Temple of Mithras under Wincestre summarized that Fulke ordered that Alfred be killed for his betrayal. However, Fulke did not join the other three Order members in planning Alfred's assassination, most likely because of her time studying Sigurd's nature as a reborn Isu.

Her title, The Instrument, echoes a similarity with the Instruments of the First Will, a secret organization which sought to revive the Isu Juno and restore humanity's place as slaves beneath their creators. The Assassin Shaun Hastings speculated that the Instruments might have been a successor organization to the Order of the Ancients, more so than the Templars, and Fulke's Order cryptonym could possibly be a clue to support this theory.[21]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Fulke is derived from the Old High German name Folcher further derived from combining folk ("people") and *harjaz ("army leader", "commander", "warrior"), all together meaning "people's fighter".

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Timeline of Belgian history on Wikipedia
  2. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaDatabase: Fulke
  3. 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaTarget menu: Fulke
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaA Bloody Welcome
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaPilgrimage to St. Albanes
  6. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
  7. 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaBlood from a Stone
  8. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaFiery Ambush
  9. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaRinging Cyne Belle
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Saga Stone
  11. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaReporting on Oxenefordscire
  12. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaThe Abbot's Gambit
  13. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaReaver of the South
  14. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaArrive Unexpected
  15. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaLet Them Eat Ashes
  16. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaScorched Earth
  17. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaSevering the Lines
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaStorming the Walls
  19. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaBreaking the Order
  20. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaImpaling the Seax
  21. Assassin's Creed: ValhallaLayla Hassan's personal files: "The Order of the Ancients"

fr:Fulke de:Fulke