Head of Saint Denis: Difference between revisions
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==Abilities== | ==Abilities== | ||
Without the power of the Apple of Eden it housed, the Head of Saint Denis was a regular, but self-illuminating lantern which required no form of fuel to burn. Even dipping it in water would not damage or reduce its effects.<ref name="DK"/> | Without the power of the Apple of Eden it housed, the Head of Saint Denis was a regular, but self-illuminating lantern which required no form of fuel to burn. Even dipping it in water would not damage the lantern or reduce its effects.<ref name="DK"/> | ||
When the Head of Saint Denis was fueled by the Apple of Eden's power, the artifact emitted a shimmering blue light and possessed the | When the Head of Saint Denis was fueled by the Apple of Eden's power, the artifact emitted a shimmering blue light and possessed the ability to conjure terrifying illusions; this would scare people to the point where they could die from heart failure caused by the intense fear. It could also imbue weapons with a mystical power.<ref name="Crown of Thorns"/> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The Head of Saint Denis was created by a successor of [[Saint Denis of Paris]] in the 3rd century. This person was inspired by Saint Denis' work using the Apple of Eden retrieved from the [[Saint-Denis Temple]] and sought to continue it following the saint's execution by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]]. Using the Apple, he was able to make the general population believe that Saint Denis had walked with his head in his hands all the way to his final resting place. In time, however, the Apple began to corrupt the successor's mind and he chose to return it, along with the Head, to the temple.<ref name="SoP"/> | The Head of Saint Denis was created by a successor of [[Saint Denis of Paris]] in the 3rd century. This person was inspired by Saint Denis' work using the Apple of Eden retrieved from the [[Saint-Denis Temple]] and sought to continue it following the saint's execution by the [[Roman Empire|Romans]]. Using the Apple, he was able to make the general population believe that Saint Denis had walked with his head in his hands all the way to his final resting place. In time, however, the Apple began to corrupt the successor's mind and he chose to return it, along with the Head, to the temple.<ref name="SoP"/> | ||
In the first half of the 12th century, the temple and the Head were discovered by the | In the first half of the 12th century, the temple and the Head were discovered by the abbot [[Suger]] of [[Saint-Denis]]. He used the knowledge attained from the Apple of Eden housed within the lantern to create the [[Eagle of Suger]], a powerful sword, and later hid the artifact back in the temple.<ref name="Suger's Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]] – [[Dead Kings]]'' – [[Suger's Legacy]]</ref> | ||
[[File:A Crown of Thorns 5.png|thumb|250px|left|The Head of Saint Denis inside the temple]] | [[File:A Crown of Thorns 5.png|thumb|250px|left|The Head of Saint Denis inside the temple]] | ||
In August 1794, [[Arno Dorian]] battled a group of tomb [[ | In August 1794, [[Arno Dorian]] battled a group of tomb [[raider]]s sent by [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] to retrieve the artifact from the Saint-Denis Temple. The [[Assassins|Assassin]] killed their leader, [[Philippe Rose]], and used the power of the Apple contained within the lantern to repel the remaining raiders. Realizing the dangers of the artifact should it fall into Napoleon's hands, Arno removed the Apple housed within and contacted the [[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins|French Assassins]], asking them to send it to [[Al Mualim (1794)|Al Mualim]] in [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]]. After delivering the Apple to its Assassin escort, Arno kept the relic, the Head of Saint Denis itself, as a memento.<ref name="Crown of Thorns">''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]] – [[Dead Kings]]'' – [[A Crown of Thorns]]</ref> | ||
By 1868, the lantern had been obtained by the [[British Rite of the Templar Order|British | By 1868, the lantern had been obtained by the [[British Rite of the Templar Order|British Templars]] and was kept by [[David Brewster]] inside his laboratory near [[Croydon]]. It was likely destroyed when the device he used to experiment on another [[Apple of Eden 7|Apple of Eden]] malfunctioned, causing the Apple to detonate and collapse the laboratory.<ref name="Simple Pan">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[A Simple Plan]]</ref> | ||
==Behind the scenes== | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
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[[Category:Tools]] | [[Category:Tools]] | ||
[[Category:Precursor relics]] | [[Category:Precursor relics]] | ||
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Latest revision as of 15:04, 12 May 2026
The Head of Saint Denis was an ancient head-shaped lantern, which encased an Apple of Eden. Following the Apple's removal, the Head of Saint Denis became a regular, albeit self-illuminating lantern, requiring no fuel.
Owners[edit | edit source]
- Unknown succesor of Saint Denis (3rd century)[1]
- Suger of Saint-Denis (c. 1140)[2]
- Arno Dorian (August 1794 - ?)[2]
- David Brewster (February 1868)[3]
Abilities[edit | edit source]
Without the power of the Apple of Eden it housed, the Head of Saint Denis was a regular, but self-illuminating lantern which required no form of fuel to burn. Even dipping it in water would not damage the lantern or reduce its effects.[2]
When the Head of Saint Denis was fueled by the Apple of Eden's power, the artifact emitted a shimmering blue light and possessed the ability to conjure terrifying illusions; this would scare people to the point where they could die from heart failure caused by the intense fear. It could also imbue weapons with a mystical power.[4]
History[edit | edit source]
The Head of Saint Denis was created by a successor of Saint Denis of Paris in the 3rd century. This person was inspired by Saint Denis' work using the Apple of Eden retrieved from the Saint-Denis Temple and sought to continue it following the saint's execution by the Romans. Using the Apple, he was able to make the general population believe that Saint Denis had walked with his head in his hands all the way to his final resting place. In time, however, the Apple began to corrupt the successor's mind and he chose to return it, along with the Head, to the temple.[1]
In the first half of the 12th century, the temple and the Head were discovered by the abbot Suger of Saint-Denis. He used the knowledge attained from the Apple of Eden housed within the lantern to create the Eagle of Suger, a powerful sword, and later hid the artifact back in the temple.[5]
In August 1794, Arno Dorian battled a group of tomb raiders sent by Napoleon Bonaparte to retrieve the artifact from the Saint-Denis Temple. The Assassin killed their leader, Philippe Rose, and used the power of the Apple contained within the lantern to repel the remaining raiders. Realizing the dangers of the artifact should it fall into Napoleon's hands, Arno removed the Apple housed within and contacted the French Assassins, asking them to send it to Al Mualim in Cairo, Egypt. After delivering the Apple to its Assassin escort, Arno kept the relic, the Head of Saint Denis itself, as a memento.[4]
By 1868, the lantern had been obtained by the British Templars and was kept by David Brewster inside his laboratory near Croydon. It was likely destroyed when the device he used to experiment on another Apple of Eden malfunctioned, causing the Apple to detonate and collapse the laboratory.[6]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
The Head is a reference to Saint Denis becoming a cephalophore after his martyrdom. According to his hagiography, he was so successful at converting the local populace that the Roman religious leaders had him beheaded. After his execution, Saint Denis picked up his head and continued his sermon as he walked several miles from Montmartre in Paris to his final death site, which would later become the Basilica of Saint-Denis.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
The unlit Head of Saint Denis -
Drawing of the Head of Saint Denis in Dom Poirier's journal -
The Head of Saint Denis in Brewster's laboratory
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Unity – Dead Kings (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Siege of Paris (indirect mention only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Siege of Paris – Notes from Eivor's travels: "Ancient Stone Tablet 2"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Assassin's Creed: Unity – Dead Kings
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Unity – Dead Kings – A Crown of Thorns
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Unity – Dead Kings – Suger's Legacy
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – A Simple Plan
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