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{{Era|technology|Weapons}}{{WP-REAL|Gáe Bulg}}
{{Era|technology|Weapons}}{{WP-REAL|Gáe Bulg}}
{{Update|the spear's history. See talk page}}
{{Item Infobox
{{Item Infobox
|image = ACV Gae bolg render.png
|image = ACV Gae bolg render.png
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*[[Eivor Varinsdottir]]
*[[Eivor Varinsdottir]]
}}
}}
The '''Gae Bolg''' was the personal [[spear]] of the [[Ireland|Irish]] [[Irish mythology|mythological]] hero [[Cú Chulainn]] and was purportedly made from the bones of a sea monster.
The '''Gae Bolg''' was the personal [[spear]] that belonged to the hero [[Cú Chulainn]] from [[Irish mythology]]<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Gáe Bulg}}</ref> and was purportedly made from the bones of a sea monster.


==Owners==
==Owners==
*[[Cú Chulainn]] (? – ?)<ref name="AmberSun">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[Amber Sun]]</ref><ref name="Wiki" />
*[[Cú Chulainn]] (? – ?)<ref name="Wiki"/><ref name="AmberSun">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]'' – [[Amber Sun]]</ref>
*[[Balor]] (? – ?)<ref name="AmberSun"/>
*[[Balor]] (? – ?)<ref name="AmberSun"/>
*[[Odin]] (? - ?)<ref name="AmberSun" />
*[[Odin]] (? - ?)<ref name="AmberSun"/>
*[[Eivor Varinsdottir]] (882 CE - ?)<ref name="AmberSun"/>
*[[Eivor Varinsdottir]] (882 CE - ?)<ref name="AmberSun"/>


==Description==
==Description==
The spear had the appearance of a [[bident]], having a tip of two-prongs. The prongs themselves were relatively wide and had an array of rather sharp pointed barbs at the base of the spearhead, as well as a few smaller barbs at the opposing end. It also stood at a height slightly taller than the average person.<ref name="AmberSun"/>
The spear had the appearance of a [[bident]], having a tip of two-prongs. The prongs themselves were relatively wide and had an array of rather sharp pointed barbs at the base of the spearhead, as well as a few smaller barbs at the opposing end. It also stood at a height slightly taller than the average person. The spear possessed the special ability to shock the wielder's enemies with lightning after every third consecutive hit.<ref name="AmberSun"/>
 
{{-}}
The spear possessed special abilities as well, being able to shock the users' enemies with lightning after every third consecutive hit.<ref name="AmberSun"/>
 
==History==
==History==
Cú Chulainn was gifted Gae Bolg<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|Gáe Bulg}}</ref> and wielded it for most of his life until he met the ancient {{Wiki|Fomorians|Fomorian}} being known as [[Balor]]. The [[hybrid]] was slain in the resulting battle, but not before lodging his spear deep in Balor's back, though the giant took care to invisibly cloak the spear haft so as to conceal his weak spot from future heroes who sought to kill him. <ref name="AmberSun" />
As a young man, Cú Chulainn was gifted Gae Bolg by his combat instructor, the warrior-woman {{Wiki|Scáthach}}, after training in either [[Scotland|Alba]] or the [[Isle of Skye]].<ref name="Wiki"/> He wielded it for most of his life until he met the ancient {{Wiki|Fomorians|Fomorian}} [[giant]] named [[Balor]]. The [[hybrid]] was slain in the resulting battle, but not before lodging his spear deep in Balor's back, though the giant took care to invisibly cloak the spear haft so as to conceal his weak spot from future heroes who sought to kill him. <ref name="AmberSun"/>


Some time later, in his fortress, Balor was confronted by the Asgardian [[Isu]] [[Odin]], the leader of the [[Æsir]], who wanted the power lodged in the ancient spear. The two Isu fought, with Odin turning out victorious. With Balor's defeat, the invisibility cloak he used to conceal Gae Bolg fell away and exposed the spear haft lodged in his back. Odin ripped the spear of his back and exited [[Dun Báhlair]] with the Gae Bolg in hand.<ref name="AmberSun" />
Some time later, the [[Æsir]] [[Odin]] confronted Balor in the arena [[Dun Báhlair]] and demanded the spear, seeking its ancient power for himself. The two fought, with Odin coming out victorious. With Balor's defeat, the invisibility cloak he used to conceal Gae Bolg fell away and exposed the spear haft lodged in his back. Odin ripped the spear out and exited Dun Báhlair with Gae Bolg in hand.<ref name="AmberSun"/>
[[File:ACV Gae bolg stuck in Ritual stone Screenshot.png|thumb|250px|right|Gae Bolg stuck in the stone]]
[[File:ACV Gae bolg stuck in Ritual stone Screenshot.png|thumb|250px|right|Gae Bolg stuck in the stone]]
By the 9th century, the spear was embedded within a ritualistic monolith just outside the hut belonging to the [[druid]]ic priestess [[Deirdre Na Linni]] in [[Asfinn]], [[Ireland]]. During her visit to the country in 882 CE, the [[Vikings|Viking]] ''[[jarl]]skona'' [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] of the [[Raven Clan]] consumed a psychoactive mixture prepared by Deirdre from [[amber]] shards<ref name="AmberSun"/> collected from the [[Children of Danu]],<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids'' – [[Children of Danu (memory)]]</ref> a pagan cult that was run by fanatical druids.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids'' – [[Potion of Blood]]</ref> As a reincarnation of Odin herself, the drink sent Eivor on a hallucinogenic vision where she fought and defeated a manifestation of Balor for possession of the spear. Eventually, as Eivor grasped the spear with both hands and pulled it, the vision ended and she found that she had miraculously extracted Gae Bolg from the stone in the real world.<ref name="AmberSun" />
By the 9th century, the spear was embedded within a ritualistic monolith just outside the hut belonging to the [[druid]]ic priestess [[Deirdre Na Linni]] in [[Asfinn]], [[Ireland]]. During her visit to the country in 882 CE, ''[[jarl]]skona'' [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] consumed a psychoactive mixture prepared by Deirdre from [[amber]] shards<ref name="AmberSun"/> collected from the [[Children of Danu]],<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids'' – [[Children of Danu (memory)]]</ref> a pagan cult that was run by fanatical druids.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids'' – [[Potion of Blood]]</ref> As a [[Reborn Isu|reincarnation]] of Odin herself, the drink sent Eivor on a hallucinogenic vision where she relived a [[Genetic memory|memory]] of Odin's duel with Balor. Just as Odin extracted Gae Bolg from Balor, the vision ended and Eivor found that she had miraculously extracted the spear from the stone in reality.<ref name="AmberSun"/>


==Weapon statistics==
==Weapon statistics==
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|10
|10
|Lightning shocks the enemy after 3 consecutive hits<br>
|Lightning shocks the enemy after 3 consecutive hits<br>
|Complete [[Amber Sun]]
|Complete "[[Amber Sun]]"
|-
|-
! colspan="9" |Description
! colspan="9" |Description
Line 60: Line 57:


==Behind the scenes==
==Behind the scenes==
Despite its name and description, the spear has no real connections to the mythical weapon. According to the 11th-century manuscript known as the ''{{Wiki|Book of Leinster}}'', Gáe Bolg was given to a young Cú Chulainn by his combat instructor, the warrior-woman {{Wiki|Scáthach}}, after training in either [[Scotland|Alba]] or the [[Isle of Skye]]. Unlike an ordinary spear, Gáe Bolg could only be used by launching it from the foot, and upon piercing the target, instead of emitting lightning as depicted in-game, it would immediately spread barbs throughout the victim's entire circulatory system so that recovering the weapon required cutting away all the flesh surrounding the thorns.<ref name="Wiki"/>
Despite its name and description, the spear has no real connections to the mythical weapon. According to abbot {{Wiki|Áed Ua Crimthainn}}'s 11th-century {{Wiki|Book of Leinster}}, Gáe Bolg could only be used by launching it from the foot. Upon piercing the target, instead of emitting lightning as depicted in-game, it would immediately spread barbs throughout the victim's entire circulatory system so that recovering the weapon required cutting away all the flesh surrounding the thorns.<ref name="Wiki"/> The spear's ability is possibly being conflated with Gáe Assail, the semi-sentient and bloodthirsty spear Cú Chulainn's father [[Lug]]h used to slay Balor that supposedly had lightning powers.<ref>{{WP|Lugh}}</ref>
 
The spear is possibly being conflated with Gáe Assail, the spear of [[Lug]]h, Cú Chulainn's father and the slayer of Balor, which supposedly had lightning powers.
 
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]''


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 71: Line 63:
ACV - WotD Concept 3.jpg|Eivor using Gae Bolg to fight a Púca and the Children of Danu
ACV - WotD Concept 3.jpg|Eivor using Gae Bolg to fight a Púca and the Children of Danu
ACV WotD Gae Bolg Concept.png|Concept art
ACV WotD Gae Bolg Concept.png|Concept art
ACV Gae Bolg head.png|The Gae Bolg in ''Valhalla''{{'}}s inventory menu
ACV Gae Bolg head.png|Gae Bolg in ''Valhalla''{{'}}s inventory menu
Eivor claims Gae Bolg AC Valhalla.jpg|Eivor claims Gae Bolg after defeating Balor in a hallucinogenic vision induced by Deirdre's potion.
Eivor claims Gae Bolg AC Valhalla.jpg|Eivor wielding Gae Bolg
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]''


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Spears]]
[[Category:Spears]]
[[Category:Long weapons]]
[[Category:Long weapons]]
[[Category:Irish mythology]]
[[Category:Personal weapons]]
[[Category:9th century weapons]]
[[Category:9th century weapons]]
<br />

Revision as of 19:35, 25 August 2023

The Gae Bolg was the personal spear that belonged to the hero Cú Chulainn from Irish mythology[1] and was purportedly made from the bones of a sea monster.

Owners

Description

The spear had the appearance of a bident, having a tip of two-prongs. The prongs themselves were relatively wide and had an array of rather sharp pointed barbs at the base of the spearhead, as well as a few smaller barbs at the opposing end. It also stood at a height slightly taller than the average person. The spear possessed the special ability to shock the wielder's enemies with lightning after every third consecutive hit.[2]

History

As a young man, Cú Chulainn was gifted Gae Bolg by his combat instructor, the warrior-woman Scáthach, after training in either Alba or the Isle of Skye.[1] He wielded it for most of his life until he met the ancient Fomorian giant named Balor. The hybrid was slain in the resulting battle, but not before lodging his spear deep in Balor's back, though the giant took care to invisibly cloak the spear haft so as to conceal his weak spot from future heroes who sought to kill him. [2]

Some time later, the Æsir Odin confronted Balor in the arena Dun Báhlair and demanded the spear, seeking its ancient power for himself. The two fought, with Odin coming out victorious. With Balor's defeat, the invisibility cloak he used to conceal Gae Bolg fell away and exposed the spear haft lodged in his back. Odin ripped the spear out and exited Dun Báhlair with Gae Bolg in hand.[2]

Gae Bolg stuck in the stone

By the 9th century, the spear was embedded within a ritualistic monolith just outside the hut belonging to the druidic priestess Deirdre Na Linni in Asfinn, Ireland. During her visit to the country in 882 CE, jarlskona Eivor Varinsdottir consumed a psychoactive mixture prepared by Deirdre from amber shards[2] collected from the Children of Danu,[3] a pagan cult that was run by fanatical druids.[4] As a reincarnation of Odin herself, the drink sent Eivor on a hallucinogenic vision where she relived a memory of Odin's duel with Balor. Just as Odin extracted Gae Bolg from Balor, the vision ended and Eivor found that she had miraculously extracted the spear from the stone in reality.[2]

Weapon statistics

Class Quality Attack Speed Stun Critical
Chance
Weight Perks Availability
Wolf Mythical 152 54 169 115 10 Lightning shocks the enemy after 3 consecutive hits
Complete "Amber Sun"
Description
Gifted to the demi-god Cú Chulainn, said to be made from the bones of a sea monster.

Behind the scenes

Despite its name and description, the spear has no real connections to the mythical weapon. According to abbot Áed Ua Crimthainn's 11th-century Book of Leinster, Gáe Bolg could only be used by launching it from the foot. Upon piercing the target, instead of emitting lightning as depicted in-game, it would immediately spread barbs throughout the victim's entire circulatory system so that recovering the weapon required cutting away all the flesh surrounding the thorns.[1] The spear's ability is possibly being conflated with Gáe Assail, the semi-sentient and bloodthirsty spear Cú Chulainn's father Lugh used to slay Balor that supposedly had lightning powers.[5]

Gallery

Appearances

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Gáe Bulg on Wikipedia
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Assassin's Creed: ValhallaWrath of the DruidsAmber Sun
  3. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the DruidsChildren of Danu (memory)
  4. Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the DruidsPotion of Blood
  5. Lugh on Wikipedia

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