Fulke

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

Biography

Early life

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. 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.

Along her self-education journey, Fulke also 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.

In her early years of service, Fulke served in the court of Holy Roman Emperor Louis, 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. While initially struggling to decipher these words, Fulke worked to expand her knowledge and continued her search for Isu relics throughout Germania and Francia.

Deciphering the Saga Stone

In the early 870s, Fulke travelled to the island of Great Britain and joined the service of King Alfred of Wessex, himself 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. There, she came into possession of a piece of relic belonging to the late Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok. Dubbing it as 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 and heresy against the Church.

Fulke rescued by Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd

Fulke was held at Saint Albanes Abbey, within the monastery's crypt, by a monk guarding her. However, Fulke was freed by Vikings Sigurd Styrbjornsson, Eivor Varinsdottir, and Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq. Quickly, Fulke led the way to a more private setting to talk with her rescuers.

At a farm, Fulke spoke of an artifact called the Saga Stone, which came to England from the hands of Viking Ragnar Lothbrok. After their discussion, Fulke also promised that the stone was being kept by one of her acolytes. Fulke led the way to the stone. Arriving at Evinghou Tower, Fulke and her company went in to find her priest, but his place of refuge happened to be ransacked. However, the priest, Paul, was found dead and Fulke figured that Lady Eadwyn stole her stone. Fulke and her company were called by Lady Eadwyn, who surrounded the group and offered a deal, which was the stone for Geadric's head. However, the deal was rejected as Fulke fought with her company against Eadwyn's men. After defeating the soldiers, Fulke stood back as she watched the Viking siblings argue with each other.

Fulke later spoke with Eivor about crippling Eadwyn's supplies and rations. Arriving at Eatun Barn, Fulke tried to buy the merchant's wares, but to no avail. However, Fulke was soon impressed once 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, Fulke talked with Eivor about Sigurd's proclamation of being a descendent of the Isu. Fulke stated she would join her allies after she prayed for the dead they killed.

Fulke betraying Eivor, Basim, and Sigurd

Fulke later joined Basim, Geadric, Eivor, and Sigurd, after the defenses of the Cyne Belle Castle were weakened. After completing the assault successfully, Fulke and her allies headed inside the monastery and found the Saga Stone. However, King Alfred arrived with his reinforcements with Fulke and her allies having to meet him. Although a deal was met between Sigurd and King Alfred, Fulke ran in and interrupted. Known as Alfred's paladin, Fulke betrayed her allies as she stated that Sigurd figured himself to be a God. Once Sigurd accepted his place and traded himself with Alfred's war thane, Fulke asked Aelfred to have Sigurd in her care and Alfred agreed.

Fulke later sent a letter to Eivor. Fulke stated Sigurd was in her care and how she believed 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.

The Instrument of the Ancients

Fulke surprising Eivor and Basim

In 874, at Cent, Fulke was being tracked by Basim, in order to find any sign of Sigurd. After a series of events, Fulke was invited by Abbot Cynebert to visit and eat at his quarters near Saint Hadrian's Priory. Knowing better, Fulke killed Cynebert after he prepared a feast for them and Cynebert's newfound allies. Later, Fulke surprised both Eivor and Basim, who entered into the abbot's chambers to see The Instrument greeting them. After a heated exchange, Fulke had no intention in giving up Sigurd and admitted that Sigurd is a reincarnation of the gods of before. After trapping Basim and Eivor, Fulke ordered her guards to kill them and then bring their bodies to Canterbury. Arriving at Cantebury, Fulke amputated Sigurd's right arm in order to wake up his "other side." However, Fulke left a box containing his severed arm of Sigurd for Eivor and Basim. However, Fulke carelessly left evidence of her location to be at a fortress at Portcestre, Suthsexe.

The Siege of Portcestre and death

Fulke taunting Eivor from Portcestre

Around 875, Fulke sent out scouts within the woods to track Eivor and her allies. Fulke's forces immediately ambushed Eivor and her company. Soon, Fulke order her champion to fight as he killed one of Eivor's friend, Brothir. Yet, Fulke's champion fell to Eivor and was defeated.After the ambush, Fulke's supplies and infantry were soon depleted by her enemies, who captured encampments and destroyed resources and infantry.

Before the start of the siege, Fulke sent for reinforcements from Wincestre. Before the assault, Fulke met with Eivor, Soma, and Ubba above from a tower at the main gate of Portcestre. After a heated exchange, Fulke taunted Eivor to try to come and rescue a screaming Sigurd. Afterwards, Fulke was nowhere to be found as she escaped with a wounded Sigurd. Unfortunately, Fulke was seen running to the fortress' church by Eivor. Caught by Eivor and Basim, Fulke left a bleeding Sigurd while 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 until she was met by Eivor, while Basim took care of Sigurd. Fulke talked to Eivor about the general darkness, but Eivor shut her out and wanted no more babble, just bloodshed. During their fight, Fulke fled once again only to be met by Eivor's army, surrounding her. Fulke was trapped as Eivor vowed to deal with her personally.

Fulke's last fight

Fulke, realizing this is no escape, stated that Sigurd is now truly open to the reality of his fate. Fulke picked up a giant cross from the ground and fought with Eivor once more. With one last ditch effort, a bloodied Fulke fought against Eivor, but was overpowered and killed. After her death, Fulke left behind a medallion and a clue, relating towards the Grand Maegester of the Order of the Ancients. The clue stated that Fulke must always follow "The Father's" orders, not her own.

City of Faith

Within another Temple of Mithras in Wincestre, Fulke had sent a letter to the Order members to Wincestre. In the letter, Fulke discovered Alfred's correspondence with the enemy, Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ, and ordered that Alfred be "burned to ash."

Behind the scenes

Fulke is a character in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. She is voiced by French actress Gaia Weiss.

Through the course of the game Fulke is revealed to be one of four Order members who wanted and planned for the death of King Aelfred, 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 Aelfred be burned to ash for his betrayal. Fulke did not join the three Order members, most likely because of her time studying Sigurd's nature as a Sage.

Her title, The Instrument, coincidentally echoes a similarity with the name of 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.

Etymology

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

• 
  Concept art
• 
  Concept art of Fulke as a man
• 
  Fulke confronted by Eivor in the underground catacomb
• 
  Fulke in the Memory Corridor

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla