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Sláine MacRoth Sláine is the epic hero and legend of this story. When he was but a young boy he was thrown out of his tribe for making love with the king's chosen one, Niamh. Since then Sláine has roamed the land together with Ukko the Dwarf and his trustworthy war axe Brainbiter. Upon his return from exile Sláine tries to unite the tribes and become Ard Ri, High King, and rid the world of Demons and Drunes. |
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Ukko the Dwarf Ukko is Sláine's traveling companion and friend. It is he who, after Sláine's death, records the adventures of Sláine. Ukko is your typical dwarf who cares much for battle and even more for money. Ukko plays a great part in Sláine's adventures and without him Sláine would probably had failed to attain the Four Gifts. After Sláine's death it is Ukko who writes down the legend of the mighty hero. |
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Niamh The woman that Sláine falls in love with and never stopped loving. Niamh was the king's chosen one, but she fell out of grace when she and Sláine made love. Their relationship gave them a son, Kai, something Sláine didn't know for many years. At one time she married King Rudraige on trial, but eventually she found her way back to the arms of Sláine. She's a furious warrior and an excellent smith and inventor. |
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Danu, the Earth Goddess Danu is the true goddess of man, but is eventually replaced by male gods by the druids. Sláine changes all this when he entered the Cauldron of Blood and meets with the goddess. Since she is nature she isn't always to be trusted, as nature kicks back at mankind's attempt to control her. In the final act she floods the great plains and destroys the cities since cities are alien to nature and the tribes were losing touch with their roots. |
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Cathbad, the Chief Druid In the begining there were females who ruled the earth, witches, queens and goddess. Eventually they were replaced by male counterparts who attempted to erase the existence of the former feminine rule, especially the druids; Cathbad was one of them. Therefore he tried to stop Sláine from entering the Cauldron, but failed to do so. He tries to advice Sláine but seldom succeeds. |
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King Rudraige The boy king, who has to carry the burden of leadership at the age of sixteen. Rudraige rules the tribe of the Growling Shields in the city of Gorias. Rudraige himself has in his possession the Silver Sword of the Moon. Rudraige is for a short time married to Niamh, but after the trial time is over (women had that right), Niamh chooses Sláine instead. Rudraige is refused the position of High King since his hand is severed. |
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King Gann King Gann rules in the city of Finias. Gann is the wielder of the Spear of the Flaming Sun and with it he protects his city. Sláine's attempts to persuade Gann to unite the four gifts was a tough job and Sláine agreed to give Gann his whole tribe if he himself were proclaimed High King. He is known as a great warrior as well as being honest and fair. |
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King Sengann The mad king Sengann, haunted by the screams of the Beaverfolk that was executed by his tribe, the tribe of the Shadows. Falias is their capital and in it they keep the Stone of Destiny that they stole from the Beaverfolk. Because of this horrible act the King has gone mad and can no longer sleep at night. Fortunately Segann isn't elected High King for obvious reasons. |
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Nest, the Druidess Nest isn't part of the actual adventure, her role is played during the time after Sláine's death when she urges Ukko to finish the story of Sláine. Nest is a member of the druids guild and thinks that Ukko is far overrated in his abilities to correctly tell the story of Sláine and she sometimes has to censor Ukko. Even though they argue all the time, their seems to be some attraction between them; anyway in Ukko's case. |
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The Cauldron of Blood This is the first of the four gifts that Sláine attains by outwitting the dark gods. Whoever feeds from it gains the powers of Danu and they gain her inspiration, but it also serves as the entrance to the otherworld. In combat it is used to regenerate the bodies of fallen warriors. According to Celtic tradition it is called The Cauldron of the Dagda; Dagda being the god of knowledge. The cauldron represents the element of Water. |
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The Silver Sword of the Moon The sword could be found in the city of Gorias in the hands of King Rudraige. The sword is endowed with lunar power and can cut through any metal. It has a weakness though; it is useless against creatures from the otherworld, which is displayed in the fight with Avagddu. Celtic tradition calls the sword the The Sword of Nuadu of the Silver Hand. The sword represents the element of Wind. |
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The Flaming Spear of the Sun In Finias you can find the Spear of the Sun strapped to the wall. The spear is actually alive and a woman's face decorate it. King Gann is it's current owner and when he cries Ibar it flies through the air and finds it's target. When you then cry Athibar it returns to the wielder. In Celtic sagas it is also called The Spear of Lug; Lug being the god of skill and craft. The spear represents the element of Fire. |
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The Stone of Destiny Once in the possession of the Beaverfolk, it later ended up with the tribe of Shadows who had taken the stone as a war trophy after killing all Beaverfolk but one, the Avanc. The Stone changed the tribe from a sunloving people to a lunar tribe, who adapted their habits to the night and even painted their bodies black. It's power is to cry out who should be the new High King when the four gifts are gathered. The ancient Celts called it The Stone of Fal, the inauguration stone of the Goddess. The stone represents the element of Earth. |
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The Lord Weird Slough Feg "Eyes without life...sundered heads...piles of carcasses...these are pleasing words to me"; the favorite phrase of the great villain of this plot. Slough Feg is the old horned god, who refused to die after his seven year reign and has ever since eaten the eggs from the great worm to postpone his death for 20 000 years. Slough Feg has turned his cult towards a death cult and is now the leader of the Drunes, the worshipers of Crom-Cruach. |
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Medb, the Bride of Crom A priestess in Lord Weird's death cult. Medb has always been fascinated with death and destruction and therefore she was spared and made a priestess. When she later was to be made the Bride of Crom and burned in a great wickerman, she was rescued by Sláine. That's why she, with such great passion, goes to any length to lay her revenge on Sláine. She is probably a greater villain even than Slough Feg. |
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Balor of the Evil Eye The Commander of the Fomorians and also the Drunes allied among the fomorian Sea Demons. Balor was a great warrior and with his hideous gaze he burned all who came before him. In the end it proved to be useless to a war spasmed Sláine, who pushed back the entire Fomorian army and Balor had to flee. |
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Avagddu, the Son of the Earth Goddess Avagddu is described as one of the ugliest, most stupid and foul creature that ever existed and I tend to agree. Avagduu represents the dark side of the Earth Power and is death and decay personified. He lives in the otherworld but can rise from the Cauldron of Blood as he pleases. At one time he answers to Medbs calling and agrees to do her bidding, it all ends with him eating himself, that is how stupid he is. |
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All characters, artwork and names on this page are protected by the copyright law Egmont H. Peterson Fond Gutenberghus. If any of the content on these pages in any way is offending, please inform us of this.
The Comics Kosmos © Anna Nilsson & Jonas Lidén 1999
