Sláine (character) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sláine MacRoth
Sláine graphic novel cover by Mike McMahon
Publication information
Publisher	originally IPC Media (Fleetway) to 1999, thereafter Rebellion Developments
First appearance	2000 AD No. 330 (1983)
Created by	Pat Mills Angela Kincaid
In-story information
Alter ego	Sláine mac Roth
Team affiliations	Tribes of the Earth Goddess
Abilities	Warp-spasm

Sláine (pronounced [ˈsˠl̪ˠaːnʲə] SLAW-nyuh) is a brave comic hero. He first appeared in the British magazine 2000 AD.

Sláine is a barbarian fantasy adventure series. It is based on ancient Celtic myths and stories. The series began in 1983. It was created by Pat Mills and first drawn by Angela Kincaid. Other artists like Massimo Belardinelli and Mike McMahon also drew early stories. Many famous artists have worked on Sláine, including Simon Bisley and Clint Langley.

Sláine's favorite weapon is his axe, called "Brainbiter". He has a special power called the "warp spasm". This power comes from the ríastrad, a battle frenzy from the Irish hero Cú Chulainn. When Sláine uses it, earth power flows through him. He becomes a terrifying and super strong warrior. Sláine deeply respects the earth goddess Danu.

Sláine's Adventures

Sláine is a wanderer who was sent away from his tribe, the Sessair. He explores the Land of the Young (which is Tír na nÓg in Irish). He travels with a tricky dwarf named Ukko. Together, they fight monsters and bad guys.

In one adventure, he saved a maiden named Medb. But she became his enemy! She wanted to be sacrificed to her god, Crom Cruach. Her evil leader, Lord Weird Slough Feg, became Sláine's main enemy. Sláine also met flying longships, dragons, and ancient alien gods.

Sláine went back to his tribe and became their king. He led them against the Fomorians, who were sea demons. These demons were causing trouble for his people. In a story called The Horned God, Sláine united all the tribes who worshipped the earth goddess. They fought against Slough Feg and his helpers. Sláine's strong belief in the goddess made him a new version of the Horned God Carnun. This god is based on the Gaulish god Cernunnos. By the end of this story, the Land of the Young was gone. Sláine became the first High King of Ireland.

Sláine in Simon Bisley's version.

Later, Danu sent Sláine through time. He fought alongside other heroes like Boudica against the Romans. He also fought with William Wallace. He then returned to Ireland to protect his people. He fought new enemies with his wife, Niamh.

These new enemies were a full Fomorian invasion. They were led by Balor and Moloch. The tribal council let Moloch go, hoping he would keep the Fomorians away. But instead, Moloch came back and killed Niamh. Sláine wanted revenge. He gave up his throne and went to Albion to kill Moloch. While he was away, his son Kai left the tribe to find him. Ireland then faced another invasion. These were Atlanteans who had been turned into hosts for Sea Demons.

When Sláine returned, the new High King, Sethor, wanted to give half of Ireland to the demons. Sethor hoped to get science and civilization in return. Sláine convinced the tribal council that the demons could be defeated. War was declared again. Sláine suggested that the Tribe of Danu escape to the Otherworld. This would free them from the demons. It would also let the Atlanteans live peacefully in Ireland. Both armies then joined forces against Odacon and his Sea Demons.

Sláine freed the Atlantean leader, Gael, from being a demon host. He gave Sethor to take Gael's place. They led their armies to protect the city of Tara. While the tribes fought, Sláine went to the Otherworld. He got Danu's blessing for his tribe to settle there. He came back with her power. He led a charge that crushed Odacon's forces. The tribe was then sent into the Otherworld. Sláine helped Gael destroy Odacon and his evil creatures.

With Gael as the High King of Ireland, Sláine left to find his son. He found Kai at a travelling funfair. Later, Sláine went on a quest to find Crom Dubh.

Where the Ideas Came From

The character Sláine was inspired by other famous heroes. One is Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian. Another is Cú Chulainn, a hero from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Pat Mills, the writer, used many ideas from Celtic myths and ancient European history.

Sláine's name comes from Sláine mac Dela, who was the first High King of Ireland. His "warp-spasm" power is like Cú Chulainn's ríastrad. Even his barbed spear, the gae bolga, is from Cú Chulainn. But his favorite axe is more like weapons used by Vikings.

Sláine's family names also come from myths. His father's name, Mac Roth, is from a character in the Ulster Cycle. The story of Sláine's mother, Macha, who died after being forced to race chariots, is from an Irish goddess named Macha.

Sláine's relationship with Niamh is similar to the Irish story of Deirdre. Cathbad, the druid who warns about Deirdre's birth, is the name of Sláine's chief druid. Niamh is a common Irish girl's name. She is also a fairy queen from the Fenian Cycle. Her magical homeland, Tír na nÓg, is the name of the series' setting.

Sláine's goddess, Danu, and her tribes, the Tuatha Dé Danann, are from Irish mythology. The Horned God, Carnun, is based on the Gaulish god Cernunnos. Some religious ideas in the series come from old Welsh writings.

The Drunes are the bad priests in the story. Their leader, Slough Feg, is based on Cernunnos and an ancient cave painting called the Sorcerer. His helper, Medb, is named after a legendary Irish queen. The Drunes' god, Crom Cruach, is also an Irish deity.

The Fomorians, Sláine's enemies, and their leader Balor, are also from Irish mythology. Other parts of the series come from different myths. Sláine's dwarf friend, Ukko, is named after a Finnish storm god. Odacon is linked to a Babylonian god.

Collected Stories

Sláine's adventures have been gathered into many books. Here are some of the main collected volumes:

• Sláine (written by Pat Mills unless stated):
  • Warrior's Dawn (2005)
  • Time Killer (2007)
  • Slaine the King (2008)
  • The Horned God (2008)
  • Demon Killer (2010)
  • Lord of Misrule (2011)
  • "Treasures of Britain" (2012)
  • The Grail War (2013)
  • Lord of the Beasts (2014)
  • The Books of Invasions: Moloch and Golamh (2006)
  • The Books of Invasions: Scota and Tara (2006)
  • The Books of Invasions: Odacon (July 2007)
  • Slaine the Wanderer (2011)
  • The Book of Scars (2013)
  • The Brutania Chronicles: A Simple Killing (2015)
  • The Brutania Chronicles: Primordial (2016)
  • The Brutania Chronicles: Psychopomp (2017)
  • The Brutania Chronicles: Archon (2018)
  • Dragontamer (2021)

Characters in Sláine's World

Main Characters

• Sláine MacRoth – A powerful Irish warrior with black hair. He was sent away from his tribe because of his relationship with Niamh. He loves to fight and often teases Ukko. His favorite weapon is his stone axe, Brainbiter. He first used his Warp Spasm power as a child.
• Ukko – Sláine's dwarf friend and storyteller. He is named after a Finnish storm god. Ukko loves gold and is very good at business. When Sláine became king, Ukko became his "Royal Parasite," like a jester.
• Nest – A Druidess who encourages Ukko to write down Sláine's adventures. She often argues with Ukko, but they might like each other.
• Niamh – Sláine's strong-willed wife. She is very confident and can get angry and jealous.

Supporting Characters

• Danu – The earth goddess who guides Sláine.
• Cathbad – The chief druid. He wears a horse skull and doesn't like Ukko.
• Myrddin – A powerful wizard, like Merlin. He is a survivor from the Atlanteans.
• Kai – Sláine's son. Sláine wanted him to be a warrior, but Niamh trained him as a druid. He later became a traveling acrobat.
• King Rudraige mac Dela – Ruler of the city of Gorlias. He guards the Silver Sword of the Moon.
• King Gann mac Dela – Ruler of Finias and user of the Spear of the Flaming Sun.
• King Sengann mac Dela – The mad ruler of Falias. His people stole the Stone of Destiny.
• Mogrooth – A scary Atlantean dragon rider and gladiator.
• Tlachtga – Mogrooth's daughter and a skilled warrior.

Villains

• The Lord Weird Slough Feg – The ancient and rotting leader of the Drunes. He was the first Horned God but refused to give up his power.
• Medb/Megrim – A Drune priestess saved by Sláine.
• Balor – The leader of the Fomorians. He has one eye that can destroy anything he looks at.
• Moloch – Balor's cruel helper. He uses six swords in battle. He killed Niamh.
• Odacon – He took control of the Fomorians after Moloch.
• Sethor – A member of Sláine's tribal council. He became High King after Sláine. He later betrayed his people to the Fomorians.
• Avagddu – A demon son of the earth goddess.
• Elfric – A three-eyed blue demon who can time travel.
• Mordred – The son of King Arthur. He betrayed his father.
• Hengwolf – An Anglo-Saxon warlord who worshipped Odin. He could turn into a white dragon.
• Guledig – A Cythron leader who caused King Arthur's downfall.
• Leystar – An evil magician who wears a bird mask. He can turn into a phoenix.
• Sir Brian – A leader of the Knights Templar who was taken over by a demon.

Historical and Mythical Characters

• Boudicca – A queen of the Iceni tribe, based on a real historical hero.
• William Wallace – A Scottish rebel who fought against English invaders.
• Robert the Bruce – He led the Scottish rebels after Wallace.
• Simon de Montfort – A crusader knight who wanted to destroy the Cathars. He was a reincarnation of Niamh.
• Esclarmonde de Foix – A leader of the Cathars and one of the last pagan witches in France.
• St Patrick – A priest Sláine met. He tried to convert Sláine to Christianity.
• Robin Hood – A Saxon outlaw and leader of the last pagan group. Sláine took his place as the Lord of Misrule.
• King Arthur – The legendary British ruler. Sláine took his place and broke a curse.
• Sir Lancelot – Arthur's former champion, who became a monk.
• Guinevere – Arthur's wife, who was taken over by a Cythron priestess.

Other Characters

• Roth Bellyshaker – Sláine's father. He was killed by Slough Feg.
• Macha – Sláine's mother.
• Mongan Axe-head – Sláine's foster-father.
• King Ragnall – Sláine's foster-brother.
• King Grudnew – Ragnall's predecessor and Niamh's husband.
• Blind Bran – An old beggar and Sláine's friend.
• Gurg of the Three Fingers – Sláine's charioteer.
• Blathnaid – A former lover of Sláine.
• Lauretta – A French female mercenary and Sláine's lover.
• Kyot – A medieval troubadour who helped Sláine.
• White Tusk – The King of the Orcs.
• The Knucker – An old dragon used for flying transport.
• Nidhug – A fierce dragon.

Sláine in Other Media

Sláine has appeared in different types of media:

Tabletop Miniature Wargames

• Sláine (by Warlord Games)

Video Games

• Sláine, the Celtic Barbarian (by Creative Reality, for Amstrad CPC, C64, and ZX Spectrum)

Role-playing Games

• Tomb of Terror (2000 AD Progs 447–461)
• Cauldron of Blood (Dice Man No. 1)
• Dragoncorpse (Dice Man No. 2)
• The Ring of Danu (Dice Man No. 4)
• The Invulnerable King (by Ian Sturrock, Mongoose Publishing)
• Sláine: The Roleplaying Game of Celtic Heroes (by Ian Sturrock, Mongoose Publishing)
• Sláine (2007, Mongoose Publishing, using the RuneQuest game system)

Novels

• Sláine: Sláine the Exile (Steven Savile, Black Flame, December 2006)
• Sláine: Slaine the Defiler (Steven Savile, Black Flame, September 2007)

Music

• The metal band Slough Feg (originally named The Lord Weird Slough Feg) got their name from the villain in the comics.