Difference between revisions of "Shadow assassin"

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[[File:Shadowbaby TheMico.jpg|thumb]]
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[[File:Shadowbaby TheMico.jpg|thumb|Shadowbaby by TheMico]]
A '''shadow assassin''' is a form of magic Lady [[Melisandre]] of [[Asshai]] has used to murder Lord [[Renly Baratheon]] {{Ref|aCoK|31}} and Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]] during the [[Siege of Storm's End]]. {{Ref|aCoK|42}} Once a shadow assassin is released it appears that the death of the person it is meant for is inevitable, unless there is also a way of counterattacking that may perhaps be known to [[magic]] users who are familiar with shadow assassins.
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A '''shadow assassin''' is a form of [[magic]] used by the [[shadowbinder]] [[Melisandre]] of [[Asshai]].{{Ref|aCoK|42}} It is implied by Melisandre that the shadow assassin is created through an act of sexual intercourse, so they are also known by the fan-given nickname '''shadow babies'''.  
==About==
 
The only person that we have seen to conjure a shadow assassin thus far is [[Melisandre]].  Since a shadow is a "servant of the light", [[Melisandre]] is able to invoke the human-like shadow assassin and direct it against her enemy.
 
  
It is implied by [[Melisandre]] that the shadow assassin is created through an act of sexual intercourse between Melisandre and her liege, King [[Stannis Baratheon]] so they are also known as '''''Shadow Babies'''''.  
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
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[[File:Shadow baby birth.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Melisandre]] birthing a shadow assassin <br>art by Anja]]
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After [[Renly Baratheon]] refuses to bend the knee to his older brother, [[Stannis Baratheon]], [[Catelyn Stark]] and [[Brienne of Tarth]] witness Renly's death. Catelyn sees a shadow that looks like Stannis and a shadow sword that cuts Renly's throat. The shadow then disappears.{{Ref|aCoK|33}}
  
After a period of "gestation", Melisandre can invoke the shadow assassin by "birthing" it. During the birth, the shadow assassin is visible and takes the form recognizable as [[Stannis Baratheon]]. {{Ref|aCoK|42}}
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After Renly's assassination, [[Storm's End]] is [[Siege of Storm's End|besieged by Stannis]] and his army. Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], who was left charge of the castle, refuses to yield Storm's End and [[Robert Baratheon]]'s bastard, [[Edric Storm]]. The shadowbinder [[Melisandre]] has [[Davos Seaworth]] sail her under the stronghold. She claims that shadows are servants of the light. She disrobes and Davos watches in horror as the now-pregnant woman gives birth to a shadowy creature.  As the shadow emerges Davos recognises the man who had cast it, Stannis. The shadow goes to slay Penrose, allowing Stannis to take Storm's End.{{Ref|aCoK|42}}
  
Later, the shadow assassin becomes more shadow-like and difficult to detect by eye. The shadow assassin is armed with a sword, similar to the flaming sword wielded by [[Stannis]]. When the shadow assassin attacks its target it is nearly invisible.  It uses it’s sword and stabs for the neck before disappearing.
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The effect of Melisandre's sorcery on Stannis is significant. He appears to have aged years after siring a shadow assassin on her. Davos notices that his eyes are like dark blue bruises in the hollows of his face. Perhaps this is why no shadow assassin is used during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]]. Stannis perceives the actions of the shadow assassins as his own through dreams.{{Ref|aCoK|42}}
  
The effect on [[Stannis Baratheon]] is significantHe appears to have aged years after siring a shadow assassin on [[Melisandre]].  [[Davos]] notices that his eyes are like dark blue bruises in the hollows of his face. Perhaps this is why no shadow assassin is used during the [[Battle of the Blackwater]].  Stannis perceives the actions of the shadow assassins as their own through dreams. {{Ref|aCoK|42}}
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
==Recent Events==
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Melisandre visits Davos in his prison in [[Dragonstone]]. She tells him that shadows only live when given birth by lightShe admits to him that Stannis's fires now burn so low that she dare not draw off any more to make another son, as it might well kill him. She indicates she can make more shadow assassins with another man, implying Davos, but the prisoner rejects her offer, believing their union would only result in a horror. Davos holds fast to the [[Faith of the Seven]] instead of Melisandre's god, [[R'hllor]].{{Ref|aSoS|25}}
===A Clash of Kings===
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Melisandre conjures and births a shadow assassin which she uses to murder [[Renly Baratheon]] after he refuses to bend the knee to his older brother. {{Ref|aCoK|33}} Both [[Catelyn Stark]] and [[Brienne]] of Tarth witness Renly’s death.  [[Catelyn Stark]] saw a shadow that looks like [[Stannis]] and a shadow sword swung, cutting King Renly’s throat, the shadow then disappears. {{Ref|aCoK|33}}
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Upon her arrival in [[King's Landing]], Brienne of Tarth is confronted by Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] over Renly's death. Brienne explains:
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{{Quote|I was helping Renly into his armor, and the candles blew out and there was blood everywhere. It was Stannis, Lady Catelyn said. His … his shadow.{{Ref|aSoS|62}}}}
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When meeting with [[Jaime Lannister]] Loras admits to him that Renly's steel [[w:gorget|gorget]] was cut through with one clean stroke. He tells Jaime that Renly had the best armor, made of the finest steel, and that even [[Gregor Clegane|the Mountain]] would have needed a heavy axe.{{Ref|aSoS|67}}
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
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Brienne is haunted by Renly’s death. During her quest of [[Sansa Stark]] she dreams of what happened in Renly's tent:
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{{Quote|All the candles were guttering out and the cold was thick around her. Something was moving through green darkness, something foul and horrible was hurtling toward her king. She wanted to protect him, but her limbs felt stiff and frozen, and it took more strength than she had just to lift her hand. And when the shadow sword sliced through the green steel gorget and the blood began to flow, she saw that the dying king was not Renly after all but Jaime Lannister, and she had failed him.{{Ref|aFfC|9}}}}
  
After Renly's assassination [[Storm's End]] was besieged by [[Stannis]] and his army.  Ser [[Cortnay Penrose]], who was left charge of the castle, refused to yield [[Storm's End]] and [[Edric Storm]], [[Melisandre]] had [[Davos Seaworth]] sail her under the stronghold.  Melisandre disrobed, and Davos watched in horror as the now pregnant woman gave birth to another shadow assassin.  As the shsdow emerged Davos recognised [[Stannis|the man who had cast it]].  The shadow goes to slay Penrose.  {{Ref|aCoK|42}}
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==Quotes==
===A Storm of Swords===
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{{Quote|A shadow is a thing of darkness.{{Ref|aCoK|42}}|[[Davos]]}}
Melisandre visits Davos in his prison in [[Dragonstone]].  She tells him that shadows only live when given birth by light.  She admits to him that [[Stannis]]’s fires now burn so low that she dare not draw off any more to make another son, as it might well kill him.  She than implies that she can make more shadow assassins with another man, a man whose flames still burn hot and high… and then adds that if Davos truly wishes to serve his king’s cause to come to her chamber one night.  She tells him that she could give him pleasure such as he has never known, and with his life-fire she could make… Davos then interrupts her by saying,
 
{{Quote|A horror. {{Ref|aSoS|}}}}
 
[[Davos]] tells her he wants no part of her, or her [[R'hllor|god]].
 
  
Later, upon her arrival in [[King's Landing]], [[Brienne]] of Tarth is confronted by Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] over Renly’s death.  She tries to explain to him that there was a shadow and that she knows how mad it sounds, but,
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{{Quote|There are no shadows in the dark. Shadows are the servants of the light, the children of fireThe brightest flame casts the darkest shadows.{{Ref|aCoK|42}}|[[Melisandre]]}}
{{Quote|I was helping Renly into his armor, and the candles blew out and there was blood everywhere. It was [[Stannis]], Lady [[Catelyn]] saidHis … his shadow. {{Ref|aSoS|62}}}}
 
  
When meeting with [[Jaime Lannister]] Loras admits to him that Renlys steel [[w:gorget|gorget]] was cut through with one clean stroke.  He tells Jaime that Renly had the best armor, made of the finest steel and that even [[Gregor Clegane|the Mountain]] would have needed a heavy axe.  {{Ref|aSoS|67}}
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==See also==
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:*[[:Category:Images of Shadow Assassins|Images of Shadow Assassins]]
  
===A Feast for Crows===
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==References==
[[Brienne]] is haunted by Renly’s death.  During her quest she dreams of what happened in Renly’s tent,
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{{references}}
{{Quote|All the candles were guttering out and the cold was thick around her.  Something was moving through green darkness, something foul and horrible was hurtling toward her king.  She wanted to protect him, but her limbs felt stiff and frozen, and it took more strength than she had just to lift her hand.  And when the shadow sword sliced through the green steel gorget and the blood began to flow, she saw that the dying king was not Renly after all but [[Jaime Lannister]], and she had failed him. {{Ref|aFfC|9}}}}
 
  
==References and Notes==
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[[Category:Assassins]]
{{references|3}}
 
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
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[[es:Sombra]]
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[[ru:Тень-убийца]]

Revision as of 06:11, 7 February 2019

Shadowbaby by TheMico

A shadow assassin is a form of magic used by the shadowbinder Melisandre of Asshai.[1] It is implied by Melisandre that the shadow assassin is created through an act of sexual intercourse, so they are also known by the fan-given nickname shadow babies.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Melisandre birthing a shadow assassin
art by Anja

After Renly Baratheon refuses to bend the knee to his older brother, Stannis Baratheon, Catelyn Stark and Brienne of Tarth witness Renly's death. Catelyn sees a shadow that looks like Stannis and a shadow sword that cuts Renly's throat. The shadow then disappears.[2]

After Renly's assassination, Storm's End is besieged by Stannis and his army. Ser Cortnay Penrose, who was left charge of the castle, refuses to yield Storm's End and Robert Baratheon's bastard, Edric Storm. The shadowbinder Melisandre has Davos Seaworth sail her under the stronghold. She claims that shadows are servants of the light. She disrobes and Davos watches in horror as the now-pregnant woman gives birth to a shadowy creature. As the shadow emerges Davos recognises the man who had cast it, Stannis. The shadow goes to slay Penrose, allowing Stannis to take Storm's End.[1]

The effect of Melisandre's sorcery on Stannis is significant. He appears to have aged years after siring a shadow assassin on her. Davos notices that his eyes are like dark blue bruises in the hollows of his face. Perhaps this is why no shadow assassin is used during the Battle of the Blackwater. Stannis perceives the actions of the shadow assassins as his own through dreams.[1]

A Storm of Swords

Melisandre visits Davos in his prison in Dragonstone. She tells him that shadows only live when given birth by light. She admits to him that Stannis's fires now burn so low that she dare not draw off any more to make another son, as it might well kill him. She indicates she can make more shadow assassins with another man, implying Davos, but the prisoner rejects her offer, believing their union would only result in a horror. Davos holds fast to the Faith of the Seven instead of Melisandre's god, R'hllor.[3]

Upon her arrival in King's Landing, Brienne of Tarth is confronted by Ser Loras Tyrell over Renly's death. Brienne explains:

I was helping Renly into his armor, and the candles blew out and there was blood everywhere. It was Stannis, Lady Catelyn said. His … his shadow.[4]

When meeting with Jaime Lannister Loras admits to him that Renly's steel gorget was cut through with one clean stroke. He tells Jaime that Renly had the best armor, made of the finest steel, and that even the Mountain would have needed a heavy axe.[5]

A Feast for Crows

Brienne is haunted by Renly’s death. During her quest of Sansa Stark she dreams of what happened in Renly's tent:

All the candles were guttering out and the cold was thick around her. Something was moving through green darkness, something foul and horrible was hurtling toward her king. She wanted to protect him, but her limbs felt stiff and frozen, and it took more strength than she had just to lift her hand. And when the shadow sword sliced through the green steel gorget and the blood began to flow, she saw that the dying king was not Renly after all but Jaime Lannister, and she had failed him.[6]

Quotes

A shadow is a thing of darkness.[1]

There are no shadows in the dark. Shadows are the servants of the light, the children of fire. The brightest flame casts the darkest shadows.[1]

See also

References