Gelu
He is not an original Restoration of Erathia hero, but was added in Armageddon's Blade and is also available in The Shadow of Death.
By default, Gelu is not playable, but he may be enabled in custom scenarios in the map-editor.
Pronunciation[edit | hide | hide all]
Gelu's name is derived from the Latin word for "cold" and it (the character's name, not the Latin word) is pronounced with a soft G, like gel.
As a side note, after I published the name ‘Gelu’ (je-lu or jel-u), I found myself continually correcting the Map Makers, who pronounced it ‘Guh-el-you’ or worse... Gay-Lou. - Gregory Fulton
Story[edit | hide]
"Gelu had barely graduated from the Forest Guard, ready for a fight and eager to prove himself. His seriousness was surprising in one so young and contrasted greatly against the boisterous Crag Hack." - Yog's letter to the Wizards of Bracada SoD manual
According to Gregory Fulton, Gelu and Catherine are relatives, both being red-haired being a hint about this[src], though it is unsaid how closely they are related.
Alternative biography 
[edit | hide]
The following biography appeared on the official (now-defunct) 3DO website:
- Little is known about Gelu's origins. History reports he was a baby found by Morgan Kendal during his military service as a lieutenant under the command of Captain Catherine Gryphonheart during her original tour of duty with the Talon brigade.
- Essentially born into the Erathian military, the Talon brigade raised Gelu as their own. At an early age, Gelu chose to serve with the Erathian military and quickly rose through the ranks. Currently, he serves as Captain of the elite special forces company called Forestguard. At home in the wilderness, Gelu has made the Forestguard company into the best 'guerilla' unit in the Erathian military. Known for their stealthy approach and quick strike attacks, Forestguard overwhelmed enemies three and four times their size in the course of the Restoration War. With the war's end, Catherine Ironfist bestowed upon Gelu, the highly prized Erathian Medal of Gallantry.
Specialty[edit | hide]
The cost of upgrading units to Sharpshooters is:
 Archer |
→ | 300  |
→ | 
|
 Marksman |
→ | 250 |
→ |
|
 Wood Elf |
→ | 200 |
→ |
|
 Grand Elf |
→ | 175 |
→ |
|
Appearances[edit | hide]
Heroes III Complete   
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Heroes Chronicles 
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Gallery[edit | hide]
User Commentary
Gelu's special ability is formidable. Even so powerful that he is typically disabled in custom-made maps. While you should have no reasonable difficulty using Gelu as a main hero during the single player campaign, he could also be used as a sharpshooter-upgrading-support-hero sitting in a town garrison or following your main hero.