The following contains spoilers for Willow Season 1, Episode 3, "The Battle of the Slaughtered Lamb," now streaming on Disney+.
The original Willow, in typical George Lucas fashion, tossed out distinct names and places with no other context. To build some lore around the world of Willow Ulfgood and friends, the Disney+ series just revealed the origin of the powerful Kymerian Cuirass that Madmartigan left to find.
In the original film, the only places given names are the "destroyed" kingdoms of Tir Asleen, Galladoorn and evil Queen Bavmorda's still-intact seat, Nockmaar. Like the original installment of Lucas' other fantasy universe, save for one roguish hero the conflict is light and dark. The world of Willow Ulfgood felt bigger than the movie, even though all that ever followed was a series of novels by Lucas and Chris Claremont. The Willow Disney+ series, however, is tailor-made for world-building. Not only are the characters able to take their time in places, but the obvious goal is to create a kind of Willow-verse. Characters like Boorman or, original film alum, Sorsha seem primed for spinoffs. They could even do the ol' Witcher: Blood Origin trick and just invent a prequel. And the tale of the Kymerian Cuirass could be that story.
The Myth of the Kymerian Cuirass Has an Unreliable Narrator in Boorman
Replacing Madmartigan in the party is Boorman, an untrustworthy thief who started adventuring as his squire. Yet, given that he started the series in a cell at Sorsha's order, chances are he abandoned or, worse, double-crossed the Queen's husband and Kit and Airk's father. Still, the history sounds epic enough.
Ten thousand years (and three weeks) ago in the capital of Kymeria -- akin to Valyria in this world -- there was a game of thrones. The heir, Thuul, was seen as weak by his brother, Tiberius. So, the sibling launched a siege, and Thuul was losing. Luckily, Queen Mother Annabelle was "a fey of the grove" and could make armor. She made Thuul a cuirass, or chest plate, of "pure chromium." She then used a magical artifact, called the Lux Arcana, to activate the armor. Thuul was, according to Boorman, able to stand against his brother's army while wearing it. Yet, what really makes it special is that Sorsha found old scrolls discussing the object. She and Madmartigan believed it would be able to better protect Elora Danan from the ancient evil coming for her, known only as the Withered Crone.
It also seems to be a device that Boorman wants for himself. In this world, as Elora discovers, magic doesn't work for everyone. He retrieves the Lux Arcana, suggesting this magical device is more important than a chest full of chromium, especially when Bone Reavers are on the hunt.
Is the Kymerian Cuirass for Elora Danan or Boorman or Someone Else?
To sweeten the suspicion that Elora Danan is meant to wear this magical cuirass, she had some titles added to her name, including "the One True Empress" and "The Last Blood of Kymeria." If she and Thuul share ancestry, it makes some kind of magical sense that it would work for her. Yet, she's also already the chosen one. Willow confesses the true reason he and Sorsha fell out over Elora. In his vision of the future, he saw the young girl die after a great battle. Sorsha remained skeptical, but Madmartigan believed his friend. So, he sought the Kymerian Cuirass, which she did not have in the vision, to protect her.
When Willow tells Elora about the wand, he describes it as "a powerful conduit." However, as the High Aldwin tells his fellow Nelwyn, the caster is the source of the magic. The wand or Willow's cool staff helps him channel the power, but it takes its toll whenever he uses it. This means that Elora might be already powerful enough to not need it. The Kymerian Cuirass, or at least the Lux Arcana, could perhaps go to another character. Graydon could use his knowledge to somehow gain some magic. It may recharge a depleted Willow. Perhaps Boorman or one of the kids find the armor, and they wear it as Madmartigan would've wanted.
Elora Danan shares a family connection with the person the powerful Kymerian Cuirass was made for. However, she also probably has everything she needs to be victorious. Someone in the group will surely use it, they'll just have to be worthy.
Willow debuts new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.