Clues and Riddles

Clues and Riddles was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

Eivor woke up with a hangover and blood on her hands after a night of drinking.

Dialogue

After she woke up, Eivor investigated the dead Anglo-Saxon soldier.

• Eivor: Tewdwr's bodyguard. Killed by knife.

Eivor spied a broken pot on the floor.

• Eivor: This pot has been broken, and it's covered in blood. A weapon, maybe?

Eivor noticed blood near the entrance.

• Eivor: Blood. Could be Tewdwr's if he was the heavy thing being dragged.

Eivor saw an shelf obstructing her way and moved it, revealing another room. Eivor investigated the room and found footprints.

• Eivor: Muddy footprints. Someone was hiding back here.

Outside, Eivor heard guards shouting.

• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: This guard's throat has been cut!
• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 2: Open up! Tewdwr?
• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: What's happened here? Open this door!
• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 2: Come out of there!

Eivor saw something awry with some pots, broke them, and found a pouch.

• Eivor: Gwilim's pouch. I wonder if it still has his little "something stronger." But why is it here? Better hold onto it.

Eivor found all the clues and deliberated the possibilities.

• Eivor: So. What does this lead to? The murderers hid here, lying in wait while we approached outside. They jumped from the shadows to kill the bodyguards. And to disable Tewdwr. Then they dragged him away. That accounts for everything... ...except Gwilim's pouch of herbs.

After her deduction, Eivor remained off from Gwilim's concoction.

• Eivor: I'm still unbalanced by Gwilim's special something. Maybe Mother Modron will know the contents?

Before she left, Eivor found a page near Tewdwr's bed.

Page from Tewdwr's Journal

I am to be Ealdorman. It came as quite a shock, as I have made my interest in furthering my path in the duty of Christ. The Fathers said that though my heart lies with the cloth here in Winchcombe, the Lord has need of me elsewhere. Heresy, devil worship, and hedonism plagues Glowecestre proper like locusts. I am to be their new shepherd, freeing them from the devil's bondage and leading the good people back to His side. I just hope they will be my willing lambs.

Cynon accusing Eivor of murdering Tewdwr

Eivor exited the house, only to be met by Cynon and his guards.

• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 3: There she is!
• Cynon: What is the meaning of this? Blood soaking our soil, and your weapon coated in the same?
• Eivor: Cynon, please, more has happened here than you can see. Give me a right to parley my innocence.
• Cynon: I should have heeded Tewdwr's misgivings about the heathen party guests. And now he has paid with his life. With Tewdwr gone, Glowecestre will be without an ealdorman. Eye for an eye, your Raven Clan will lose their chieftain.
• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 3: Get the murderer!

Cynon left the scene, and Eivor was left to face his guards as they attacked her. Eivor quickly dispatched them.

• Eivor: Hands tacky with old blood from the new king. It would be best to lie low.

Eivor sneaking through the town

Word spread quickly and the whole of Glowecestre became an area of distrust. Eivor pulled up her Mari Lywd disguise from the previous night and moved stealthily to find Modron, overhearing bits of conversation.

• Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: Terrible business. Poor lad.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: I came as soon as I heard. Tewdwr is missing?
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: Murdered! By those visiting Danes no less. It's true what they say, soulless killers the lot of them!

Eivor soon located Modron, who was carving an object near a statue with her daughter Gwenydd.

• Eivor: There is Modron, up ahead.

Eivor spoke with Modron.

• Modron: Hello again.
• Gwenydd: Mother, it's the friend of the mangled-leg man!
• Eivor: Eivor. You remember.
• Modron: Indeed. It's a surprise to see you. Is everything quite all right?

I've been accused of murderI messed upWhat's inside this satchel?

• Eivor: No, it is not. I awoke in Tewdwr's wrecked home. Blood, but no body. Cynon's men are after me for the lad's murder.
• Gwenydd: Oh-oh! Did you stab him? Mother, can I see?

Modron hushed Gwenydd with a hand on her shoulder.

• Modron: Blood, but no body? We must see what has happened to him.

Eivor handed her the pouch.

• Eivor: Last night, I made merry in a most foolish way.
• Modron: O? The gossip mill has not ground its wheat this way yet. What you do need?

Eivor handed her the pouch.

Eivor handed her the pouch.

• Eivor: Do you recognize the contents of this pouch?

Modron sniffed the contents.

• Modron: A very unusual blend. There is a druid who uses this mix to aid sleep.
• Eivor: A monk called Gwilim poured some of it into my drink last night. The effects were intense.
• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 4: Search the houses! Can't have gotten far!

Eivor told the truthEivor withheld the truth

• Modron: They're coming for you. If they know I've aided you, it'll be my head next.
• Eivor: Can you—
• Modron: I've seen nothing, and no one.

• Modron: Damn Christ-sons, what is it they want now? They make this place unlivable for pagans.

• Gwenydd: Mother, if the stranger wants more of the herbs, they can talk to the Druid Halewyn?

Modron directing Eivor to the druid Halewyn

• Modron: Yes! Halewyn's cabin is on a lake near where the Cearrwell and Great Ouse rivers meet. But he's a strange fish. Rarely does he speak to mortals, preferring the company of spirits. Now, I've business at Rollendritch. Find me there later.

Modron left as Eivor began her search for Halewyn's home. Eivor sneaked her way to the east end of Glowecestre and took a horse northeast into the hills, finding the lake Modron mentioned and arriving at the Druid's Cottage.

• Eivor: That must be the home of the druid.

Eivor drew closer to the entrance of the house and took note of the scarecrows lining the land.

• Eivor: The fellow's land is peopled by men of straw.

Eivor met the druid Halewyn while disguised

Eivor knocked on the door.

• Halewyn: Mortals be gone. I'm summoning a spirit of the woods. I'll speak to no one else!
• Eivor: Just as Modron said. Maybe I should disguise myself?

Eivor knocked again.

• Halewyn: If you be mortal, I will not speak to you. I am waiting for the spirit, they come, they come.
• Eivor: He may not speak to Eivor, but perhaps he will speak to the spirit of the Mari Lwyd.

Eivor pulled up her disguise once more and knocked again. Halewyn thrust open the door.

• Halewyn: O spirit, you have finally come! Days ago, a passing cloud foretold your arrival with drops of sun-scented rain. But what form of being are you beneath this guise of horse and bone? From the realm of the fae? I know you cannot say. I press no more.

Did not ignite the wicker menAlready ignited the wicker men

• Halewyn: Whatever you be, now you are here the ritual may begin! But the men of straw must announce you with sparks! Ignite the sky to begin anew, here at the death of the season. Until then, I await you, giving thanks in the glen.

Halewyn went to the center of the glen as Eivor went to each man of straw.

• Eivor: Halewyn said that the wicker men must announce me with fire... Perhaps I should set them ablaze.

Eivor chose the first wicker man and set it on fire.

• Halewyn: Ah! A wicker man speaks! Now let them speak in chorus!

Eivor aiding Halewyn in setting the wicker man on fire

Eivor set the next one ablaze.

• Halewyn: Yes, another joins the throng.

Eivor lit the third on fire.

• Halewyn: Another!

Eivor lit the fourth on fire.

• Halewyn: Let there be cacophony! One more, one more.

Eivor set the last one ablaze.

• Halewyn: They roar! Do you hear them? A chorus of fire!
• Eivor: That should be the last one! Back to the druid.

Halewyn looked around and saw the men of straw already burning.

• Halewyn: Whatever you are, the spirits of straw have burst into flames as herald of your arrival. Come... come this way.

Halewyn went to the center of the glen and bid Eivor to follow.

Eivor investigating the symbol on the door

Eivor looked around the area and a found a marking on one of the doors.

• Eivor: This symbol is one I have seen carved into shields and headstones.

Celtic Knot

Gather the strands, magic bestow
To ward off the spirits of evil and woe.
Tied so tight, the circle is sealed.
Enclosed us within the strength of the shield.

Eivor found an upside-down dagger inside the house.

• Eivor: This dagger is upside-down.

Athame Dagger

Upturned blade, release the past.
Round about be the circle east.
Within the circle, at morning dew,
Death to the old, begin anew.

Eivor found a collection of items on the table inside the house.

• Eivor: A hangman's noose. A knife. And the vials smells of poison. Three ways to kill someone?

Threefold Death

Lords and the lowly die a threefold death.
A hangman's noose stifles the breath.
A knife turns quick to mud.
Drink from the well, you'll cough up blood.

Eivor looked outside the house and found arrays of skulls.

• Eivor: Their mouths are open, like they've been screaming secrets.

Soul Skulls

Tell me, my friend, of the unbreakable bond.
Tell me, O friend, of the journey beyond.
Speak to me, for speak you must.
Speak to me, though your tongue be dust.

Eivor looked under the house and found a grave with a letter.

Love Letter

Another year of early blossoms. Have you sent them from your side? Always the soothsayer in life, I can see you keeping the gods as a captive audience on the other side. Boots has had another litter. We'll be as rich in cats as we were in love. Sleep well, my beast.

On the grave, Eivor spotted two spoons.

• Eivor: Two ladles carved from a single branch. The grooves match.

Double Spoon

The rise of moon, the set of sun,
One is two and two is one.
Day breaks, they mend the cloth,
Evening falls, they share the broth.

The statue of Sabrina

In the lake below the hut, Eivor spied and swam to a statue.

• Eivor: The statue of a woman, Sabrina, watches me from the water below.

Sabrina of the Severn

The long river flows like her flowing red locks.
She plays in the shallow and among the deep rocks,
And if e'er a maiden is in peril or lost
Sabrina will give her comfort and love.

Halewyn asking Eivor various riddles

Eivor spoke to Halewyn.

• Halewyn: Speak to me, O wind!
• Eivor: I have come to ask you a single question.
• Halewyn: Something about your demeanor and your physical manifestation now gives me pause. Are you truly a spirit of light?
• Eivor: I am a spirit as any other.
• Halewyn: Then prove it. You must know the depths of the world's mysteries before I will help you. Tell me the proper use of charms.
• Eivor: Very well. Ask your riddles.

Halewyn conceived several questions and asked three at random. Eivor answered him each time.

The Celtic KnotThe Athame DaggerThe Soul SkullsSabrina of the SevernThe Double SpoonThe Threefold DeathI'll be back.Repeat the question.

• Halewyn: Which charms protects from evil spirits?

("Correct - The Celtic Knot")

• Eivor: The symbol of the Celtic Knot wards off harm.
• Halewyn: A secure knot indeed. Only one of light need not fear it.

• Halewyn: Tell me, O being of air and light. Which is the charm you would use to leave the past behind?

("Correct - The Athame Dagger")

• Eivor: The Athame Dagger cuts our ties with the past.
• Halewyn: The upturned blade! Things can be reversed! You know this charm.

• Halewyn: Which charm is it that gives speech to the dead?

("Correct - The Soul Skulls")

• Eivor: The Skull Souls charm summons voices from death's realm.
• Halewyn: In such fashion, I speak to druids long dead. But of course you, a spirit, would know that.

• Halewyn: Which charm summons aids for maidens?

("Correct - Sabrina of the Severn")

• Eivor: Maidens in peril are protected by Sabrina of the Severn.
• Halewyn: Sabrina the water nymph! Yes.

• Halewyn: Which is the charm that weds souls?

("Correct - The Double Spoon")

• Eivor: The charm of the Double Spoon.
• Halewyn: Yes! Such that a wedded pair can sup broth together.

• Halewyn: Man and woman are made of earth, of water and wind. Which charm clods the earth, dries the water, and stills the wind?

("Correct - The Threefold Death")

• Eivor: Threefold Death stops life's wind, returns a body to earth, and renders water into poison.
• Halewyn: Threefold Death is the charm!

• Eivor: Give me a measure of time.
• Halewyn: Are you a spirit of darkness? If it be not so, come back and try anew.
• Eivor: What are these things he's asking me? There must be trinkets around his house that will help.

Eivor investigated the charms around his residence and returned to Halewyn.

• Halewyn: Speak to me, O wind!

He turned back to Eivor.

• Halewyn: Have you found yourself? If you are a spirit of light, answer me this...

Halewyn repeated the riddle.

Halewyn repeated the riddle.

Eivor answered all of Halewyn's riddles.

• Halewyn: You are a spirit of light! Mabon be praised. Would you like some bread and cream?

Eivor handing the pouch in her possession to Halewyn

• Eivor: No, just the answer to a question. This herb-pouch made its way to Glowecestre in the hands of a strange man. Do you know it?
• Halewyn: Aye. A mix to help him sleep. I filled this very pouch. And over a dandelion wine, he spoke fondly of his home, Cudd Lladron.
• Eivor: Cudd Lladron? Very well. I thank you, Halewyn, but this spirit has others to visit this harvest moon.
• Halewyn: Go with the wind and leaves, good friend of the hills!

Eivor left Halewyn.

• Eivor: Cudd Lladron. Strange name. Meanwhile, Modron awaits me at the stones nearby.

Outcome

After being framed for the apparent murder of Tewdwr, Eivor met with a druid named Halewyn about Gwilim's pouch and learned where Gwilim lived.

Behind the scenes

While the first part of this memory is active, all fast travel points are disabled. However, upon completion of The First Night of Samhain and at least until beginning The Burning of the Wicker Man, Gunnar's in-game actor is moved back to his forge in Ravensthorpe. He may glitch into the counter where Rima is currently working, though Eivor will speak to and trade with her normally, and Gunnar's actor may be subsequently moved to the center of the main path. In either case, he cannot be interacted with, nor will share his remarks on Sigurd's rescue from rescue from Suthsexe until the Glowecestrescire arc is concluded and he has properly resumed his post.

The "fugitive" scenario that this memory initiates shares similarities with the memory "Infrequent Flier" and its subsequent missions from Assassin's Creed II. Both Eivor and Ezio Auditore were framed for the the murder of an official—Giovanni Mocenigo the Doge of Venice and ealdorman Tewdwr, respectively—and had to wear a mask to conceal their identity until they could clear their names, with Eivor wearing a Mari Lwyd skull and Ezio using a Carnevale mask.

Gallery

• 
  Eivor investigating the scene of the mess
• 
  Eivor's vision of Tewdwr being attacked
• 
  Eivor dealing with Cynon's guards
• 
  Guards searching for Eivor as she met with Modron in secret
• 
  Eivor arriving at the druid's home
• 
  Halewyn performing a ritual while surrounded by the wicker man
• 
  Halewyn answering Eivor's question about the pouch

References

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla