Farewells and Legacies

Farewells and Legacies was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

Eivor met with Vili for Hemming's funeral.

Dialogue

Eivor arrived at Odin's Rest for the commencement of Hemming's funeral.

• Eivor: So many Danes, so many Norse. This will be the send-off Hemming deserves. All the funeral preparations are in order. Be patient, Hemming Jarl, we are about to send you on your final journey.

Upon seeing a crowd of funeral attendees, Eivor talked with one of the invitees, who was the one she saved from "dragons" before.

• Eivor: No longer besieged by chickens, I see.
• Norse Warrior (male): Throw the dragons on the fire with the great jarl! We shall devour them together!

Eivor later spoke with the woman, who created voda.

• Eivor: Tell me, what funeral gift did you manage to offer your jarl?
• Norse Woman 1: Some voda survived the fire. It will keep Hemming warm in Odin's hall.
• Eivor: If he is not careful, that voda will burn all of Valhalla down.

Eivor later heard and talked with the Christian man she met before.

• Eivor: Will your god-water survive these flames?
• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: It will. And should Hemming Jarl so desire, our God will be ready to accept him into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Eivor went further into the crowd, where she met some notable guests.

• Eivor: I've not seen your face among the Hemming Clan. From where do you hail?
• Norse Warrior (female): I come on behalf of the mighty Halfdan Ragnarsson of Northumbria. To deliver a gift to the departed Hemming Jarl. These people are good drinkers, and good warriors. Halfdan will be pleased.

(If Jorvik arc was completed)

Eivor speaking to Hjorr during the funeral

With the Order of the Ancients purged from Jorvik, Hjorr Halfsson was in attendance, talking with other attendees and spoke with him.

• Eivor: Hjorr, old friend. It is good to see you here. Is Ljufvina here as well?
• Hjorr: One of us has to stay in Jorvik. She wishes she could be here, but alas, our duties never rest.
• Eivor: Aye. Never. Only Hemming Jarl has that privilege now.

(If Eurvicscire arc was completed)

With his throne in Northumbria secure, Halfdan Ragnarsson was also in attendance and noticed Eivor approach.

• Halfdan: Eivor, we meet again.

Eivor spoke with Halfdan.

• Eivor: Halfdan, it is good to see you.
• Halfdan: Aye, if only our meeting were to take place during a more joyous occasion.
• Eivor: To come all this way... you must have known him well.
• Halfdan: Not as well as I would have liked. But he was a fine warrior, and an honest man. One I could trust. And I trust very few. To Hemming Jarl, Skal.
• Eivor: Aye, Skal.

Eivor soon heard Vili address the funeral guests.

• Eivor: Brothers, sisters, kin and clan. It is time.

Eivor spoke with Vili.

• Vili: Eivor. My father sets forth on his final voyage.
• Eivor: May the winds favor him.
• Vili: The nobles have offered up their funeral gifts. All but you. Present what you have and the celebration may begin.

Let me offer my funeral gift.I will offer it later.

• Eivor: I have it here...

Vili nodded as both he and Eivor walked closer to Hemming's pyre.

• Eivor: In just a moment, Vili. I will return.

Eivor left to mingle with the funeral guests more, then returned to Vili.

• Vili: Eivor. My father sets forth on his final voyage.
• Eivor: As he must.
• Vili: The great Halfdan Ragnarsson sent a beautiful gift with his men. As have all those who loved Hemming. Only your gift remains. Present what you have and the celebration may begin.
  (returns to choices)

Eivor stood before Hemming's pyre and took out her gift, the engraved shield, and placed it with the other funeral gifts.

Engraved with Gungnir RuneEngraved with Web of Wyrd RuneEngraved with Vegvisir Rune

• Eivor: A shield bearing the rune of Gungnir, exalted spear of Odin. May it guide this great's man aim. Eternal be your war-strength, Hemming. Drenched in battle-dew, may you fight until the sky-wolf swallows the sun.

• Eivor: A shield bearing the sign of the Web of Wyrd, woven into this shield as you wove your spirit into our lives. May the skalds sing of you as the gods embrace you. Feast, my friend, in the halls of the free and brave.

• Eivor: In council, you were the wisest. At the hearth, the kindest. In battle the bravest. May the sign of Vegvisir, the Rune of the Way, guide you to the hall to many doors.

Vili neared closer to Eivor.

• Vili: Stand at my side.

Vili and Eivor turned around to the funeral attendees.

• Eivor: Speak from my heart, Hemmingson.

Vili giving a speech to the attendees

Vili and Eivor stood up straight and towards the invited funeral guests.

• Vili: Today we mourn the passing of Hemming Jarl of Snotinghamscire. My father. Our father. He was a towering force. A strength to fear and admire, now gone. Yet together we are the example of his greatness. I see him in each of you. His love for battle, but also peace. For wisdom, sorrow, and joy. His generosity. His spirit. In you, I see his life. And ... His love of drink. Gods, did he love drink! We are these things because he was these things.

Vili and Eivor turned towards Hemming's pyre.

• Vili: Father. We shall be to our children what you were to us. And when they are ready, we will meet you again.

Eivor and Vili looked at each other.

Trygve decided to sacrifice himselfTrygve decided not to sacrifice himself

Trygve met with Eivor and Vili together one last time.

• Trygve: You have made this old man proud. Each of you.

Trygve nodded to both Eivor and Vili.

• Eivor: And you us.

Vili grasped Trygve's shoulder as they bid farewells to each other. Trygve walked to the seer.

• Norse Woman 2: Nine days One-Eye hung from the tree. Nine worlds he saw. Nine runes he found. Nine nights he bled.

The seer slit Trygve's throat as he fell over near Hemming's pyre.

• Vili: Father, receive your loyal servant.

Trygve nodded approvingly as he watched the funeral nearby.

Vili liting the pyre

The seer came and handed Vili the ceremonial torch. Vili walked closer to the pyre and set it aflame. Vili walked back to Eivor.

• Vili: Give him a fine farewell.

Eivor nodded as Vili left. Eivor gave instructions to Sunniva.

• Eivor: Sunniva, ride to Hemthorpe and prepare the longhouse for the Althing. The next jarl will soon take his seat.

Sunniva nodded. Eivor spoke with the seer afterwards.

• Norse Woman 2: You have seen what was needed?
• Eivor: I have. More than enough.

Eivor overheard the guests talking about Hemming Jarl.

• Norse Woman 3: Hemming Jarl was the greatest man I have ever known.
• Norse Man 1: Drink as the great jarl would!
• Norse Man 2: Who will take the great jarl's place? Will we decide at the next Althing?

Eivor met with Sunniva at the longhouse before the althing

Eivor returned to Hemthorpe's longhouse to speak with Sunniva.

• Sunniva: Have they given their jarl a fine farewell?
• Eivor: They have. None drink so well and so deeply as Clan Hemmingson.
• Sunniva: The declaration of succession must happen soon, before we are too drunk and exhausted to remember our names.

Let the Althing begin.Let them celebrate a while longer.

• Eivor: I agree. Call on those who must attend. The Althing will begin shortly.

Sunniva nodded as she left to find the members for the Althing.

• Eivor: While Máni rides through the sky, there is more celebrating to be done.

Eivor and Sunniva parted before convening again later.
(returns to choices)

Time passed as the sun rose for the Althing. Eivor stood near the longhouse as Vili came to find her.

• Vili: Eivor.

Eivor turned around and looked at Vili.

• Eivor: You look... uneasy.

Trygve sacrificed himself on the pyreTrygve was convinced to keep living

• Vili: I am not so drunk I cannot stand but... hang on to me a moment.

Eivor shook her head and smiled.

• Eivor: You do your father proud by this celebration. And by taking his seat. He wanted this, Vili.
• Vili: I mourn for myself, Eivor. For us. You know my heart. It beats for the passion of battle-heat. Not... not this.

That will changeYou are your father's sonI felt the same, once

• Eivor: As long as I have known you, Vili, you have possessed strength you rarely saw in yourself. A wildness. A joy of life. You are your father's son. But you have never let yourself be the fullness of that man. Not until now.
• Vili: A warrior rises with the dawn to follow fresh tracks in the new fallen powder. For that is where adventure lies. I will follow these new tracks, Eivor. Wherever they may lead.

Vili left to address the Althing as Eivor smiled.

• Eivor: As did your father's heart when he was our age. But he grew up. And so shall we. Now go on, man. Show them you are a Hemmingson.

Vili left to address the Althing.

• Eivor: I felt the same. But in time, we all rise to the needs of the people. Who says you won't come to enjoy it?
• Vili: Yes, yes. You're right. And certainly if you can lead, a Hemmingson can.

Eivor shook her head smiling as Vili left to address his people.

• Vili: People of Hemthorpe. Of Ulkerthorpe. Of Snotinghamscire. We honor neither Trygve nor my father by continuing to mourn. These men dedicated their lives to bettering all of Snotingham. They died in that service. Now, I humbly pledge my life to following in their path. And I ask each of you to rise. And be to me what Trygve was to my father. Together, we shall build the world they wished to build.
• Eivor: You have already learned that people prefer shorter speeches to long ones, Vili Jarl.
• Vili: Hm. It will take time to wear that title with comfort.

Eivor nodded.

• Vili: My father never swore a formal oath with your clan. There was no need, for you are family. Let it be known that Hemmings and Clan Raven are true-sworn friends from this day forward. Do you accept?

Eivor and Vili shook hands.

• Eivor: Aye.
• Vili: Well...

Eivor shrugged Vili.

• Eivor: Be fair. Be just. And call upon us often, Arse-Stick.

Vili walked back and sat on the jarl's seat.

• Vili: I am sure I will.

Eivor smiled and left the Althing.

• Vili: Burdened by grief... drowning in mead. And paralyzed by a thought... I stand between that man and jarldom.

Vili motioned to Trygve, who was in attendance.

• Eivor: You stand side by side, Vili. And one of you must step forward.
• Vili: My father placed us side by side, because he trusted your vision. So what do you see?

I see a jarl in youI see Trygve as jarl, and you with me

• Eivor: Drunk as you are, I see before me a man full of passion, vigor, and love for his people. I see a jarl. Your burden will get easier to bear. Take your father's seat. And make it your own.

Vili convinced to take up his father's position as jarl of the clan

Eivor and Vili looked at jarl's seat. Vili smiled and nodded.

• Vili: I will.
• Eivor: Good. Now let them know, Arse-Stick.

Vili shook his head happily and left to address the Althing.

• Vili: People of Hemthorpe, of Ulkerthorpe, of Snotingham. Today, I pledge myself. As my father was, I shall be your jarl. Hemming was a hero, not for who he was, but for the people he led. With Trygve by my side, with all of you, we will have glory.

Eivor and Trygve nodded to each other as Vili approached Eivor.

• Eivor: You have already learned that people prefer shorter speeches to long ones, Vili Jarl.
• Vili: Hm. It will take time to wear that title with comfort.

Eivor nodded.

• Vili: My father never swore a formal oath with your clan. There was no need, for you are family. Let it be known that Hemmings and Clan Raven are true-sworn friends from this day forward. Do you accept?

Eivor securing an alliance with Vili's clan

Eivor and Vili shook hands.

• Eivor: Aye.
• Vili: Well...

Eivor shrugged Vili.

Vili officially crowned as jarl

• Eivor: Be fair. Be just. And call upon us often, Arse-Stick.

Vili walked back and sat on the jarl's seat.

• Vili: I am sure I will.

Eivor smiled and left the Althing.

• Eivor: I see a drengr before me. A man who yearns for the glory of battle. Trygve should be jarl. And you ... you should follow your own path. Wherever it may lead...

Vili nodded.

• Eivor: ...off a cliff and into the ocean, if that is what you need.
• Vili: You know how to ruin a good moment, Wolf-Kissed.
• Eivor: Some time ago you asked about living with us. As one of our war-band. Is that something you still want?
• Vili: To raid with you and Bragi? Gods, yes. Imagine the blood and mead we would spill.
• Eivor: For old times, then. And new alike.

Vili walked closer to Eivor and leaned into her.

• Eivor: Watch the look on the old man's face when he hears what we have planned.

Eivor nodded as both she and Vili smiled. Vili left as he went to address the Althing.

• Vili: I stand before you as Vili Hemmingson, but not as a jarl. There is only one man with the needed honor and wisdom. Only one man my father deemed worthy of following him. Trygve, jarl of Snotingham. May you walk proudly in Hemming's path.

Trygve was shocked.

• Trygve: What is this?
• Vili: Old friend, you deserve this. And so much more. Be proud.

Vili grasped Trygve's shoulder.

• Vili: My future is elsewhere, Trygve. I will go with Eivor, to live and fight beside the Raven Clan.
• Trygve: I... I do not know what to say.
• Vili: Say yes.

Trygve pondered and nodded yes.

• Trygve: Yes. Thank you, Vili. Eivor.
• Eivor: Well done, Arse-Stick.
• Vili: Until my path leads me home, I serve under your banner, Eivor.
• Trygve: Eivor, let my first decree be Hemming's wish. An alliance between our people. When you call, we will rise.
• Eivor: As we shall for you, Trygve Jarl.

Trygve and Eivor shook on their allyship. Eivor left as Vili followed.

If Trygve was jarl, Eivor returned to him.

• Trygve: No one can live up to Hemming Jarl, but I will do my best to serve in his stead. Thank you, Eivor. I entrust Vili to you.

With the funeral of Hemming Jarl and the naming of his successor complete, Eivor readied to return home to Ravensthorpe.

• Eivor: Randvi will want to know about this. It is time I returned to the settlement.

Outcome

Hemming's body was burned and Eivor helped decide who became the next jarl of his clan.

Gallery

• 
  Hemming's funeral underway
• 
  Eivor speaking to a representative of Halfdan's
• 
  Eivor following Vili up to Hemming Jarl's funeral pyre
• 
  Eivor standing before Hemming's funeral pyre
• 
  Vili given a torch by the seeress
• 
  Eivor tasking Sunniva to precede over the upcoming althing
• 
  Eivor speaking to Vili during the althing

Behind the scenes

After Hemming's funeral boat is burned and the game is loaded, the crowd may flee in terror from the funeral pyre, as NPCs are wont to do when fires ignite in the game world. Reloading the auto save after the fire is lit will reset them and the fire may burn out.

Historically, none of the runes featured here are Old Norse or Viking Age runes. The vegvísir, an Icelandic magic stave, is the oldest of the three with its earliest attestation from 1860. The other two seem to have been born out of the Germanic neopagan heathenry movements of the 1970s such as Ásatrú.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla