Gorm Kjotvesson

"Speak no treason against my Order. We are all-wise, all-knowing, and all-powerful. Better to cut out your own tongue than speak against the crystal goddess."

―Gorm to his men in Vinland, c. 875.

Gorm Kjotvesson (died c. 875), also known as The Keel, was a member of the Wolf Clan in the late 9th century as the son of Kjotve the Cruel. He also had a younger brother, Hrolfr.

Following in his father's footsteps, Gorm joined the Order of the Ancients and eventually became the Maegester of the Wardens of War sect, whereupon he led an expedition to Vinland in search of the Grand Temple. During the expedition, he was assassinated by his rival Eivor Varinsdottir of the Raven Clan, putting an end to the Order's search for the temple.

Biography

Life in Norway

Harald: "Gorm Kjotvesson. You dare show your face in this hall? Did not king Styrbjorn and his son Sigurd rid our lands of your foulness?"

Gorm: "The Raven Clan dishonored me, great king! They poisoned my father, Kjotve! They made a mockery of his honorable death."

—Gorm trying to accuse the Raven Clan of poisoning his father before King Harald, 872.

In mid-872, Gorm accompanied his father and younger brother to the southern mountains of Rygjafylke in search of treasure. However, they were followed by members of the rival Raven Clan, including Eivor Varinsdottir, who killed Hrolfr and then cornered Gorm and Kjotve at an abandoned hunting meadhall on the mountain summit. Hoping to recover important scrolls after killing both men, the Vikings attacked the pair but were defeated, allowing Kjotve and Gorm to escape with the scrolls.

Gorm during the assault on Kjotve's fortress

Later that year, the Raven Clan, with support from King Harald Fairhair and the Hidden Ones Basim ibn Ishaq and Hytham, laid siege to Kjotve's fortress. Gorm bore witness to the event, including Eivor challenging his father to a holmgang, as retribution for Kjotve killing her parents Varin and Rosta years prior. After Eivor defeated and killed Kjotve, Gorm refused to surrender and briefly taunted the Raven Clan before fleeing the battle.

Shortly after, Gorm attended an althing called by King Harald in Alrekstad, despite his unwelcome presence. During his stay in the settlement, he was confronted inside his cabin by Eivor, who had snuck by his guards. Although the Viking wished to kill Gorm, she was ultimately forced to leave after beating him due to an ongoing truce called by King Harald.

Gorm attempting to gain King Harald's backing

Following this, Gorm appeared before Harald and accused Eivor of poisoning Kjotve, denying his father a glorious death and, thus, entry into Valhalla. However, this was proven false by Harald himself, who said that his uncle Guthorm had witnessed Kjotve's death firsthand. The king then invited Eivor to decide Gorm's fate and, as punishment, Gorm was renamed "Worm" and exiled from Norway along with his men.

Expedition in Vinland and death

Eivor: "More lies from a liar born. Now speak the truth. What brought the Order to this place?"

Gorm: "To free a goddess, a creature of power and light... buried by the Jötnar in ages past."

—Gorm revealing the purpose of his search in Vinland, 875.

By 875, Gorm had followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Wardens of War sect of the Order of the Ancients, eventually becoming its Maegester. During his tenure as Maesgester, Gorm came into possession of a Crystal Ball that "spoke" to him. Following directions given through the artifact by the Isu Juno, Gorm brought the Ball to Vinland. There, Gorm and his men sought to find and access the Grand Temple, which Juno was imprisoned in, and brought slave laborers to work in their camps.

Gorm and Eivor in the Memory Corridor

However, Gorm's old rival from Norway, Eivor, who had begun hunting down other members of the Order, tracked him to Vinland with the help of the Hidden One Hytham. There, she infiltrated one of Gorm's camps and killed him, whereupon she experienced a vision in which Gorm was condemned to "fade to mist [and] be forgotten" for eternity in Niflheim instead of going to Valhalla, much to his horror. With Gorm dead, Eivor recovered his Crystal Ball and gave it to new owners, the native Kanien'kehá:ka of Karonhiakèn:iate'.

Behind the scenes

Gorm is one of only two Order members in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla who are given a surname, the other being Yohanes Loukas.

While Gorm's father, Kjotve, is a historically attested individual, Gorm himself is not. Kjotve did however have a different historically attested son, Thor Haklang, who died in the Battle of Hafrsfjord and has not appeared or been mentioned in any Assassin's Creed media.

Gallery

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  Gorm fleeing Kjotve's fortress following his defeat
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  Gorm confronted by a hooded Eivor
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  Gorm assassinated by Eivor
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  Gorm holding the Crystal Ball
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  Gorm's final moments

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Ravens' Wound
• The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)