Smashing the Compass

Smashing the Compass 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 Stowe and Erke at St. Paul's Cathedral to discuss The Compass.

Dialogue

As Eivor went to meet the reeves inside Saint Paul's, a crowd of angry Lundeners were outside one of its doors.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: The Good Sister was murdered, and where were your guards! You hear me Erke? Her blood's on you! It's a ruse, I tell you! It's them that killed Tryggr and shifted the blame!

Around the other side of the building she found another angry crowd.

• Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: Avgos was a hero, and you let him die! A hero for all Lunden! They'll hand Lunden to the unwashed tides, mark these words!
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: Death to the usurpers!
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 3: Stollid Reeves! (Stupid sheriffs!)

Eivor went inside and found the reeves, head bent together, Erke's arm wrapped around Stowe.

• Eivor: Some surly guests outside.

The two separated quickly.

• Erke: Eivor... we were... we didn't see you enter.

About timeBe carefulSomething's brewing outside

• Eivor: It's about time you found each other. Stopped tiptoeing around it.
• Erke: Yes, I've found Stowe, and he's found me, and... here we are... together.
• Eivor: Have you stepped out today? There's a strange feeling brewing in the streets.

• Eivor: Be cautious with that. Anyone could've walked in.
• Stowe: They might have. And I'll serve penance before God, but I will not feel shame. Not ever.
• Erke: Times being what they are, Elska, I'd rather not join Tryggr among the headless.
• Eivor: You make a well-timed point. Have you stepped out today? There's a strange feeling brewing in the streets.

• Eivor: Have you stepped out today? There's a strange feeling brewing in the streets.

• Erke: I've heard the shouts. The deaths of Avgos and Frideswid have angered many.
• Eivor: Let's hope The Compass numbers among the offended.
• Stowe: I don't doubt it. But are we ready for him?

Let's go over the factsWhat do we know about The Compass?I need more time (Leave)

• Eivor: Let's go over all that's happened up 'til now.
• Stowe: Tryggr was killed and dismembered by men who worked for him, men he trusted. Avgos, The Arrow. Our brother in arms. He wanted Lunden for The Order.
• Erke: And the Good Sister. That's another knife to the back. Lunden's Saint, Sister Frideswid. She was The Leech and the city was her meat market. Your bishop has already issued an apology on behalf of the Church.
• Eivor: It's time we focused on The Compass. Gather all we know and lay it out, plain as day.

• Eivor: It's time we focused on The Compass. Gather all we know and lay it out, plain as day.

• Eivor: I have more to do first. I'll be back.
• Stowe: We'll be waiting.

Eivor left and returned again later.

• Stowe: Are you ready?

• Stowe: Aye.

Time passed as Eivor and the reeves talked about The Compass.

Eivor and the reeves preparing for The Compass

• Eivor: We let fly the feather-dart, squeezed raven-ink from a loathsome leech. Now we wait, wolf-tensed, for the master of the river-rib to return and revenge his shaken warriors.
• Erke: Well, well... this one's got the gift of Odin's mead.

Eivor gave Erke a small smile, but Stowe's eyes never left the table.

• Eivor: What's on your mind, Stowe?
• Stowe: We know The Compass is a sailor, a captain from Francia.
• Erke: And he won't like hearing he's got a leak in his hull, so to speak. With the deaths of The Leech and The Arrow, he'll want to hit back. But we can't know how or when.
• Eivor: Apart from this, the man's invisible. A coward if you ask me.

The door was barged in as a warrior tossed a torch inside.

• Norse Warrior 1: Burn in your Hell, you bloody reeves!

Eivor ran towards him, but was stopped by a burst of fire blocking her path.

• Erke: We're penned in!
• Eivor: Is there another way out?
• Stowe: The tower! There's an open window they can't have reached.
• Eivor: I'll go up. You find a way out!

Eivor climbed the gate and made her way to the tower.

• Stowe: (coughing) Eivor, make for the steeple!
• Erke: The Nornir still spun for us, my Stowe. We've many years yet. Come on!

The church on fire

As she reached the rafter entrance to the tower, some of the roof collapsed in front of it. Eivor slid beneath the fallen beams. Reaching the top of the tower, Eivor broke through from above and saw the whole of Lunden on fire as its citizens were attacked. At this moment, Eivor discovered that Palatinus Vicelin was The Compass. As she descended from the tower, she could hear Erke and Stowe shouting.

• Erke: Thor's hammer, what was that?
• Stowe: Eivor! We're at the door! Erke! Help me with this!
• Erke: I'm trying! It's blocked!

Outside the church, a group of attackers had blocked the door.

• Norse Warrior 2: They're blocked inside!
• Norse Warrior 3: Let them burn!

Eivor attacked the assailants.

• Norse Warrior 4: Kill them all!
• Stowe: Cowards! Open this door and face us!
• Norse Warrior 4: That's only a taste of the hellfire you'll see!

Freed Erke and Stowe firstKilled the enemies first

Eivor broke the boxes and boards that had been barricading the door, liberating the reeves.

• Stowe: Let's go!
• Erke: Fresh air!
• Stowe: You'll pay with your lives.
• Erke: Come at me!

Eivor and the reeves defeated their attackers.

Eivor cleared out all the soldiers singlehanded before turning back to the blocked doors.

• Stowe: Eivor, we're still inside!
• Erke: Do take your time though, we may throw a picnic!

Eivor broke the boxes and boards, liberating the reeves.

• Stowe: Let's go!
• Erke: Fresh air!

• Stowe: That's the lot of them.
• Erke: Let's get clear of this inferno!

Eivor and the reeves regrouping

Eivor followed the reeves to a clearer area.

• Eivor: I had a view of the city from the roof. There's a new flotilla in the harbor.
• Erke: The Compass.
• Stowe: Bastard. If we commandeered the springalds that Avgos built, we could rain a cloud of arrows on the invaders.
• Erke: I'd sooner take the flank and go around this army to the boats. If we cut the head of this beast, The Order's men will be easy to rout.

Timed to answer, Eivor considered her plan of action.

Springalds with StoweFlanking with ErkeI'll go aloneTime ran out

• Eivor: I want those springalds on our side. I'll follow you Stowe.
• Stowe: Up on the ramparts. We'll redirect their fire.

• Eivor: Let's focus on The Compass. Kill him, and the battle's won.
• Erke: I can lead you straight to him. Through the reeds, like Stowe's Moses.

• Eivor: I'll go my own way. Less danger to you both.

• Eivor: I'll go my own way. Less danger to you both.

• Erke: Whatever happens, this ends tonight.
• Stowe: May God guide our swords and cover our backs.

Eivor started to take her leave.

• Erke: Don't be reckless, Little Voice.
• Stowe: I'll see you when it's done, Erke. Count on it.

Eivor followed StoweEivor followed ErkeEivor went alone

• Stowe: Follow me to the ramparts, Eivor! They'll have no chance!

Eivor and Stowe ran towards the springalds.

• Stowe: The springalds are close!

Eivor and Stowe were soon met with resistance.

• Stowe: You are no match for us!

Eivor followed Stowe after defeating their attackers, aiding the city's defenders as they went.

• Stowe: Regroup with me, Fyrds!

Near one of the gates to the harbor, Eivor saw an enemy soldier standing over a civilian.

• Norse Warrior 8: No one left to save you! Where's your silver? Where?
• Anglo-Saxon Man 2: Let me go! My children? Where are you?

Eivor attacked the warrior and the man ran away.

• Norse Warrior 8: It's that damned Norse!

Eivor killed the warrior, then made it the rest of the way to the springalds with Stowe.

• Stowe: Let's turn these springalds back on The Compass.

Eivor used the springalds to take out many of the enemy warriors before going after The Compass.

• Erke: Follow me. I know a path straight to the docks. We'll be able to flank them.

Eivor and Erke travelled on top of the houses.

• Erke: Let's go!

Near one of the other harbor entrances, she heard a man calling for help.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 3: I can't breathe! I can't— Please help! Someone, I can't get free! Help! Anyone! The door's blocked!

Eivor went inside a burning house and picked the man up.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 3: Ah! My arm! Get me out of here! Please!

Outside the house, she put him on the ground.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 3: My home! Ruined. I am deep in your debt, stranger.

Eivor continued the rest of the way to the docks with Erke.

• Erke: This way! The docks are burning! Take this path. You'll avoid most attention. I'll give you cover when I can.

• Stowe: Godspeed, my friends.

Along the way, Eivor assisted Stowe and Erke's men in fighting the attacking soldiers.

• Norse Warrior 5: Burn it to the ground!
• Norse Warrior 6: (Laugh)
• Norse Warrior 7: Forward, forward! Kill them all!

Eivor made her way across the flotillas to a large ship near the far side of the Thames and found The Compass.

• Vicelin: Avgos and Frideswid were too confident. I don't suffer from the same disease. I'll drown and burn every last man, woman, and child in this shithole city.
• Eivor: So this is The Compass. Large enough to ford an ocean.

Eivor clashing against Vicelin

Eivor boarded Vicelin's barge to engage him in single combat.

• Vicelin: Look here, Stowe and Erke's lapdog! You've stolen me from Francia!

Eivor and Vicelin fought while he called on his remaining archers to attack her, who may or may not have already been dispatched by her.

• Vicelin: Will none of you lift a finger to aid your master?

Little by little, Eivor weakened Vicelin.

• Vicelin: Persistent bastard!
  Defiant to the end!
  You die here, Dane!

Eivor finally got the upper hand and assassinated Vicelin. In the Memory Corridor, Vicelin sat relaxed upon his throne, drinking from a goblet. Smoke rose from the candle on the table before him. Eivor walked up to stand across from him and he rolled his eyes, draining his cup.

• Eivor: Burning to ash what you cannot possess. That's a child's way out.

Tryggr's severed head on the plate

Wiping his mouth, Vicelin leaned forward, looking at Tryggr's severed head, sat upon a platter on his table. Odin walked up beside Eivor, looking at the head as well.

• Vicelin: To Hell with Lunden. Boudicca was right to burn it to the ground. It's a brick and mortar shithouse.

Vicelin leaned back and studied the candle flame. He waved his hand through the fire.

• Vicelin: So bright and beautiful set aflame. Will you rule over these cinders now? Yoke its people to your whims and needs?
• Odin: You do have power here. Power you have earned.
• Eivor: I have finished my work in Lunden. That's enough.

Vicelin laughed.

• Vicelin: Lunden is only a beginning.

He stood.

• Vicelin: My order reaches further than your tiny boats can take you.

Vicelin looked at Tryggr's head again.

• Vicelin: Never forget, Tryggr, my old friend. A man at sea may have gold and glory.

Vicelin confronted by Eivor

He tossed his medallion to Eivor.

• Vicelin: But he is always a slave to the churning tides. We are that tide.

Vicelin turned and walked away. As he drew further away, fire spread across his body, sending him falling to his knees. His spirit vanished as he fell to the ground. Back in Lunden, Eivor made her way back to the harbor to find the reeves. What archers remained on the ships knelt in surrender.

• Norse Warrior 9: We surrender! Please! No more. No more!
• Norse Warrior 10: Vicelin's dead! Relent! Relent!

As she approached the docks, Eivor could hear the Lundeners cheering.

• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: They're fleeing!
• Anglo-Saxon Soldier 2: Lunden stands!

Eivor and the reeves celebrate their victory

Eivor found Erke and Stowe at the Dour Gate.

• Erke: There you are. The drengr we must thank for our good fortune.
• Eivor: How do I look? Half-drowned and half-burnt?
• Stowe: Not half of either. And far better for the blood on your blade.
• Eivor: The Compass is dead. Lunden is yours... to wreck or rebuild.
• Erke: We will rebuild. We'll strengthen the walls, reunite families... and likely use less wood, more stone.

Stowe gave a small laugh.

• Stowe: Ill-timed, Erke. I'd like a quiet moment to pray.

Erke put his hand on Stowe's shoulder.

• Erke: We'll take it together.
• Eivor: Until our next meeting, I trust you'll heed my call if I should send for you.
• Stowe: You came to Lunden in search of a friend, Eivor. You found two.
• Erke: Aye, Broga. And you deserve this.

Erke presenting Eivor a friendship ring

Erke pulled out an arm ring, presenting it to Eivor.

• Erke: A silver ring for your raven perch. It was Tryggr's before he gifted it to me. I say you've earned the right to wear it now.
• Eivor: I'm touched, Erke. I'll carry it with pride.

Eivor took her leave as the reeves departed together.

• Eivor: Now, it seems the wind calls me back to Randvi. Best tell her the good news.'

Outcome

Eivor eliminated The Compass, ending his invasion of Lunden.

Gallery

• 
  A citizen setting the church on fire
• 
  Eivor meeting Erke and Stowe in the church
• 
  Erke and Stowe sharing a moment
• 
  Eivor finding an alternate escape route
• 
  Eivor stopping before she fall into the burning flames
• 
  Vicelin's fleet
• 
  Vicelin's final moments

References

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla