The Burning of the Wicker Man

The Burning of the Wicker Man 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 traveled to Glowecestre to witness the burning of the Wicker Man.

Dialogue

Eivor arrived back in Glowecestre from the Aelfwood, her riding in circles around the shire completed.

• Eivor: I have returned.

Near the southwest riverbank she found and spoke with Gunnar, who stood beside his love Brigid.

• Eivor: Gunnar. It's good to see a face I trust, even your frightful mug. I thought this could be our shared saga, but it's time to leave, and we spent time naught but a drink together.
• Gunnar: Worry not, Eivor. You and I have many tales to tell yet. And our names ring out clear and with honor.
• Eivor: Ja, a tale. A tale of Glowecestre. Beautiful land, full of damned fools.
• Gunnar: Ha! I will drink to that. You have my thanks.
• Eivor: Anything for you, old friend.
• Gunnar: Then let us say our farewells to this Wicker King, and then be on our way home.
• Eivor: Yes, Randvi will be eager to meet Brigid.

All three of them took their leave.

• Eivor: Brigid and Gunnar have already gone ahead. I should join them.

Eivor meeting Modron before the burning

If Eivor spared Modron, she had a chance to speak with her.

• Eivor: You owe me your prophecy, witch.
• Modron: And I shall give it. You are a great warrior, conqueror of this land, and that of your birth. But, at the end of all things, you will find yourself with nothing but your regrets.
• Eivor: I... I see.

Cynon is deadCynon is alive

Eivor met with Tewdwr, who had assumed the ealdorman's duties ahead of the festival due to Cynon's earlier demise.

Eivor met with Cynon, who stood ready to hand over his duties as ealdorman to his successor Tewdwr.

The wicker man loomed large, ready to burn for the final act of the festival.

Eivor spared CynonEivor killed Cynon

Killed ModronSpared Modron

Cynon spoke to Eivor.

• Cynon: Tell me please. What of Modron?
• Eivor: Dead and burned on a pyre much like this one.

Cynon cried slightly.

• Cynon: I didn't think... I hoped you would spare her at least.

Eivor meeting with the group before wicker man

Cynon faced Modron.

• Cynon: We first met at Simkin's wicker man ascension. I was besotted with you at a glance.
• Modron: So long ago... Some poetic symmetry after twenty years of prosperity.

Modron giving Cynon his last kiss

Modron walked towards Cynon and kissed him goodbye. Afterwards, Modron left the conversation as she readied herself for the ceremony.

Cynon looked to his daughter Gwenydd.

• Cynon: Gwen.
• Gwenydd: Please don't do it. We can burn something else. Someone else.

She started to back away but then ran to hug her father.

• Cynon: Peace, dearheart, I will join the dirt that grows the trees and the barley. My body feeding the gods, worms, and even you. So, I will be here. And, a long, long time from now, when you're old and wrinkled like an apple... you will see me again.
• Gwenydd: Father, I thought I could be ready.

The burning ceremony about to begin

All prepared for the last rites before the burning.

• Tewdwr: It is time.

Cynon handing the crown to Tewdwr

Cynon turned around and gave Tewdwr the horned helm.

• Cynon: Then this is yours.
• Eivor: This is your path, Tewdwr. No thorns and briars could keep you from it.
• Tewdwr: And you, Eivor, friend of Glowecestrescire. You have lived up to your reputation.
• Cynon: I know you owe me less than nothing, but please, take care of them.
• Tewdwr: I take no pleasure in the suffering of others. You would know this if you had given me a chance.

Cynon giving a final speech to the residents

Cynon, regretting his role in Modron's plot, walked to his townspeople.

• Cynon: Twenty years I have been your ealdorman. Now these old bones are ready for my last duty. I have worked alongside you. Clearing fields, brewing drink, births, and deaths. All, growing and learning.

Halewyn walked towards Cynon.

Cynon was notified of the wicker man ready to be burned

• Halewyn: The wicker man is ready, O King. Your altar awaits.

Cynon nodded.

• Cynon: I am honored to be your Harvest King. With this flame set, may our crops be plentiful and our winters brief!

Cynon walked towards the Wicker Man.

• Tewdwr: Despite it all, he has the ending he prayed for.
• Eivor: Straight to the mouths of hungry gods.

Eivor held the starting fire for the burning.

• Tewdwr: Eivor, the honor is yours.

Eivor walked around the knoll, overhearing some civilians.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: Praise the Harvest King!

Others mourned what was to come.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 2: Bloody pagans.
• Anglo-Saxon Child: Why does Cynon have to go?
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 1: He's saving us all, love.
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 2: Dear God, preserve Cynon's soul.
• Anglo-Saxon Woman 3: Thank you for your life, O King.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 3: Gods, please bless our fields with this sacrifice.

Having heard the townsfolk's words, Eivor cast her torch at the wicker man, beginning the bonfire.

The wicker man being burned

Townspeople came and threw their own fires for the burning as others celebrated the Wicker Man. Cynon gave his last praise inside the Wicker Man.

• Cynon: Our Father, who art in Heaven. Our Mother, who art in Earth. Please—Please accept this offering. Take of me my flesh and bone and bless... bless... (screaming)

Cynon burned alive as the shire's people watched.

• Tewdwr: The burning of the Harvest King. It is a momentous occasion for many here. Like the Christ, he sacrifices himself for his people. So that they may prosper.
• Eivor: But this is an empty platter for your gods. Hungry bellies are known to retaliate.
• Tewdwr: None can take Cynon's place. And to put his corpse in the pyre would be an insult. Christ turns his eyes from this ritual.
• Eivor: But you condone it?
• Tewdwr: I am to be Tewdwr of a united land. I can no longer turn my eye from anything.

Killed ModronSpared Modron

• Tewdwr: Tradition dictates the burning be overseen by the high priestess. Modron is missed here.
• Eivor: My hand has hindered this blot (ceremony) twice then.
• Gwenydd: Then I will oversee, as is my right, my blood.
• Eivor: I took Modron from you. You have every right to feud with my line. Once you're old enough to hold a sword.
• Gwenydd: Mother saw your fate. The future will punish you greater than I ever could.
• Tewdwr: Punishment or not, you will go into the future as Glowecestrescire's ally.

Modron walked into the conversation, besides Gwenydd.

• Modron: Ealdorman Tewdwr.
• Tewdwr: Mother Modron.

They nodded to one another.

• Eivor: So you two will form an accord? Heathens and Christ-kin in an uneasy truce?
• Tewdwr: The pagans of Glowecestre are my people, just as the children of Christ are.
• Eivor: And our alliance?
• Tewdwr: Strong as iron.

Tewdwr approached Eivor closely.

• Tewdwr: And someone I will never forget.

Tewdwr leaned in and kissed Eivor on the cheek.

Tewdwr kisses Eivor on the cheek

Time passed as Halewyn commenced the ceremony.

• Halewyn: Let the flame be set. May the crop be abundant!
• Tewdwr: Eivor, the honor is yours.

Eivor walked around the knoll, overhearing some civilians.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: Praise the Harvest King!

Another man sobbed.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 2: Bloody pagans.

Having heard the townsfolk's words, Eivor cast her torch at the wicker man, beginning the bonfire.

The wicker man being burned

Townspeople came and threw their own fires for the burning as others celebrated the Wicker Man. As it burned, the shire's people watched.

As the wicker man and its interior burned to ashes, Eivor's time in Glowecestrescire came to a close.

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

Outcome

Eivor took part in the burning of the Wicker Man as the town watched the festival's end.

Behind the scenes

If Modron was killed during The Gutted Lamb, Gwenydd will appear at the burning. If Modron was spared, she and her daughter will be present to bid goodbye to Cynon, if he was spared at the end of A Love Betrayed.

If Modron was killed, Tewdwr will escort Gwenydd back to Glowecestre, walking the whole way through the Aelfwood. However, his actor will stumble with each step as though he is still deeply inebriated from The First Night of Samhain.

If Cynon was killed, Tewdwr seals the alliance with Eivor with a kiss on the cheek. While it might be assumed to be the result of flirting with during Samhain, it happens regardless of actual dialogue choice. It is likely that a more layered outcome was planned at some point in development but was ultimately dropped. This scene will only play if Cynon was killed, and while it might be indicative of Tewdwr developing romantic feelings towards Eivor regardless of how she speaks to him throughout the arc, the events of the arc made it unlikely a romance was ever consummated. His dialogue in Holy Day changes depending on the Samhain choice, but Eivor automatically responds to his "composing of a poem" with polite dismissal.

Upon completing the arc, Eivor receives a large turnip as a quest item. Like the turnip jack-o'-lanterns seen throughout the arc, and as indicated in the item description, the player can optionally place this turnip on the low table at the end of Eivor's bed in Ravensthorpe, which is shown to have been carved into a jack-o'-lantern by Eivor outside the course of gameplay.

Gallery

• 
  Eivor meeting with Brigid and Gunnar before the burning begins
• 
  Cynon saying his goodbyes to his ladylove, Mother Modron
• 
  Cynon giving Gwenydd a final hug as father and daughter
• 
  Cynon within the wicker man
• 
  Eivor holding the fire