Dark Before Dawn

Dark Before Dawn 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 spoke with her allies during the final preparations for the siege.

Dialogue

Eivor arrived at Sigfred's Forward Camp to find her allies. Eivor overheard some warriors talk about the impending siege.

• Norse Man 1: We fight for the warrior besides us, nothing else. Not gold, not glory.
• Norse Warrior 1: True. Battle pours out its strong red wine, and we are drunkards.
• Norse Man 1: Bloodlust and battle-drunk. It is the only time I am alive.

Eivor noticed Goll and went to talk with her as she heard a man consoling his horse.

• Norse Man 2: Hush, do not fret, my faithful friend. It is a great honor to be sacrificed as Odin's steed. Today you die, but tomorrow you run free in the green fields of Asgard.

Eivor heard two more around the camp.

• Norse Warrior 2: They say Halfdan Ragnarsson is the strongest of Ragnar's sons.
• Norse Warrior 3: Strong he is. Once, he took an arrow in the shoulder. He tore it out and shot it right back. He hit that Saxon through the eye of his helm at three hundred paces. A true tale.

Eivor talked with Goll.

• Eivor: You. Where are Sigfred and Toka?
• Goll: Ah. Battle must be near. The crow has come for the feast.
• Eivor: You have a clever tongue, friend, but tomorrow we all speak in a language older than words.
• Goll: Fate already knows who lives and who dies.
• Eivor: Again I ask. Where are the others?
• Goll: Fetching more catapults for tomorrow's attack. You can wait.
• Eivor: I shall wait. Somewhere else.

Eivor waiting by herself

Eivor left and went to wait at a bench near a tree nearby. As she waited, Eivor talked to her raven, Sýnin.

• Eivor: Far from home, before another city of strangers. When did our lives become a saga, Sýnin? Yes. I know the day. The very day when Mother and Father died. Count Odo will not hear reason, Charles plays games. I cannot trust the lives of my people with such men. The queen now, she I could trust, but she lacks power. My place is here. With Sigfred and Toka, come what may.

Time passed as Eivor was alarmed by Toka.

Eivor joined by Toka at the campfire

• Toka: Eivor, you return. That means all is ready and we cannot turn back now.
• Eivor: Why do you worry? You'll collect more swords.
• Toka: I know how to fight other warriors on the field of battle. This is a city. There will be flames.
• Eivor: It matters not. Tomorrow we will fight as warriors, not ruthless killers. This I swear, upon my honor.

Sigfred walked into the conversation.

• Sigfred: Ah, Eivor the Talker. And to whom have you so freely given your word about how my battle goes?

Eivor walked towards Sigfred.

• Eivor: I said it, the gods heard it. That is enough.
• Sigfred: And if I say we burn this city to ashes and feed the crows with children, what say you?

Say what you wishMind who feeds the ravensWho will obey?

• Eivor: If you truly would say such a thing, who am I to heed your words? But I thought you a better man than this.

• Eivor: Then I would say, mind who is first to feed the ravens, lest it be yourself.
• Toka: Eivor does not mean these words.
• Sigfred: Quiet, Toka. Let the Talker speak. Come, Eivor. Tell me again how I shall feed the crows.
• Eivor: My steel will speak for me tomorrow, to my foes. I have no quarrel with you. Yet.

• Eivor: Say what you like, Sigfred, but we are free thegns, all of us. You are not our jarl nor our king.

Regardless of her words, Sigfred laughed in approval.

• Sigfred: Good. Good! Keep that fire burning through the night. It shall kindle our vengeance at the break of dawn.
• Toka: Time to go lie on my furs. How do you do that, Eivor? Sleep before a battle, I mean?
• Eivor: Easy. I remember my mother's murder, each moment. Second, I recall every word the All-Father ever said to me. And finally, I think upon this war-filled world, and of the next, the hall of endless wonder. Only then do I rest.

Eivor left Toka to ponder her words. She went back to camp to sleep in the tent set for her.

Eivor slept through the night, waking up to Sigfred speaking towards his people.

Sigfred giving a speech to the Vikings

• Sigfred: Today, warriors, we shall take that city, and sack it, and burn it to the ground. And tonight, friends, we shall feast in Odo's palace... or in Odin's hall, with the choosers of the slain! Now is the time of honor. The hour of our glory.

Sigfred stopped as he saw the mystic elk from Sinric's grave.

• Sigfred: The day of vengeance!

As Sigfred's warriors roared, Sýnin flew above as the city of Paris was seen in the distance. The siege soon started as Sigfred's warriors attacked the Frankish soldiers at the front lines, as the siege took its first tolls on both sides.

• Norse Man 3: Shields!

Below the Wooden Bridge, Sigfred's warriors killed the guards as Toka spotted the jars of grease Eivor placed earlier. With a crossbow, Toka took aim at and ignited them, taking down the bridge.

Ebels and Gozlin leading the troops to confront the Vikings

With their advantage, Eivor and Sigfred, with their warriors, headed towards the entrance of the Île de la Cité. At the same time, Count Odo stood by the brother warriors, Gozlin and Ebels, for the impending fight. Odo gave Gozlin a nod as Gozlin prayed and crossed himself in the name of his Lord. Odo left as Gozlin and Ebels led their troops.

• Gozlin: Who is the King of Glory? The Lord is strong and mighty in battle.

Gozlin brandished his grand golden cross and placed it in front of him.

• Gozlin: He trains my hands for war, so that my arms may hold this cross of gold. I shall not yield.

Sigfred stepped forward, besides Eivor, and recited a war chant while another Viking brought forth a scorn pole of a slain horse's head, handing it to Sigfred.

• Sigfred: Brave Sif, bring the gift of victory.
  Odin, lend me your helm of awe.
  Vidar, feed my need for vengeance.
  O Vanir, O Aesir, crush these walls!

Ebels stepping forward to fight

Ebels signaled Gozlin to leave as he stood forward.

• Ebels: I am the gates of Paris!

Sigfred signaled Eivor to fight as stood behind. As each side readied their people, Ebels and Eivor fought each other.

• Ebels: Die for me, heathen coward!

Ebels was weakened halfway through their encounter.

• Ebels: No, coward! Fight fair!

Ebels soon lost his fight as Eivor killed him. Soon after, a catapult broke through the gates as Toka and Sigfred joined Eivor.

• Sigfred: The gates! The gates have fallen! The city is ours! Spare no one!
• Toka: By Sif and Týr, the day is ours!
• Eivor: Fate favors the brave. Now what, Sigfred?
• Sigfred: Rush the palace gates! We will bring the whole place crashing down on Odo's skull.

Outcome

The Siege of Paris began as Eivor fought and killed Ebels at the gates of Île de la Cité.

Behind the scenes

Upon sleeping in the tent, the player is locked into a lengthy series of memories portraying the events of the Siege of Paris. Fast travel and conventional manual saving and quick-saving will not be available at any point until the events of the siege are all complete, and the player must rely on autosaves generated at specific checkpoints in case of desynchronization, glitches, or anything else that may interfere with progression.

Gallery

• 
  Eivor speaking to Sýnin on her thoughts on the siege
• 
  Sigfred asking Eivor on her thoughts
• 
  Toka watched as Eivor returned to her camp
• 
  A vision of an elk spotted by Sigfred
• 
  Vikings clashing with the Frankish troops
• 
  Frankish troops retreating to the city
• 
  The Vikings charging towards the city gates
• 
  Toka using her crossbow to blow up the bridge
• 
  The bridge exploding
• 
  Odo, Ebels, and Gozlin watched as the Vikings breached the bridge
• 
  Gozlin's massive cross-shaped staff standing infront of Eivor and Sigfred

References

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Siege of Paris