Closing the Vault

Closing the Vault 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 met with Ljufvina to discuss the dockmaster and the final Order member, The Vault.

Dialogue

After the recent demise of The Needle, Eivor raced back to Ljufvina at the Royal Hall and then spoke with her.

• Ljufvina: What news do you bring?
• Eivor: The Needle will never sting again.
• Ljufvina: Well done, Eivor. Who was hiding behind the name--

Hjorr immediately walked into their conversation.

• Hjorr: My love. There has been an attack at the markets. The dockmaster, Grigorii, is dead.
• Eivor: The Needle. Sold off the wares he seized to collect silver for The Vault.
• Hjorr: He had no such authority, why would anyone believe him?

Eivor pulled the council seal she found among Grigorii's personal effects.

• Ljufvina: The council seal. That rat!
• Hjorr: This is getting out of hand. How he was able to obtain this is ... concerning. I must return and prepare for the Yuletide feast, but I will do so with a bent ear and a keen eye. Be safe.

Hjorr left for the planning of the feast.

Eivor and Ljufvina identify The Vault as one of the council members

• Eivor: A valuable seal ... and a riddle, "One of the four is ours."

After a brief pondering, Eivor immediately solved the riddle.

• Eivor: "One of the four" ... Ricsige, Faravid, Audun, and--
• Ljufvina: Hjorr. The four members of the council.
• Eivor: We should search their offices now. While they are occupied with the Yuletide feast.
• Ljufvina: Yes ... yes. Come. To the Archives.

Eivor and Ljufvina making their way to the archives

As they left for the archives, Eivor gently stated to Ljufvina.

• Eivor: Could I have missed something?
• Ljufvina: We will find out soon enough.

Both warriors then arrived at the archives.

• Ljufvina: The room to the left that is where the councilmen confer.

Eivor and Ljufvina investigating the archives

Eivor then looked over the archives again. Eivor looked over to the weapons display.

• Eivor: I have seen these. Weapons, and supplies. Enough for a small group of fighters.
• Ljufvina: Hardly enough for Halfdan's army.
• Eivor: Could be why Faravid is pressing the council for more silver.

Eivor looked towards the list on a right side's table.

• Eivor: A list ... what Jorvik needs for the Yuletide feast.
• Ljufvina: That is Audun's handwriting.
• Eivor: Items have been struck out. Where did he find the funds to make this large a purchase?
• Ljufvina: Audun is a well-connected man.

Eivor headed to the scrolls on the center table.

• Eivor: A wax seal, similar to the one I found in the sewers.
• Ljufvina: The seal you took from The Needle's hand. You don't think someone could have stolen it...?
• Eivor: Let's keep searching.

Eivor walked towards a recently moved table and found a note.

Note to Silversmith
To be delivered to: Coppergate Market
I will need this smelted down, and I will procure more if necessary. Breathe not a word of this to my wife.
-Hjorr

As she read, Eivor made a note of the table.

• Eivor: This desk ... it looks as though it has been moved here.
• Ljufvina: That's Hjorr's desk.
• Eivor: It is loaded with silver.

Eivor and Ljufvina finding suspicions with the incorrectly placed table

Eivor took a closer look at the surroundings.

• Eivor: Scratch marks on the floor.
• Ljufvina: Hjorr's desk used to be against the other wall.
• Eivor: So why the change?

Eivor and Ljufvina nodded at each other and then moved the table back.

• Ljufvina: A hidden entrance ... where does this lead?
• Eivor: Guard the door.

Eivor investigating the hidden room

After breaking the entrance open, Eivor saw a bottle of wine.

• Eivor: There was wine here. Whoever moved it did so in a hurry.

Ljufvina joined Eivor in the secret room.

• Eivor: A load of wine was removed from here, and the room smells of almonds. It may be the wine was poisoned.
• Ljufvina: It it likely the wine for the Yuletide feast. Do you think one of the council means to kill someone?
• Eivor: Looks that way.

Ljufvina expressing her worry of Hjorr being a member of the Order

Ljufvina shook her head and stated to Eivor.

• Ljufvina: It is not him. Not my Hjorr. He would never do this, he ...

Eivor came close and made sure to keep Ljufvina on task.

• Ljufvina: Keep your focus. Once we have all the facts, then we can worry about Hjorr. Right now, we need to get to Yuletide feast. The people are in danger.
• Ljufvina: You're right. The Roman Amphitheater. Let us go.

Eivor and Ljufvina discussing the four members

Thus, Eivor and Ljufvina ran to the theater to stop the poisoned wine from being distributed. As they arrived, they both spoke with each other.

• Eivor: Do you see the wine?
• Ljufvina: No.
• Eivor: Then there is still time.
• Ljufvina: The entire council is here. Any one of them could be The Vault.
• Eivor: I need you to keep an eye out for the wine. I will speak to each of the council members. See if I can trap them in a lie.
• Ljufvina: Even Hjorr?
• Eivor: Even Hjorr. If he is The Vault, I will not allow him to kill all these people. Ljufvina...
• Ljufvina: I heard you. Just ... grant me one thing. Confer with me before you make your move.
• Eivor: I will.

Within the party, Eivor had to talk with each of the council members.

• Eivor: Now, to speak with the council members. I will speak of the wine and watch for their reactions. That may lead me to The Vault.

Eivor speaking to King Ricsige

Eivor spoke with King Ricsige, who was watching the party from his throne.

• Eivor: Ricsige.
• Ricsige: Ah. Come to join in the feast, have you?
• Eivor: I have some bad news. The wine for the feast has spoiled.
• Ricsige: Of course it has. Why would I expect differently? I'll have my men dump it. There may be more wine in my private stores, I'll send a man to retrieve it. Is there anything else?
• Eivor: That is all. Enjoy the feast.
• Ricsige: I shall try.

Eivor left and then went to Hjorr, who was talking with a stranger.

• Hjorr: I will have the silver ready in the coming days. Thank you, Boe.
• Boe: Of course.

Eivor speaking to Hjorr

Eivor arrived after Boe left.

• Eivor: Hjorr. Who was that?
• Hjorr: There you are. I was beginning to worry.
• Eivor: Worry not. We have tracked The Vault here. He is someone on the council.
• Hjorr: You are certain?
• Eivor: I am. Once I discover who, I will dig my blade into his heart and end this for good. Until then, it is important that I investigate without raising suspicion. I need your help.
• Hjorr: Of course. What do you need me to do?
• Eivor: Drink yourself into a drunken fit.
• Hjorr: What? Why?
• Eivor: I need a distraction. Keep their eyes off of me. The wine should arrive soon. Drink three full cups, then make a scene.
• Hjorr: I can't be seen doing that. You'll have to find another way.
• Eivor: Just do it.

As she left Hjorr, Eivor heard some chats from the guests.

• Anglo-Saxon Man 1: What a delightful feast.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 2: Audun has outdone himself.
• Anglo-Saxon Man 3: He has indeed. The High Reeve of Jorvik has a bright future ahead if he keeps this up.

Eivor speaking to Audun

Eivor then met with Audun, who was surrounded by guests.

• Eivor: Audun, it seems you have found the funds to go ahead with the feast after all. You must be elated.
• Audun: That is putting it lightly! Look at it. I could have not asked for a better turnout. Soon the feast will begin, and these people will be given everything they deserve.
• Eivor: We should honor you. I will fetch us some wine.
• Audun: N-no I mustn't indulge. The wine is for the people of Jorvik. But when it arrives. do help yourself.

Eivor speaking to Faravid

Eivor then headed to speak with a sitting Faravid.

• Eivor: Faravid, a word if I may?
• Faravid: Ah, drengr! If it's to join arms with me, the answer is yes. We can use someone like you against the Picts.
• Eivor: I may be courted. But I am selective with whom I join. Are you a drinker?
• Faravid: Hah. If that is a challenge, I am up for it.
• Eivor: Very well. I will return with some wine.
• Faravid: Wine? Come now, we will do this over ale. That will give us a good measure of who can better fight its lure.

Eivor then returned to Ljufvina to compare notes.

• Ljufvina: Eivor. Have you uncovered who The Vault is?

Yes, I am ready to accuseNo, I need more time

• Eivor: I believe I have. Each of the council members has given me reason to suspect them. Some more than others.
• Ljufvina: Who is it you suspect?

• Eivor: Not yet. I will return shortly with my decision.

When Eivor was ready to accuse, she made a choice.

I fear it it HjorrIt must be FaravidI believe it is RicsigeIt has to be Audun

• Eivor: Hjorr refused to drink the wine when I proposed he help flush out The Vault. What's more, The Needle was collecting silver for The Vault. I think Hjorr was taking this money and funding The Order.
• Ljufvina: Gods, no...
• Eivor: The town's funds in decline. A treasurer's hand in the coffers. It is all connected. For these reasons, I think Hjorr is The Vault.
• Ljufvina: How could I have been such a fool...
• Eivor: I need you to focus now, Ljufvina. These people are in danger. I need your help.

Ljufvina nodded yes.

• Eivor: I think Faravid aligned himself with The Order, and plans to use The Needle's silver to fund his war against the Picts. When I pressed him about a drinking contest, he opposed drinking the wine and insisted on ale. For these reasons, I think Faravid is The Vault.

• Eivor: As the king, Ricsige has access to all. The coffers. The archives. A bounty of wine. He felt us closing in, knew we would search the archives and tried to implicate Hjorr to throw us off his scent.

Eivor identifying Audun as the final member

• Eivor: Audun was the one pushing for the feast from the start. He planned it, which means he would have had access to the wine. And he was helping Abbess Ingeborg collect Christian texts. She turned out to be The Firebrand.
• Ljufvina: Yes ... yes you're right. And the wine?
• Eivor: Of all the councilmen, he knew the wine had not yet arrived. When I offered some, he flat out refused, insisting it be saved for the guests. For these reasons, I think Audun is The Vault.

Audun giving a speech at the feast

Audun began an abrupt speech.

• Audun: Brothers, sisters. Dear friends. Welcome all. Before we begin, I would like to introduce our honored guests. Here with me are some of Jorvik's most revered lords. Men and women who have kept Jorvik trudging through these harsh times.

Audun received a grail of wine.

• Audun: I am pleased to say that today, on the day we honor Yule, we honor as well the nobles to whom we are all so indebted.
• Ljufvina: The wine! Audun is The Vault!
• Eivor: Too late for them. We must not miss our chance.
• Audun: Join me now in celebrating their successes, and yours. To everything you deserve and more.

Some guests drank the wine.

• Eivor: Shit.

The nobles dying from the poison in their drink

The four nobles on stage started bleeding from their mouths and dying, Red Hand bandits surrounded the feast, and certain council members were in shock, as Audun changed his tone.

• Audun: And now, deafened and blinded by your lust for indulgence, your foolish pride, I will tell you just what nobility is. A death sentence! A new world of order is upon us! A pity none of you will live to see it.

Eivor turned to Ljufvina.

• Eivor: Get the councilmen to safety. I will handle Audun. Go!
• Ljufvina: Protect the king!

Audun revealing himself as the final Order member

Audun then pour away his wine, revealing his membership within the Order.

• Audun: There is no escape. No future for people like you.

Eivor chased Audun and then easily assassinated him. In the Memory Corridor, Eivor walked toward Audun, who was lying on the ground, as both of them were surrounded by riches.

• Eivor: What did you hope to gain with all this? What riches are worth so much misery, and the deaths of honorable men and women?

Audun suddenly teleports from the ground to walking around the riches.

• Audun: Only a feeble mind would call them honorable. They are privileged. Sedentary. Complacent. They wasted their resources. I secured our power through wealth. I contributed to the future of a glorious order!
• Eivor: On the backs of honest people! Merchants and priests and nobles alike."

A ghostly Odin then appeared, sitting on a chair, mid-response.

Audun explaining his rationale

• Audun: Eivor ... you are wrong. Held back by your primitive cosmology. Nine worlds in the tree? No! Nine times nine thousand worlds. And as many suns!

As Eivor hid, Odin spoke his turn.

• Odin: Nine nights I hung in the tree, sacrificing myself to myself. So does the Wise One seek wisdom.
• Audun: Countless spheres, awaiting our gift, our enlightenment!

Eivor, emerged from hiding, walked towards Audun.

• Eivor: I live in one world only.

Eivor grabbed his Order medallion and said the last words as Audun's spirit immediately vanished.

• Eivor: You live in none.

After Audun's death, Eivor looked around.

• Eivor: Hjorr, Ljufvina. Where did they go?

Eivor reconvening with her friends

Eivor then went to regroup with her old friends.

• Eivor: Are you alright?
• Ljufvina: We're fine. Faravid and his karls escorted King Ricsige back to the Royal Hall. Everyone is safe.
• Eivor: Let's regroup there.

Eivor returning to the council with Ljufvina and Hjorr

As the group of three went and arrived at the Royal Hall, King Ricsige exclaimed in outrage.

• Ricsige: Audun. That sniveling little shit!
• Faravid: Conspiring right under our noses.

Eivor then met with the remaining council as Ricsige yelled at Faravid.

• Ricsige: I don't care! I want answers!
• Eivor: Calm, Lord Ricsige. Audun is dead.
• Ricsige: That doesn't calm me. I wanted to rip out the bastard's spine out myself. You want to calm me? Start talking.

Ricsige looked away as Eivor spoke.

• Eivor: Audun aligned himself to a secret group that was plotting to overtake Jorvik.
• Ljufvina: He had help from two others. Grigorii, the dockmaster, and Ingeborg, the abbess.
• Ricsige: And you, Eivor. You were after these conspirators from the moment you arrived?

Ricsige thanking Eivor for her aid

• Eivor: Yes, though I could not let it be known. This group can reach any person, permeate the walls of any city. Much like the worms of a spoiled apple, they would eaten Jorvik from the inside out if we let them.
• Faravid: But you stopped that from happening. We owe you a debt of gratitude. You can be sure Halfdan Jarl will hear of this.
• Ricsige: If the threat is gone, then you have my gratitude as well. I'm alive today, and so are many others because of you. I would like to name you an Honorary High Reeve of Jorvik, Eivor. Would you accept?
• Eivor: It has a nice sound to it. You honor me, lord.
• Ricsige: You have earned it.
• Eivor: Then, if I may, a hoard of silver is left unaccounted for in the grottos beneath these streets.
• Ljufvina: That's right. Silver the dockmaster was collecting.
• Ricsige: What do you propose we do with it?

Give it to the merchantsFund Halfdan's war

Eivor suggesting the silver be returned to the merchants

• Eivor: Hardworking merchants were robbed of their wares. Honor Yuletide by giving the silver back to the honest citizens of Jorvik.
• Hjorr: A wise suggestion, I agree.
• Ricsige: Fine. I will see to it that Hjorr distributes the silver evenly.

• Eivor: Without resources, Halfdan's army will perish against the Picts. I say we fund the war. Give Halfdan's men what they need to turn the tide. Future Danes and Saxons will thank us for it.
• Faravid: You will hear no argument from me.
• Ricsige: Then it will be done. Hjorr will see that your army gets what they need.

Ricsige turned to Faravid.

• Ricsige: Come, Faravid, help me secure this hoard. I could use a bloody walk.

Faravid and Eivor nodded nicely to each other as Faravid left. Eivor then turned to her friends.

Didn't accuse HjorrDid accuse Hjorr

• Ljufvina: We have a saying in Bjarmia. "Only the dead get to complain."
• Eivor: And we're still living.
• Hjorr: I could muster a few complaints about the king and the treasury, but I shall forbear. You did it, Eivor.
• Eivor: We did. It may be we were the recipe to keep Norway from Harald all along.
• Ljufvina: We still can be.
• Eivor: No. Norway is behind me now, and the rest of England ahead. That said, I must be going.
• Ljufvina: Wait!

Ljufvina gave a token of allyship to Eivor.

• Eivor: Is this a bitter farewell?
• Hjorr: Let it be said that I do wish you had more trust in me. But no. There are no ill feelings here. You did what you had to do. If it were me, I do not know that I could have been as level-headed. You remain a friend, Eivor. Let that be clear.

• Ljufvina: Should you ever need us, we will come.
• Eivor: One last thing. The silver on your desk, Hjorr. It planted a seed of doubt in my mind, so I must know. What is it for?
• Hjorr: I guess I can forego the element of surprise. I hired a silversmith to craft a love token for Ljufvina. A Yuletide gift.
• Ljufvina: You sneak.

File:ACV Eivor, Hjorr and Ljufvina Love.jpg

Eivor watching as Ljufvina and Hjorr embraced one another

Ljufvina and Hjorr embrace each other.

• Eivor: I will take my leave before you shame the throne.
• Ljufvina: Until our paths cross again, old friend.
• Eivor: In this world or the next.
• Hjorr: If you drop by Jorvik again, please join us for ale. I know of a place down the street.

Eivor then took her leave.

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

Outcome

Eivor found and assassinated The Vault, thus ending The Order's hold and corruption in Jorvik.

Gallery

• 
  EIvor and Ljufvina moving back the table, revealing a hidden room behind
• 
  Eivor and Ljufvina arriving at the theater
• 
  Eivor clashing with the Red Hand bandits
• 
  Eivor assassinating Audun
• 
  Eivor leaning over Audun's body in the Memory Corridor

References

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla