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imported>Gener4l Cl4ank4
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imported>Darman36
Seeing currently-unverifiable info on what Celtic/Irish Tree of Life represented and if it was oak or ash. Wouldn't say "later members" when Juhani is sole example, he just wants to LARP Shay, and its' not seen in ACS
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{{Era|Culture|Technology|Isu}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Era|Culture|Technology|Isu}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Update|''[[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''}}
{{Update|''[[Wrath of the Druids]] and [[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''}}
{{Quote|From the life-tree we go, to the life-tree we shall one day return.|Odin to the rest of the gathered Æsir, c. 75,000 BCE.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Cheating Fate}}
{{Quote|From the life-tree we go, to the life-tree we shall one day return.|Odin to the rest of the gathered Æsir, c. 75,000 BCE.|Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Cheating Fate}}
{{Item Infobox
{{Item Infobox
|image     = Yggdrasil.png
|image=Yggdrasil.png
|type     = Isu technology<ref name="ACV">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[21st century conversations#Assassin's Creed: Valhalla|Modern day]]</ref>
|type=Isu technology<ref name="ACV">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[21st century conversations|Modern day]]</ref>
|powers   = *Essence containment<ref name="ACV"/>
|powers=*Essence containment<ref name="ACV"/>
*[[Reborn Isu|Reincarnation]] inducement<ref name="ACV"/>
*[[Isu incarnation|Incarnation]] inducement<ref name="ACV"/>
*Creation of [[Calculations|physical simulations]]<ref name="ACV"/>
*Creation of [[Calculations|physical simulations]]<ref name="ACV"/>
*Biological preservation<ref name="ACV"/>
*Biological preservation<ref name="ACV"/>
|current   = [[Hordaland|Hordafylke]], [[Norway]]<ref name="A Brother's Keeper">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Brother's Keeper]]</ref>
|current=[[Hordaland|Hordafylke]], [[Norway]]<ref name="A Brother's Keeper">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Brother's Keeper]]</ref>
|period   = Prehistory until [[modern times]]<ref name="ACV"/>
|period=Prehistory until [[modern times]]<ref name="ACV"/>
|created   = [[Isu]]<ref name="ACV"/>
|created=[[Isu]]<ref name="ACV"/>
|made     = [[Isu Era]]<ref name="ACV"/>
|made=[[Isu Era]]<ref name="ACV"/>
|destroyed =  
|destroyed=
|notable   =  
|notable=
}}
}}
'''Yggdrasil''', also referred to as the '''World Tree''',<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga]]'' – Chapter 6</ref> is an ancient supercomputer which was built by the [[Isu]] as an intended seventh solution to the [[Great Catastrophe]].<ref name="ACV" />
'''Yggdrasil''', also referred to as the '''World Tree''',<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga]]'' – Chapter 6</ref> is an ancient supercomputer which was built by the [[Isu]] as an intended seventh solution to the [[Great Catastrophe]].<ref name="ACV"/>


==Mythology==
==Mythology==
In [[Norse mythology]], Yggdrasil was interpreted as a literal titanic ash tree whose roots and branches connected all of the [[Nine Realms]], which consisted of [[Asgard]], [[Jötunheimr]], [[Múspellsheimr]], [[Midgard]], [[Svartálfaheimr]], [[Vanaheimr]], [[Helheim]], [[Álfheimr]], and [[Niflheim]].<ref name="ACV" />
In [[Norse mythology]], Yggdrasil was interpreted as a literal titanic ash tree whose roots and branches connected all of the [[Nine Realms]], which consisted of [[Ásgarðr]], [[Jötunheimr]], [[Múspellsheimr]], [[Midgard]], [[Svartálfaheimr]], [[Vanaheimr]], [[Helheim]], [[Álfheimr]], and [[Niflheim]].<ref name="ACV"/> The [[Celts]] also had [[Celtic mythology|their own]] {{Wiki|world tree}}, interpreting Yggdrasil as the Tree of Life.<ref>{{WP|Celtic sacred trees}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
===Isu Era===
===Isu Era===
During the [[Human-Isu War]], several Isu factions became aware of an impending [[Sun|solar flare]] which would result in both the [[human]]s and Isu facing extinction. Realizing that a solution was needed to counter the oncoming coronal mass ejection, some Isu choose to ignore the war and instead focused on finding solutions to save [[Earth]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – Modern day</ref>  
During the [[Human-Isu War]], several Isu factions became aware of an impending [[Sun|solar flare]] which would result in both the [[human]]s and Isu facing extinction. Realizing that a solution was needed to counter the oncoming coronal mass ejection, some Isu choose to ignore the war and instead focused on finding solutions to save [[Earth]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – Modern day</ref>  
[[File:ACV The Hidden Truth 9.png|thumb|250px|left|The Æsir using Yggdrasil to seed their DNA into the human gene pool]]
[[File:ACV The Hidden Truth 9.png|thumb|250px|left|The Æsir using Yggdrasil to seed their DNA into the human gene pool]]
After many solutions had failed, [[Jupiter]], [[Juno]], and [[Minerva]]—the [[Capitoline Triad|latest triad]] to hold the titles of [[Father of Understanding]], [[Mother of Wisdom]], and [[Sacred Voice]], respectively—had come up with a seventh attempt which had a chance of succeeding. This seventh method was called Yggdrasil, a supercomputer which could store an Isu's essence and [[Isu incarnation|reincarnate]] it into the human gene pool across eons. However, disaster struck before they had a chance to use it, though nine members from the [[Æsir]] branch of Isu—[[Odin]], [[Týr]], [[Loki]], [[Freyja]],<ref name="A Brother's Keeper" /> [[Heimdall]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – ''[[Rigsogur]]'': I. The King of Soft Reeds</ref> [[Thor]], [[Sif]], [[Frey]], and [[Idun]]<ref name="DarbySages" />—managed to upload their consciousnesses before the computer's laboratory caved in.<ref name="Animus Anomalies">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Animus Anomalies]]: AA_Complete</ref>
After many solutions had failed, [[Jupiter]], [[Juno]], and [[Minerva]]—the [[Capitoline Triad|latest triad]] to hold the titles of [[Father of Understanding]], [[Mother of Wisdom]], and [[Sacred Voice]], respectively—had come up with a seventh attempt which had a chance of succeeding. This seventh method was called Yggdrasil, a supercomputer which could store an Isu's essence and [[Isu incarnation|incarnate]] it into the human gene pool across eons. However, disaster struck before they had a chance to use it, though nine members from the [[Æsir]] branch of Isu—[[Odin]], [[Týr]], [[Loki]], [[Freyja]],<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/> [[Heimdall]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – ''[[Rigsogur]]'': I. The King of Soft Reeds</ref> [[Thor]], [[Sif]], [[Frey]], and [[Idun]]<ref name="DarbySages"/>—managed to upload their consciousnesses before the computer's laboratory caved in.<ref name="Animus Anomalies">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Animus Anomalies]]: AA_Complete</ref>


===Viking Age===
===Viking Age===
In 877 CE, [[Sigurd Styrbjornsson]], the human incarnation of Týr, was guided to the Yggdrasil chamber by visions of his past life. Accompanied by his adoptive sister [[Eivor Varinsdottir]], who was secretly Odin's rebirth, the two ventured into the mountains of [[Hordaland|Hordafylke]], where they found the entrance to the chamber inside a cave and Sigurd recited the words on the [[Saga Stone]]—a piece of the vault's door which had broken off—to gain access. Once inside the chamber, the siblings saw [[Svala]], the incarnation of Freyja, already hooked to Yggdrasil and proceeded to activate the machine, which brought them to a simulated version of [[Valhalla (afterlife)|Valhalla]].<ref name="A Brother's Keeper" />
In 877 CE, [[Sigurd Styrbjornsson]], Týr's human incarnation, was guided to Yggdrasil's chamber by visions of his past life. Accompanied by his adoptive sister [[Eivor Varinsdottir]], who was also Odin's incarnation, the two ventured into the mountains of [[Hordaland|Hordafylke]]. There, they found the chamber's entrance in a cave and Sigurd recited the [[Isu script|words]] carved on the [[Saga Stone]]—a piece of the vault's door which had broken off—to gain access. Once inside the chamber, the siblings saw Freyja's incarnation [[Svala]] already hooked to Yggdrasil and proceeded to activate the machine, which brought them to a simulated version of [[Valhalla (afterlife)|Valhalla]].<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/>
 
[[File:ACV A Brother's Keeper 14.png|thumb|250px|Eivor and Sigurd entering the Yggdrasil chamber]]
[[File:ACV A Brother's Keeper 14.png|thumb|250px|Eivor and Sigurd entering the Yggdrasil chamber]]
After leaving the simulation, Eivor and Sigurd were confronted by their [[Assassins|Hidden One]] ally [[Basim Ibn Ishaq]], who was the incarnation of Loki and had followed them to the vault to take his revenge. Following a prolonged fight across the Yggdrasil chamber, Basim was defeated by Eivor and then forcibly hooked to Yggdrasil by Sigurd, trapping his consciousness inside [[the Grey]] for centuries.<ref name="A Brother's Keeper" />
After leaving the simulation, Eivor and Sigurd were confronted by their [[Assassins|Hidden One]] ally [[Basim Ibn Ishaq]], who was the Loki's incarnation and had followed them to take his revenge. Following a prolonged fight across the chamber, Eivor and Sigurd defeated Basim and forcibly hooked him to Yggdrasil, trapping his consciousness inside [[the Grey]] for centuries.<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/>


===Modern times===
===Modern times===
In August 2020, the Assassin [[Layla Hassan]] discovered the location of the Yggdrasil chamber from Eivor's [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] and traveled there, hoping the supercomputer could be used to reverse a series of global anomalies caused by the activation of the [[global aurora borealis device]] in 2012. As Yggdrasil had been running for centuries by that point, the chamber was filled with lethal radiation emitted by the machine, requiring Layla to use the [[Staff of Hermes Trismegistus]] to protect herself.<ref name="ACV" />
In August 2020, the Assassin [[Layla Hassan]] discovered the location of Yggdrasil's chamber from Eivor's [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] and traveled there, hoping the supercomputer could be used to reverse a series of global anomalies caused by the activation of the [[global aurora borealis device]] in 2012. As Yggdrasil had been running for centuries by that point, the chamber was filled with lethal radiation emitted by the machine, requiring Layla to use the [[Staff of Hermes Trismegistus]] to protect herself.<ref name="ACV"/>


After connecting herself to the machine and entering the Grey, Layla met the still-trapped Basim, who showed her how to slow down Yggdrasil and end the anomalies. However, this came at a cost, as Layla's consciousness became trapped within the Grey while Basim was released from his imprisonment. Layla accepted her fate and decided to help "[[Desmond Miles|The Reader]]" with running his [[calculations]] to prevent future cataclysms, while Basim used the Staff of Hermes to rejuvenate his physical body and left the Yggdrasil chamber.<ref name="ACV" />
After connecting herself to the machine and entering the Grey, Layla met the still-trapped Basim, who showed her how to slow down Yggdrasil and end the anomalies. However, this came at a cost, as Layla's consciousness became trapped within the Grey while Basim was released from his imprisonment. Layla accepted her fate and decided to help "[[Desmond Miles|The Reader]]" with running his [[calculations]] to prevent future cataclysms, while Basim used the Staff of Hermes to rejuvenate his physical body and left the chamber.<ref name="ACV"/>


==Legacy and influence==
==Legacy and influence==
Following the Great Catastrophe, the true purpose, design, and location of Yggdrasil was largely forgotten among the remaining human population. In time, it was passed down into myth, where it was reimagined as an immense ash tree that held the cosmos together. Yggdrasil became so important to Norse folklore that [[Vikings]] like Eivor Varinsdottir were known to [[tattoo]] it on their body.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref>
Following the Great Catastrophe, the true purpose, design, and location of Yggdrasil were largely forgotten among the remaining human population. In time, it was passed down into myth, where it was reimagined as an immense ash tree that held the cosmos together. Yggdrasil became so important to Norse folklore that [[Vikings]] like Eivor Varinsdottir were known to [[tattoo]] it on their body.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref>


In the late 9th century, Eivor used a psychoactive mixture made by [[Ravensthorpe]]'s resident seer [[Valka]] to relive Odin's memories of his time in the [[Dwarf|dwarven]] realm of [[Svartálfaheimr]] looking for his captured son [[Baldr]] before [[Ragnarök]] began. In these visions, Odin often came across altars build around pieces of Yggdrasil's roots, where he could sacrifice a portion of his life force to recharge his [[Hugr-Rip]].<ref name="Ragnarok">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''</ref>
In the late 9th century, Eivor used a psychoactive mixture made by [[Ravensthorpe]]'s resident seer [[Valka]] to relive Odin's memories of his time in the [[Dwarf|dwarven]] realm of [[Svartálfaheimr]] looking for his captured son [[Baldr]] before [[Ragnarök]] began. In these visions, Odin often came across altars build around pieces of Yggdrasil's roots, where he could sacrifice a portion of his life force to recharge his [[Hugr-Rip]].<ref name="Ragnarok">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''</ref>
[[File:ACV Order of the Ancients Medallion.png|thumb|200px|An Order of the Ancients medallion featuring the Yggdrasil symbol]]
Around this time, the [[Order of the Ancients]] members operating in [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] [[England]] carried silver [[Order of the Ancients medallion|medallions]] that bore an engraving of Yggdrasil to signify their belonging in the organization.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Breaking the Order]]</ref>
In [[Ireland]], 9th century [[druid]]s continued their Celtic pagan practices revolving around the Tree of Life, with the extremist [[Children of Danu]] cult going so far as to place a sacrificial alter atop a large painting of the tree.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – [[Wrath of the Druids]]''</ref> It continued to be a symbol that the Irish strongly associated with their homeland into the 18th century, as the [[American Brotherhood of Assassins|Colonial Assassin]] [[Shay Cormac]] wore a belt buckle that featured the tree to mark his Irish heritage.


[[File:ACV Order of the Ancients Medallion.png|thumb|200px|An Order of the Ancients medallion featuring the Yggdrasil symbol]]
In July 1754, Shay and his fellow [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Hope Jensen]] helped the inventor [[Benjamin Franklin]] activate a [[Precursor box]] with lightning to glean the secrets it contained. Once it was turned on, it projected a number of holograms, among which included Yggdrasil.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[Fiat Lux]]</ref>
Around this time, the members of the [[Order of the Ancients]] operating in [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] [[England]] carried silver [[Order of the Ancients medallion|medallions]] engraved with a depiction of Yggdrasil, which were used to signify their membership in the organization.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Breaking the Order]]</ref> Later members of the [[Templars|Templar Order]], the Ancients' successors, were also shown to sometimes adorn their outfits with Yggdrasil symbols, such as [[Shay Cormac]] and [[Juhani Otso Berg]].<ref name="ACRG">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''</ref> However, it is unknown if these symbols held any particular meaning or were purely esthetic.
 
In 2014, the [[Master Templar]] [[Juhani Otso Berg]] was inspired by Shay's later defection to the [[American Rite of the Templar Order|Colonial Templars]] and wore a coat lapel button of Yggdrasil to emulate his idol.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Rogue'' – Modern day</ref>


==Functionality==
==Functionality==
Yggdrasil is an ancient Isu supercomputer which can best be described as the Isu's version of the [[Animus]] technology developed by [[Abstergo Industries]]. The supercomputer is engineered with a myriad of advanced abilities, some of which include:
Yggdrasil is an ancient Isu supercomputer which can best be described as the Isu's version of the [[Animus]] technology developed by [[Abstergo Industries]]. The supercomputer is engineered with a myriad of advanced abilities, some of which include:
*'''Essence Containment''' – This allows users to upload and preserve their consciousness into the supercomputer. This can happen in one of two known ways. The first is by sitting in one of the energy core-powered chairs surrounding the table which holds the computer's processing tower in the center. After powering up the chair and donning a faceplate, a small arm extends from the chair's head and takes a genetic sample from the user's neck, then feeds it into one of the four pods containing individual human fetuses that hang from the computer.<ref name="Animus Anomalies"/> The second method involves being physically entered into Yggdrasil via its branches, as seen when both Svala<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/> and Layla Hassan<ref name="ACV"/> used Yggdrasil to upload their psyches to spend eternity inside the computer's simulations.
*'''Essence Containment''' – This allows users to upload and preserve their consciousness into the supercomputer. This can happen in one of two known ways. The first is by sitting in one of the energy core-powered chairs surrounding the table which holds the computer's processing tower in the center. After powering up the chair and donning a faceplate, a small arm extends from the chair's head and takes a genetic sample from the user's neck, then feeds it into one of the four pods containing individual human fetuses that hang from the computer.<ref name="Animus Anomalies"/> The second method involves being physically entered into Yggdrasil via its branches, as seen when both Svala<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/> and Layla Hassan<ref name="ACV"/> used Yggdrasil to upload their psyches to spend eternity inside the computer's simulations.
*'''Reincarnation Inducement''' – Yggdrasil is able to [[Reborn Isu|reincarnate]] the psyches stored in it as humans across the globe. As of the 9th century, Yggdrasil successfully reincarnated all nine of the Isu who used the device, all of whom could be identified by a black spot on their necks.<ref name="DarbySages">{{Twitter|AC_ISDA|status/1354767258015428611|Il Salotto degli Assassini|quote=@DarbyMcDevitt this is our bet! [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Es0Zo-qW4AYgvsE.jpg pic.twitter.com/qZ8tRqQZMj]|image=File:ACV - Darby McDevitt on the Isu Reincarnations.png}}<br>{{Twitter|DarbyMcDevitt|status/1354773470756954116|Darby McDevitt|quote=@AC_ISDA @69guacamole69 @KurdishOnes I think you got it!|image=File:ACV - Darby McDevitt on the Isu Reincarnations.png}}</ref> Unlike [[Aita]] and [[Vejovis]]' continuous reincarnations, known as [[Sage]]s, this process could only be used to reincarnate an Isu once.
*'''Incarnation Inducement''' – Yggdrasil is able to [[Isu incarnation|incarnate]] the psyches stored in it as humans across the globe. As of the 9th century, Yggdrasil successfully incarnated all nine of the Isu who used the device, all of whom could be identified by a black spot on their necks.<ref name="DarbySages">{{Twitter|AC_ISDA|status/1354767258015428611|Il Salotto degli Assassini|quote=@DarbyMcDevitt this is our bet! [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Es0Zo-qW4AYgvsE.jpg pic.twitter.com/qZ8tRqQZMj]|image=File:ACV - Darby McDevitt on the Isu Reincarnations.png}}<br>{{Twitter|DarbyMcDevitt|status/1354773470756954116|Darby McDevitt|quote=@AC_ISDA @69guacamole69 @KurdishOnes I think you got it!|image=File:ACV - Darby McDevitt on the Isu Reincarnations.png}}</ref> Unlike [[Aita]] and [[Vejovis]]' continuous incarnations known as [[Sage]]s, this process could only be used to incarnate an Isu once.
*'''Simulation Functions''' – Yggdrasil also creates powerful simulations similar to the technology used in Animi. As discerned by [[Shaun Hastings]], it appeared to have been used to ''"generate and explore [[Calculations|possible futures]], alternate realities, and counterfactual stories."''<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Yggdrasil]]</ref> This shows that the Isu could use Yggdrasil to effectively utilize the calculations. While trapped in Yggdrasil's simulations for centuries, Basim Ibn Ishaq ran countless calculations to determine the best way to escape in the future.<ref name="ACV" /> Additionally, the machine could render a simulation of Valhalla, as depicted in Norse mythology.<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/>
*'''Simulation Functions''' – Yggdrasil also creates powerful simulations similar to the technology used in Animi. As discerned by [[Shaun Hastings]], it appeared to have been used to ''"generate and explore possible futures, alternate realities, and counterfactual stories."''<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Database: Yggdrasil]]</ref> This shows that the Isu could use Yggdrasil to effectively utilize the calculations. While trapped in Yggdrasil's simulations for centuries, Basim Ibn Ishaq ran countless calculations to determine the best way to escape in the future.<ref name="ACV"/> Additionally, the machine could render a simulation of Valhalla, as depicted in Norse mythology.<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/>
*'''Biological Preservation''' – Yggdrasil's branches could hold a user's comatose body intact for extended periods of time, long after natural death and decay should have occurred. In 2020, Basim's unresponsive body was still whole after being connected to Yggdrasil for over 1000 years,<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/> with whatever minor visible decay vanishing when the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus regenerated him back to life.<ref name="ACV" />
*'''Biological Preservation''' – Yggdrasil's branches could hold a user's comatose body intact for extended periods of time, long after natural death and decay should have occurred. In 2020, Basim's unresponsive body was still whole after being connected to Yggdrasil for over 1000 years,<ref name="A Brother's Keeper"/> with whatever minor visible decay vanishing when the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus regenerated him back to life.<ref name="ACV"/>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 64: Line 67:
ACV - Yggdrasil chamber concept 3.jpg|Concept art
ACV - Yggdrasil chamber concept 3.jpg|Concept art
ACV - Yggdrasil chamber concept 4.jpg|Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber, wide shot
ACV - Yggdrasil chamber concept 4.jpg|Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber, wide shot
ACV WotD Yggdrasil Altar Concept.jpg|Concept art of Yggdrasil painted beneath an altar in [[Ireland]]
ACV WotD Yggdrasil Altar Concept.jpg|Concept art of Yggdrasil painted beneath an altar in Ireland
File:ACV - Yggdrasil branch.jpg|A branch of Yggdrasil  
ACV - Yggdrasil branch.jpg|A branch of Yggdrasil
ACRG Yggdrasil Hologram.png|The Precursor box's hologram of Yggdrasil
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' {{c|appears as ash tree on a medallion}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' {{Io}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[The Way of the Berserker]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[The Way of the Berserker]]'' {{Mo}}
Line 76: Line 80:
**''[[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''
**''[[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''
**''[[The Forgotten Saga]]''
**''[[The Forgotten Saga]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga]]'' {{Mo|"the World Tree"}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga]]'' {{Mo|"the World Tree"}}
*''[[Discovery Tour: Viking Age]]'' {{Mo|"the World Tree"}}
*''[[Discovery Tour: Viking Age]]'' {{Mo|"the World Tree"}}
*''[[Echoes of History]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Echoes of History]]'' {{Mo}}
Line 90: Line 94:
[[Category:Isu technology]]
[[Category:Isu technology]]
[[Category:Norse mythology]]
[[Category:Norse mythology]]
[[Category:Celtic mythology]]

Revision as of 22:36, 16 February 2025

Patience, brothers. Soon we will reveal the secrets of Wrath of the Druids and Dawn of Ragnarök.

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"From the life-tree we go, to the life-tree we shall one day return."
―Odin to the rest of the gathered Æsir, c. 75,000 BCE.[src]-[m]

Yggdrasil, also referred to as the World Tree,[3] is an ancient supercomputer which was built by the Isu as an intended seventh solution to the Great Catastrophe.[1]

Mythology

In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil was interpreted as a literal titanic ash tree whose roots and branches connected all of the Nine Realms, which consisted of Ásgarðr, Jötunheimr, Múspellsheimr, Midgard, Svartálfaheimr, Vanaheimr, Helheim, Álfheimr, and Niflheim.[1] The Celts also had their own world tree, interpreting Yggdrasil as the Tree of Life.[4]

History

Isu Era

During the Human-Isu War, several Isu factions became aware of an impending solar flare which would result in both the humans and Isu facing extinction. Realizing that a solution was needed to counter the oncoming coronal mass ejection, some Isu choose to ignore the war and instead focused on finding solutions to save Earth.[5]

The Æsir using Yggdrasil to seed their DNA into the human gene pool

After many solutions had failed, Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva—the latest triad to hold the titles of Father of Understanding, Mother of Wisdom, and Sacred Voice, respectively—had come up with a seventh attempt which had a chance of succeeding. This seventh method was called Yggdrasil, a supercomputer which could store an Isu's essence and incarnate it into the human gene pool across eons. However, disaster struck before they had a chance to use it, though nine members from the Æsir branch of Isu—Odin, Týr, Loki, Freyja,[2] Heimdall,[6] Thor, Sif, Frey, and Idun[7]—managed to upload their consciousnesses before the computer's laboratory caved in.[8]

Viking Age

In 877 CE, Sigurd Styrbjornsson, Týr's human incarnation, was guided to Yggdrasil's chamber by visions of his past life. Accompanied by his adoptive sister Eivor Varinsdottir, who was also Odin's incarnation, the two ventured into the mountains of Hordafylke. There, they found the chamber's entrance in a cave and Sigurd recited the words carved on the Saga Stone—a piece of the vault's door which had broken off—to gain access. Once inside the chamber, the siblings saw Freyja's incarnation Svala already hooked to Yggdrasil and proceeded to activate the machine, which brought them to a simulated version of Valhalla.[2]

Eivor and Sigurd entering the Yggdrasil chamber

After leaving the simulation, Eivor and Sigurd were confronted by their Hidden One ally Basim Ibn Ishaq, who was the Loki's incarnation and had followed them to take his revenge. Following a prolonged fight across the chamber, Eivor and Sigurd defeated Basim and forcibly hooked him to Yggdrasil, trapping his consciousness inside the Grey for centuries.[2]

Modern times

In August 2020, the Assassin Layla Hassan discovered the location of Yggdrasil's chamber from Eivor's genetic memories and traveled there, hoping the supercomputer could be used to reverse a series of global anomalies caused by the activation of the global aurora borealis device in 2012. As Yggdrasil had been running for centuries by that point, the chamber was filled with lethal radiation emitted by the machine, requiring Layla to use the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus to protect herself.[1]

After connecting herself to the machine and entering the Grey, Layla met the still-trapped Basim, who showed her how to slow down Yggdrasil and end the anomalies. However, this came at a cost, as Layla's consciousness became trapped within the Grey while Basim was released from his imprisonment. Layla accepted her fate and decided to help "The Reader" with running his calculations to prevent future cataclysms, while Basim used the Staff of Hermes to rejuvenate his physical body and left the chamber.[1]

Legacy and influence

Following the Great Catastrophe, the true purpose, design, and location of Yggdrasil were largely forgotten among the remaining human population. In time, it was passed down into myth, where it was reimagined as an immense ash tree that held the cosmos together. Yggdrasil became so important to Norse folklore that Vikings like Eivor Varinsdottir were known to tattoo it on their body.[9]

In the late 9th century, Eivor used a psychoactive mixture made by Ravensthorpe's resident seer Valka to relive Odin's memories of his time in the dwarven realm of Svartálfaheimr looking for his captured son Baldr before Ragnarök began. In these visions, Odin often came across altars build around pieces of Yggdrasil's roots, where he could sacrifice a portion of his life force to recharge his Hugr-Rip.[10]

An Order of the Ancients medallion featuring the Yggdrasil symbol

Around this time, the Order of the Ancients members operating in Anglo-Saxon England carried silver medallions that bore an engraving of Yggdrasil to signify their belonging in the organization.[11]

In Ireland, 9th century druids continued their Celtic pagan practices revolving around the Tree of Life, with the extremist Children of Danu cult going so far as to place a sacrificial alter atop a large painting of the tree.[12] It continued to be a symbol that the Irish strongly associated with their homeland into the 18th century, as the Colonial Assassin Shay Cormac wore a belt buckle that featured the tree to mark his Irish heritage.

In July 1754, Shay and his fellow Assassin Hope Jensen helped the inventor Benjamin Franklin activate a Precursor box with lightning to glean the secrets it contained. Once it was turned on, it projected a number of holograms, among which included Yggdrasil.[13]

In 2014, the Master Templar Juhani Otso Berg was inspired by Shay's later defection to the Colonial Templars and wore a coat lapel button of Yggdrasil to emulate his idol.[14]

Functionality

Yggdrasil is an ancient Isu supercomputer which can best be described as the Isu's version of the Animus technology developed by Abstergo Industries. The supercomputer is engineered with a myriad of advanced abilities, some of which include:

  • Essence Containment – This allows users to upload and preserve their consciousness into the supercomputer. This can happen in one of two known ways. The first is by sitting in one of the energy core-powered chairs surrounding the table which holds the computer's processing tower in the center. After powering up the chair and donning a faceplate, a small arm extends from the chair's head and takes a genetic sample from the user's neck, then feeds it into one of the four pods containing individual human fetuses that hang from the computer.[8] The second method involves being physically entered into Yggdrasil via its branches, as seen when both Svala[2] and Layla Hassan[1] used Yggdrasil to upload their psyches to spend eternity inside the computer's simulations.
  • Incarnation Inducement – Yggdrasil is able to incarnate the psyches stored in it as humans across the globe. As of the 9th century, Yggdrasil successfully incarnated all nine of the Isu who used the device, all of whom could be identified by a black spot on their necks.[7] Unlike Aita and Vejovis' continuous incarnations known as Sages, this process could only be used to incarnate an Isu once.
  • Simulation Functions – Yggdrasil also creates powerful simulations similar to the technology used in Animi. As discerned by Shaun Hastings, it appeared to have been used to "generate and explore possible futures, alternate realities, and counterfactual stories."[15] This shows that the Isu could use Yggdrasil to effectively utilize the calculations. While trapped in Yggdrasil's simulations for centuries, Basim Ibn Ishaq ran countless calculations to determine the best way to escape in the future.[1] Additionally, the machine could render a simulation of Valhalla, as depicted in Norse mythology.[2]
  • Biological Preservation – Yggdrasil's branches could hold a user's comatose body intact for extended periods of time, long after natural death and decay should have occurred. In 2020, Basim's unresponsive body was still whole after being connected to Yggdrasil for over 1000 years,[2] with whatever minor visible decay vanishing when the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus regenerated him back to life.[1]

Gallery

  • Concept model of the Yggdrasil computer
    Concept model of the Yggdrasil computer
  • Concept art of the Yggdrasil computer
    Concept art of the Yggdrasil computer
  • Concept art of Yggdrasil in Asgard
    Concept art of Yggdrasil in Asgard
  • Concept art of Yggdrasil in fog
    Concept art of Yggdrasil in fog
  • Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber in 877 CE
    Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber in 877 CE
  • Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber in 2020
    Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber in 2020
  • Concept art
    Concept art
  • Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber, wide shot
    Concept art of the Yggdrasil chamber, wide shot
  • Concept art of Yggdrasil painted beneath an altar in Ireland
    Concept art of Yggdrasil painted beneath an altar in Ireland
  • A branch of Yggdrasil
    A branch of Yggdrasil
  • The Precursor box's hologram of Yggdrasil
    The Precursor box's hologram of Yggdrasil

Appearances

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Modern day
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – A Brother's Keeper
  3. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga – Chapter 6
  4. ↑ Celtic sacred trees on Wikipedia
  5. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – Modern day
  6. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Rigsogur: I. The King of Soft Reeds
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Il Salotto degli Assassini (@AC_ISDA) on Twitter "@DarbyMcDevitt this is our bet! pic.twitter.com/qZ8tRqQZMj" (screenshot)
    Darby McDevitt (@DarbyMcDevitt) on Twitter "@AC_ISDA @69guacamole69 @KurdishOnes I think you got it!" (screenshot)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Animus Anomalies: AA_Complete
  9. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
  10. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Dawn of Ragnarök
  11. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Breaking the Order
  12. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids
  13. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – Fiat Lux
  14. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – Modern day
  15. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Database: Yggdrasil

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