Sigurd Styrbjornsson

This article is about the jarl and brother of Eivor Varinsdottir. For other uses, see Sigurd.

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Sigurd Styrbjornsson (born 842) was a Viking jarl from Norway whose settled in England with his clan during the 9th century. He was the reincarnation of the Isu Týr, the Norse god of war and justice.

The son of King Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson of Fornburg, he was the husband of Randvi and the older step-brother of Eivor Varinsdottir, who was adopted by Styrbjorn at the age of nine following the death of her parents, Rosta and Varin.

While his sister stayed in Norway and opposed Kjotve the Cruel, Sigurd embarked a journey to raid the lands in the East. While in Constantinople, Sigurd met and befriended the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq and his apprentice Hytham, learning many of the organization's customs. In 872, Sigurd returned home along with Basim and Hytham and gave a Hidden Blade to Eivor.

In the following year, the Raven Clan, defeated Kjotve with help of Harald Fairhair's forces and witnessed Sigurd's father surrender his land to the soon-to-be King Harald. Angered by this, Sigurd, alongside Eivor, Randvi, and other many other members of the Raven Clan, migrated to England, settling in one of Halfdan Ragnarsson's old camps, which was renamed to Ravensthorpe. After establishing the settlement, Sigurd set off into Leicestershire to gain allies for his clan, starting with the Sons of Ragnar. After helping Ivarr and Ubba Ragnarsson put nobleman Ceolwulf on the throne of Mercia, Sigurd took Ceolwulf's son Ceolbert into Ravensthorpe.

Following the saga, Sigurd traveled once again to Oxenfordscire, this time accompanied by Basim, where he searched for the woman Fulke in hopes of understanding his visions. However, Sigurd was betrayed and captured by Fulke after an encounter with King Alfred of Wessex. After over a year in captivity, Fulke was assassinated by Eivor, though not before Sigurd's mind was unlocked.

In 877, Sigurd eventually decided to seek Valhalla, and thus traveled back to Norway to search for the Yggdrasil Chamber, though not before lashing at his father for his failure. After sometime in the Valhalla simulation, Sigurd was snapped back to reality by Basim, who was secretly the Isu reincarnation of Loki and wanted revenge against Odin and Týr. After defeating Basim, Sigurd granted the ownership of the Raven Clan to his sister before making the decision of returning to England or staying.

Biography

Early life

Sigurd was born in 842 as the son of King Styrbjorn of Fornburg. In his youth, Sigurd befriended a young girl from the village of Heillboer, Eivor who was five years his junior. Her parents, Varin and Rosta, were friends with Styrbjorn and planned to pledge their village to the king. In 855, Sigurd and his father attended the feast organised in Heillboer, during which he offered to help Eivor pass a tribute to Styrbjorn. Eivor refused, as her father ordered her to past it to the king himself.

Moments after Varin's village pledged themselves to Styrbjorn with Eivor's armband, the Wolf Clan led by Kjotve the Cruel launched a raid on the village, slaughtering many residents. Following Varin and Rosta's death, Sigurd rescued Eivor from being killed and escaped with her on a horse. While being chased by Kjotve's men, Sigurd's horse was knocked down by one of Kjotve's men, causing Sigurd to lose his balance and Eivor dropped down to a large sheet of ice. Ultimately, both Sigurd and Eivor survived their encounter, with the latter received a scar from a wolf bite. Following these events, Styrbjorn adopted Eivor into his household, raising her as his own daughter and as Sigurd's sister. The two developed a close sibling relationship and stood by each other throughout their lives.

At some point, Sigurd befriended a Norse named Dag Nithisson, who remained loyal to Sigurd after learning of his dreams.

Circa 869, Sigurd married a woman named Randvi from another clan as part of a service of peace between the Raven Clan and another Norse clan in Norway. Because of these circumstances, Sigurd's relationship with Randvi was considered utilitarian.

Travels in Europe

A year after his marriage to Randvi, Sigurd embarked on a two-year voyage away from Norway, during which time he traveled through Kievan Rus'. While in Bulgar with his cousin Knud, Sigurd visited the swordsmith Tekin, looking for a blade of crucible steel. Tekin and two others then attempted to ambush him, though they were easily dealt with. The youngest attacker bartered for their life, telling the Norsemen the location of a castle of a very rich merchant.

Knud and Sigurd infiltrating the castle

Knud and Sigurd infiltrated the castle, seeing the merchant and a number of guests having a banquet. Sigurd decided to wait until the wine addled the guests' minds enough that they would have an easy time stealing what they wanted. Later, they began looting the place, but one of the guests awoke as Sigurd stole a tapestry, and he was forced to kill him. The noise caught the attention of another guest, the Hidden One Ammon, who decided to investigate. The Vikings dispatched a few guards before Ammon arrived, fatally stabbing Knud with his Hidden Blade and launching himself into a fight with Sigurd.

The Hidden One cut Sigurd's sword in two and stabbed him in the gut with his Hidden Blade before leaving. Sigurd survived the wound and made his way to Ammon, finding him holding a Shroud. Sigurd mocked him for treasuring a dirty rag, throwing Ammon into a frenzy. He attacked the Viking, only to be slain. With his dying breath, he begged Sigurd not to take the Shroud, although the Viking had no interest in it and instead used his axe to sever Ammon's right wrist to claim the Hidden Blade for himself.

Sigurd continued his journey down the Volga before setting down in Constantinople to rest and resupply. While in the city, Sigurd met and befriended two Hidden Ones from the Abbasid Caliphate, Basim and Hytham, the former of whom took a liking to Sigurd due to his charisma. He later sailed to Rome and Africa, where Basim and Hytham acted as his guides. During his time abroad, Sigurd began to miss his old homeland, and sailed for Norway with Basim and Hytham traveling with him. ^{[citation needed]}

Leaving Norway

Sigurd talking to his sister about his thoughts

In 872, Sigurd returned to Fornburg along with Basim and Hytham. Reuniting and embracing with Eivor and Randvi at the docks, Sigurd introduced the two to the two Hidden Ones before moving on to greet his father. His family organized a feast in his honor and, there, Sigurd introduced Basim and Hytham to Eivor and gave her the Hidden Blade he had taken from Ammon. Sigurd watched as Basim taught Eivor the technics of assassination of their Brotherhood and explained its tenets to her. As they left, Sigurd was left alone with Eivor and, as they walked towards the docks, Sigurd reminisced on their memories together and confided on her that, after years of travels around the world, he felt that their settlement was too small for him and, therefore, asked her to help him take some of Kjotve's lands the next day.

Later that night, Sigurd argued with his father, wanting to invade Kjotve's Fortress and end the tyrant, while Styrbjorn reminded him that their loss would be too much were they to be defeated. The two were interrupted by Eivor, who warned of three of Kjotve's warriors that were caught spying on Sigurd's camp. Taking action, Sigurd decided to launch an attack on Nottfall, one of Kjotve's village. While Hytham searched the village for more spies, Sigurd and Eivor, joined by Basim, raided Nottfall. After the raid, King Harald of the North and his uncle Guthorm the Wise arrived at the village, seeking an alliance with the Sigurd and his men, the Raven Clan.

Following the raid, Sigurd, Guthorm, and the Hidden Ones traveled to Florli, a Norse settlement nearby Kjotve's Fortress. After Eivor arrived, an attack was launched on the fortress. Sigurd and his friends marched to the fortress, where they witnessed Kjotve and Eivor engage in a holmgang, with the latter rising victorious. Following Kjotve's death, his son Gorm taunted the invaders before fleeing.

After the invasion, Sigurd joined King Harald at an althing, where he and his sister witnessed the departure of his friends Hjorr Halfsson and Ljufvina Bjarmarsdottir as well as the exile of Gorm, who had arrived at the party. At the end, Styrbjorn pledged an allegiance to Harald, much to Sigurd's dismay.

Not long after Kjotve's death, Sigurd, angered at his father's decision, decided to set sail for England in hopes of a new beginning. Joined by Randvi, Dag, Eivor, the Hidden ones, and his several friends in Fornburg, Sigurd boarded his longship and set sail for England.

Life in England

The Kingmaker's Saga

In 872, Sigurd, alongside Randvi and Eivor, traveled to England in order to escape the rule of Norway's new ruler, Harald Fairhair. They settled in one of Halfdan Ragnarsson's old camps. After saving Yanli and Rowan and ridding the camp of the Anglo Saxon bandits that took over the camp, Randvi and Eivor helped establish Ravensthorpe, while Sigurd decided to travel northwest to a town called Repton, Leicestershire to forge new alliances.

While in Repton, Sigurd met and befriended the Sons of Ragnar, Ivarr and Ubba Ragnarsson, as well as nobleman Ceolwulf, who plan to overthrow the king of Mercia, Burgred. He was later joined by Eivor amidst an arguement between Ubba and Tonna of Tonnastadir.

Sigurd, alongside Ubba, Ivarr, Eivor, and Ceolwulf's son Ceolbert, traveled to Tamworth to confront Burgred and his thegn Leofrith. After an unfriendly confrontation, the allies conducted a raid on the fortress, only to discover that Burgred had fled with help from Tonna. Later, Sigurd and Eivor traveled to Tonnastadir to gain information from Tonna. At the cost of silver, Tonna gave them the information they needed: two possible hideouts for Burgred, Ledecestre and Templebrough.

Sigurd at Ceolwulf's coronation

While Ivarr travelled to Ledecestre, Sigurd and Ubba set up camp outside of Templebrough, where they were later joined by Eivor. The trio planned to inflitrate the fort and kidnap Burged's queen, Æthelswith. After successfully doing so, they gained intel on Burgred's hiding spot and snuffed him out, eventually sending Eivor to capture him. Sigurd attended Ceolwulf's coronation and witnissed the exiling of King Burged. However, the ceremony was interrupted as Saxon forces marched towards Repton, led by Leofrith, who had captured Ceolbert. Sigurd joined the Sons of Ragnar in the battle against the invading forces as Eivor successfully defeated Leofrith. After the battle, Sigurd successfuly secured an alliance before welcoming Ceolbert and his horse Theobald into his clan under Ceolwulf's request.

Rebellion in Oxenfordscire

In 874, Sigurd and Basim traveled south to Oxenfordscire, where they allied with the thegn Geadric, who sought to overthrow Oxenfordscire's ealdorman, a widow named Lady Eadwyn. The three settled in Buckingham where they waited for Eivor to arrive. However, plans changed as the town was overrun by Eadwyn and her soldiers, causing Sigurd and Basim to seek refuge in a fishing house while Geadric was captured. Eventually they were found by Eivor, who had returned from her adventures in Lunden. Sigurd planned to rescue Geadric, who was held up in the longhouse.

As they arrived, Sigurd and Eivor confronted Eadwyn, who they learned had called upon King Alfred of Wessex for aid in breaking Geadric's rebellion. A small fight broke out between them and Eadwyn's soldiers, with Eadwyn herself leaving the longhouse. After defeating the soldiers and untying Geadric, the thegn told them of a woman named Fulke, who Sigurd believed would be of utmost importance. After the meeting, Sigurd, Basim, and Eivor mounted their horses and rode down to the Leah Villa Garrison where they would find a thegn named Holt, who had information on Fulke.

Sigurd, Basim, and Eivor meeting Fulke

At the Garrison, three thegns were in line for an execution, with Holt next. After Eivor disrupted an execution at the front of the Garrison, Holt, alongside any other rescued thegns, showed his gratitude to the trio before granting them the information they needed: Fulke was being held by Eadwyn in a monastery. Sigurd and Basim proceeded to travel to a camp east of Linforda. Once Eivor arrived from updating Geadric, they entered Saint Albanes Abbey, an Anglo-Saxon monastery where Fulke was being held. After infiltrating the abbey, either by raid or stealth, they searched the monastery where they found Fulke's cell guarded by a single Anglo-Saxon monk. After retrieving the key from him, Eivor opened Fulke's cell and let the woman free. After a quick conversation, Fulke led Sigurd and his friends out of the monastery. Fulke revealed that she was searching for an Isu artifact known as the Saga Stone.

Fulke led the three to the Evinghou Tower, where the Saga Stone was being held by Brother Paul, one of Fulke's acolytes. The tower, however, had been ransacked by Eadwyn's forces, and Paul was found dead. After mourning for her loss, Fulke concluded that Eadwyn had the stone. Soon after, a group of Eadwyn's soldiers were spotted approaching the tower. Sigurd met with them, with Eadwyn herself leading the group. Sigurd told her of the stone and requested a trade: the Saga Stone in exchange for peace. Eivor, angered at the fact that her brother was betraying Geadric, threw an axe at one of Eadwyn's soldiers, killing him and causing a fight. After slaying Eadwyn's forces, Sigurd had a brief argument with his sister before leaving. Eivor went to weaken Eadwyn' forces while Sigurd and Basim went to prepare for an upcoming battle on Cyne Belle Castle, Eadwyn's castle.

Before the assault, Eivor spoke with Sigurd, who had prioritized the stone over Geadric's rebellion. Sigurd mentioned visions involving the gods, much like Eivor herself has had. After the conversation, the raid was invoked, with each person fighting for a different cause: Sigurd and Fulke hunting the Saga Stone, Eivor and Geadric fighting to overthrow Eadwyn, and Basim hunting down Fulke, who was apart of the Order of the Ancients that the Hidden Ones were terminating. Eadwyn was eventually defeated and the Saga Stone was retrieved, although the battle was not yet won, as King Alfred's forces had arrived. Sigurd called for a parlay, and met with the mighty king in a tent outside of the castle. He was joined by his allies, and suggested a trade of men to secure peace. Basim offered himself, while a thegn named Wolfrich was chosen on Alfred's behalf. However, before the exchange ended, Fulke rushed into the tent, revealing that she had sided with Alfred herself. Fulke requested to take Sigurd instead, knowing of his past life. Angered at her treachery, Eivor drew her axe, but was stopped by her brother, who agreed with the deal. Alfred allowed Fulke to take Sigurd, further angering Eivor and Basim.

Held in captivity and the awakening of Tyr

Sigurd's severed arm discovered by his sister

For the next year, Sigurd was held captive under Fulke, who sought to open Sigurd's mind and reveal his past incarnation: the Norse god Týr. Fulke cut off Sigurd's right arm in attemtps to awaken the god, who himself had lost his arm to Fenrir. His arm was taken and hidden in a box in Cent, where Fulke taunted Eivor and Basim as they hunted down their brother and friend.

In Sigurd's wake, Randvi was left in distress and Dag was angered, finally taking action against Eivor's rule. Dag was killed by Eivor after confronting her.

In 875, Eivor and his allies rounded up in Suthsexe, ready to attack Fulke in Portcestre alongside his various allies throughout England including Basim, jarl Guthrum, Soma, Ubba, Broder and Brothir, reeves Erke and Stowe, Bishop Deorlaf, Hunwald, Birstan, and Ljufvina. Fulke was eventually assassinated, although it was too late: Sigurd had been awaken.

In Ravensthorpe, a celebration was held for Sigurd's return. However, Sigurd had seemed to be in an angry mood. After yelling at his sister, he retreated to the grave of his childhood friend Dag, who had died defending his honor. He was found by Eivor, who helped comfort him, although he was still unable to clear his mind, as he had now fully understood who he truly was.

Returning to Norway

Confronting Styrbjorn and reaching Valhalla

In 877, Sigurd realized it was time to seek his "final glory," traveling to Norway along with Eivor to seek the Yggdrasil, hoping that it will transfer him to the eternal afterlife of Valhalla. After a long voyage, the two returned to Norway, still under Harald Fairhair's rule. He arrived at Alrekstad to confront his father Styrbjorn after what he did many years ago. Entering a cabin, Sigurd found his father depressed. Upon awakening him, Styrbjorn attempted to embrace his son, though was pushed back. Sigurd, still angered at his father failing to rule Norway and submitting to King Harald, left angrily after a quick argument.

Sigurd continued onwards to Hordafylke, where the Yggdrasil Chamber laid. After hiking the mountain and entering the cavern, Sigurd and his sister finally found their grand prize: the Yggdrasil, an Isu machine that was key to an eternal life in Valhalla. Already hooked to the machine was Svala, the reincarnation of Freyja and mother of Ravensthorpe's healer Valka. After activating the machine, Sigurd stationed himself in the center of the chamber before being attached to one of the machine's branches.

Sigurd battling her sister in the Valhalla siumlation

In the Yggdrasil's Valhalla simulation, Sigurd spoke with Svala and Eivor before entering the battlefield. After several days in Valhalla, including one of which where Sigurd and Eivor dueled each other, Sigurd was awoken and detached from the Isu machine by Basim, who had followed them from England. As Eivor awoke from a battle against her own Isu incarnation, Basim held Sigurd at the point of his Hidden Blade. Eventually, he was let go and witnessed Basim fight his sister, telling the latter to kill the traitor. After a quick chase, Basim returned to Sigurd, preparing to end his former friend. However, Eivor interrupted and the battle persisted, Sigurd eventually rose to his feet and managed to command the Yggdrasil, which attached onto Basim. Sigurd pressed the glowing sphere that controlled the simulation, successfully ending the fight and imprisoning Basim, who turned out to be the reincarnation of the Norse god Loki.

After the battle, Sigurd spoke with Eivor, reminiscing of the many disagreements that rose between him and his sister. After a quick judgement, Sigurd made the ultimate decision of whether or not he wanted to return to his clan in England or stay in Norway. Either way, Eivor was granted complete ownership of the Raven Clan, eventually taking her seat as jarlskona in the settlement's longhouse.

Personality and characteristics

Sigurd was charismatic and passionate, easily drawing people to his service. His family, especially his sister Eivor, held him in high regard. While he had great skill as a leader, his ego and lust for glory would many times clouded his judgment, even to the point were he would ignore the advices of those who were close to him. Sigurd was a skilled warrior and cunning tactican, leading many successful raids before his voyage to England. ^{[citation needed]}

While quite intelligent with a skill for politics and military tactics, he was easily manipulated by Basim, by playing on his desire for greatness. Although slowly, he was deceived by him to encounter Fulke, an action that triggered all the events that led to the discovery of the Yggdrasil Chamber. He becomes increasingly short tempered and cruel to his subjects, after the events with Fulke. Despite that, he was wise enough to, in the end, let Eivor assume the control of the Raven Clan.

Behind the scenes

Sigurd Styrbjornsson is a character appearing in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, and introduced in the prequel comic Song of Glory. He is voiced by the Icelandic actor Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, as revealed on his Twitter. His Database entry in Valhalla inconsistently refers to him as both "Styrbjornson" and "Styrbjornsson", although the former is used in the entry title.

Gallery

• 
  Concept art of Sigurd
• 
  Concept model of Sigurd in Rebellion
• 
  Sigurd as he appears in Song of Glory
• 
  Sigurd as he appears in Rebellion
• 
  Sigurd's avatar in Rebellion's character menu
• 
  A young Sigurd

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Song of Glory (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
  • Dawn of Ragnarök
  • The Last Chapter
• Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Ravens' Wound

References

de:Sigurd Styrbjörnsson es:Sigurd Styrbjörnsson fr:Sigurd Styrbjornson it:Sigurd Styrbjornson pl:Sigurd pt-br:Sigurd Styrbjornsson ru:Сигурд Стюрбьорнссон zh:西格德·斯蒂比约恩森