The Ritual of the Berserker
The Ritual of the Berserker 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 Bjorn Bloodtooth to concoct the Berserker Brew.
Dialogue
Eivor set off in her quest for nightshade.
She approached a graveyard.
- Eivor: Nightshade has a distinct stench. Like this. Must be near.
She collected enough of the deadly herb.
- Eivor: That's enough nightshade. Foul-smelling herb. I should meet Bjorn.
She rode to the Gallows Tree, finding the berserker preparing a ritual.
- Eivor: Bjorn, here as promised.
Eivor approched him.
- Eivor: Your nightshade.
- Bjorn: Good. It has the power we need for the coming ritual. Nearly done.
- Eivor: The skalds say Odin hung himself on a tree much like this. He lived, though. Most die.
- Bjorn: Yggdrasil the World-Tree, Odin's gallows. The place where life and death are one.
He prepared two drinking horns of the berserker brew.
- Bjorn: Ride with me, Raven. The seidr (magic) awaits.
Bjorn handed Eivor one of the horns.
- Bjorn: Berserker brew hits hard. It may open your eyes to the spirit realm. It may turn you into a savage beast. Whatever happens, face it without fear.
Both Vikings drank the brew.
- Bjorn: How are you called, you bear-skins, you wolf-shirts, you tasters of blood? We are the shield-biters, wall-breakers, born in battle's flood!
- Eivor: What do you fight for, you bear-skins?
- Bjorn: You wolf-shirts, you drinkers of blood?
- Eivor: We fight for glory, we shield-biters!
- Bjorn: Wall-breakers! Born in battle's flood!
In her brew-addled mind, Eivor beat up a brown bear using only her fists before collapsing on the ground.
- Eivor: I've been close to death many times. But this ... this was different.
After some moments, she rose and walked up to the gallows tree, where Bjorn awaited.
- Eivor: Feels like a Jotun kicked my head in.
- Bjorn: 'Tis glorious, is it not?
- Eivor: Berserker brew ... does not ... does not agree with my belly.
- Bjorn: But you live still! Can you feel the power of bear's blood coursing through your veins?
- Eivor: Yes, but you... You were a bear.
- Bjorn: And the bear-power courses through me still!
- Eivor: I am ready. Where to?
- Bjorn: The Mercians who slew my wife cower in Beodoricsworth. We shall kill them all! With me! Njal will taste Mercian blood!
- Eivor: Show me what you can do, berserker!
- Bjorn: For Alfhild!
Outcome
Eivor experienced the berserker concoction for the first time, and later followed Bjorn and Njal to hunt down the Mercian lord.
Gallery
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Eivor drinking the concoction -
Eivor offering to help Bjorn take revenge
