Torgny the Lawspeaker

"It is possible that Styrbjörn, whether he is aware of it or not, has become a tool of the Order. He must be stopped, Thorvald. Even if I am wrong and he doesn't serve the Order, he does not bring freedom to Svealand."

―Torgny to Thorvald Hjaltason, c. 985.

Torgny the Lawspeaker (fl. 10th century) was the old advisor of King Eric of Sweden and the Mentor of the local Hidden Ones in Sweden active during the 10th century. Alongside his apprentice, the skald Thorvald Hjaltason, Torgny fought against Styrbjörn the Strong as the Hidden Ones correctly suspected that the fearsome prince and his ally, Harald Bluetooth, were affiliated with the Templar Order.

Biography

After King Olof Björnsson was poisoned by the Swedish Brotherhood, Torgny used his influence as the thing's Lawspeaker to have the King's brother Eric designated as the new King instead of his unruly nephew, the sixteen-year-old Styrbjörn, whom the old Mentor was convinced would inevitably become a tyrant like his father. Outraged by the thing's ruling, which he perceived as the theft of what was rightfully his, a vengeful Styrbjôrn left the kingdom promising to come back one day and to depose "The Usurper".

Torgny and Thorvald met with King Eric to discuss their plans about Styrbjôrn and his army traveling to Uppsala. Discussing how the Templars may be using his nephew's plan to grow their influence, Thorvald discusses his plans for a palisade and leading a small legion himself to attack them in the Mirkwood. When Eric agreed, Torgny told Thorvald to go while he and Eric stay to convince the other council members.

After Thorvald returned from his plans, he informed Torgny and Eric about Styrbjörn's current numbers and his possession of an unusual dagger. While Eric chose to remain ambivalent to their plans, Torgny tasked Thorvald to kill Styrbjôrn and acquire the dagger. Upon Thorvald's return, Torgny and his apprentice told of Styrbjôrn's survival but showed his dagger. Torgny concocted a plan for Eric to use the dagger as a gift to Odin, in order to convince and uplift his council and army's morale against Styrbjôrn's army. Secretly, he told Thorvald to take it back after the ritual.

Choosing another champion to fight Styrbjôrn, they all met with Östen Jorundsson, a renowned farmer-warrior and a member of Thorvald's small legion, and offered him to be Eric's champion. Östen agreed, to avenge Alferth, and their plans were set. On the day of the battle, Eric's army held and was victorious while Östen bested Styrbjôrn in combat. When Styrbjôrn died from his wounds, the rest of his army fell to Eric's men. Torgny and Eric met with Thorvald and Östen to discuss their victory. While Torgny left with Eric to settle matters with the council, Thorvald gave Östen the responsibility to hide the dagger from any prying eyes.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Fate of the Gods