Hjorr Halfsson

Hjörr Halfsson (c. 815 – 878) was a member of western Norway's leading royal dynasty, before King Harald claimed dominion over all kingdoms. He left his homeland for England, where he soon sat on the king's council in Jorvik. With his wife Ljufvina, he fathered the twins Geirmund and Hámund.

Biography

The last King of Avaldsnes

Not much is known about his early, except that he was the son of Half Hjörrleifsson, and thus the grandson of Hjörrleif Hjörrsson. Once he became King of Avaldsnes, he soon married Ljufvina Bjarmarsdottir and became the father of twins Geirmund and Hámund by 850. However, due to Ljufvina's worries, he believed he had one son, whose true parentage was of a thrall named Ágáða. After the boy died after three years, the skald Bragi Boddason told Ljufvina to reveal the truth about the twins. Thus, the arrangement was reversed as the twins went to live with Hjorr and Ljufvina.

In 870, Hjorr and Ljufvina set up a feast for their guests, Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson and his adopted daughter Eivor Varinsdottir, as his twins returned from their extended hunting trip alive. After Ljufvina welcomed them back, Hjorr blamed Geirmund for his reckless behavior that nearly ended their lives. However, he was placated once Ljufvina reminded him to receive Strybjorn. Thus, he and his wife met Styrbjorn privately and discussed Harald Fairhair's growing power in Norway.

After six days, Hjorr and his people prepared another feast as King Bersi's jarl Guthrum came to visit them. Along with his wife and children, Hjorr heard Guthrum's plea for more allies to fight against the Saxons for England. However, with no desire for raiding and Harald's looming influence, Hjorr declined Guthrum's offer, which led to Guthrum being enraged. Luckily, tensions calmed down as Guthrum left. However, Hjorr was told by Geirmund of his desire to fight as he forbids him. Hjorr tries to hit Geirmund, but his child dodges the punch and disowns his family before leaving.

Moving to Jorvik

Hjorr and Ljufvina address King Harald of their departure from Norway

In 872, both Hjorr and Ljufvina offered their land to Harald, who became the new King of Norway, as they wished to seek out new opportunities. Within two years, they both found their way to Jorvik as Hjorr soon became on the council of King Ricsige of Northumbria, a puppet king under Halfdan Ragnarsson.

Rooting out the Order

In 874, Hjorr was working at the Royal Hall but was soon visited by both his wife and Eivor, who both disclosed of the Red Hand nearly trying to kill Ljufvina. All three discussed a letter from the "Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ," who detailed of three operatives of the Order of the Ancients working within Jorvik. Realizing there is no one left to trust, the three agreed to keep it to themselves as Hjorr and Eivor went to meet with King Ricsige. He introduced Eivor to the King as Eivor mentioned the recent attack from the Red Hand on Ljufvina. Thus, Ricsige allowed Eivor to act upon the Red Hand as she and Hjorr achieved his permission. Meanwhile, Hjorr was ordered to find more funds for Faravid's men and the Yuletide, despite the lack of money.

Hjorr, Eivor, and Ljufvina discussed their next steps against the Order

Hjorr asked Eivor and Ljufvina to look into these matters as he handled Ricsige's task. After Eivor dealt with The Firebrand and The Needle, Hjorr was informed of Grigorii's acts of robbing the merchants and being given a seal from the council. Distraught, he soon had to leave Eivor and Ljufvina to tend to the Yuletide feast's matters. Hjorr and his councilmen soon began the Yuletide feast at the Roman Amphitheater, where Eivor and Ljufvina soon joined them.

During Eivor's investigation of the feast, Hjorr and the rest of the guests soon realized the wine had been poisoned as High Reeve Audun revealed his treachery as The Vault and condemned all to death. Luckily, Hjorr, Faravid, and Ljufvina safeguarded the guests and the king while Eivor hunted down and killed Audun. Back at the Royal Hall, Ricsige and Hjorr thanked Eivor for her aid against the Order. Yet, he was asked by Eivor about the abundance of silver on his desk at the Archives. Caught, he admitted that it was to pay for Ljufvina's gift for Yuletide. Sweetened, the married couple embraced each other while Eivor left for Ravensthorpe.

Reconciling with Geirmund

After the Order being eradicated, he and Ljufvina soon received a knock at their home. Surprised, their son Geirmund arrived on the doorsteps, where Ljufvina embraced him and Hjorr teared up. After talking about what has passed, Hjorr had to leave to attend to his matters in the council. However, he lied to find solace at a wharf along the Ouse River. He was soon found by Geirmund, who asked why he left Avaldsnes to Harald. He explains he rather be no king than to want bloodshed. He stated that his desire of no more war but apologized to Geirmund of trying to stop his destiny. After they reconciled, they walked back home.

Within a couple of days, Hjorr and Ljufvina described and showed the importance of their work in Jorvik to Geirmund. Once Geirmund had to leave to fight for Guthrum in Wessex, both parents gifted him a horse they retrieved from the Picts as he left to join Guthrum.

Battling the Picts

In 876, Hjorr and Ljufvina had to deal with some protestors at an alehouse one day as one of them wanted to fight. Fortunately, they were visited by Eivor, who joined them to beat down the aggressive protestors. After the fist-fight, they were asked to aid her by forging a war document to instill warriors to fight the Picts. Agreeing to help, Hjorr drafted a false parchment under Halfdan's order and gave it to Eivor. After the battle at Magnis Fortress was won and the former King Ricsige was killed for his betrayal, Hjorr and Ljufvina were guests to Halfdan's coronation as King of Northumbria. However, they and all the guests witnessed Faravid accused of his long-term poisoning against Halfdan and how Halfdan lost another advisor.

Battle of Chippenhamm

Hjorr is given last rites alongside Soma and Huwnald

On January 878, Hjorr and Ljufvina answered Eivor's call to fight with her allies and Guthrum against King Alfred's men at Chippenham. After Eivor conversed with Guthrum and Soma, everyone with them joined the fight against Alfred's men. However, it was a farce as Alfred fled the town once the Vikings and their allies attacked. During the battle, he and Ljufvina fought alongside Hunwald and Eluric, but noticed Hunwald become injured in the fight. Once Eivor arrived, Hjorr promised to hold the Saxons back as she took Hunwald away.

Death

Unfortunately, Hjorr died in combat, protecting his wife. Despite the victory, Ljufvina cried out in pain while his body, along with Hunwald and Soma, were taken to be given last rites. Taking Hjorr's seax, Ljufvina stared in a daze at the world, until Geirmund arrived to see his mother crying. Once Ljufvina told him of his father's death, Geirmund wished to speak with Guthrum. However, Ljufvina cautioned him about speaking with Guthrum and then gifted him Hjorr's seax for his protection.

Behind the scenes

Hjorr is a historical character in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, where he is voiced by English actor Gunnar Cauthery.

Hjorr, his wife Ljufvina and their son Geimund are all historical figures, descended from the legendary king for whom Avaldsnes was named, Augvald. However, the Hjorr who married Ljufvina historically was called Hjorr Fleinsson; Hjorr Halfsson was his grandfather.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga
• The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)