Ljufvina Bjarmarsdottir

Ljufvina Bjarmarsdottir (born c. 832) was a 9th century Siberian princess from Bjarmaland who married Hjorr Halfsson, the last king of Avaldsnes who descended from the Augvald dynasty. She was the mother of the twins Geirmund and Hámund.

Biography

Queen of Avaldsnes

Little is known about her past, except that Ljufvina found herself in an arranged marriage with Hjorr Halfsson as she became his queen of Avaldsnes. In 850, when Ljufvina gave birth to her twin sons Geirmund and Hámund, she worried over her husband's reactions to newborns that looked so little like him. Thus, she swapped her children with that of a thrall, Ágáða, who had also recently given birth. However, in three years, Ágáða's child died during the winter of that year. Within the next year, she was urged by their skald Bragi Boddason to confess her deception to Hjorr.

In 870, Ljufvina and Hjorr had welcomed guests, such as Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson and Eivor Varinsdottir, to their hall. She soon found herself relieved once she saw Geirmund and Hámund return from their hunting trip. However, while her children were treated, she and Hjorr met with Styrbjorn quickly before keeping him waiting long. In their meeting, they discussed the growing influence and power of Harald Fairhair over Norway.

Within six days, Ljufvina and Hjorr readied a feast for Jarl Guthrum, who came under the order of King Bersi to find allies for their army in their war against the Saxons. After the feast went underway, she and Hjorr met with Guthrum privately, along with their children. During their conversation, Guthrum was rejected and stood up angrily, which riled Ljufvina and Hámund to ready their weapons. While Guthrum left disappointed, Ljufvina saw Geirmund disclose his desire to leave for Guthrum.

Despite her pleas, Ljufvina could not stop Geirmund as both Hámund and Hjorr tried to stop him. As he left, Geirmund declared he had no true family, including no mother, which left her crying over his exit.

Relocating to Jorvik

Ljufvina and Hjorr leave their homeland for Harald to seek out new opportunities

In 872, Hjorr and Ljufvina willingly surrendered their territory to the newly crowned King of Norway, Harald Fairhair, as they began to depart from the area to seek a new life. By 874, they had settled in Jorvik where Hjorr served in the council of King Ricsige of Northumbria, a vassal king appointed by Halfdan Ragnarsson.

Fighting the Order

In 874, Ljufvina and Hjorr prospered well in Jorvik as they acquired a manor, surrounded by flowers. One day, Ljufvina received a letter from a Poor Fellow-Soldier of Christ, but did not open it. Nevertheless, at her home, she was attacked by bandit thieves from the Red Hand but was able to kill them before escaping. Stopping at a tower, she was soon found by Eivor but was still startled. After a quick breath, they discussed how the city was under siege like Lunden. Together, they made their way away from Ljufvina's pursuers towards the Royal Hall.

Ljufvina, Eivor, and Hjorr discuss the Order's influence in Jorvik

There, Ljufvina and Eivor met with Hjorr as Eivor disclosed that the Red Hand is under the control of the group, the Order of the Ancients. Despite Hjorr's caution, she detailed how the Red Hand almost killed her as Eivor wanted to keep their mission in secret between the three of them. After Eivor received Ricsige's permission to deal with the Red Hand, Ljufvina was told to stay in the hall and spy on any changes in the council's behavior. Reluctant, Ljufvina stayed as Eivor left to investigate.

After some time, Ljufivina received Eivor again after her investigation led to the discovery and death of The Firebrand, the Abbess Ingeborg. However, she was told by Ricsige to discuss other matters before asking more about Ingeborg. Before her meeting, she asked Eivor to investigate the dock and its dockmaster, Grigorii. Ljufvina met with Eivor again as they discussed the Needle's downfall. Hjorr joined the conversation as it was disclosed that Grigorii was the Needle and stole silver from the merchants with a seal from the council. However, before they could discuss more, Hjorr had to leave to prepare for the Yuletide festival.

Alone together, Ljufvina and Eivor recalled Ingeborg's last words as they determined one of the four council members must be The Vault. Together, they traveled to the Archives to investigate further. At the Archives, they investigate the council's workplace and found a secret compartment, where they discovered that the wine for the festival had been poisoned. Behind Hjorr's station, Ljufvina began to wonder about her husband's motive. However, she was told by Eivor to focus on going to Roman Amphitheater. In agreement, they both left to go to the amphitheater. There, Ljufvina looked around as Eivor interrogated the council.

After Eivor came back, they discussed on who may be the Vault. However, they both saw Audun address the guests as the wine was brought out. Soon, they both realized Audun was The Vault as some of the esteemed guests began choking on the wine. While Eivor chased Audun, Ljufvina ordered the guards to save the king and other council members against the Red Hand bandits. Fortunately, Ljufvina had Faravid take Ricsige away as she and Hjorr held off the bandits while Eivor assassinated Audun.

Ljufvina and Hjorr embraced after Hjorr's Yuletide gift for her

Back at the Royal Hall, Ljufvina joined Eivor and Hjorr as Eivor told Ricsige and Faravid of her real reason to rid the Order from Jorvik. After the council thanked Eivor, she and Hjorr saw Eivor out but Eivor questioned Hjorr about the secret silver. Hjorr explained it was a Yuletide gift for Ljufvina, who embraced her husband. Ljufvina soon gave a seal to Eivor and promised to come to aid her if she called for battle.

Meeting Geirmund again

After the Order ordeal, Ljufvina was back at her home as she heard a knock on her door. Soon, she saw her son again and embraced him quickly. Together, they walked into their home as Geirmund met his father again. After discussing their situation with Ricsige, Ljufvina begged Geirmund not to fight with Guthrum, however she stated she knew that his fate was elsewhere. In the next days, she hosted her son, who started to learn why their parents left their land and how important their duties were in Jorvik. Before Geirmund left, his parents disclosed of secret organizations in England and gifted him a horse for his travels.

Fighting the Picts

In 876, during one day, Ljufvina and Hjorr met with protestors near an alehouse as one man wanted to fight. Luckily, they were joined by a visiting Eivor and fist-fought the aggressive protestors. After beating them in combat, Ljufvina thanked Eivor and asked what brought her back. As they discussed for an army against the Picts, the married couple agreed to aid her by having a false written parchment for an army from Halfdan. Ljufvina soon caught up with Eivor over a drink before continuing on her duties.

Ljufvina and Faravid lead Halfdan's forces against the Picts at Magnis Fortress

Amassing a dozen soldiers, Ljufvina led a charge towards Magnis Fortress as she awaited for more soldiers from Eivor and Faravid. Once they and Halfdan arrived with their warriors, they all marched to Magnis Fortress despite the inner conflicts. At the fortress' gates, they all witness Ricsige's betrayal as he fought along with the Picts. Nevertheless, Halfdan's forces attacked the Picts and successfully defeated them while Eivor chased down and killed King Ricsige. Afterwards, she and Hjorr were guests to the coronation of Halfdan as king of Northumbria but also witnessed Faravid's alleged poisoning through lead chalices. There, all of the guests saw Halfdan lose another one of his advisors.

Battle of Chippenham

On 878 January, Ljufvina and Hjorr answered Eivor's call to fight against Wessex and King Alfred at Chippenham. Accompanied with Eivor's other allies, she and Hjorr were present as Eivor, Guthrum, and Soma addressed their warriors to fight the Saxons. Altogether, they fought and began to take over Chippenham while Ljufvina joined Eivor and Soma to capture Alfred inside the town's chapel. However, they found only Reeve Goodwin, who stated Alfred fled to his other allies. Ljufvina and Soma left Eivor to face Goodwin alone while they joined the fight outside.

Ljufvina, Eivor, and Soma entered the chapel to find King Alfred

During the battle, Ljufvina fought alongside her husband, Eluric, and Hunwald, but noticed Hunwald injured from the fighting. Once Eivor came, she notified her about Hunwald, who was later carried off the battlefield and soon died from his injuries. Once the battle was won, Ljufvina took care of those who died, which included Hjorr. Sobbing, she cried over her lost love and vowed of her heart ending with him. Afterwards, the funeral pyres were set up quickly as Eivor gave last rites to Soma, Hunwald, and Hjorr, as Ljufvina was in attendance.

Alone, Ljufvina was left in a daze until she was interrupted by her son Geirmund. They embraced again as she told him of Hjorr's death in battle. While Geirmund tried to apologize, she stated that fate took Hjorr and he was honorable in battle to the end. Before he left to meet with Guthrum, Ljufvina cautioned him to be careful as she gifted him Hjorr's seax. After the battle, she left Chippenhamm and headed back home.

Behind the scenes

Ljufvina Bjarmarsdottir is a historical figure and a character introduced in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, before appearing in the novel Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Geirmund's Saga. Ljufvina came from the Sikhirtya tribe, a mythical people belonging to the indigenous populations of Siberia. They lived by the coast, along the eastern border of an area that the Norsemen called “Bjarmeland”. She is voiced by American-Danish-Korean actress Sandra Yi Sencindiver, who also voiced Yanli in the game.

Depending on the player, Ljufvina can join at certain battles, if Eivor completed the Jorvik arc before these battles.

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)