Lore & Story

Welcome, Raven Clan warrior, to a deeper dive into the rich tapestry of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This section will guide you through the intricate lore, pivotal story moments, and ongoing questlines that shape Eivor's saga, from the ancient origins of the Hidden Ones to the relentless pursuit of the Order of the Ancients.

The Hidden Ones: Origins and Legacy

Eivor's journey is inextricably linked to the ancient conflict between the Hidden Ones and the Order of the Ancients. Understanding their history is crucial to grasping the motivations behind many of the game's core narrative arcs.

Unearthing the Past: Hidden Ones Bureaus

Throughout England, you will discover long-abandoned Hidden Ones Bureaus. These locations are not just historical curiosities; they are vital for understanding the lore and acquiring powerful gear. Each bureau contains a piece of the legendary Mentor's Set and a codex page that sheds light on the Hidden Ones' activities in Britannia.

Ratae Bureau (Ledecestrescire): Located beneath the city of Ledecestre. Follow the underground passages, using your Odin's Sight to locate breakable walls and hidden entrances. The codex page here details the early struggles against Roman influence.
Camulodunum Bureau (Essexe): Found within the ruins of Camulodunum. This bureau often requires environmental puzzles involving movable blocks and submerged passages. The codex page here speaks of the Hidden Ones' efforts to counter the Order's growing power.
Londinium Bureau (Lunden): Situated deep beneath the bustling streets of Lunden. Access often involves navigating the city's extensive sewer system. The codex page found here provides insights into the Order's infiltration of Roman institutions.
Eboracum Bureau (Jorvik): Hidden beneath the city of Jorvik. Be prepared for intricate platforming and possibly some light combat with local bandits. The codex page here details the Order's expansion into northern territories.
Venta Belgarum Bureau (Wincestre): Located within the fortified city of Wincestre. This bureau often requires careful stealth to avoid detection by guards. The codex page here discusses the Order's influence on local governance.
Temple of Ceres Bureau (Glowecestrescire): Found within the Temple of Ceres. This bureau is often tied to a specific side quest or world event that reveals more about the local Order presence. The codex page here offers a broader perspective on the Hidden Ones' network.

Collecting all six codex pages and delivering them to Hytham at the Ravensthorpe Hidden Ones Bureau will unlock further dialogue and reveal more about the origins of the Hidden Ones and their enduring fight against the Order of the Ancients.

Breaking the Order: The Hunt for the Ancients

The Order of the Ancients is a shadowy organization that seeks to control England through manipulation and violence. As Eivor, you will systematically dismantle their network, one member at a time. This is a core ongoing questline that spans the entirety of the game.

Identifying and Eliminating Order Members

Order members are revealed through various means:

Main Story Quests: Many key Order members are encountered and eliminated as part of the main narrative arcs in each region. Pay close attention to dialogue and objectives.
Clues: Scattered throughout England are clues that point to the identity and location of Order members. These clues can be found in chests, on defeated enemies, or by completing specific world events.
Hytham's Assignments: After delivering enough Order Medallions to Hytham in Ravensthorpe, he will often provide you with direct targets and their general whereabouts.

Key Order Branches and Targets

The Order is structured into several branches, each with a Grand Maegester. Eliminating all members within a branch will reveal the Grand Maegester.

The Wardens of War: Often found leading military forces or instigating conflicts. Targets include The Leech (Sister Frideswid) in Lunden and The Scabbard (Vicelin) in Cent.
The Wardens of Faith: Typically found within religious institutions or influencing local clergy. Targets include The Quill (Gunilla) in East Anglia and The Oil (Aelfred's Advisor) in Wincestre.
The Wardens of Wealth: Involved in economic exploitation and corruption. Targets include The Compass (Fulke) in Cent and The Crozier (Havelok) in Lincolnscire.
The Wardens of Law: Operating within legal and administrative structures. Targets include The Anvil (Gifle) in Sciropescire and The Gallows (Kjotve the Cruel) in Norway (early game).
The Wardens of Art: Often patrons or manipulators of cultural figures. Targets include The Needle (Hilda) in Jorvik and The Vice (Audun) in Snotinghamscire.

Each time you defeat an Order member, ensure you collect the Order Medallion from their corpse. These medallions are crucial for Hytham's investigations and for progressing the "Breaking the Order" questline. Delivering medallions to Hytham will unlock new abilities for Eivor and reveal more about the Order's ultimate goal.

Ongoing Quest Lines: Beyond the Main Story

Beyond the primary narrative, several ongoing quest lines offer deeper lore, unique rewards, and expand upon Eivor's personal journey and the broader world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

The Ravensthorpe Settlement: A Growing Legacy

Your settlement at Ravensthorpe is more than just a base; it's a living, breathing entity that evolves with your choices. Many ongoing quests are tied to its growth:

Building Upgrades: Constructing new buildings like the Hidden Ones Bureau, the Seer's Hut, the Fishing Hut, and the Hunter's Hut unlocks new services, quests, and characters. For example, building the Seer's Hut allows you to undertake Valka's quests to Asgard and Jotunheim.
Settlement Events: Periodically, your settlement will host festivals (e.g., Yule Festival, Ostara Festival) which offer unique activities, temporary shops, and exclusive cosmetic rewards.
Personal Quests: Many of your Jomsvikingr and other settlement residents will offer personal quests that delve into their backstories and provide additional lore about the Viking way of life. Look for the blue quest markers within Ravensthorpe.

The Asgardian and Jotunheim Sagas: Myth and Reality

Through Valka the Seer, Eivor can journey to the mythical realms of Asgard and Jotunheim. These sagas are not merely side quests; they are integral to understanding the Isu (First Civilization) lore and Eivor's own destiny.

Initiating the Sagas: After building Valka's Seer's Hut in Ravensthorpe, speak with her to begin the quest "A Wise Friend." She will ask you to gather specific ingredients: Thistle (found in swamps) and St. John's Wort (found in open fields).
Asgard: The first potion transports you to Asgard, where you will interact with Norse gods like Odin, Thor, and Loki. This arc explores themes of fate, betrayal, and the cyclical nature of existence. Complete quests like "Well-Traveled" and "Defensive Measures" to progress.
Jotunheim: After completing the Asgardian saga, Valka will offer a second potion, taking you to Jotunheim. This realm is filled with illusions and trickery, further deepening the mystery of the Isu and their influence on humanity. Quests here include "Mistress of the Iron Wood" and "A Feast to Remember."

These sagas are crucial for understanding the overarching narrative of Assassin's Creed and provide significant revelations about Eivor's true nature and connection to the Isu.

The Vinland Saga: A New World

After reaching a certain point in the main story (specifically, after completing the Grantebridgescire and Ledecestrescire arcs and building the Ravensthorpe Trading Post), you will unlock the quest "In a Strange Land." This quest, initiated by Hytham, will lead you to the shores of Vinland.

Purpose: Eivor travels to Vinland to hunt down Gorm Kjotveson, the son of Kjotve the Cruel. This arc serves as a self-contained narrative that provides closure to Eivor's personal vendetta and introduces new characters and challenges.
Unique Mechanics: In Vinland, Eivor arrives with no gear. You must trade with the local inhabitants using resources found in the region to acquire new weapons and armor. Focus on hunting and gathering to earn Vinland Currency.
Rewards: Completing the Vinland saga provides unique armor and weapons that are exclusive to this region, and contributes to the overall "Breaking the Order" questline by eliminating a key target.