Kingmaker

Kingmaker

The "Kingmaker" quest arc in Assassin's Creed Valhalla sees Eivor journeying to East Anglia to forge an alliance with the region. This pivotal storyline focuses on aiding Oswald, a gentle and somewhat timid Saxon lord, in proving his worthiness to his people and his formidable future bride, Valdis. Your role is to guide Oswald through a series of challenges, bolstering his confidence and demonstrating his leadership capabilities, ultimately securing East Anglia's allegiance to Ravensthorpe.

Quest Objectives Overview

• Objective 1: Meet Oswald and his betrothed, Valdis, in Northwic.
• Objective 2: Complete a series of tasks to prove Oswald's worth and leadership to the East Anglian people.
• Objective 3: Prepare for Oswald and Valdis's wedding, ensuring the alliance is solidified.

Detailed Walkthrough: Proving Oswald's Worth

After your initial introduction to Oswald and the fiery Valdis in Northwic, you'll be tasked with helping the aspiring king overcome several obstacles. These challenges are designed to showcase his bravery, strategic thinking, and ability to protect his people – qualities he currently lacks in the eyes of many, especially Valdis's family.

Task 1: The Ambush at the Bridge

Location: A bridge south of Northwic, connecting to the eastern plains.

Oswald, eager to prove himself, will lead you to a bridge where he intends to confront a group of Rued's men who have been harassing local traders. This is Oswald's first real test in combat.

• Approach: Oswald will attempt to negotiate, which will quickly devolve into combat.
• Combat Strategy:
  • Protect Oswald: While Oswald will fight, he is not as skilled as Eivor. Prioritize enemies targeting him.
  • Target Archers First: Several archers will be positioned on the bridge and surrounding ledges. Use your bow to quickly eliminate them to prevent ranged damage to Oswald.
  • Utilize Environmental Hazards: Look for explosive pots or weak points on the bridge structure that can be exploited.
  • Recommended Loadout: A quick-attacking weapon (e.g., Dagger, Light Axe) for crowd control, and a Hunter Bow for precision shots.
• Important Interaction: After the fight, Oswald will be shaken but proud. Eivor's encouragement is crucial here.
• Common Pitfall: Allowing Oswald to take too much damage can lead to a mission failure or a less impactful outcome for his confidence. Stay close and draw aggro.

Task 2: Clearing the Bandit Camp at Brisleah Farm

Location: Brisleah Farm, located southwest of Northwic.

Valdis will challenge Oswald to clear out a bandit camp that has been terrorizing a local farm. This task emphasizes his ability to protect his people and reclaim territory.

• Approach: Oswald will want to lead the charge, but Eivor should scout ahead.
• Scouting: Use your raven, Synin, to mark all enemies and identify patrol routes. There are typically 8-10 enemies, including a few elite guards.
• Stealth Option:
  • Approach from the tall grass surrounding the farm.
  • Utilize bushes and structures for cover.
  • Perform stealth assassinations to thin out the numbers before Oswald engages.
  • Recommended Abilities: Man's Best Friend (for distraction), Rush & Bash (for quick takedowns).
• Direct Combat Option (if stealth fails):
  • Focus on the stronger enemies first.
  • Use area-of-effect abilities like Harpoon Impalement or Dive of the Valkyries if you get surrounded.
  • Keep an eye on Oswald; he will engage but needs support.
• Reward: Clearing the camp will yield various crafting materials (leather, iron ore) and potentially some silver from looting chests and bodies.

Task 3: The Trial by Fire (The Wicker Man)

Location: A secluded clearing in the woods, west of Northwic.

This is arguably Oswald's most significant challenge, designed to test his courage and resolve. He must face a "trial by fire" – a symbolic, yet dangerous, ritual involving a burning wicker man.

• Approach: Oswald will be hesitant. Eivor must provide strong encouragement.
• The Challenge: Oswald needs to retrieve a specific item (often a ceremonial dagger or token) from within the burning wicker man.
• Eivor's Role: You cannot directly enter the wicker man for Oswald. Your role is to clear the path, manage any unexpected threats, and offer moral support.
  • Environmental Hazards: The area around the wicker man will be hot and may have small pockets of fire. Avoid these.
  • Potential Enemies: Sometimes, Rued's scouts or hostile animals (wolves, bears) might appear, drawn by the commotion. Be ready to defend Oswald.
• Important Interaction: Oswald's success in this trial is a major turning point for his confidence and Valdis's respect. His dialogue after this event will reflect his newfound resolve.
• Strategy Tip: Ensure your health is full before initiating this task, as unexpected combat can be challenging if you're already weakened.

Task 4: Hunting the Great Beast (Optional but Recommended)

Location: Various hunting grounds in East Anglia, often near forests or rivers.

While not always a mandatory main quest objective, Valdis or other NPCs might suggest Oswald prove his prowess as a hunter by taking down a formidable animal. This builds on his image as a protector and provider.

• The Hunt: You'll accompany Oswald to track and hunt a specific, powerful animal (e.g., a large boar, a bear, or an alpha wolf).
• Tracking: Use Odin's Sight to follow tracks and scent trails.
• Combat Strategy:
  • Weak Points: Target the animal's weak points (often legs, head) with your bow for stun attacks.
  • Dodge and Counter: Large animals have predictable attack patterns. Dodge their charges and counter-attack.
  • Protect Oswald: Keep the animal's aggro on Eivor. Oswald will attempt to assist but is less effective.
• Rewards: High-quality animal parts (e.g., Bear Fur, Boar Tusks) which can be used for upgrades or sold for silver. This also significantly boosts Oswald's standing.

Preparing for the Wedding

Once Oswald has successfully completed these trials, his confidence will soar, and Valdis will begin to see him in a new light. The final stage of the "Kingmaker" arc involves preparing for their wedding, which serves as the formalization of the alliance between East Anglia and Ravensthorpe.

• Wedding Preparations: This typically involves a short sequence of gathering specific items for the feast or helping with decorations in Northwic. These are generally straightforward fetch quests.
• The Wedding Ceremony: Attend the ceremony in Northwic. This is a celebratory event with unique dialogue and interactions with key characters.
• Alliance Forged: Upon the completion of the wedding, East Anglia will officially become an ally on your Alliance Map, granting you resources and support for future raids and quests.

Rewards for Completing "Kingmaker"

• Experience: Significant XP gain, contributing to your Power Level.
• Silver: Various amounts of silver from quest completion and looting.
• Alliance: East Anglia added to your Alliance Map, unlocking new territories and story arcs.
• Gear: Potentially a unique weapon or armor piece, or valuable runes, depending on your choices and exploration during the arc.
• Story Progression: Advances the main storyline of Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

By diligently guiding Oswald through these challenges, Eivor not only secures a vital alliance but also witnesses the transformation of a hesitant lord into a confident leader, truly earning the title of "Kingmaker."