Order of the Ancients Guide

Hunting down the shadowy figures of the Order of the Ancients is a core part of Eivor's journey in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This guide will help you systematically dismantle their network, revealing their identities and eliminating them to weaken their influence across England. Each member you eliminate brings you closer to uncovering the Grand Master and earning powerful rewards.

Unlocking the Hunt

The Order of the Ancients questline officially begins after you establish your Hidden Ones Bureau in Ravensthorpe. This occurs during the main story quest "A Brief History of the Hidden Ones", where you'll meet Hytham. He will task you with finding and eliminating Order members, providing you with your first few clues.

How to Find Order Members

Order members are typically revealed in one of three ways:

Main Story Progression: Many Order members are encountered and revealed naturally as part of the main narrative arcs in various regions like Ledecestrescire, Grantebridgescire, and Lunden.
Clues: Each Order member, once revealed, will have a set of clues (usually 2-3) that pinpoint their location or identity. These clues can be found in several ways:
- Eliminating other Order members: Often, defeating one member will yield a clue for another.
- World Events and Mysteries: Some side quests or world events will lead you to a clue.
- Specific Locations: Certain clues are simply found as loot in chests or on tables in specific, often guarded, locations. Pay attention to the clue's description for hints.
- Purchasing from Merchants: Occasionally, a merchant might sell a clue, marked with a distinctive Order symbol.
Cultist Tree Reveals: As you collect clues, the Order tab in your menu will update. Once you have enough clues for a specific member, their identity and location will be revealed on the map, allowing you to track them directly.

General Strategies for Eliminating Order Members

While each Order member presents a unique challenge, here are some overarching strategies:

Stealth is Key: Many Order members are found in heavily guarded areas or are themselves formidable fighters. Utilizing stealth to get a guaranteed assassination often makes encounters much easier. Look for high vantage points, use your Raven (Synin) to mark enemies, and plan your approach.
Exploit Weaknesses: Pay attention to the gear and fighting style of your target. Some might be vulnerable to specific weapon types, while others might be easily parried or dodged.
Environmental Hazards: Look for opportunities to use the environment to your advantage. Dropping chandeliers, igniting oil jars, or pushing enemies off ledges can be highly effective.
Power Level: Always check the recommended power level for the region an Order member is located in. Attempting to fight a high-level member when under-leveled will be a significant challenge.
Confirm the Kill: After defeating an Order member, always remember to interact with their body to confirm the kill and collect their medallion. These medallions are crucial for progressing the questline with Hytham.

Key Order Members and Their Locations (Early Game Examples)

Here are a few examples of early-game Order members you'll encounter and how to deal with them:

The Leech (Sister Frideswid)

Region: Ledecestrescire
Revelation: Revealed during the main story quest "The Reeve of Leicestershire".
Location: She is found in the city of Ledecestre, specifically within the church.
Strategy: This is a mandatory encounter. She will attack you directly. Focus on parrying her attacks and striking back. She's not overly difficult if you've been upgrading your gear.
Reward: Order Medallion.

The Scabbard (Augusta the Cheerful)

Region: Grantebridgescire
Revelation: Revealed during the main story quest "The Stolen Crown".
Location: You'll find her in the camp near Grantebridge during the quest.
Strategy: Another mandatory story encounter. She's a standard enemy, so treat her like any other strong foe. Dodge her heavy attacks and counter.
Reward: Order Medallion.

The Compass (Vicelin)

Region: East Anglia
Revelation: Revealed during the main story quest "A Triumphant Return".
Location: He is the final boss of the East Anglia arc, encountered during a naval battle.
Strategy: This is a unique fight aboard a ship. Focus on destroying his ship's weak points with your bow, then board and engage him directly. He's a powerful opponent, so be prepared for a tough melee fight.
Reward: Order Medallion.

Reporting to Hytham

After collecting a certain number of medallions (usually 2-3), return to Hytham at the Hidden Ones Bureau in Ravensthorpe. He will reward you with new abilities and gear for your efforts. Continue this cycle of hunting and reporting to progress through the Order of the Ancients questline and eventually confront the Grand Master.