Welcome, Raven Clan warrior, to the sun-drenched shores of East Anglia, a land ripe for alliance and conquest. This section of our comprehensive Assassin's Creed Valhalla guide delves into "The Tale of Thegn Oswald," a pivotal arc within the main questline that sees Eivor navigating the treacherous waters of Anglo-Saxon politics and forging crucial bonds. Here, you'll learn how to successfully aid the unassuming Oswald in reclaiming his rightful place, securing a vital alliance for the Raven Clan, and laying the groundwork for future expansions into England.
This chapter will guide you through every step of Oswald's journey, from his initial introduction to his eventual coronation. We'll cover key dialogue choices, combat strategies for challenging encounters, and the optimal path to ensure Oswald's success and East Anglia's allegiance. Mastering this questline is essential for progressing Eivor's saga and strengthening your foothold in this new, hostile land. Prepare to mediate disputes, fight alongside new allies, and prove the Raven Clan's worth as more than just raiders.
The Tale of Thegn Oswald
The questline involving Thegn Oswald is crucial for securing East Anglia as an ally for the Raven Clan. This arc begins shortly after you arrive in England and establish Ravensthorpe. Your primary objective is to help Oswald, a mild-mannered and somewhat naive nobleman, reclaim his throne from the Viking warlords Rued and his clan. Success here grants you a powerful ally and opens up new opportunities for trade and influence.
The initial steps involve meeting Oswald and his loyal followers, Broder and Brothir, in Northwic. Be prepared for a series of challenges that test both your combat prowess and your diplomatic skills. Oswald's lack of experience means Eivor will often need to take the lead, guiding him through difficult situations. Pay close attention to dialogue options, as some choices can subtly influence Oswald's confidence and his relationship with his people. While not drastically altering the outcome, supportive dialogue can make subsequent interactions smoother.
Throughout this arc, you'll engage in several key activities:
- Clearing Fortifications: You'll need to assault and clear several Viking-held strongholds, such as Burgh Castle, to weaken Rued's grip on the region. Focus on stealthily eliminating archers and then engaging the remaining forces.
- Rescuing Hostages: Several of Oswald's loyalists will be captured. Prioritize their rescue, often involving infiltration and discreet takedowns.
- Training Oswald: Eivor will personally train Oswald in combat, leading to a memorable sparring session. This is a low-stakes encounter desed to build character.
- The Wedding Feast: A pivotal event where you must make a critical decision regarding Rued.
Ensure your gear is upgraded and you have a good supply of rations and arrows before embarking on major assaults. The enemies in East Anglia, particularly Rued's forces, can be formidable. use your Raven (Synin) to scout ahead and mark enemies, and always look for environmental advantages in combat.
Confronting Rued
The climax of "The Tale of Thegn Oswald" involves a direct confrontation with Rued. This encounter takes place at Burgh Castle after you've weakened his forces. Rued is a challenging opponent, favoring aggressive, two-handed axe attacks. His attacks are slow but powerful, so focus on parrying and dodging to create openings for your own strikes. use abilities that stun or temporarily incapacitate him, such as "Dive of the Valkyries" or "Harpoon Impalement," to gain an advantage.
After defeating Rued, you will be presented with a critical choice: Kill Rued or Spare Rued. This decision has sificant consequences for Oswald and the future of East Anglia. If you kill Rued, Oswald will be seen as a strong leader who avenged his people. If you spare Rued, he will appear later at Oswald's wedding feast, leading to a second, more public confrontation. Sparing Rued can lead to a more dramatic moment and allows Broder to join your crew later, but it also means another fight. Consider your preferred narrative outcome and the immediate benefits to your crew.
Oswald's Wedding and Alliance
Following the resolution of the Rued conflict, Oswald's wedding to Valdis will take place. This is a celebratory event, but it can be interrupted depending on your previous choice regarding Rued. If you spared Rued, he will crash the wedding, forcing another duel. This time, you can choose to fight him yourself or allow Oswald to fight him. Allowing Oswald to fight Rued, and win, sificantly boosts his confidence and standing among his people, solidifying his rule. If Oswald loses, you will have to intervene, which slightly diminishes his image.
Regardless of the specifics, successfully navigating these events culminates in a strong alliance with East Anglia. Oswald will pledge his support to the Raven Clan, providing a valuable foothold in England. This alliance unlocks new trade routes, potential recruits for your longship, and contributes sificantly to your overall progress in the game's narrative. Ensure you speak to all key characters during the wedding feast to fully appreciate the fruits of your labor and gather any lingering lore or side quests.