What Happens to Aelfgar if You Choose Hunwald in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

If you choose Hunwald to be the Ealdorman of Lincolnscire in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Aelfgar steps aside, accepting Hunwald’s leadership. He remains in Lincolnscire and acts as an advisor, offering his experience and knowledge to the newly appointed, but less seasoned, Hunwald. While he won’t be the one directly leading the shire, Aelfgar’s presence ensures that Hunwald has someone to lean on for guidance, blending Hunwald’s passion for the region with Aelfgar’s practical wisdom. This maintains the alliance with the Raven Clan, resolving the Lincolnscire storyline peacefully, even though darker events later come to pass.

Understanding the Lincolnscire Choice and Its Impact

The “Vote for Ealdorman” quest in Lincolnscire is a pivotal moment in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Your choice between Hunwald, Aelfgar, and Bishop Herefrith (who turns out to be the antagonist) has immediate and long-term consequences. Selecting Hunwald has a ripple effect, primarily concerning the roles and fates of the other characters involved, most notably Aelfgar.

The Role of Advisor and Experience

When Hunwald is chosen, Aelfgar’s experience doesn’t go to waste. He takes on an advisory role, effectively becoming Hunwald’s right-hand man. This is significant because Hunwald, despite his good intentions and love for Lincolnscire, lacks the political acumen and seasoned perspective needed to effectively govern. Aelfgar’s presence mitigates this weakness, creating a more stable leadership dynamic. Think of it as a checks-and-balances system within a single rulership; Hunwald provides the heart and soul, while Aelfgar offers the level-headedness and tactical thinking.

Securing the Alliance

Crucially, regardless of whether you choose Hunwald or Aelfgar, the alliance between Lincolnscire and the Raven Clan remains intact. This is vital for Eivor’s overall goals and ensures continued support for Ravensthorpe. This consistent outcome underscores that the main objective of solidifying alliances takes precedence over personal preferences for leadership.

The Unavoidable Fate of Hunwald

It is important to remember that regardless of your choice regarding the Ealdorman, Hunwald’s future is predetermined. While choosing Aelfgar sends Hunwald to Ravensthorpe, this is not a “saving” action. The game’s narrative dictates that Hunwald meets a tragic end regardless. Players who participated in the Oskoreia Season event often discovered this jarring fact early on, finding Hunwald’s memorial on the longship in Ravensthorpe before even completing the Lincolnscire arc. This illustrates that some character arcs are immutable within the game’s storyline. The Games Learning Society often discusses the intricacies of narrative design in games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, particularly how fixed narratives can both enrich and constrain player agency. Further reading on these topics can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Facing Herefrith

If you vote for Hunwald, the quest will continue, and Bishop Herefrith will ultimately be revealed as a member of the Order of the Ancients. This will lead to a castle siege at Anecastre where Herefrith will be brought to justice.

FAQs: Deep Diving into the Lincolnscire Decision

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the complexities of choosing between Hunwald and Aelfgar, and the broader consequences of that decision:

1. Does choosing Aelfgar actually save Hunwald? No. Choosing Aelfgar does not prevent Hunwald’s death. His death is a scripted event in the game, and it will occur regardless of which Ealdorman you choose.

2. If I choose Hunwald, will Aelfgar resent him? There’s no indication of resentment. Aelfgar understands his strengths and weaknesses and gracefully accepts his role as advisor. He values the stability of Lincolnscire above his personal ambition.

3. What are the main benefits of choosing Hunwald over Aelfgar? The primary benefit is seeing Hunwald step into his father’s role, fulfilling his desire to lead Lincolnscire. This choice also triggers a specific quest line involving the Order of the Ancients.

4. Will Aelfgar be a loyal advisor to Hunwald? Yes. Aelfgar is presented as a pragmatic and loyal individual. He is willing to use his experience to help Hunwald rule Lincolnscire well.

5. Does my choice affect my relationship with Swanburrow? No, your choice in Lincolnscire does not directly affect your relationship with Swanburrow. If you choose Aelfgar, Swanburrow will eventually move to Ravensthorpe along with Hunwald.

6. Does the choice of Ealdorman affect the resources Lincolnscire provides to Ravensthorpe? No, the flow of resources and support from Lincolnscire to Ravensthorpe remains consistent regardless of who you choose as Ealdorman.

7. Is there any way to avoid betraying Sigurd in the game? There are choices throughout the game that can influence Sigurd’s opinion of Eivor. Avoiding taking his cargo and waiting to engage in a romance with Randvi until after they are separated are ways to avoid betraying Sigurd.

8. What happens if you punch Basim? If you punch Basim in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Sigurd will remember the argument negatively in the future. This also has an impact in the game’s later ending.

9. If I choose Hunwald, does the alliance with Ravensthorpe become stronger? The alliance remains intact regardless of the choice, there is no effect in overall strength.

10. Can you prevent Soma from dying? No, Soma’s death is unavoidable no matter what choice you make.

11. Can you spare Ivarr? You can choose to send Ivarr to Valhalla or deny him Valhalla, but it doesn’t affect the main story.

12. Can you get with Randvi again? Yes, you can get with Randvi again after her divorce from Sigurd.

13. Can you get with Soma? No, Soma cannot be romanced in the game.

14. Who is betraying Soma? Galinn betrays Soma because he wanted Soma out of his way to fulfill the true fate he has seen in his deluded visions.

15. What are the choices that lead to the “bad” ending? Repeatedly disagreeing with Sigurd and undermining his authority will lead to the “bad” ending in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.