Who is the Father in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla? Unmasking the Grand Maegester

The “Father” in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla refers to King Aelfred of Wessex. Despite his position as king and seeming devout Christian, he secretly holds the highest rank within the Order of the Ancients, acting as their Grand Maegester. His ultimate goal, ironically, is to dismantle the Order from within, viewing them as heathens and a threat to his vision of a unified and Christian England. His methods are manipulative and deceptive, but his intentions (from his perspective) are for the “greater good”.

The Unveiling: How to Expose King Aelfred

Unmasking Aelfred isn’t a straightforward fight; it’s a quest of intrigue and revelation. Here’s how to expose The Father:

1. Progress through the Main Story: Continue the main narrative until you reach the Hamtunscire region.

2. “The Poor Fellow Soldier” Quest: Accept the quest “The Poor Fellow Soldier” from Aelfred himself. This initiates the final stages of the Order of the Ancients storyline.

3. Travel to Aethelnay: Head to Aethelnay, located in Hamtunscire. The quest marker will guide you to the specific location.

4. Speak to the Contact: Interact with the person at the quest marker in Aethelnay. This triggers a crucial cutscene.

5. The Revelation: During the cutscene, King Aelfred’s identity as The Father is revealed, confirming your suspicions.

6. No Fight Required: After exposing him and handing over the medallions collected from the Order members, Aelfred is effectively removed from power within the Order. There’s no final boss battle with him. He has served his purpose, ridding England of the Pagan ways of the Order, as he sees it.

Aelfred’s role is complex, as he’s both the leader of the enemy organization and a key figure in the historical setting of the game. The reveal is a significant plot twist, highlighting the themes of power, religion, and hidden agendas prevalent in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Eivor and the World of AC Valhalla

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that delve deeper into the characters, plot, and lore of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, including Eivor’s story and relation to the Norse Gods:

1. Is Eivor a God or Possessed by Odin?

Eivor is neither a god in the traditional sense nor possessed by Odin. Instead, Eivor is the reincarnation of Odin. Within the Assassin’s Creed universe, Odin is not a literal Norse deity but an Isu, a member of an ancient and highly advanced civilization that predates humanity.

2. Why Does Eivor Reject Odin?

Eivor rejects Odin because his presence represents a conflict with her own identity and free will. She struggles with the memories and instincts of her past life as an Isu (Odin), but ultimately chooses to forge her own path. This conflict between Eivor’s human desires and Odin’s pre-programmed actions drives much of the internal struggle that defines the character.

3. Does Eivor Lose an Eye in Valhalla?

Yes, Eivor loses their eye twice during the game. The first time occurs during a vision where they experience Odin’s sacrifice of his eye for wisdom. The second time, Eivor loses their eye during the events of the main storyline, being shot by an arrow. This loss of the eye serves as a symbolic connection to Odin, who famously only has one eye.

4. How Does Eivor End Up in America (Vinland)?

Eivor travels to Vinland (North America) as part of a specific questline within the game, expanding the map for players to explore. Historically, Norsemen did colonize parts of North America around 1000 AD, and Eivor’s journey takes place before that, around 873 AD. This allows for a unique crossover of historical events and the game’s fictional narrative.

5. Is Killing Alfred Justifiable in the Game?

While it’s possible to eliminate Alfred in other games, in Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, there is no need to kill him. By exposing his identity as The Father, he is rendered powerless within the Order. The game prioritizes the narrative arc over a simple act of revenge.

6. Is Eivor Canonically Female?

Yes, female Eivor is considered the canonical version of the character. The game provides a meta-narrative explanation for why players can choose to play as either male or female, attributing it to the Animus’s interpretation of Eivor’s DNA being influenced by Odin’s genetic markers.

7. What Kind of Viking Was Eivor?

Eivor Varinsdottir was a Viking shieldmaiden and jarlskona (a woman of noble birth) from Norway. She was a warrior and a leader who participated in raids in what would later become England during the late 9th century.

8. Is Basim a Villain in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?

Yes, Basim Ibn Ishaq turns out to be a major antagonist in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Despite initially appearing as a mentor and ally to Eivor, his true motives are driven by revenge related to his past life as the Isu Loki.

9. Who Betrayed Soma in Grantebridgescire?

The traitor who betrayed Soma in Grantebridgescire is Galinn. He, delusional and driven by misinterpreted visions, sought to remove Soma from power to fulfill what he believed to be his true destiny.

10. Why is Eivor Buried in Vinland?

Eivor is believed to be buried in Vinland because she was the first known Viking to settle and pass away in that region. Vinland, a region of North America, was a settlement in the Viking age. While the Norsemen discovered North America around 1000 CE, Eivor traveled to this region before and passed there.

11. Can Eivor Get Married or Have a Wife?

Eivor can engage in romantic relationships, including one-night stands and committed relationships. The game does not impose gender limitations on these relationships, allowing players to romance characters regardless of Eivor’s chosen gender. This reflects the more fluid social and sexual dynamics of the Viking age, as well as offering players increased choices.

12. How Old is Eivor at the End of AC Valhalla?

At the beginning of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Eivor is 25-years-old as the main part of the game begins in 872 CE, with her birth being 847 CE.

13. Why Does Eivor Look So Old in the Game?

The perception of Eivor looking older than their actual age is subjective. The demanding lifestyle of a Viking warrior, combined with the harsh environment and frequent battles, could plausibly accelerate the aging process.

14. Do Sigurd and Randvi Always Break Up?

Sigurd and Randvi’s relationship will end in divorce regardless of your decisions, meaning that even if the player attempts to make good choices, they will eventually break up.

15. Why Does Basim Hate Eivor?

Basim’s hatred for Eivor stems from their shared Isu past. Basim is the reincarnation of Loki, and Eivor is the reincarnation of Odin. In the Isu era, Loki sought revenge on Odin for his treatment of Loki’s son. Basim is trying to fulfill the Loki role by killing his fellow Isu.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla weaves a complex narrative that blends historical events with science fiction elements, creating a rich and immersive gaming experience. The characters, particularly Eivor and Aelfred, are multilayered, adding depth to the game’s themes of power, identity, and destiny. The world of gaming provides an incredible opportunity for learning and development, as is thoroughly explored and explained by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The intersection of education and gaming is crucial for the continuous evolution of both fields.