In Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Eivor is no stranger to sorrow. Even at a young age, they watched as their village was overtaken by Kjotve's forces and their father was slain before their eyes. After arriving in England, they make new friendships and bonds, but not all of these are destined to last. The Sciropescire alliance arc rips many of these bonds apart, resulting in what is easily the most depressing story in the game up to this point. It likely goes without saying, but there will be MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Assassin's Creed Valhalla's Sciropescire arc and the game's story as a whole.
The basic formula of Assassin's Creed Valhalla is simple for the most part, as players travel from region to region forming alliances along the way. Naturally, things get more complicated with each region, and the Sciropescire arc marks a real turning point for Eivor and the player. Amidst countless betrayals, far too many deaths, and a generally unsatisfactory ending, players won't walk away from this one with the same feeling of accomplishment as they have in the past. Ultimately, everyone loses here, and it doesn't take long to see why.
The Death of Ceolbert
Assassin's Creed Valhalla has some annoying NPCs, but it's hard to dislike Ceolbert. Though he starts out a bit squeamish for Eivor's liking, he quickly grows into a leader and a fierce warrior. Underneath that, his kind and caring nature never seems to go away, even offering to go hunting for boar in order to help lighten up Ivarr's mood. For these reasons and many more, Ceolbert's death is one of the most shocking moments in the game. At first, it seems as though he was assassinated by a Briton, spurring Eivor, Ivarr, and the rest of the Fyrd to assault King Rhodri's castle.
Of course, the truth of the matter is much darker. In reality, it was Ivarr that killed Ceolbert and pinned the murder on Rhodri, all so he'd have a chance to kill yet another king. For Ceolbert to die was already difficult enough for some players to take, but knowing that it was done by the hands of one that he trusted so much is even more heartbreaking. This death affects Eivor, Bishop Deorlaf, and all of Sciropescire greatly, but none feel the sting more than Ceolwulf himself, the young prince's father.
The Death of King Rhodri
By this point, players have hunted and killed kings before, so when King Rhodri is introduced it seems only natural that he'll end up falling to Eivor's blade. Ultimately, that isn't what happens, though, as Ivarr claims the right to kill the king. Their fight is equal parts brutal and shocking, but Ivarr eventually comes out on top. What follows is an even more brutal and shocking ritual death for the poor King Rhodri. Ivarr takes the incapacitated Rhodri to a scenic spot and performs the Blood Eagle on him, a terrifying method for execution. This is certainly not something fans had come to expect from Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
Though King Rhodri himself was never all that likable, learning that he didn't even kill Ceolbert proves that he really was innocent for all intents and purposes. Even players that disliked the king probably wouldn't wish that kind of brutal death onto him, and the effects of his death go beyond his own suffering. The one likable character on the side of the Britons was Lady Angharad, King Rhodri's wife. At the conclusion of the quest, Eivor explains to her what happened and reassures her that her husband's killer is dead, but that likely does little to help heal the wound of this type of betrayal.
The Death of Ivarr
As if two major deaths weren't enough, Ivarr's stunt ultimately gets him killed at the hands of Eivor. Just how tragic this death is really depends on the player's actions, as once they've defeated him they are given the choice of whether or not to send Ivarr to Valhalla or deny him that honor. Players that deny him will kick his axe away, telling him that he's Helheim bound as succumbs to his wounds. Sending him to Valhalla has the opposite effect, of Eivor respectfully handing him the axe. With his final breath, he claims to hear the wings of the Valkyrie coming to take him.
Regardless of what the player chooses, Ubba is understandably shaken by his brother's passing. After explaining what happened, Ubba does seem to understand why Eivor did what they did, but still mourns the loss of his brother regardless. He says that even though he spent his whole life cleaning up Ivarr's messes, he still didn't want to see him go like that. Players will likely have different feelings about Ivarr's death, as he has consistently been messing things up for Eivor and his final betrayal is difficult to forgive.
Three Kings Dead
The Sciropescire story arc sees all three of these kings laid low by treachery, deceit, and lies, most of which came from Ivarr of all people. Though Ivarr and Ceolbert are not technically kings, they are both well on their way to becoming ones. Ultimately, Eivor secures an alliance with Bishop Deorlaf after he is appointed the new Ealdorman of Sciropescire by Ceolbert's grieving father and leaves as usual, but the victory is certainly bitter sweet.
Even beyond these three major character deaths, countless others died as a result of Ivarr's actions. Eivor and a Fyrd of untrained Saxons assault Caustow Castle in a bloody battle that claims many lives from both sides, all so that Ivarr could get his petty revenge on King Rhodri. At the very least, players were able to take revenge on Ivarr for his manipulation and greed, but such vengeance isn't able to bring back any of those that were lost to it.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
