Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is soon set for its release as the next entry in Ubisoft’s historical series. November 10th will see gamers journeying into the animus once more, this time on a Viking saga. As has become standard with these games, the newest entry will introduce a new time-period and protagonist. As Eivor, players will journey from their homeland of Norway to settle in the bountiful land of England. Whilst the Viking aspect is a first for the series, the Assassin’s Brotherhood will be returning as the Hidden Ones. As such, whilst the game may be accommodating to new players, they should anticipate call-backs to previous titles. We can anticipate even further connections beyond the base game, as DLC has been confirmed. Here is a list of 5 ways Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lore could connect to previous games.
1. Assassin’s Creed Unity/Syndicate – Paris and London
Due to the setting of the game, it inherently shares ones of its major locations with a prior. Despite a separation of just short of a thousand years, both games allow players to explore London. It is an obvious certainty that the London of Valhalla will be unrecognisable to the industrial behemoth of Victorian London. Even so, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate introduced a crucial object that predates both the Vikings and Victorians. The Isu constructed artefacts known as the Pieces of Eden. In Victorian London, the Frye twins unearthed the secret Shroud of Eden, an artefact that possessed healing properties. The twin assassins found it in a vault under Buckingham Palace, which won’t exist in the time of Valhalla. It is unlikely the shroud will be present in England at this time, as Edward Kenway found it much later. Even so, clues to its whereabouts could exist.
The Frye twins discovered London’s secrets in the 19th Century
Another location that was recently announced for a future DLC is Paris during the famous Viking siege of the city. This is yet another location tied to the series due to the entry Assassin’s Creed Unity. Once again, Revolutionary Paris is drastically different to the city of the 9th Century. The Sword of Eden would eventually be located here, and we have seen a similar sword in the form of Excalibur, shown recently in a story trailer. It is possible that the two could be connected, although there does appear to be a size disparity. Regarding Assassin’s creed Valhalla’s lore, a Templar seed being sown is more likely. The Knights Templar would have a stronghold here during the crusades, up until Jacques De Molay’s execution. Perhaps as the Assassin’s rise in England, the Templars do the same in France.
2. Assassin’s Creed Origins – The Hidden Ones
Another piece of gameplay recently displayed a shield available in the game bearing resemblance to one used by Bayek. The protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Origins once possessed a gorgon shield, similar to one Eivor is shown to encounter. While this is likely nothing more than a cosmetic item, it reminds fans of the possible lineage. Despite Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Valhalla is the first direct sequel to Origins since its 2017 release. The story of the Hidden Ones, as founded by Bayek, has yet to be explored further, despite raising many questions. First and foremost, the Piece of Eden, present in Origins’ DLC, went missing following the events of the game. It is possible that the same Isu artefact could re-emerge during the events of this game.
Bayek of Siwa founded the Hidden Ones in Ancient Egypt
Furthermore, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lore could further explore the life of Bayek of Siwa. Whilst we know of his eventual resting place, the rest of his adventures as a Hidden One are unknown. It would be interesting to see how much more the first Assassin achieved during his time. Even more so, it would be intriguing to see what further seeds he might have sown for the eventual budding of the Brotherhood.
3. Assassin’s Creed 3 – North America
Recent reveals have since exposed another unexpected location to explore in Valhalla. Trailers have displayed areas that seem to represent the New World, or more specifically, North America. Fans of the series will be aware that this is a pivotal location in the war between the Assassins and Templars. In Assassin’s Creed 3, Connor Kenway fought alongside American patriots to liberate the colonies from both British and Templar influence. Once again, Eivor’s story far and away predates the events of Connor’s story. Even so, North America is home to an important Isu structure that predates the British empire and Vikings alike. The Grand Temple was the essential location for both the modern and historical stories of AC3. Although its main relevance won’t come into play for many years, its existence is unquestionable.
The Kenways discovered many Isu secrets in North America
During the events of Haytham, Connor and Desmond’s journeys to the Grand Temple, a few things were missing. Although the key to the temple’s vault was in Haytham’s possession, the Apple of Eden that opened the entrance was not. Once Desmond entered the vault, important power cells were missing that were required to truly activate it. It begs the question; how did the power cells go missing? If Eivor visits the Grand Temple in Valhalla, it is possible they are tied to its depowered state. Regardless, simply by sharing this important location, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lore has an easy point of connection between its games.
4. Assassin’s Creed Revelations – Constantinople
Another previously pivotal location has been whispered about in prior trailers via the character of Basim. We know that Basim is a Hidden One, and they’ll likely be the mentor for Eivor’s entry into the Creed. According to what we know, Basim was encountered by Eivor’s brother in the city of Constantinople. Once again, this serves as an easy bridge between the games, as Ezio Auditore visited the city in Assassin’s Creed Revelations. The exact nature of a possible connection between these titles is somewhat harder to anticipate. Valhalla predates any major events we know of in Constantinople for the Brotherhood. The biggest involvement we known of is Altair’s later hiding away of the Memory Seals. These Isu artefacts were used to contain memories of the legendary Assassin, that Ezio himself later discovered.
It seems a lot of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lore converges in Constantinople
As such, it is more likely that we will see remnants of Assassin’s Creed Origins instead. Origins introduced the impact of the Roman Empire in regards to the Templar’s creation. Referred to as the Order of Ancients, Julius Caesar was one of the Fathers of Understanding. Although his eventual death came at the hands of Aya, the order remained strong. The Byzantium connection to the Roman Empire logically suggests that Constantinople would be an Order of Ancients’ stronghold. Perhaps more of Aya and Bayek’s work could have left their mark on this ancient city. Regardless, there are many avenues in which Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lore could exploit this wide-spanning connection.
5. Assassin’s Creed – Solomon’s Temple and the Brotherhood
This is perhaps the most intriguing link that Valhalla could explore due to its place in the timeline. Although it is not impossible for other stories to occur in-between, this game will likely lead into the first. Assassin’s Creed, set during the Third Crusade, owes its existence to real-world history. The castle belonging to the Brotherhood is Masyaf, and historically an order of assassins really operated out of it. The series states their origins existed over a thousand years prior, but this is likely when they named themselves Assassins. The transition from the Hidden Ones to the Assassin’s Brotherhood may owe its beginnings to the events of Valhalla. Given that we know there is a lot of globe-trotting in the game already, Syria might be on the list.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lore could see us returning to this iconic setting
Additionally, we have already seen some possible connections in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s lore. Basim’s attire is remarkably similar to the robes worn by the Masyaf Assassins. It is not a far-stretch to believe he will be an instrumental influence in the Brotherhood’s eventual rise. Furthermore, Valhalla could lead into the original game by answering a few questions. We know that Bayek’s Apple of Eden eventually found its way to Solomon’s Temple, where it was found by Altair. Perhaps Eivor plays an instrumental role in bridging the gaps between the origins of the brotherhood and its eventual rise.
The Epicentre
It’s unlikely a coincidence that Valhalla has brought so many returning iconic locations from the series’ past and future. The imagery is also strongly reminiscent of things we have encountered before. Valhalla is being set up as the grand epicentre of the Assassin’s story. Never before have we had so many possible connections within a single game. It is an exciting prospect, and one that will soon be answered on November 10th. Perhaps this convoluted story will finally have the last piece of the puzzle needed to understand it all.
