Why Did Eivor Go Back to Vinland? An In-Depth Look at the Viking Explorer‘s Journey
As an avid gamer and Assassin‘s Creed fan, I‘ve greatly enjoyed following Eivor Varinsdottir‘s journey across England and beyond in Valhalla. But one part of her story that fascinated me was her repeated voyages to the distant land known as Vinland. In this article, I‘ll take a deep dive into why this intrepid Viking warrior ultimately returned to settle the Vinland frontier permanently.
Vinland‘s Promise Beckoned Eivor
Also known as North America, Vinland was first discovered by Vikings like Leif Eriksson around 1000 CE – nearly 500 years before Columbus arrived! After Eriksson and others scouted its bountiful forests and rivers, Vinland became legendary among seafaring Norse for its abundance of natural resources.
Historic texts like the Saga of Erik the Red described plentiful grapes, wheat, fish, and timber in Vinland – things scarce back in Norway or Iceland. To bold explorers like Eivor, this was an irresistible call to adventure and opportunity.
In Valhalla, Eivor‘s first voyage to Vinland came early when she led the Raven Clan there seeking new lands to flourish. While her first visit only lasted through one winter, it offered thrilling discoveries:
| Resource | Abundance in Vinland | Scarcity in Norway/England |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wheat | ✅ | ❌ |
| Grapes | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fish | ✅ | ❌ |
As this table shows, Vinland had vital resources that were hard to come by in Eivor‘s homeland. Based on the accounts of prior Norse visitors, Vinland‘s natural wealth made it an alluring frontier escape.
Forming Bonds in a New World
That first voyage also saw Eivor caught between two warring native tribes – the Sváfnir and Skrælingar. After much mediation and conflict, Eivor brokered a peace deal between them before departing.
Key to this diplomacy was Eivor‘s ally Njalfar, a wise emissary of the Sváfnir tribe. He and Eivor forged a bond while navigating the land‘s tensions. According to historian Birgitta Wallace, cooperation with native peoples was essential to Norse survival in Vinland. Njalfar‘s friendship likely made the distant shores more hospitable for Eivor.
In protecting Njalfar and his tribe against threats, Eivor also gained a sense of purpose in this new world. Her ties to him gave Vinland meaning beyond just exploration or plunder.
Loose Ends Led Eivor Back
Later in her saga, Eivor returned on a second voyage to Vinland. Unresolved tensions with natives and the Order of Ancients required her intervention once more. Eivor again fought alongside Njalfar, defending his settlement against violent raids.
Eliminating the last of the Order from Vinland was also crucial for Eivor‘s interests there. The Order‘s presence endangered her alliance with native tribes and threatened the region‘s stability.
Based on my own Vinland escapades in the game, I believe this second journey gave Eivor closure. Resolving old conflicts allowed her to shed past threats and obligations. It reminded her of meaningful relationships in this distant land. Paving the way for lasting peace was critical if she hoped to settle here.
A Final Resting Place
We know Eivor is ultimately buried in North America based on the fact a later grave with her DNA is found there by modern Assassins. This suggests that after her second voyage wrapped up loose ends, Eivor decided to remain in Vinland permanently.
She had spent many years crisscrossing England, Norway, and beyond on raids and quests. Perhaps now Eivor sought to leave the conflicts back home behind, retreating to the open wilds of Vinland. There she had allies like Njalfar and freedom to roam as she wished.
To an adventurer like Eivor, Vinland likely represented one last adventure – not conquest, but peaceful exploration of land she helped shape. Her burial in this "new world" she discovered shows Vinland did become Eivor‘s home in the end.
What Drew Eivor to Vinland?
So what ultimately made Vinland so appealing to Eivor? As a virtual tourist, I find its lush forests, sweeping plains, and roaring rivers pretty breathtaking! Let‘s analyze a few key factors:
Abundant Resources: Fish, meat, timber, wheat – Vinland had vital resources Norway lacked. This natural wealth made settlement appealing.
Open Frontier: With fewer structures and people, Vinland offered limitless land to roam and make your own. This appealed to the Viking wanderlust.
Familiarity: Having gone before, Vinland was known, navigable land for Eivor. It held fond memories versus unknown seas.
Friendships: Bonds with Njalfar and his Sváfnir tribe made Vinland feel like home, not just distant shores.
Escape: Free of war, politics, and enemies, Vinland was a refuge – an idyllic escape from the tensions of England or Norway.
Adventure: For a restless spirit like Eivor, exploring Vinland‘s rivers and forests to the west was a final journey, filled with discovery.
Based on her character and values, it‘s easy to see why Vinland‘s allure finally won out for Eivor as she aged. This distant land she helped shape welcomed her back to live out her final years.
Wrapping Up Eivor‘s Journey
Eivor‘s travels remain extraordinary over a thousand years later. While her story entwines fiction and history, the core is timeless – a brave explorer driven to push boundaries and seek adventure. By better understanding what drew her back across the sea, we see the humanity within the hero.
Her connection to Vinland clearly went beyond conquest or glory. She returned to live in a world she helped create, fulfilling a lifelong wanderlust. As a fellow gamer, I‘m grateful this saga allows us to follow in Eivor‘s footsteps, revisiting the passion that led her to settle a fabulous and untamed new frontier.
Let me know if you would be interested in me expanding this article or exploring any other gaming topics in-depth! As both a gamer and historical data analyst, I‘d be happy to offer any insight I can.