- "I thought I wanted to sail the sea, vanquish my enemies, fall in battle and go to Valhalla. Now all I can think about is avenging my father, and my clan. I will make every single man involved in their death pay. By Odin I swear they will all die."
- ―Ari Einarson, 998
| Ari Einarrson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Biographical information | |
| Born |
981 |
| Died |
1047 (aged 65-66) |
| Political information | |
| Affiliations |
Hidden Ones (1002) |
| Real-world information | |
| Appears in | |
Ari Einarrson (981 - 1047), also known as the Clanless Viking, was a Viking warrior and member of the Hidden Ones, who travelled alongside Leif Erikson on his voyage to Vinland during the beginning of the 11th century. In a quest to avenge his father, Ari accompanied a member of the Hidden Ones who was sent to investigate rumoured Templar presence in Vinland. Ari was a descendant of the Isu Magni and an ancestor of the 21st century Assassin Horatio Pierce through the maternal line.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Ari was born in England, somewhere in the midlands to the Viking Einarr and English peasant Cwenhild during the first year of a new wave of Viking raids in England. Cwenhild raised her son amongst a Viking settlement while Einarr went off to take part in raids across England, returning every few months to visit his wife and son as he grew up, as well as train him. At the age of four, Ari also discovered he had a sixth sense that allowed him to see things others could not.
Ari as a child.
At an age where he was old enough to understand why his people were raiding England, and aware of his mother's background. Ari asked his mother why she would marry someone who was invading her home to which she answered, stating that Einarr had rescued her from her abusive father while the members of her village did nothing. Cwenhild also stated that she had known no one kinder to her than Einarr, despite his violent tendencies, she loved him because he was the only man who cared about her. This answer left an impression on him as he always knew his father to be a stoic man.
Cwenhild passed away from illness when Ari was seven, leaving him in the care of his father or the other Viking settlers while his father was gone. A year later, Einarr began to take a more active role in the boy's life and started to train Ari in what it meant to be a true warrior. Over the years, the pair bonded and as Ari grew older he began to accompany his father and his crew, raiding across the country.
Losing a father[]
Ari amidst the remains of his clan.
In the summer of 995, Ari, Einarr and their crew returned to the settlement following a successful raid on an English stronghold. Einarr managed to recover a strange artifact with a unique shape and runes, however they thought nothing of it and lumped it in with the other spoils from the raid.
Two weeks later, however, the settlement was attacked by a rival clan. Ari, Einarr and the other warriors fought off the attackers but were being overwhelmed by the superior number of their attackers, as well as reeling from the effects of a surprise attack. As Ari killed two raiders, he watched as his father was cut down and beheaded by a large Viking man with blonde hair and unique tattoos. Fuelled by rage, the young Viking warrior attacked his father's killer but was quickly and easily defeated before being slashed in the back and left to die.
Some hours passed before he came to and found the rest of his clan dead and the settlement burned to the ground. Near death himself, Ari was fuelled by rage and adrenaline as he forced himself to his feet, he knew if he died he would be able to go to Valhalla, but he refused. Not until he made the men pay for what they did. Ari dragged himself away from the settlement, making his way a few miles into the forest before collapsing and passing out from a lack of blood. He was later found by two English women and taken to their village where he was treated back to health.
A few days passed before a bandaged and healing Ari awoke in a strange home, met by a woman and her daughter. The newly orphaned boy attempted to get out of bed before he was quickly ushered back into bed, the mother introduced herself as Mildritha and her daughter Cynewise. They then went onto question him and where he received his injuries, Ari kept the details vague and mentioned he was attacked by Vikings, neglecting to reveal he too was a Viking. Luckily, his perfect English allowed him to hide his identity.
Later that night, Ari waited for his saviours to go to sleep before sneaking away into the night. His quest to avenge his father and clan would begin.
Revenge across England[]
Ari spent the next three years scouring England for those that were involved in the death of his clan, learning that the clan that had destroyed his were known as the Hveðrungr clan and allegedly had ties to the English. Ari had killed a few of their members over the years. In the winter of 997 Ari had finally learned the name of one of the conspirators, Olaf, and where he was located in East Anglia.
Making his way to East Anglia, Ari located Olaf and challenged him to a duel. The two Vikings fought viciously with Olaf gaining the upper hand due to his age, size, and experience. Nearly killing Ari, the young avenger managed to defeat Olaf when landing a well-placed hit on the older warrior's arm, severing his arm. With Olaf now at the mercy of Ari, he demanded to know who else was involved in his father's death and where they were. Olaf revealed that the remaining conspirators had travelled to Greenland in search of someone but refused to elaborate. Olaf used his last words to openly mock Ari as the 'Clanless Viking' in Old Norse leading Ari to behead Olaf before leaving East Anglia.
Time in Greenland[]
Ari during his time in Greenland
Booking passage on a ship, Ari then travelled to Greenland and expanded his search. Upon arriving he felt strange but excited, strange for being outside of England - the place he had lived for most of his life - and excited to be in new surroundings and in the lands of his ancestors. Being in Greenland helped Ari feel closer to his father.
Ari spent time gaining his bearings in a new environment before continuing his search across Greenland. Some more days passed when the lone Viking had gathered some information on the location of one of the conspirators. Tracking him down to a settlement in Greenland where he was currently staying, planning to kill him in his sleep Ari waited until nightfall before finally heading to his sleeping quarters to kill him. Sneaking in through a window, he saw a hooded figure with a strange blade attached to his risk kill his target. Angered at his kill being taken from him, Ari called out to him in frustration but the hooded figure fled through another window. Ari quickly took chase, following the figure into the forest.
With it being night, Ari lost the figure but attempted to track him with his sixth sense. He was then attacked from above but quickly managed to stop himself from being killed by the unique blade that the hooded warrior was carrying. Forcing his target's killer off of him with a kick, the two engaged in a brief skirmish. The fight ended once Ari asked why the man killed his target, the hooded man was puzzled and initially thought that Ari was an ally of the man he had killed. Ari went on to reveal that he was planning on killing him too before revealing the list of men he had planned on killing. Interestingly, the hooded man also revealed he was looking for these same people before pulling his hood down and introducing himself as Livius from Rome. Livius then proposed that the two work together to track down the members of the Hveðrungr clan, that it would be more beneficial than working alone. Ari was hesitant, having been so used to working alone for so long but eventually accepted the offer presented, as he was willing to do anything for revenge.
Learning of the Hidden Ones and Templar Order[]
Ari and Livius spent the next year working together, tracking and killing the members of the Hveðrungr clan with the two growing close over time, developing a mentor and student relationship. The pair learned of Finnvid, another member of the Hveðrungr clan's location, Ari tracked him down while Livius followed a lead elsewhere but neglected to disclose details, only telling Ari to meet him at a specific location once he was done. Ari eventually found and killed Finnvid after challenging him to a duel, where he finally discovered why his clan was destroyed four years prior. While remaining vague, Finnvid told him of an secret but ancient war between two groups was the reason why his clan was destroyed, his father took something in England that was important to one of these groups and that he was killed because of their interference.
Enraged by his caln being merely referred to as collatoral damage, Ari killed Finnvid. Returning to Livius at the location he was told, Ari informed Livius of what he had been told by Finnvid which he believed were just ramblings of a desperate man. However, Livius confirmed this was all true and promised to explain once they set up camp. Once this was done, the two settled around a campfire and Ari was told of the Hidden Ones and the Templar Order, their history, their goals, and their war. Livius also revealed that he was a member of the Hidden Ones and that the Hveðrungr clan they were hunting were members of the Templars.
Ari then realised that over the time they had spent together that he was secretly being groomed into a Hidden One, having learned skills such as stealth, freerunning and pickpocketing as well as the Hidden Ones' philosophy. Irritated at Livius' deception and manipulation, he asked why with the Hidden One confessing that he believed Ari was an excellent candidate to join their group. Ari declined, stating that he did not have time to devote himself to a group and more ideals while his father's killers were still out there. Acknowledging his decision, but still gifted him with a Hidden Blade as a vote of confidence to which Ari accepted, confessing his interest in the Hidden One's weapon for the past year they worked together.
Ari went on to ask Livius where he had gone to which its revealed that Livius had located a man named Leif Erikson who was making preparations to sail to a distant land that Vikings had previously settled on some centuries prior called Vinland. Having met up with him, he had managed to negotiate both his and Ari's positions as part of the expedition. Confused, Ari asked what any of that had to do with their hunt for the Templars to which he revealed that he had discovered that the Hveðrungr clan members were searching for something believed to be in Vinland, and they had already been there a year already. Learning this, Ari agreed to accompany Livius to Vinland.
A New World[]
In late 999, Ari and Livius would depart with Leif Erikson on his voyage to Vinland. Using a map of the routes created by Brendan of Clonfert and the Vikings of the past that had been recovered, it took several weeks to sail to the mysterious land. During this time, Ari met and befriended the shieldmaiden Hilda Ulfsdottir, a member of Leif's crew whom he quickly developed an interest in.
Through trials and tribulations, Erikson's crew managed to land in Vinland in 1000. Immediately, a temporary settlement was made while others went to explore the new land. Ari and Livius departed in search of the Hveðrungr clan who were already ahead of them by some months, searching for any hints of their whereabouts. Livius eventually recovered evidence that the Hveðrungr clan had indeed landed in Vinland, following the tracks left behind they were led to a Hveðrungr settlement a day later. The two discovered that this settlement contained enslaved members of Vinland's indigenous people.
Unbeknownst to them, they had been followed by Hilda who was prepared to confront from for abandoning the crew. However, when she came across the settlement alongside Ari and Livius she expressed shock that there were already settlers here before them. Livius volunteered to scout ahead while leaving Ari with the duties of dealing with Hilda. Having established trust among the two already, Ari admitted to the truth of why he was in Vinland and of his father's murder but left out information regarding the Hidden Ones and Templars.
Livius finally returned, relaying what he had found and revealing information he had overheard from one of the Hveðrungr warriors. They had expanded throughout Vinland with settlements containing both English soldiers and Hveðrungr warriors, doubling down on what they were searching for. But one of the men involved with Ari's destruction was stationed here, Bjørn. Ari made his way toward the settlement, using the skills taught to him by Livius, Ari stealthily freed the indigenous slaves, killing their guards. Using his Eagle Vision, he located Bjørn inside his tent and quietly assassinated him using the hidden blade gifted by Livius.
With Bjørn dead, Ari searched around the tent aiming to discover anything that would lead them to other Hveðrungr Templars. Recovering some documents, including Bjørn's journal and letters corrosponded between other Templars. Skimming through the information, he read something mentioning 'Ones Who Came Before' as well as learned who Hveðrungr's Jarl was, Svend the Cunning. Returning to Livius and Hilda, Ari relayed to the Hidden One what he had discovered while passing him over the documents he recovered.
As the three returned to Erikson's settlement, Livius read over the contents which led Ari to ask who the 'Ones That Came Before' were. Requiring privacy to tell this, Livius simply states he will explain at a later time. Upon their return, Hilda reveals to Leif that there are other settlers on Vinland which frustrated him in knowing he wasn't the first European to settle there in centuries. However, Ari would reassure Erikson that he would go down in history as exactly that and not to worry.
Later that night as the crew rested, Ari and Livius were the only ones awake which allowed the Hidden One to divulge the nature of the Ones Who Came Before. Ari would find out about humanity's precursors, their technology and how it linked to the death of his father with Livius revealing that the Hveðrungr clan were here to open a temple built by them. What he had learned was a world shattering revelation but Ari managed to save face, uncomfortable with what he had learned Ari elected to go to sleep for the night.
Avenging a father[]
A few weeks after the incident with the natives, Erikson's crew also came into contact with members of the Hveðrungr clan which ended violently. Following that, Hilda was ordered to accompany Ari and Livius on their hunt to destroy the Hveðrungr's operation in Vinland.
The trio located another Hveðrungr settlement but after Ari scouted the area, he saw it was too heavily guarded. Planning on returning to Livius and Hilda, he stopped once he saw the raider that had killed his father five years prior, Fornjótr. Blinded by rage, Ari immediately broke cover and made his presence known calling out to Fornjótr in fury, challenging him to a duel. Having already been aware of Ari hunting and killing members of his clan for years, he praised the 'Clanless Viking' for making it so far before asking him why he had killed his clan members. Enraged even further by the fact that Fornjótr did not recognise him, Ari introduced himself as Einarr's son before reminding him that he killed his father and destroyed his clan.
Fornjótr didn't recall killing Einarr, mentioning he'd killed many fathers in the past, but did recall destroying his clan. Despite this, Fornjótr accepted the duel and challenged Ari to claim his revenge. Releasing a battle cry, Ari charged toward Fornjótr and engaged in their duel but was completely unprepared for Fornjótr's brutish strength when he blocked an attack from the hulking Viking and was launched several feet backward. However, Ari's emotions blinded him forcing him to continue fighting with brute strength but it was useless with Ari taking twice as much punishment in return.
Knocked down to his knees, Ari realised that he was going to lose this fight and was totally at the mercy of Fornjótr, Ari relied on a weapon he knew Fornjótr wouldn't anticipate. Allowing Fornjótr to get close enough to him, the broad Viking stood Ari up to his feet as he planned on giving him a warrior's death raised his axe to kill the Clanless Viking. However, Ari took the opportunity to fatally stab Fornjótr in the throat with his hidden blade. Watching as his father's killer was dying, Fornjótr showed respect at Ari's cunning and questioned if his revenge was worth it when the Templars are near to aqcuiring what they seek. Not caring, Ari ended Fornjótr by beheading him the same way his father was.
During his deal, Ari did not realise that Livius and Hilda were quietly thinning out the numbers of the guards in the settlement while also freeing any slaves they came across. Once he had realised they had done so, the trio were able to defeat the remaining guards in the settlement before making camp to rest for the night.
Later that evening, Livius went out to gather supplies while Hilda tended to the wounds Ari suffered in his duel with Fornjótr. During this time the two had a tender moment with Hilda revealing that she hated seeing the slaves, confessing she had been one in the past and that it stirred up old feelings. Ari reminded her she was more than that and a great warrior, and that he appreciated her being there with them. Realising he trusted Hilda completely, Ari revealed the true nature of the Hveðrungr clan. Appreciating his honesty, Hilda confessed to having developed feelings for him in their time together before kissing him. Ari reciprocated and the two then slept together.
Leif Erikson's departure[]
In 1001, a full year after landing in Vinland, Leif Erikson's expedition was set to end and he prepared to return to Greenland. Ari and Livius elected to remain in Vinland, promising to eliminate the Hveðrungr settlers and secure Erikson's status as the first to step into Vinland, when actually they needed to eliminate Templar presence. Hilda, having fallen in love with Ari and vice versa, elected to stay with the two and help them hunt the Templars. Ari, Livius and Hilda remained at the camp Leif and his crew had made, which would be come to known as modern day Cape Bauld
Joining the Hidden Ones[]
In 1002. Ari, Livius and Hilda managed to garner the trust of the natives by freeing any slaves they encountered and were offered a place to stay among one of the native tribes, partially learning their language over time. Ari and Hilda affectionately referred to them as 'Frænda' meaning 'friend' in Old Norse.
During this time, Ari came to a realisation. Having witnessed the acts of his people conquering those undeserving of it from an outside perspective, he eventually came to realise how wrong he had been in the past. Willingly taking part in horrific conquests and raids. Recalling that his mother always told him to be kind and his father encouraged him to be honorable. But since their deaths, he has been anything but, and even before - he wasn't. It was at this moment Ari realised he wanted to honor his mother's wishes for him, using his inherent violent nature as an outlet for good leading him to ask Livius to make him a member of the Hidden Ones.
Pleased that Ari had finally decided to take him up on the offer he had given a year prior, Livius, as a Master Hidden One, formerly inducted Ari into the Hidden Ones. Solidifying his induction, Livius taught Ari how to perform a Leap of Faith.
First Battle of Vinland[]
In the winter of 1003, two years after Leif Erikson had departed, Svend the Cunning still had not been found but Ari, Livius and Hilda managed to greatly weaken the Templar presence in Vinland. Over the last two years though, Livius' personality had begun to change, he grew more irritable and his warm demeanour was beginning to fade, he rarely talked about anything unless it concerned locating the First Civilization site. However, Ari did not think much of it believing that Livius was simply stressed or burned out.
As a response to the weakened influence in Vinland, the Templars requested more members in the operation to locate the First Civilization landmark. Thorvald Eiriksson, Leif's brother and Templar, had arrived to aid in the operation with a crew of 30 men. Ari would discover Thorvald's presence in Vinland when eavesdropping upon a small hunting party hailing from Thorvald's company. After hearing this, Ari assassinated the hunting party's leader before killing the rest and returning to the Frænda village, informing Livius that he had discovered of Thorvald's presence.
Ari volunteered to track down Thorvald and eliminate their presence. The Hidden One managed to locate Thorvald, his crew, and some members of the Hveðrungr clan at the old camp Leif had set up two years prior, Ari publicly killed a small amount of Thorvald's crew as well as the Hveðrungr clan members, however, Thorvald managed to flee but Ari believed the message had been received.
In spring of that year, Ari and the others would learn that Thorvald did not flee Vinland and in fact regrouped. A lone member of a Frænda hunting party which comprised of nine, returned and revealed that he and the others had been attacked by 'Kavdlunait', with eight of them being captured. Angered at his own mistake of not tracking down Thorvald, Ari and Hilda accompanied the Frænda to attack them at their camp, but Livius refused to go, deeming the search for the First Civilization site more important.
Storming Thorvald's camp, Ari used the ongoing battle as a way to navigate to Thorvald and kill him. Engaging in a short but aggressive duel, Ari managed to fatally stab Thorvald with his Hidden Blade. With his dying breaths, Thorvald mocked Ari and told him that after years, and various leads and clues, Svend managed to locate the First Civilization site. Following Thorvald's death, the remaining crew fled leaving his body behind, Ari searched his body hoping to find anything pertaining information on the site's whereabouts. Recovering a letter from Svend himself, addressed to Thorvald, Ari learned that Svend had indeed located the First Civilization site and had requested assistance from Thorvald into accessing it. Swiftly, Ari and Hilda returned to the Frænda village to inform Livius.
Final Showdown[]
Revelations[]
Arriving at the Frænda village, Ari and Hilda found Livius pacing back and forth in front of his hut. Irritated at the fact he was led to another dead end, the Hidden One snapped at his allies stating he didn't care about what happened with Thorvald. Surprised at Livius' behaviour, Hilda checked him and reminded him that the Frænda were their allies and it was the Hidden Ones' duty to protect the innocent to which Ari agreed. Livius apologised, lamenting that he had spent so long searching that he had grown tired. Accepting his apology, Ari went on to relay what he had discovered in Thorvald's documents, passing on the letter to Livius himself. Livius' mood immediately lifted and he informed the two that they needed to make their way to the location at haste.
As Ari made the preparations for travel, he said his goodbyes to the members of the Frænda village, believing that once this was over he would return to Europe with Hilda. Before departing, the Frænda's village elder summoned him in private. She then presented a Crystal Ball to him, explaining that generations ago the great 'spirits' tasked the tribe with guarding the artifact and to gift it to a Kavdlunait who served as a great ally to their people. Realising that these 'spirits' must have been members of the First Civilization, and the ball he was holding was a Piece of Eden, Ari looked into it before hearing an ethereal voice call out to him.
Ari was then transported to the Nexus where he met face to face with a member of the First Civilization, introducing himself as Magni or Gluskab to the Natives. Ari mentioned that Magni was a god, the son of Thor, to which Magni stated that humans revered them as gods and that the true story was twisted by history. Magni then explained to Ari to be aware that Livius is not what he seems and allowing him access to the Conservatory would lead to disaster for humanity. Magni also revealed to Ari that he was a hybrid, descended from Magni himself, describing the Viking as his 'heir' and that the 'key' was in his blood.
Regaining consciousness, Ari was confused and in disbelief at what he had just witnessed. Disbelief that he was told to be wary of Livius, his closest friend and ally, the man who helped him become who he was. Ari refused to believe what he had been told.
The Conservatory[]
Ari, Livius and Hilda travelled to the coordinates described in Thorvald's document. The trio came upon an unassuming cave, but the Hveðrungr clan warriors that stood guard all but confirmed that they were in the right place. Swiftly, they eliminated those guarding the entrance to the First Civilization and entered the cave. As they travelled through it, observing the markings of the First Civilization throughout the cave walls, Livius lamented on how familiar it all seemed to him, like echoes of an old life. Ari recalled Magni's warning following Livius' comments, but still remained in denial.
The trio arrived at the second entrance with it already having been opened, meaning that Svend was already inside the Temple. Ari and the others rushed through the Temple's structure, making their way to Svend - however, what alerted Ari was Livius' familiarity with the Temple as he unwittingly lead Ari and Hilda through the Temple. Reaching a large circular platform with a device in its centre, and a large wall in front of the device, they found Svend trying to access a locked walled gate.
Making their presence known to Svend, he turned his attention on to them. Congratulating the two Hidden Ones for finding him after all this time, he also revealed that he learned of Ari's past, ordering the death of his father and clan. Remorselessly, he merely stated that Einarr was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Svend went on to admit that it was all for nothing anyway as the key only unlocked the entrance to the Temple but not what lay ahead of them, which was the main prize. Livius interrupted, his tone had changed sounding much more colder and detached, stating that a mere human wouldn't have been able to access the gate. Livius' behaviour continued to draw concern from Ari and Hilda.
Following this revelation, Livius swiftly assassinated Svend. Angered, Ari cursed out at Livius for robbing him of his revenge to which Livius disregarded, claiming to be above 'petty human squabbles'. Ari demanded to know why Livius was behaving this way to which he retorted that 'Livius was gone'. The Hidden One then went on to reveal himself as a Sage, a reincarnation of the Isu Pah, and that he had finally taken over Livius' body after years of resistance. Confused, Ari asked how this could be possible and that the Ones Who Came Before had died millennia ago. Livius merely stated that his people had ways of surviving and now, he was going to be reunited with his beloved.
Confused and distraught at this revelation, Livius attempted to use the key that Svend had to open the gate to no avail. As he repeatedly attempted to do so, Ari recalled Magni's words that if Livius accesses what's inside, humanity would be doomed. Glancing at his hands, the Viking Hidden One also remembered that the 'key' was in his blood. Enraged, he cursed out to Magni, the 'filthy human lover', for tampering with his and Shakuru's plans. Hilda approached Livius in the hopes of trying to calm him down, equating him to a 'raving madman'. Lashing out, Livius attacked Hilda forcing Ari to come to her aid.
The couple engaged the Sage, but his superior skills as a Hidden One proved difficult for Ari and Hilda, despite both being trained warriors themselves. During the fight, Livius managed to nearly knock Ari off of the structure and to the lower levels below but the Viking caught himself before making the fatal fall. Meanwhile, Livius and Hilda continued to engage but as Ari struggled to climb back up to the large platform they were fighting on. Livius fatally wounded Hilda as Ari recovered, enraged, he attacked Livius before he could finish Hilda off.
Ari pleaded for Livius to return to his senses but he argued that it was too late, the two continued to fight with Livius spouting his refusal to be killed by a human and denied his beloved. Their fight continued before Ari managed to fatally stab Livius with the Hidden Blade he had gifted to him three years prior. With his dying breaths, Livius condemned Ari, telling him he hated him and that he would be reborn soon. Ari sadly confirmed that Magni was indeed correct, he should have been cautious of Livius. Livius laughed, choking on his own blood, unsurprised of Magni's involvement. Before dying, he swore to haunt Ari's bloodline.
Ari then rushed over to Hilda, holding her in his arms as he tried to stop her bleeding but she knew it was too late. Placing her hand on his face, she told him she wished that they could have had more time together and to not let her death break him, to use it to make him stronger. She told Ari that she loved him before dying in his arms. The Clanless Viking held his beloved in his arms, cradling her. That day's events would go on to haunt Ari for the remainder of his life.
Later life and death[]
The lone Hidden One would return to the Frænda village, electing to remain in Vinland and keep the Isu temple protected in case any of Livius' reincarnations attempt to return. Taking the Isu key that unlocked the first gate to the Conservatory, Ari buried it in the Frænda village among Hilda's grave. Ari remained as a Hidden One for the rest of his life, choosing to honor the man Livius once was. Deeply affected by the losses in his life, his mother, his father, his clan, Hilda, and Livius - it took Ari many years for him to recover. Ari was eventually able to partially move on from the trauma of Hilda's death and married a woman of the Frænda tribe, siring a child with her.
Ari lived out the remainder of his life among Vinland's indigenous people, becoming a treasured member of their tribe before dying in 1047 at the age of 66.
Legacy[]
Travelling to Vinland with Leif Erikson made Ari one of the first Europeans to set foot in North America following Brendan of Clonfert and other Vikings settled there centuries prior. With the eradication of the Hveðrungr clan in Vinland, Ari paved the way for Leif Erikson to make history as the 'first' European to discover North America. Ari also prevented the Sage Livius from accessing the Conervatory, delaying the Isu Pah's 'grand plan' by several centuries.
Ari's actions were brought to the attention of the modern day Assassins and Templars in 2022 when the Sage and Rogue Templar Kyle North tracked down and kidnapped the Hidden One's descendant Jennifer Westwood to aid his mysterious mission. Ari's genetic memories would be relived by Westwood's son, Horatio Pierce to help find where North would have taken his mother to.
Personality and characteristics[]
Taking part in raids from the age of twelve matured Ari faster than most children, however he was taught to be kind and forthcoming by his mother which he tried to live by. Ari's father encouraged him to be forthright, strong, and courageous - but also honorable and loyal, he lived up to his father's wishes all the way up to the age of fourteen. Despite this though, he was capable of extreme violence as a result of his upbringing but refused to take the life of an innocent or defenceless person.
Witnessing the death of his father and the destruction of his clan, Ari's personality took an entire shift. He became consumed by hatred and rage, dedicating his life to avenging his father. During his late teens and early adulthood, Ari was impulsive and hot-headed, abandoning all the values he was taught by his mother and father. However, meeting Livius and forming a friendship and deep bond with the Hidden One allowed him to grow into the man his parents wanted him to be.
Ari felt deep remorse for his actions as a raider in England after witnessing how the Hveðrungr clan treated Vinland's natives. This change in mindset was what convinced him to join the Hidden Ones.
Witnessing the death of many important figures in his life traumatised Ari deeply, which he carried with him for the rest of his life.
Equipment and skills[]
From a very young age, Ari was trained extensively by his father Einarr, a distinguished warrior in his own right, learning to fight with axes, swords, bows, spears, and war hammers. At the age of fourteen, Ari was seen as a powerful and skilled warrior, considered to be among the best in his clan. Following the death of his father and clan, Ari's skills only continued to grow as he hunted down the men involved in his father's death.
After meeting the Hidden One, Livius, and agreeing to work together to hunt the Hveðrungr clan, Ari was unwittingly learning the skills of a Hidden One. Utilising stealth, freerunning, tailing, eavesdropping, pickpocketing and more. When Livius gifted Ari with a Hidden Blade of his own, Ari also gradually learned how to employ it in assassinations.
Over his time hunting the Hveðrungr clan, Ari utilised a variety of tools with his main ones being an axe, bow and arrow, shield, and a single Hidden Blade.
With Ari's parents being Norse and English, and being raised among both for long periods of time in his life, the Hidden One was able to speak both languages of his parents.
Ari also possessed a unique form of Eagle Vision that allowed him to detect imminent threats to his wellbeing, manifesting as faint ominous unintelligable whispering that grew louder.
Romantic life[]
Ari met Hilda during his travel to Vinland, the two grew close over the voyage with them eventually developing romantic feelings for each other. Some months after landing in Vinland, the two made their feelings known and entered a relationship with Ari revealing his past, the Hidden Ones and Templars. Hilda aided Ari and Livius in hunting down the Templars of the Hveðrungr clan, and even remaining in Vinland with the two Hidden Ones following Leif Erikson's departure.
Their relationship remained strong for 2 years before Hilda's untimely death at the hands of Livius in 1003. Following her death, Ari was deeply traumatised by it but was eventually able to move on and marry an indigenous American woman whom he sired children with, ensuring the existence of his descendants.
Trivia[]
- Ari is is a given name in Old Norse, Icelandic, Faroese, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish and means eagle or is the pet form of the names starting with Arn- or Old Norse ari "eagle". Once again, keeping in line with the tradition of Assassin's Creed protagonists being named after avians.
- Einarrson means "Einarr's son", keeping in line with Scandanivian traditions of children's surnames deriving from their father and the nature of their relationship. Einarr is an Old Norse given name, which according to Guðbrandur Vigfússon is directly connected with the concept of the einherjar, warriors who died in battle and ascended to Valhalla in Norse mythology.
- Ari stood at 6'3" and weighed 210lbs.
- Ironically, Ari is the first ancestor of Horatio Pierce that is linked to the Assassin-Templar conflict despite Ari's descendant and Horatio's mother, Jennifer, not being a member of the Assassins or Templars.
- Ari is half Norewegian and English.