Man of Mystery was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.
Description[]
Eivor spoke with the residents of Ravensthorpe to uncover the identity of Guthban.
Dialogue[]
Eivor saw Tekla in Ravensthorpe's main hall.
- Tekla: Who could Guthban be? One of us? Eivor! A moment?
Eivor spoke with Tekla.
- Eivor: Tekla, you look like you wrestled a bear. Is something wrong?
- Tekla: Gods, Eivor. I was robbed! On the road between here and Lincoln.
- Eivor: By who? Did you get a good look at them?
- Tekla: They were Saxons, I know that much. A pack of them! Lifted four barrels of my ale and all the coin I had on me! The biggest one pulled me off my horse and stuck his mouth in my ear. Said "Tell Guthban we expected him home soon."
- Eivor: Guthban? That's "Battle Bone" in the Saxon tongue. Are you sure?
- Tekla: That's what he said. It's not someone here, is it?
- Eivor: Not that I know of.
- Tekla: I do not begrudge us taking in orphans, Eivor. But some of these Saxons, we hardly know them. You ought to ask around.
- Eivor: A good idea. You take care of yourself, let me see to this.
- Tekla: Thank you, Eivor.
Eivor left the main hall to talk with her Saxon residents. She first spoke with Rowan at his stables.
- Eivor: Rowan.
- Rowan: Ah! Eivor. How's the day, my friend?
- Eivor: I am well, Rowan. I had only a small question. Do you know anyone named Guthban?
- Rowan: Guthban? Hmm. Nothing comes to mind. Should I?
- Eivor: It is not a question of should.
- Rowan: Ah. Is it a horse?
- Eivor: No, it's—
- Rowan: A lover?
- Eivor: No, Rowan. It's...it's no one.
- Rowan: You came here to ask me about no one?
- Eivor: Thank you for your time.
Eivor left the stablemaster and met with Octavian.
- Eivor: Octavian.
- Octavian: Ah! Salve, Eivor. How are you?
- Eivor: Well, thank you. A question. Does the name Guthban mean anything to you?
- Octavian: Guthban. Hmm. It's not Latin, is it?
- Eivor: It is a name, I think. But no face comes to mind. I fear it may be a moniker. A false name.
- Octavian: So you came to me? Why would you come to me about a false name? Do you think my name is false?
- Eivor: No. Is it?
- Octavian: I am Octavian, I have always been Octavian. Now please, Eivor, this is not a good time for me. I am terribly busy. Good day.
Eivor left Octavian and met with Tarben at his bakery.
- Eivor: Tarben. Do you have a second? I was wondering if—
- Tarben: I am Guthban, Eivor. It means Battle-Bone. Not the name of a cheery baker, is it?
- Eivor: Not one who bakes bread, no. So how did you earn this name?
- Tarben: Before I came here, I lived another life. A brutal, bloody life. I served with a gang of mercernaries. I was their weapon, roaming the wilds of England. Did whatever they asked of me. And all they asked was violence. When I left, I laid this sword on the grass and made a vow. I swore never to spill another drop of blood. To abandon acts of violence. To never kill again.
- Eivor: A hard promise for a hard man.
- Tarben: It wasn't. Not for me. This life here is all I've ever wanted. I've never been more at peace. This is my doing. I brought all this upon you. It is down to me to fix it.
- Eivor: Tarben. By threatening you, they threaten my clan. I cannot allow that.
- Tarben: These men are foul, Eivor. You should not have to fight my battles for me.
- Eivor: Do you not hear me, Tarben? If they threaten you, they threaten me. So let us face them. Together.
- Tarben: Very well. Meet me outside when you're ready. I believe I know where they will be.
Tarben left while Eivor readied herself. Outside, she met with Tarben.
- Eivor: If you wish to face your old friends, I am ready when you are.
- Tarben: Good. I'll lead the way.
Tarben led Eivor on their mission.
- Tarben: I want you to know...should it comes to blows with my old crew, I can handle it myself. Forgiving me is all the work you need to do.
- Eivor: There is nothing to forgive. You walked away. They pursued. By axe or your fist, I will do what must be done to protect my clan.
- Tarben: You are living the life you want, aren't you?
They continued to ride together.
- Eivor: Before we are spotted, tell me what I should expect here. Will they attack us on sight?
- Tarben: I shouldn't think so, no. Nothing like that. It's not how Wilf operates. Yes, he's a clever one, and rather kind when you meet him. Makes you feel like you're a friend. Family, even. I met him a decade ago and he was the first person to truly welcome me. To see some value in me. He told me I had a gift. For intimidation, persuasion...violence. Just by the size and strength of me, he knew how to use me.
They kept on riding together towards their destination.
- Eivor: So what do they want from you now?
- Tarben: They'll want me back. They'll want me to be the man they think I am. Monstrous and massive. Wilf and them were the only family I had then. But their love was...conditional. Wilf only loves what he owns.
- Eivor: So what do you intend?
- Tarben: I know I won't go back. I don't want more blood on my hands. But apart from that, it's hard to say. Who knows what they have in mind?
They rode to a bandit hideout in the shire and stopped their steeds.
- Eivor: We're stopping...
- Tarben: That house there. They're likely within. It won't look like much, Eivor. But don't be fooled. And don't take Wilf lightly, charming as he seems. The man is a serpent.
- Eivor: I've met plenty of charmers who turned out to be snakes.
- Tarben: I know, I know. Only a warning. Let's go inside.
Together, Eivor and Tarben entered the hideout as Wilf heard their entrance. Wilf spoke to them.
- Wilf: Guthban, my boy! As I live and breathe, you got my message! And you've brought a friend. Who might you be, Dane? His new leash?
- Eivor: I am Eivor. And the woman you robbed was one of my clan. That will not stand.
- Wilf: I know, I know. I busted up about it. But tell...Tekla, was it? Tell her that her ale is some of the finest we've tasted.
Eivor went to confront Wilf but Tarben halted her.
- Tarben: I am done with you, Wilf.
- Wilf: But we are not done with you, boy. We gave you food, shelter, ale to drink, riches galore. We made you who you are.
- Eivor: For all you did for him, he repaid you with blood and sweat, did he not?
- Wilf: You're a fiery one, I like that. But the ink was dried on this deal well before your number arrived in England. If you wish to clear Tarben's name, I'm happy to help with that. It's only a small matter of cost...Some weeks back, soldiers confiscated my personal wares, shall we say. Tried to confiscate me as well, but I gave them the slip. If you're keen, you could recover my belongings and return them to me. Do that, and your name is clear.
- Tarben: I...I can't. I promised myself I would leave all this behind, but...
- Eivor: If it will clear Tarben's name, we will recover what is yours. Where are these soldiers?
- Wilf: Camped not far to the west. A battalion of bloated, brainwashed military men. You can't miss it for the smell.
- Tarben: Wait here then. We will return before you sprout another pair of horns.
- Wilf: God go with you, Eivor.
Together, Eivor and Tarben left Wilf and rode to the soldiers' camp.
- Tarben: Eivor, this isn't your fight. You don't need to do this.
- Eivor: But I am. Now listen. When we reach the camp, leave everything to me. I will find Wilf's goods and bring them to you. If I am spotted, it won't be pretty. Many may die, and I do not want you involved. You must not break your vow.
- Tarben: No vow stands above my duty to my friends, Eivor. I could not leave you alone with them should they attack.
- Eivor: If it comes to that. Stand aside until then.
- Tarben: I will. You have my word.
They both arrived at Glen Ford Camp.
- Eivor: All right. Wait here...and stay out of sight.
- Eivor and Tarben may have fought the soldiers if they caught sight of Eivor.
Eivor found the chest and looted it. Afterwards, she returned to Tarben.
- Tarben: You found it.
- Eivor: I did. Let's bring this back to Wilf.
- Tarben: You handled that better than I would have.
- Eivor: Is this the sort of work you did with Wilf and your family of marauders?
- Tarben: A quick robbery like this? That was the least of our work. We stole from the poor, killed the helpless, cheated the dimwitted. We were lower than slugs. I shudder to remember our best days, and I weep for our worst.
- Eivor: Let it go then. Remember only what makes you a better man.
Tarben and Eivor traveled back to the bandit hideout and met with Wilf.
- Wilf: O ho! They have returned!
- Eivor: We have your goods.
- Wilf: Beautiful! Beautiful, put them there.
Eivor placed the goods on the ground while Tarben stood to Wilf.
- Tarben: The ledger...
- Wilf: Of course. Happy to honor it, my goodness! Such a lack of trust these days. It's a dark age, no mistake.
- Eivor: That's it then. We're done?
- Wilf: Aye. You are free to walk from this place and live as Tarben the Boring Bread Maker for the rest of your days. But you, Eivor. If you ever get tired of the settled life...we could always use a thief with your skills. Think about it.
Eivor spat on Wilf before leaving. Together, she and Tarben rode to Ravensthorpe.
- Eivor: Tarben...are you satisfied?
- Tarben: Yes, I cannot thank you enough, Eivor. I feared the worst when I heard my old moniker, Guthban. Hadn't heard it in years. Dredges up fearful memories.
- Eivor: I imagine. How did you fall in with that bunch?
- Tarben: After my mother died, I sought family. Wilf offered it. He looked at me, took me in, and told me who I was. Who I could be. I don't crave that belonging anymore. Among you lot, people accept me as I am. The greatest gift I ever got. Peace.
- Eivor: Many men are calm because they have never known a storm. You weathered a storm and worked through it. That is a rare thing.
- Tarben: That means a lot. Thank you.
Together, they arrived back at Tarben's bakery.
- Tarben: Ah, it's good to be home again...that is, if I haven't robbed myself of the pleasure of calling it home.
- Eivor: Tarben, in spite of all, you are welcome here. And you owe us nothing but the work you love.
- Tarben: Right. Payment in fresh loaves of bread. I can manage that.
- Eivor: But first, one scrap of your past remains.
- Tarben: Right. The ledger.
- Eivor: Toss it. And purge the past.
- Tarben: With pleasure.
Tarben followed Eivor's advice as he left for his bakery.
Outcome[]
Eivor learned of Tarben's past as a bandit mercenary, then aided him in clearing his debt to a bandit leader, allowing him to live free of his past commitments.
Behind the scenes[]
This memory is available immediately after completing both The Baker's Plaint and the errand for Octavian, A Rivalry for the Ages, regardless of main quest progression. Both of those errands will require building at least the Ravensthorpe Bakery and Museum, respectively.
Gallery[]
Tekla explaining her encounter with bandits
Eivor questioning the stablemaster Rowan
Eivor questioning the collector Osbert
Eivor speaking to Tarben, who revealed himself "Guthban"
Eivor following Tarben to meet his former associate
Tarben warning Eivor before their meeting with his former associate
Wilf asking Tarben for one final request
Eivor and Tarben returning with Wilf's package
Wilf handing over the notebook, officially "freeing" him of his services
Tarben asked by Eivor to burn the notebook, the final piece of his past