Svala (died 873) was a Norse seeress and the mother of Valka who lived in the mountains near Fornburg in Rygjafylke, Norway in the 9th century. She was also the rebirth of the Isu Freyja, Odin's wife and the Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, sex, war, gold and magic.
Biography[]
Mortal life[]
As the reincarnation of Freyja, Svala struggled with visions of her past life's memories, affecting her psyche and causing her to speak in riddles. Nevertheless, her visions caused her to be regarded as a wise woman by most members of the Raven Clan and she was appointed the clan's official seeress, as it was believed she could speak with the spirits.[1]
Svala during the feast in Heillboer
In 855, Svala attended a feast organized in her jarl Styrbjorn's honor in Heillboer, which was interrupted by a raid by the rival Wolf Clan. Svala and most other Raven Clan members survived the attack, and in the aftermath Strybjorn decided to adopt Eivor Varinsdottir, the orphaned daughter of Varin and Rosta.[2]
At some point, Svala had a daughter, Valka, who eventually took over her duties as the Raven Clan's seer and would look after Svala in her old age at their home near Fornburg. In 872, when Eivor visited Valka's hut for advice on a vision she had experienced, she briefly encountered Svala, but the old woman was too preoccupied with her own visions to pay her much attention.[1]
Life in Valhalla[]
In 873, knowing her death was fast approaching, Svala made use of Freyja's memories to locate Yggdrasil, wishing to use the machine to escape death. In time, she managed to locate the Yggdrasil Chamber in Hordafylke and understood how to successfully utilize the machine. After bidding farewell to Valka, Svala departed and used Yggdrasil to create a simulation of Valhalla, relishing in the freedom, youth and vigor that the simulation gave her.[3]
Svala with Eivor and Sigurd in the Valhalla simulation
In 877, Eivor and her adoptive brother Sigurd, who were the reincarnations of Odin and Týr, respectively, found the Yggdrasil Chamber and entered the Valhalla simulation themselves, where everyone present welcomed them as old friends. Svala tried to explain the simulation's true nature to a confused Eivor, but Eivor and Sigurd eventually chose to leave and return to the real world.[3]
When Eivor asked Svala if she would remain inside the simulation, the latter explained that her physical body was close to death, but that inside Valhalla her consciousness was immortal. Eivor understood Svala's choice and wished her well before going to find Sigurd so that they could leave together.[3]
Personality and traits[]
According to Valka, Svala's mind was a jumble, as she believed she could speak with the spirits by the time her final winter had come.[1] It was later revealed that Svala was fearful of getting old and dying and became desperate to find a way to achieve immortality. Using her memories of her past life as Freyja, Svala secretly used Yggdrasil to regain her youth inside the machine's Valhalla simulation.[3]
When Eivor entered the simulation herself, Svala tried to convince her to stay, showing her simulated versions of her friends and family. However, Eivor knew that they were not real and decided to leave. Svala respected Eivor's choice but declined to come with her, electing to remain inside the Valhalla simulation for the rest of eternity.[3]
Behind the scenes[]
Svala is a character in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. Her name means "swallow" in Old Norse.
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
- The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)
References[]