Assault on Kjotve's Fortress

The assault on Kjotve's Fortress was a Raven Clan attack in 872 against Kjotve the Cruel and his Wolf Clan based in his fortress. It was the culmination of the clans' long rivalry which had lasted since the 860s.
After defeating Kjotve in a , Eivor Varinsdottir and the Raven Clan stormed the fortress with aid from King Harald Fairhair's troops and the Alamut Hidden Ones Basim Ibn Ishaq and Hytham, forcing Kjotve's son Gorm to surrender. The Raven Clan took the fortress and eliminated the Wolf Clan while Gorm escaped with his life.
==Background==
Since at least the 850s, the Raven Clan led by jarl Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson had been involved in a rivalry with the Wolf Clan, contending for control in southern Norway. Around 855, the village of Heillboer—which housed Varin, his wife Rosta, and their daughter Eivor—swore their allegiance to Styrbjörn during a feast. Kjotve and his men interrupted it in a sudden raid that resulted in all the villagers being massacred, including Varin and Rosta. Eivor was subsequently adopted by Styrbjörn and raised alongside his son Sigurd.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Prologue
Over the next decade, both clans continue to wage raids against one another to a stalemate. Meanwhile, Eivor spent time trying to seek revenge against Kjotve by conducting raids on his camps and attacking his men throughout the region.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Song of Glory – Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga – While she was largely successful, Kjotve eventually captured her in 872, though she escaped before she was sold into slavery.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Honor Bound In the meantime, King Harald's uncle Guthorm the Wise visited Styrbjorn with a proposal to end the rivalry between the Raven Clan and Wolf Clan for good.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Family Matters
Later on, Eivor led a raid on one of Kjotve's camp alongside a returning Sigurd after foiling a sneak attack in Fornburg by Kjotve's men. There, Harald and Guthorm visited Styrnjorn's children and proposed Harald's alliance to end the clans' rivalry, which the siblings accepted.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Rude Awakening
==Battle==
Now bolstered by Harald's men and Guthorm, as well as the Hidden Ones Basim and Hytham, Eivor and the Raven Clan made a standoff against Kjotve outside his stronghold. Eivor challenged Kjotve to a holmgang to regain her honor for their last encounter. Kjotve accepted the offer and largely dominated Eivor throughout the fight. After Kjotve threw Eivor into a pit, Hytham attempted to assassinate the jarl from above but was intercepted midair and was thrown against the pit wall, heavily injuring himself. This distracted Kjotve and allowed Eivor to recover and eventually kill him in battle, after which she recovered a medallion on his body.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – A Cruel Destiny
With Kjotve dead, his son Gorm took control over the stronghold and refused to surrender, causing the allied forces to lay siege to the fortress. While the Raven Clan were able to eliminate Kjotve's men and take control, Gorm managed to escape and fled from battle.
==Aftermath==
In the battle's aftermath, Harald organized an and invited the clans throughout Norway, including the Raven Clan, to his estate in Alrekstad. This was done in order to consolidate his rule over the region. Styrbjorn was among those who pledged fealty, which outraged Sigurd as it signified the loss of his birthright.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Birthrights Subsequently, Sigurd led select members of the Raven Clan to England to make a life free of Harald's rule.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – The Seas of Fate
Basim later informed Eivor of Kjotve's membership in the Order of the Ancients and took the Norseman's medallion. Kjotve's son Gorm inherited his membership in the Order and would spend the next few years in Vinland in search of Isu artifacts.Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – In a Strange Land
==Gallery==
ACV A Cruel Destiny 19.png|Gorm escaping from the battle
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed: Valhalla 
*Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Sword of the White Horse 
*The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One 
==References==
Category:Timeline
Category:Battles