Is Valhalla Male or Female Canon?
Direct Answer: The correct answer is that Eivor, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, is canonically female.
Explanation: The choice between a male and female Eivor does not change the overall story or character development of the game. The story is centered around Eivor’s experiences, relationships, and the Norse mythology setting. Both genders have their own unique strengths and personalities, which shape the story and the character’s decisions.
Reasoning:
- In Norse culture, the Viking tradition is to name a child after their patriarch or father. This means that Eivor, as Varin’s daughter, takes on his surname as "Varinsdottir," indicating her gender.
- All the Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in the game view Eivor as female. This consistency reinforces the canonical female gender of Eivor.
- The Animus, the device used by the protagonist to access historical memories, also treats Eivor as female. The Animus’s perspective influences the protagonist’s experiences, making the female Eivor the only "official" Eivor.
But What About the Option to Play as a Male Eivor?
- Some players might argue that choosing a male Eivor contradicts the canonical female identity. However, the male Eivor is merely an alternate choice, not an alternate story or reality. The same story and plot unfold regardless of the player’s gender choice.
- The developers intentionally created an option to play as a male Eivor to accommodate players’ preferences, exploring the impact of Eivor’s personality and decisions in different gender contexts.
Additional Evidence:
- Basim’s Smirk: During a memorable conversation with Basim, the character seems to smirk and nod in approval when recognizing Eivor’s self-awareness. This moment strengthens the case for Eivor’s canonical female gender, as Basim is influenced by Eivor’s identity.
- The Competition with Randvi: Randvi is a central figure in Eivor’s storyline, and their competitive and romantic bond is an integral part of the game’s narrative. The dynamic between Eivor and Randvi is closely tied to the female protagonist’s experiences.
Key Takeaways:
• Eivor’s canonical gender is female.
• The male Eivor option is an alternate choice, not an alternate reality or story.
• Both genders offer unique experiences, but the overall narrative and character development remain the same.
• The NPCs and the Animus treat Eivor as female, supporting the canonical female identity.
• Basim’s response and the competition with Randvi reinforce the idea of Eivor as a female character.
Conclusion:
While the option to play as a male Eivor adds variety and explores different story paths, the canonical female identity of Eivor is evident throughout Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The game’s developers intentionally crafted the narrative around Eivor’s female gender, which is consistently represented throughout the story and the characters’ interactions. As a result, it’s clear that Eivor’s canonical gender is indeed female.