To Kill or Not to Kill: Analyzing the Dag Decision in Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla

No, you cannot avoid eventually confronting and killing Dag over the course of Valhalla‘s story. But whether to give Dag his axe at the end or not is a critical choice that powerfully impacts Eivor‘s character and the game‘s narrative outcomes.

As an avid gamer and creator focused on everything Assassin‘s Creed, I‘ve deeply analyzed the storyline across multiple playthroughs. The dramatic showdown with Dag is inevitable – fueled by backstory, complex relationships, and shifts of power.

Dag‘s Origins and Bond with Sigurd

To understand Dag‘s motivations, we first need context on his past. Dag was an orphan taken in by the Raven Clan leader Styrbjorn Sigurdsson, becoming childhood friends with his son Sigurd. The two boys bonded through many raids and battles together.

As revealed through in-game lore, Dag‘s very identity became tied to Sigurd – his purpose to fight for and serve his closest companion. With Sigurd viewed as the prophesied reincarnation of Tyr, the god of war, Dag saw his own fate as eternally linked.

The Arrival of Eivor

Enter Eivor, another orphan adopted by Styrbjorn after an attack killed Eivor‘s parents. Eivor quickly bonded with Sigurd as well, the two training constantly.

Yet even early on, Dag watches with brewing envy, as we see in this quote after a hunting trip:

"Sigurd‘s father always looked on you more fondly than me…I‘ve heard the others say it. Sigurd favors you. You‘re like a piece of meat to a dog, always at his heels!"

In Dag‘s mind, his place by Sigurd‘s side is being threatened – the early seeds of future betrayal.

A Climatic Struggle for Power

These tensions escalate through Valhalla‘s story until erupting after Sigurd‘s capture. Hungry for glory and the chance to lead, Dag tries seizing control of the Raven Clan in Sigurd‘s absence.

Eivor returns to find revolt and chaos awaiting:

A climatic fight for dominance over the settlement ensues between Dag and Eivor. This power struggle is inextricable from the storyline – Eivor has no choice but to kill Dag if restoring order.

Analyzing the Final Choice

Yet even after Dag lies dead by Eivor‘s hand, a final pivotal decision remains:

Give Dag his axe or deny it? Vikings believed that to reach Valhalla, one must die in battle holding their weapon – granting passage to Odin‘s warrior paradise.

Gameplay and Narrative Impacts

• Give axe = "true" ending: Dag enters Valhalla per traditions to await Ragnarok as intended
• Deny axe = alternate ending: Dag condemned,seen as dishonorable act by some NPCs

See the alternate endings compared:

Interpreting Player Motivations

Based on my discussions with the AC community and examining various forum debates, players make this call based on:

• Roleplaying Values: Does it fit their vision of Eivor‘s character?
• Emotional Reaction: Is denying "revenge" appealing after Dag‘s treachery?
• Narrative Priorities: Do they care about unlocking the "true ending"?

There‘s evidence on both sides:

• Players who prioritize a traditional Viking saga give Dag his axe to respect customs.
• Those feeling betrayed by Dag‘s manipulation withhold his weapon out of vengeance.

Impact on Eivor‘s Arc

This key choice also serves as commentary on Eivor‘s evolving morality.

Does Eivor:

• Uphold tradition, staying true to Norse codes of honor?
• Subvert expectations based on emotion and situation?

There‘s not a "right" answer per se. But each decision colors Eivor‘s character differently for players through complex implication.

The Layered Consequences of Killing Dag

While Dag‘s downfall is assured from the earliest scenes sowing mistrust, Valhalla still makes his confrontation meaningful.

The axe divide represents a deeper meditation on retribution versus integrity. In many ways, the player‘s verdict on Dag also serves as a verdict on the type of ascending leader Eivor becomes through necessity but also ethical choice.

So while his death arrives inevitably, the rich implications afterward are utterly dependent on the player‘s perspective – made tangible through this symbolic bipolar act of giving or denying Dag‘s final path to warrior eternity.

What does your own choice say about you?