Long before modern fantasy introduced dragons guarding mountains of gold, Norse mythology told the tragic story of Fafnir. Once a powerful man, he murdered his father to claim Andvari's cursed treasure, only to be transformed into a monstrous dragon by his own greed. His eventual battle with the hero Sigurd became one of the defining moments of the Völsunga Saga and inspired countless works of fantasy literature, including elements that influenced J.R.R. Tolkien's dragons. Fafnir remains a timeless reminder that the greatest monsters are often created by the choices they make rather than the forms they are born into.

Like I can‘t remember any character other than Eivor and Odin calling Varin a coward. I believe in a Cairn memory Sigurd even protests this because of what he died for. Doesn‘t matter if it was stupid, the cause was brave, that makes him a warrior. But Eivor seems to think that he was a coward because he trusted the offer he was given by an oathbreaker, not merely because he chose peace. Which is strange that THEY would think that, given that SIGURD is the one who literally ran away because he lost his future kingsmanship in the name of peace. Maybe that speaks to hypocrisy when it comes to his own right to rule being more important than others‘ lives (at that point in the story), maybe to his views on the worth of peace changing. The three years away might‘ve done that actually, I can‘t imagine such a long time being gone from home to establish a reputation abroad would do much for your preference of avoiding bloodshed.

I also can‘t help but wonder if Eivor‘s strict opinion on this (which isn‘t really contradicted by the game, as it never frames Varin as a warrior, moreso as someone dear to Eivor who‘s loved despite his dying a coward, the realization of which helps Eivor break free from Odin‘s weird illusion shit) is influeneced by the god in his head. Valhalla is repeatedly referred to as Odin‘s corpse hall which leads to believe that Odin makes the laws. Does the reincarnation stuff have smth to do with Eivor‘s views on what makes a coward?