Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition: The Complete Guide to Ragnar’s Sagas: So Epic Achievement

With the release of the Victors and Vanquished DLC, we also got a couple of new achievements. One of the more complicated achievements is Ragnar’s Sagas achievement (currenly sitting at a fashionable 0.0 – 0.1% completion margin).

Tracking down all the different saga objectives can be quite challenging, because the game does not tell you exactly what to do to fulfill the saga.

To complete the scenario you will only need to find 50 saga objectives. However, to unlock the achievement you will need to fulfill all 9 sagas by finding all 50 saga objectives.

(Completing all objectives should unlock the much coveted achievement)

The nine sagas you will need to complete are:

The general descriptions of the sagas give a lot of information about what objectives are needed to fulfill the sage:
– Raid: kill the enemy military and pillage their buildings for loot.
– Conquer: vanquish your enemy and turn it into a Norse Fiefdom.
– Settle: build settlements in the region.
– Explore: roam the high seas and the lands to find places and persons of interest.

Finding the specific places to settle and conquer can be quite the challenge, however. To make your journey easier I’ve compiled this here guide. To accompany on your journey to conquer to high seas and brave new far away lands.

Without trying to spoil the savouring of the perilious adventures of Ragnar Sagas, here follow some general gameplay tips:
– Start with raiding the Northern British isles and Scotland, the towns are generally badly defended and are good for an early income of gold and loot through pillaging.
– It is probably wise to conquer a few neighbours early on. Your population limit is initially limited to 20 pop. Each holdfast you conquer in the Norse lands adds another 10 population to your cap.
– Be wary, however, that once you start making a name for yourself among your peers, the Vaking raiders will start to appear. They seem especially fond of your starting base and
– You cannot build new villagers, so protect them at all cost. You can only gain a set number of new villagers by settling new lands and conquering your opponents.
– You age up by conquering the Norse lands.

Ragnar’s Saga
Become king of the Norse lands.

• Found shieldmaiden Lagertha and defeated her bear and hound.
• Rescued Thora Fortress-Hart from the serpent on Gotland.
• Found Aslaug, disguised as the peasant girl Kraka.
• Stole the cow Sibilja from Jarl Eysteinn Belli.
• Defeated Jarl Eysteinn Beli.
• Became King of Norge.
• Became King of Sverige.
• Became King of Danmark.
• Sacked Paris.

Saga of Ragnar’s Sons
Raid, conquer, and settle England.

• Sacked Eoforwic (York).
• Killed King Aella of Northumbria.
• Sacked Lundenburh (London).
• Killed King Edmund of Anglia.
• Built a settlement in England.
• Build a Jarldom in England.
• Raised the Great Heathen Army.

The Tale of Hrørek of Dorestad
Raid the Franks in Saxon lands.

• Recruited Hrørek in Frisia
• Captured Dorestad
• Destroyed the towers on the Rhine River
• Pillaged the villages along the Elbe River

Orkneyinga Saga
Explore and settle the Northern Isles.

• Recruited Eysteinsson brothers, Sigurd and Rognvald.
• Built a settlement in Orkney.
• Built a settlement in Shetland.
• Killed Pictish giant Máel Brigte.
• Plundered the monasteries in the Hebrides.

The Landnama
Explore the Western Isles and beyond.

• Recruited Ketill Flatnose and his daughter, Aud the Deep-Minded.
• Recruited Grimr Kamban.
• Built a settlement in the Faroes.
• Built a settlement in the Hebrides.
• Built a settlement on the Isle of Man.
• Found a land of fire and ice.
• Built a settlement in Iceland.

The Annals of Ireland
Raid and settle Ireland.

• Recruited Olaf the White.
• Killed the High King Máel Sechnaill.
• Built a settlement in Ireland.
• Sacked the Monasteries of Ireland.

Chronicle of the Dukes of Normandy
Raid and settle in northern Francia.

• Recruited Hrolf the Ganger.
• Recruited Hasteinn.
• Destroyed the Frankish Fleet.
• Sacked Rouen.
• Sacked Rennes.
• Built a settlement in Francia.
• Killed Robert the Strong.

Chronicle of Novgorod
Explore and settle in the east.

• Recruited Rurik the Troublemaker.
• Captured Holmgård and Kœnugarðr.
• Built a settlement in Garðariki
• Established a trade route to Garðariki
• Destroyed the nomad camps

Hrolfr Kraki’s Saga
Find a king’s legacy in Sverige and Danmark.

• Found the Skofnung, the sword of Hrolfr Kraki, at his barrow.
• Found Hrolfr Kraki’s gold in the Fyris Wolds of Sverige.

In Ragnar’s Saga you are tasked to become king of the Norse lands. Although it is one of the longest saga’s (9 objectives) it is probably best to prioritize some of the tasks, because you unlock new units, upgrades and the siege workshop by conquering your neighbours.

Become king of the Norse lands.

1. Found shieldmaiden Lagertha and defeated her bear and hound.
2. Rescued Thora Fortress-Hart from the serpent on Gotland.
3. Found Aslaug, disguised as the peasant girl Kraka.
4. Stole the cow Sibilja from Jarl Eysteinn Belli.
5. Defeated Jarl Eysteinn Beli.
6. Became King of Norge.
7. Became King of Sverige.
8. Became King of Danmark.
9. Sacked Paris.

While wresting control of Norway, you will most likely stumble across shieldmaiden Lagertha. She can be found in the far north of Norway. The easiest way to get to her, is to travel by boat past Lade. You will find a cliffside landing near hear hovel. Travel up the road and brave hear fierce hound and bear, to have both Lagertha and her fourlegged companions join you on your epic adventures.

Thora Fortress-Hart can be found hiding in a tower (Donjon) on an island to the west of Sweden. It is easiest to fulfill this objectives, once you’ve conquered your Swedish rivals. Take a couple of beserkers to the Island of Gotland and slay the foul beast guarding the tower to rescue Thora. Afterwards you can ungarrison Thora Fortress-Hart from the donjon.

The old Norse skalds were never to scarred to turn an ordinary cattle raid into a tale of epic proportions. In my playthrough, search as I might, I was unable to find Sibilja the cow in Jarl Eystein’s hold at Bergslagen. As it turns out, you won’t find Sibilja the cow with Jarl Eysteinn Belli, nor anywhere in his hold. Instead, you need to go due north from Bergslagen. Alternatively, you can northeast from Vastfold. Be wary, as you pass along the plains of Norway you will find two groups of Norsemen protecting a pair of cows. The second group guards Sibilja, the glowing cow. Kill the armed ruffians that keep her in check, and everlasting fame and glory are yours.
(Stealing the holiest of cows means making minced meat of these armour-clad shepards. A tale, truly befitting the saga of a king.)

Remember that holy cow that turned into an epic tale? Continue to the northeast from were you slew the ruffians guarding Sibilja and you will stumble across a hovel with a peasant girl standing right next to it. Approach and it turns out this is none other than Aslaug disguised as the peasant girl Kraka. Once you approach her, she will join your ragtag group of footpads and mercenaries.

Jarl Eysteinn Belli will likely be the first hold you conquer in Sweden. He can be found in front of the Mead Hall in Bergstagen. From Vesthold follow Norway’s southern shoreline to the west and the first Jarldom you find will be Jarl Eysteinn Belli’s. Kill him and take his hold of Bergstaten to complete the objective.

This objective requires you to vanquish your next door neighbours in Norway. You will have to add Hordland, Lade and Vestfold to your kingdom.

Hordland is Jarl Eirik’s hold and can be found just to the north of your starting base. Exit your base to the north and you will walk straight into his base. Kill Jarl Eirik and his henchmen along with the Sea Tower next to the docks to claim his fiefdom.

To the south of your base you can find the Vestfold, the Jarldom of Jarl Halfdan the Black. He shouldn’t prove to much of a challenge to vanquish.

Along Norway’s northern shore you can find Lade. It is located north of Hordland, but to get there you have to either traverse the sea and follow the shoreline to the north (beware of his three longboats) or travel through the inlands, which is scoured with slingers and wolves.

After adding all three holds to your own kingdom, you should be prompted.

Conquering Norway will allow you to research Feudal Age techs at the blacksmith and dock, as well as unlocking additional units at the Warrior’s Hall (wonder).

After vanquishing your foes in Norway it is time to inspire songs of your heroic deeds in Sweden. From Vestfold you follow Norway’s southern shoreline to the east to find Berslagen, the fief of Jarl Eysteinn Belli. Killing him is, incidentally, a mandatory objective.

If you travel further to the east from Bergslagen, you will come across the town of Uppland. A nameless Jarl that is soon to be forgotten.

From Uppland you can find Västergötland to the southwest. This hold is easier to vanquish than his competitor in Småland. Kill the Jarl and head to the east along the shoreline to find Småland. If a hero of your proportions can’t be bothered with defeating such a puny foe first, you can also head due south from Västergötland. Be wary of Småland’s longboats (3) that guard the dock.

Conquering Sweden will allow you to research Castle Age techs at the blacksmith and dock, as well as unit upgrades at the Warrior’s Hall (wonder)

The easiest way to invade Denmark is to board a transport from Vestfold and head south. Watch out for the lonely longboat along Jutland‘s western shore. The marshlands allow you to disembark right next to Jarl Harald Klak‘s meadhall for an old-fashioned raiding party.

To the south of Jutland lies King Ragnfrid‘s holdfast Ribe. He can be easily dispatched.

The Jarldom of Hedeby is a bit to the southeast from Ribe. Make sure to bring a couple of longboats along the eastern shore, because Hedeby’s dock is guarded by three longboats.

The hold of Roskilde is not on the mainland. You will have to do an amphibious landing to the north of Hedeby. Invade the isle of Zealand and dispose of Jarl. Bring a couple of longboats to deal with his ships (2).

After vanquishing the Danish pretenders, you can finally style yourself King of the Norse lands.

Conquering Denmark will allow you to research Imperial Age techs at the blacksmith and dock, and unlock the siege workshop.

Although… to become the proper king you will first need to raid Paris… Which is neither Norse nor in the Norse lands. Paris is highly defended and lies in the middle of the Frankish heartlands. Bring plenty of reaving beserkers and a couple of battering rams to lay waste to Paris.

The city itself is defended by moats, walls, towers and a castle. The garrison consists of a mix of knights, crossbowmen, priests and swordsmen.

(Paris is well defended)

Raid, conquer, and settle England.

1. Sacked Eoforwic (York).
2. Killed King Aella of Northumbria.
3. Sacked Lundenburh (London).
4. Killed King Edmund of Anglia.
5. Built a settlement in England.
6. Build a Jarldom in England.
7. Raised the Great Heathen Army.

Raid the Franks in Saxon lands.

1. Recruited Hrørek in Frisia
2. Captured Dorestad
3. Destroyed the towers on the Rhine River
4. Pillaged the villages along the Elbe River

Explore and settle the Northern Isles.

1. Recruited Eysteinsson brothers, Sigurd and Rognvald.
2. Built a settlement in Orkney.
3. Built a settlement in Shetland.
4. Killed Pictish giant Máel Brigte.
5. Plundered the monasteries in the Hebrides.

Explore the Western Isles and beyond.

1. Recruited Ketill Flatnose and his daughter, Aud the Deep-Minded.
2. Recruited Grimr Kamban.
3. Built a settlement in the Faroes.
4. Built a settlement in the Hebrides.
5. Built a settlement on the Isle of Man.
6. Found a land of fire and ice.
7. Built a settlement in Iceland.

Raid and settle Ireland.

1. Recruited Olaf the White.
2. Killed the High King Máel Sechnaill.
3. Built a settlement in Ireland.
4. Sacked the Monasteries of Ireland.

Raid and settle in northern Francia.

1. Recruited Hrolf the Ganger.
2. Recruited Hasteinn.
3. Destroyed the Frankish Fleet.
4. Sacked Rouen.
5. Sacked Rennes.
6. Built a settlement in Francia.
7. Killed Robert the Strong.

Explore and settle in the east.

1. Recruited Rurik the Troublemaker.
2. Captured Holmgård and Kœnugarðr.
3. Built a settlement in Garðariki
4. Established a trade route to Garðariki
5. Destroyed the nomad camps

Find a king’s legacy in Sverige and Danmark.

1. Found the Skofnung, the sword of Hrolfr Kraki, at his barrow.
2. Found Hrolfr Kraki’s gold in the Fyris Wolds of Sverige.