Einartoft | Chapter 5 The Banner Saga Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
This chapter starts in limbo with fairy unusual conversation between Juno and giant snake (Serpent). Choice of the dialog options has no influence on its course so you do not have to watch yourself carefully. After the conversation Juno will contact Eyvind and in this case you do not have any dialog options to choose at all. After you'll be returned back to the Einartoft town, listen to one more conversation between Eyvind, Rook and Alette. The game will allow you to choose all dialog options before the conversation is over.
Wait until you're back to the town view. I recommend going back to the Great Hall in order to meet Jorundr. You can try to suggest Jorundr that the best method will be destroying the bridge (first or second dialog options) but he will refuse the plan and throw Rook out of his house. If you do not want to make the chieftain angry, then choose the 3rd dialog option any time ("I'm sorry to waste your time, I should go" or "I'll leave"). Generally you do not have to watch yourself during this meeting because regardless of its result, you will not block any behavior variants described below.
This quite short chapter can be finished in three ways. First variant of behavior is to leave Einartoft as soon as possible. In order to do this you have to choose a proper building (Leave). Regardless of whether you decide to choose dialog option "They made their choice" or "We'll extend the offer, but we have to go", the caravan will continue its journey and will be joined by Eyvind and group of 38 giants (Varl) sent by Jorundr. Unfortunately, Krumr will leave the caravan and will stay in the town to protect it.
The second variant of behavior is about destroying the bridge - this is the plan presented by Eyvind. You can start executing it now or after meeting with Jorundr described previously (regardless of its result). Click on the bridge (Destroy Bridge) and confirm your willingness (We're ready). Make sure that you have Eyvind in your team and start the first battle with monsters. The battle will probably introduce powerful Stoneguard Colossus, so with weakening this monster. In the meantime take care of other members of your team because you may need them soon.
After winning the first fight, angry giants will appear on the bridge - they are commanded by Fasolt. I definitely do not recommend surrendering (Surrender to the varl), because after short audience at Jorundr the team would be thrown out of the city and as result wouldn't gain anything. It is much better to decide to continue fights by starting covering Eyvind (Defend Eyvind) when he is busy with destroying bridge supports.
The most important information on second fights is that Eyvind who is busy with destroying the bridge won't be able to participate in it. Try to fix this somehow, choosing Krumr or another character to your team. You'll have to deal with group of giants (Varl Warhawk, Warhawk Champion, Varl Shieldbanger, Varl Warrior) commanded by Fasolt. It is best to kill enemies one by one, but you do not have to focus on Fasolt right now, because he is not clearly stronger than his subordinates. Remember about your archers, trying to block giants so they can't reach your people. Winning the battle will allow Eyvind to destroy the bridge and after meeting Jorundr this chapter will be over.
Third variant of behavior is connected with helping giants fighting on the bridge and you can do this only after meeting Jorundr in the Great Hall. I suggest getting some supplies because fights will last up to three days! Click on the army of giants standing next to the bridge (Fight on Bridge) and accept your willingness to help (Offer help). In the first day of fights you can acts in two ways. If you do not want to participate in battle, you can take care of wounded (We can treat the wounded), raising the morale of caravan members.
But if you prefer to fights for Renown points, you can join the fights together with giants. Make sure that Eyvind is in your team - once again he will be most valuable member of the group (you do not have to take Fasolt with you, but of course it is possible). You won't encounter any new monsters in the battle so count on already known tactics and characters'' abilities.
On the second day of fight you'll also have to make a decision. One of option is to remove bodies from the battlefield (Help remove the bodies), but I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT because Egil can die in the meantime. In new fights you'll have to face probably several monsters capable to attack targets from a distance so try to quickly get close to them and use the fact that they are not good in melee fights.
On the last, third day of fights you won't have to make any additional decisions, but you'll learn that Fasolt has died in the last skirmish. The balance of the team will be restored by appearance of Iver, who got back to his strengths. I definitely recommend selecting this giant to the last battle with monsters. There will be probably many of enemies to be defeated in those fights, but this also means gaining Willpower and Renown points more often.
Winning the third battle will start a series of conversations where Iver will force Jorundr to destroy the bridge. This chapter will be over soon.