Last week we walked from Folkestone to Dover. It was probably the shortest walk so far, as I was streaming an hour later than usual.
Whilst playing the main AC:Valhalla game this week, I joyfully stumbled across the Gloucestershire plot- one that takes place during Samhain, and features mask-wearing, a very OTT Wickerman burning and some of the more magical elements of the West Country during the Middle Ages.
Whilst wandering through a particularly familiar piece of Gloucester woodland, I realised that Aelfwood was indeed Puzzlewood- a place I have talked about before during my last project research, and one of my favourite places to visit and stay. A truly magical place, used as a filming location for many well-known films and tv shows, and as it turns out, AC: Valhalla too. Below is one of my research images from the GUTS project, using a photo taken in Puzzlewood back in 2020:
Whilst digging online, I found this extensive writeup about Assassin’s Creeds’ inclusion of Gloucestershire by game writer Emma Kent- a Forest of Dean local- who went so far as to compare the game with the local area in person, whilst walking in 2020 lockdowns:
“With little else to do during lockdown, I recently walked up Cleeve Hill to find the Neolithic long barrow Belas Knap, a 5500-year-old burial site, and another named location in Valhalla. Having now visited myself in-person, I can say Ubisoft's version is seriously convincing. Ubisoft managed to include everything from the bone-filled chambers to the neat stonework at the false entrance. There's even a note explaining "only those touched may pass through Belas Knap and venture onward to worlds unspoken". Some believe Belas Knap's false portal was not made to deter robbers (as there was little of value in the chambers), but was instead used as a spirit door to allow the dead to pass through to accept offerings from descendants.”
I’ve not discovered Belas Knapp in the game just yet, but I’ll be sure to seek it out next time I play.
It was so exciting to stumble across a familiar landmark in the game, and I’ll be revisiting the area back in exploration mode for next weeks’ online walk. It’s interesting that I’m drawn back to woodlands both IRL and online in my current practice…
This coming Sunday, I’ll be experimenting with large-scale projections from this project at The Old Market, as part of the Lightform Lab residency I’ve been on. As it won’t be open to the public, I’m going to see if its possible to incorporate a live element when I’m in the space…more news on that when it happens.
In body news, earlier this week, I finally had my orthotic insoles fitted, which should hopefully correct my gait. If you’re new to my current creative project, then a quick recap- this project was born out of my inability to walk for enjoyment, due to arthritis in my feet and Achilles tendonitis causing me a lot of pain and discomfort. I’ve been receiving treatment, part of which was a (very expensive!) pair of specially-made insoles for my shoes, which I’m told should really help. In the meantime, taking long walks in video games has become a safe replacement for my need to wander and explore, until such time as I might be able to do it IRL again.
Resources
https://www.eurogamer.net/assassins-creed-valhalla-gloucestershire (by https://twitter.com/GoneEFK)