Niflheimr

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Concept art of Niflheim

"This is Niflheim, the hell of mist and cold. This is where the faithless dead come to die again. This is where ghosts fade to mist, to be forgotten."

―Eivor's parting words to Gorm in the Memory Corridor, c. 875.

Niflheim (Old Norse: Niflheimr) was one of the Nine Realms of the Isu Era which later became an aspect of Norse mythology. It was ruled by Hel, Loki and Aletheia's daughter, and was divided into the regions of Kaldstad, Døkkerland, and Nidheim.

Mythology

A primordial realm of ice and mist that stretched into an endless expanse, Niflheim followed Múspellsheimr as the second place to arise from the chaotic void of Ginnungagap. Its location in the Norse cosmos varied by author; the anonymously-written Poetic Edda placed Niflheimr outside Helheimr, while the Gylfaginning poems in Snorri Sturluson's 13th century text Prose Edda had Niflheimr contain Helheimr as its center. However, both texts agreed that it later was ruled by Hel, Loki's child through Aletheia, and was the final resting place for all souls who did not have heroic deaths, were faithless in life, or who died without a weapon in hand.

History

In the prelude to the Great Catastrophe, Odin's son Baldr and Loki journeyed through Niflheimr as part of Baldr's efforts to win the heart of the princess Eysa, Surtr's daughter.

Geography

Niflheim was divided into the three regions of Kaldstad, Døkkerland, and Nidheim. Hel's fortress of Helheim was adjacent to the territory but not known to be a part of it.

Kaldstad

The first region one would find themselves in after entering Niflheim, Kaldstad is a place of towering rocks connected by sparse bridges and scattered with waterfalls. The descending roots of Yggdrasil could be seen in the distance from a vantage point. The high point of Odin's Camp was dry, however, further down the region was mountainous and inundated with layers of snow. A constant blizzard afflicted the area making visibility low. Most plants were unable to grow, save for a few hardy types of grass. Jötnar outposts also littered the region.

Døkkerland

The region of Døkkerland was vastly occupied by fortresses and underground labyrinths. The architecture was mostly Dwarven, with minor intrusive additions made by the Muspel denizens. The areas not built upon were mostly rocky outcrops with sparse amounts of grass or trees. Below the rocks, lava flowed around and through the region. Some traversal zip-lines could be located throughout.

Nidheim

A land of noxious fumes and with a sky full of sickly green clouds, Nidheim was presided over by the dragon Níðhǫggr in Urtgardhr Róts. The roots of Yggdrasil ran deep into the region, extremely close and large enough to be traversed upon. A thick miasma permeated the air making it difficult to see. Some sections seemed almost swamp-like with small island surrounded by poisonous waters. Somehow, greenery was able to thrive and was even overgrown in areas. Small flora was common, although any trees were most certainly dead. Building materials littered the islands including large stones, unfinished stairs, and rickety scaffolding.

Cultural influence

In 872, Eivor Varinsdottir and three Raven Clan Vikings conducted a series of raids in Rygjafylke, Norway as retaliation for Kjotve the Cruel having attacked a nearby settlement under the protection of jarl Styrbjorn Sigvaldisson. After clearing the village of Kjotve's men, the group attacked the central meadhall, where they found Hrolfr Kjotvesson guarding a treasure chest. Hrolfr declared that they would do well to know his name before he killed them, though the Vikings retorted that they would send him and his father to Niflheim by nightfall. Having exchanged barbs, Hrolfr and the Vikings drew their weapons, and the Raven Clan made good on part of their word by killing Hrolfr.

Three years after, Eivor tracked Hrolfr's elder brother Gorm, a member of the Order of the Ancients, to Narfljot Camp in Vinland and killed him. As he died, she experienced a vision in the Memory Corridor in which Gorm was condemned to "fade to mist [and] be forgotten" for eternity in an empty Niflheim instead of joining the glorious dead in Valhalla, much to his spirit's horror.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first mentioned)
  • Wrath of the Druids (indirect mention only)
  • The Forgotten Saga
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – The Ravens' Wound (mentioned only)
• Discovery Tour: Viking Age (concept art only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Forgotten Myths (first appearance)
• Echoes of History (mentioned only)
• The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)