Norse Mythology: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Norse Mythology, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- ThorThor struggles with the sea serpent in a story presented during the discussion of mythology.First seen in chapter 6
- OdinOdin is a descendant of Bure who helps Vile and Ve build the world from Ymer’s body.First seen in chapter 7
- YmerYmer is the ancestor of frost-giants, formed when heat meets frozen vapor.First seen in chapter 7
- MimerMimer drinks wisdom-bearing water each morning and receives Odin’s eye as security for a drink.First seen in chapter 8
- LokeLoke interferes in contests and bargains connected with Odin’s possessions.First seen in chapter 10
- SigurdSigurd appears in stories showing Odin giving weapons and offering guidance.First seen in chapter 10
- HeimdalHeimdal is the god who guards the rainbow bridge.First seen in chapter 11
- IdunIdun guards the apples that renew the gods’ youth.First seen in chapter 11
- TyrTyr proves his courage by losing a hand when the gods bind Fenrer.First seen in chapter 11
- BalderBalder is Odin’s son, whose troubling dreams lead Frigg to seek promises protecting him.First seen in chapter 12
- FriggFrigg obtains protective promises for Balder but leaves mistletoe without an oath.First seen in chapter 12
- HoderHoder is blind, and Loke guides him into throwing mistletoe through Balder.First seen in chapter 12
- VidarVidar is the powerful, silent son of Odin and Grid, with a thick shoe made from leather scraps.First seen in chapter 14
- FreyFrey governs fertility and peace, and Skirner seeks Gerd’s agreement to meet him.First seen in chapter 15
- Chapter 2
The author defines mythology and explains how stories give personal forms to nature and religious ideas.
- Chapter 3
The author explains how Iceland’s native language, poetry, and clergy helped preserve pagan traditions.
- Chapter 6
The writer rejects purely biblical and historical explanations, joining natural forces with human feelings in his account of mythology.
- Chapter 7
Heat from Muspelheim meets frozen vapor from Niflheim, producing Ymer.
- Chapter 7
Odin, Vile, and Ve kill Ymer and build earth and heaven from his body.
- Chapter 8
Odin leaves an eye as security to receive a drink of wisdom-bearing water.
- Chapter 10
Stories describe Odin protecting warriors, inspiring poetry, and seeking wisdom through journeys and sacrifice.
- Chapter 11
Tyr loses a hand when the gods bind Fenrer.
- Chapter 11
Loke helps Thjasse abduct Idun, then rescues her when the aging gods threaten him.
- Chapter 12
Loke discovers that mistletoe lacks a protective oath and guides blind Hoder into killing Balder.
- Chapter 12
Hermod’s attempt to recover Balder fails when Thok refuses to weep.
- Chapter 13
Thor kills Hrungner, but needs Magne to free him and retains a stone in his head.
- Chapter 15
Skirner uses gifts, threats, and magic to secure Gerd’s agreement to meet Frey.
- Chapter 16
Loke obtains Andvare’s gold and cursed ring to pay the ransom demanded after he kills Odder.
- Chapter 16
Sigurd kills Fafner and Regin, understands birds after tasting dragon blood, and takes the treasure.
- Chapter 17
Severe winters, human violence, disappearing heavenly lights, and broken bonds announce the final conflict.
- Chapter 17
The gods and their enemies destroy one another in battle, and the earth sinks beneath the ocean.
- Chapter 18
A green earth rises, surviving gods gather, and Lif and Lifthraser become the parents of renewed humanity.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- NiflheimNiflheim supplies the frozen vapor that meets heat in Ginungagap.First seen in chapter 7
- MuspelheimMuspelheim supplies the heat that meets frozen vapor to produce Ymer.First seen in chapter 7
- AsgardAsgard is where Hrungner follows Odin and threatens the gods.First seen in chapter 13
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