Alfar

Origin: Norse mythology

Type: Elves

In Old Norse, elves were called Alfar. They were divided into two races: the Light Elves and the Dark Elves.

Light Elves, or Liosalfar, are radiant and beautiful beings who were ‘fairer to look on then the Sun’. They lived in a luminous realm called Alfheim which was located between Heaven and Earth. They were benevolent towards humankind, and marriage between human women were possible. Heroes could become Light Elves after death.

Dark Elves, or Docalfar, were said to be ‘darker than pitch’ and lived in kingdoms deep underground. There they used their magical powers to fashion swords and enchanted objects.

Vila

Origin: Slavic mythology

Type: nymphs

Resides In: forests and bodies of water

Vila are often depicted as beautiful winged women, dressed in white or naked, with flowing hair. They are revered for their knowledge of herbal healing, and are fierce protectors of animals and plants. A human who dares harm a Vila’s creatures may be lured into a magic circle and killed by a natural disaster. They can also appear as swans, wolves, and horses.

Surtr

Origin: Norse mythology

Type: Jotun 

Resides In: Muspelheim

Surtr is the ruler of the fire jotnar living in Muspelheim, the realm of fire. He and the fire jotnar play a key role in Ragnarok, setting the world on fire at the end of the great battle. He wields a huge bright sword, battling many gods, such as the god Freyr.

He is described as having a female companion named Sinmara, keeper of the legendary weapon, Laevateinn.

Thor

Origin: Norse mythology

Type: God

Resides In: Asgard

Associated with thunder, lightning, oak trees, healing, fertility and strength, Thor is the son of Odin, ruler of Asgard, and Joro, a female jotun. His hammer, Mjolnir, can crush mountains, and Thor also wears the belt Megingjoro, the iron belt Jarngreipr, and the staff, Grioarvolr. His wife is the goddess Sif, and is the lover of the jotun Jarnsaxa, according to Prose Edda.

During Ragnarok, Thor will fight a great battle with the world serpent Jormungandr, where they will ultimately slay each other.

Loki

Origin: Norse mythology

Type: Shape Shifter

Also known as Loptr, Loki is a god or jotun (or both). He is the son of Farbauti and Laufey, and is also the parent to many creatures, the more well-known being Sleipnir the eight-legged horse, Fenrir the wolf, and Jormungandr, the world serpent. Loki’s wife is Sigyn, a nymph goddess.

When Loki loses favor with the gods, the goddess Skaoi places a venomous snake above Loki’s head while he is restrained by entrails. The venom drips into a bowl Sigyn holds, but when it is full and must be emptied, the venom dripping in the mean time causes Loki such great pain that earthquakes occur. When Ragnarok comes, Loki will break free from his binds and fight the gods, eventually coming into battle with the god, Heimdallr, and the two will kill each other.

Naglfar

Naglfar, or Naglfari, is a boat made from the nails of the dead. When the stars disappear from the sky, the earth will shake so violently that all binds will snap, and Naglfar will break free from its moorings, along with Fenris escaping his binds and Jormungandr swimming to shore. During Ragnarok, Naglfar will ride to Vigrior, carrying hordes that will battle with the gods. It will be captured by the Jotun, Hyrm.

Since the ship is made from the dead’s untrimmed nails, it’s encouraged to take care of one’s nails before dying so that it cannot contribute to the boat’s construction.

Einherjar

Origin: Norse mythology

Type: deceased souls

Resides In: Valhalla

Einherjar, ‘lone fighters’, were once warriors who have fallen in battle, brought to Valhalla by Valkyries. They prepare for Ragnarok every day, eating the meat of a beast named Saehrmir and drinking mead, brought by Valkyries. They are considered ‘adopted sons’ to the god, Odin, father of all those slain, and are assigned positions in Valhalla and Vingolf.

Valkyrie

Origin: Norse mythology

Type: female goddesses

Women warriors who decide who dies in battle, they bring the deceased souls to Valhalla, the hall of the fallen. The dead souls become einherjar and prepare for Ragnarok. Most Valkyrie names are associated with war or the spear, the weapon of Odin, but other scholars believe that the names are descriptions of the traits of warriors.

Some suggest that Valkyries were once thought of as demons of dead warriors, but was then changed when Valhalla was interpreted to be a warrior’s paradise, rather than another battlefield.

Odin

Origin:  Norse mythology

Type: God

Odin is the ruler of Asgard, associated with war, victory, death, wisdom and many other things. He is often portrayed with his steed, Sleipnir, a powerful eight-legged horse, and a spear called Gungnir. He owns three residences in Asgard: Gladsheim, Valaskjaf, and Valhalla, where he received fallen warriors’ souls. Souls of female warriors and women he favored were turned into Valkyries, who were intended to fight for him in Ragnarok.

One of his more famous sons is Thor, god of thunder and strength.