The 2018 reboot of theGod of Warseries saw the return of Kratos, titular deity, vengeance-swearer, and all-round force of nature. However, unlike the previous series' focus on Greek legends,God of Wartook things north with a story based on Norse mythology and gods.
Having moved to this new worl following the events of the previous games,God of Warbegins with Kratos mourning the death of his second wife, Faye, while continuing to care for their young son Atreus. In keeping with his wife’s final wish,Kratos and Atreusset out on a quest to scatter her ashes from the highest peak in all the Realms.
The Nine Realms are at the heart of Norse mythology, as well as Yggdrasil, the world tree that joins them together. Though each of the Realms has a unique place in the cosmology, the Nordic names and various legends can be a little difficult to keep straight. To help players from mixing up their Helheim with their Alfheim, here’s our breakdown of each of the Realms and their place within the Norse mythology.
Midgard
God of War’s story begins in Midgard, which is theNorse name for Earth, though a direct translation would be closer to Middle Ground. Midgard lies somewhere in the center of Yggdrasil, bordered by Nilfheim, the Realm of ice to the north, and Muspelheim, the Realm of fire to the south.
Midgard contains all of Earth and is surrounded by an impassable ocean, guarded by the sea serpent Jormungandr. The Jotunn (Giant) serpent also makes an appearance in the game, after being awakened by Kratos in the Lake of Nine, where he has been sleeping since a devastating battle against his fated nemesis,Thor. Midgard is the largest explorable region in the game, and is home to mostly mortals and humans, though gods and other mythological creatures often pass through or exert their influence there.
Alfheim
The second largest Realm featured inGod of Waris Alfheim, or Alfheimr, the Realm of the Elves. Also called Ljosalfheim in Norse Mythology, the land of the elves inGod of Waris torn between the warring forces of Light and Dark. Each fights for control of The Light of Alfheim, a source of power that illuminates the Realm and also powers the Bifröst bridge in connecting the Realms together.
While the Light Elves control theLight of Alfheim, its radiance fills the Realm, and the skies are bright and blue, but while the Dark Elves control it, the light is smothered and the skies turn red. However, prior to the events ofGod of War,the Light had been in the control of the Light Elves for a long period, after they named the God Freyr their overlord and gave him a home in their realm. Alfheim is mentioned only a few times in Norse legends as a bright and beautiful land, and is home only to the Light Elves. Their Dark cousins instead live in their own Realm of Svartalfheim, which is known as the Realm of Dwarfs inGod of War.
Helheim
The third largest Realm that Kratos visits is Helheim, also known as Hel. While not normally defined as a full Realm by itself in Norse Mythology, Hel is the land of the dead, where most deceased beings come to rest. Only those who die honorably in battle are allowed to escape it’s icy clutches, and enjoy theendless feasting of Valhallainstead.
Hel mostly appears in later sources of Norse Mythology, though many different interpretations of it exist. InGod of Warit is a land of pressing darkness and deathly cold. Those who are unfortunate enough to die as criminals, or of disease, mishap, or old age, are bound to spend eternity in Helheim, to live endlessly tormented by cruel visions of their past life.
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Jötunheim
The final realm that Kratos must visit over the course of the story isJotunheim, the Realm of the Giants. The Jotnar, or Jotunn, as they are known in Norse Mythology, are an ancient race descended from Ymir, the giant that Odin slew to make Midgard. Although they are mostly mortal, giants are incredibly powerful creatures that can live for many thousands of years. Despite their name, they also come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from human-sized Jotunn to the great serpent Jormungandr.
Jötunheim is a secretive Realm, sealed off from many of the others in an attempt to prevent Odin’s genocide of their race. A genocide prompted by the prophecy that they would destroy him comeRagnarok, the end of days. In the game, it’s a desolate land of murdered giants and towering mountains, and therefore the final objective of Kratos' quest to scatter his wife’s ashes at the highest peak in the Nine Realms.
The Optional Realms
There are two Realms that Kratos can visit inGod of Warthat are not involved with the main story. The first of these is Muspelheim, the Realm of Fire, which can only be accessed by obtaining all the Muspelheim Ciphers as part of the Realm of Fire Favor. The source of all heat in the Nine Realms, Muspelheim is a land of raging volcanoes and ash-blackened skies. It’s home to the Fire Giants, andguarded by Surtr, their leader. In Norse Mythology the Sons of Muspelheim are those who will break the Bifrost and begin the events of Ragnarok.
In contrast to its fiery counterpart, the second optional Realm, Niflheim, is a land of endless fog and freezing mists. In Norse Mythology, it was the combination ofNiflheim and Muspelheimthat made the steam that began the process of creation. Later on it became the home of Hel, the goddess of death, and the underworld that shares her name. InGod of War,Niflheim can be reached by obtaining all of the Niflheim Ciphers as part of the Realm of Fog Favor.
God of War PS5
There have been patchy rumors about the story ofthe sequel toGod of War, but one thing that is clear is that the game will continue the original’s setting. This means that it’s quite likely Kratos will be visiting the final three Realms that haven’t been seen in the first game. The first of these is Svartalfheim, the Realm of Dwarfs. It’s unknown howGod of War 2will approach this Realm, but in Norse Mythology, it’s actually the home of the Dark Elves as well as the Dwarfs, and in some stories they are even the same race.
The final two Realms are perhaps the most important of the Nine, one being Asgard, home of the Aesir tribe of Norse Gods, and the other being Vanaheim, home of theVanir tribe. Lead by Odin, the Aesir are the more warlike of the two tribes, and their battle-hardened Realm is home to the warrior’s paradise of Valhalla. Vanaheim, on the other hand, is a land of fertile growth and lush gardens. InGod of War,both of the Realms have been ravaged by the hundred-year war between the tribes, and if Kratos manages to reach them it won’t be without experiencing a longboat-load of violence along the way.
God of War PS5is rumored to be in development.
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