Valheim is the Norse myth-inspired survival-adventure game that sees you playing as a slain Viking whose corpse is plucked from the battlefield by Odin's Valkyrie not to ascend to the halls of Valhalla, but instead to serve a purpose within the realm of Valheim. This is where Odin exiled his foes, but as they have begun to rouse and gain power now Odin needs you and your fellow Vikings to rid the land of the forsaken and bring it back into the light.
Valheim has deep roots within Viking history and myth, which it beautifully implements into its story. From looking at the various inhabitants of Valheim as well as what's etched upon the runestones dotting the landscape, it's possible to deduce some of this forgotten lore and develop a back-story for this formidable land you find yourself in. Here are some aspects of Valheim's lore you may have missed.
Updated April 10, 2023 by Amanda Hurych: With Valheim's addition to consoles, and its availability on Xbox Game Pass, more people than ever before are journeying through the shrouded lands of Valheim and encountering the monsters within. Though the game is still in early access and not fully complete, there's still a lot to love about the environment and bits of mythology you can pick up along the way. We've updated this list to account for new bosses and to further clarify the lore behind Valheim.
10 The Tenth Realm ⭕
Valheim is the Tenth Realm of tꦑhe Norse world, a land where Odin cast his enemies into eternal exile. However, as the monsters be🌊gin to rise up, this is where you have now been sent in order to prove your worth to the Gods by surviving its harsh environment and fighting against the monsters that call it home.
In Norse mythology, there are only nine realms, at the center of which lies the great world-tree Yggdrasil. However, Valheim is a fictional tenth realm in which we learn that Odin split from the world tree in order to leave it unanchored as a place of exile for his foes, owing to the dangerous inhabitജants that now dwell here.
9 Hugin ♏And Munin
Hugin and Munin are based on and named after Odin's messenger Ravens, who served as his eyes and🅠 ears as they flew all over the world to bring Odin new information.
In Valheim, Hugin tells you he was sent by Odin to guide you in your travels. He gives you hints on how to survive the harsh wilderness like how to keep warm, and how to craft and build items. Munin however has yet to be seen, but was recently mentioned in the Road Map update this month, with a segment named 'Munin: Raven of Lore'.
8 Yggdrasil, The World Tree 💝
As mentioned before, the nine Norse realms are wound into the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree known to be the center of the universe. This tree is said in Norse p🔯oems to be so𝓰 tall its branches sit above the clouds.
If Odin did indeed separate the tenth realm ofꩲ Valheim to be unanc💫hored from Yggdrasil, perhaps it then makes sense that during your journey you often see glimpses of its branches winding into the sky above you. Yggdrasil was also the origin of the second boss you encounter, The Elder, who is said to have been a shoot of Yggdrasil before he set himself against the Gods and was banished by Odin for this pride.
7 ๊ Odin, The Allfather 𝓀
A one-eyed hooded figure with a stick can occasionally be spotted watching you from a distance, before quickly disappearing. This figure is presumed to be Odin, who was well known for having sacrificed his eye to Mimir to drink from the we🧜ll of Urd in to gain worldly knowledge.
Odin is perhaps the most recognizable and important figure within Norse myܫthology and the one whom warriors need to prove themselves to in order to gain entry into Valhalla. As he is the one who sent you to Valheim, it would make sense that this hooded figure would be him keeping a watch on your progress from a distance.
6 Valkyries
In the beginning, it states "When Odin heard his enemies were growing once again🎉 in strength, he looked to Midgard and sent his Valkyries to scour the battlefields for the greatest of their warriors."
Valkyries were known in Norse mythology as a divine group of maidens who served Odin by scouting the battlefields for fallen warriors to take to Valhalla or Folkvangr, or in this case Valheim. They are often depi♈cted as maidens on horses or as winged women,ܫ and it seems the game has gone for a more otherworldly, bird-like depiction as seen from the one who delivers you to Valheim.
5 Eikthyr
Eikthyr is the first boss, residing within the Meadow biome and appearing as a large stag with chains wrapped around his antlers who strikes you with powerful electrical attacks. Eikthyr's is strange and as of now, it's a mystery as to why he has been exiled into Valheim.
In Norse mythology, he is known as the fabled stag who stands upon Odin's hall in Valhalla eating the leaves of Yggdrasil, with horns that drip water into the rivers, and the well of Hvergelmir in Helheim. His trophy states "the wilderness will never submit to his (Odin's) rules" so it is thought that Odin banished Eikthyr here with good reason, perhaps for leading a revolt with the wilderness against the Gods.
4 The Original Inhabitants Of Valheim 𒁏
A runestone tells us that long ago, Valheim was home to a proud and noble population who built great towers and mined for precious metals, but ultimately challenged the Gods and lost everything. However, even today those war𒅌riors still﷽ refuse to surrender, and now appear as Draugr.
Draugrs are known as one of Valheim's most dangerous inhabitants, and in N🍎orse mythology were known for guard🍎ing treasures in their palaces and burial mounds. A runestone states that though they dwell below the ground, they do not know they are dead and that those who delve deep to find their treasures should beware.
3 Fellow Viking🐭s
If you've been investigating the various runestones scattered within each of the biomes, chances are you've discovered several of them are etched with messages from Ulf, Astrid, or Harald.
It's presumed these are fellow fallen Vikings recruited by Odin from the battlefield's of Midgard by the Valkyries, and similar to you are searching for passage into Valhalla. One of Astrid's also tells us that she's been in Valheim for at least 7 years, and was once a shieldmaiden though now fights the forsaken and great beasts in Odin's name. Ulf's however give you helpful hints and tips for staying alive within Valheim's inhospitable wilderness, often through having made the mistakes himself.
2 ✤ The Banished Seven
A runestone in the Black Forest states: "Seven wer🎐e the creatures banished to this world by mighty Odin in the first days of his kingship. Seven gods and monsters too prꦕoud to bear his yoke."
As of now, we presume we have seen six of these in Eikthyr, The Elder, Bonemass, Moder, Yagluth and The Queen. It is assumed these seven are the enemies' growing strength that Odin has sent you and other Vikings from Midgard to vanquish, with Yagluth described on a runestone as "one of the forsaken ones".
1 The Serpent 🍒
The Serpent is an extremely large, hostile sea snake that lurks within the ocean biome attacking both players and their🅰 boats, sometimes found during the day but more often at night.
It's thought to be based on Jormungandr, the Midgardian world Serpent and monstrous child of Loki. This great serpent was thrown into the ocean by Odin and eventually grew so large that it could circle the Earth and grasp its own tail in its jaws. The fact it's not biting its tail could signal that Ragnarok has begun, as this along with Yggdrasil shaking was supposed to signal its beginning. However, it could also mean the serpent has not yet grown large enough to do so.