Summary
Valheimis steeped in the engrossing tales of Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. However, there are some creatures yet to be included inValheim’s bestiary that would fit in perfectly.
2021’sValheimis still in early access but has already generated an immense amount of buzz. Part of this acclaim comes from its use of Norse mythology and wider Scandinavian folklore, something that will only be built on inValheim’s upcoming Ashlands update. These references range from Norse myth, such as with sea serpents and the Norse pantheon, as well as more contemporary Scandinavian references—such as how the various greydwarf enemies resemble the gray dwarves from the 1981 bookRonja rovardotter. With such scope, there’s a variety of interesting folklore and mythology that would fit well inValheim.
5 Norse Creatures That Would Fit Well In Valheim
Dokkalfar (Dark Elves) and Ljosalfar (Light Elves)
With thewealth of references to Norse myth inValheim, the lack of elves is surprising. There are references to the elves of Norse myth in both theProse Edda, one of the most important sources on Norse mythology that survives today (along with thePoetic Edda), and in the poemHrafnagaldr Odins. The poem is enveloped into the mixing of dwarves and elves in Norse myth, where a character named Dainn could be an elf or a dwarf. This is also present in the two aforementioned collections, where the subterranean dokkalfar (dark elves) are theorized to be synonymous with svartalfar (black elves), who themselves could be synonymous with dwarves. Regardless, whether they be underground dokkalfar or light-elf ljosalfar, these creatures could easily make for some unique NPCs.
Fossegrim
Among the enemiesValheimbeginners will be immediately acquainted with, the neck isn’t too much of a threat. This creature is inspired by the Swedish nack, which is related to other Germanic water spirits. Among these is Fossegrim, a water spirit or troll that can play the fiddle with great expertise. Unlike the tiny lizardsValheimplayers may be used to, Fossegrim looks like a human male in most interpretations, playing his fiddle in a river or under a small waterfall. Humans can strike a pact with Fossegrim in exchange for scheduled food offerings, granting them unparalleled musical ability. The music of Fossegrim and those he deals with are said to enchant even the trees themselves to dance, so making a bargain with the water spirit could likely be of potent benefit toValheimplayers.
Nidhoggr and Ratatoskr
Upon spawning into a new world in the tenth realm, a player need only look up to see a sky filled with roots. These are the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, the shoots of whichcan be harvested forValheim’s Yggdrasil wood. TheProse EddaandPoetic Eddaboth reference a creature gnawing on these roots. The serpent Nidhoggr is said to sit ‘far beneath’ Yggdrasil, according to the poemGrimnismal. Whilst it’s typically kept in balance by their opposite, the eagle Vedrflnir at the World Tree’s top, if Nidhoggr gets out of hand, the player would be in the best position to reign it in.
While Vedrfolnir stays secluded in the canopy of Yggdrasil, the horned squirrel Ratatoskr delivers the eagle’s messages to Nidhoggr. It is said by some that the Ratatoskr intentionally pits the two against each other, maintaining the balance between rebirth and decay. If the player ever has to add Nidhoggr tothe serpents they slay inValheim, it only makes sense for this mischievous rodent to be an NPC.
OnceValheim’s Ashlands update is released, these creatures would make solid additions to the title’s bestiary. They would add not only both new NPCs and enemies, but the mix of myth and folklore that already exists in the game.
