Norse Bestiary of Creatures and Monsters

Norse Bestiary of Creatures and Monsters

All nine worlds of Norse cosmology were inhabited by various races and beings. Midgard is familiar to most, but the others hold a wealth of intriguing entities. Let's begin with Jötunheimr—the realm of the giants, also known as Jötnar. These beings were grotesque in appearance, often likened to trolls or demons. They were immensely strong and enormous in size, posing a deadly threat to humans who stood no chance against them. However, they were also described as wise beings who had an affinity for treasure. Other gods often took advantage of this wisdom and greed for their own benefit.

The relationship between the gods and the giants was tense and ever-shifting. Some gods were even considered descendants of the Jötnar, and there are stories of intermarriage between the two groups. The giants themselves were divided into two main clans: those of fire and those of ice. Their longstanding hostility toward the gods is central to many myths, ultimately culminating in the apocalyptic battle known as Ragnarök.