Is Valhalla Calling from Vikings? A Deep Dive into Norse Mythology

As an avid gamer and streaming fan, I was immediately hooked when History Channel‘s Vikings first brought Norse legends to life back in 2013. The show perfectly captures the mysticism and brutality of the Viking age. Ever since, I eagerly consume any content related to Norse mythology – from music to games to movies.

So I was thrilled when Netflix announced Vikings: Valhalla, a sequel to the iconic show. And Ubisoft timed the release of its next Assassin‘s Creed game perfectly with Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla coinciding with Valhalla‘s debut. Now we can immerse ourselves in Viking lore across series, songs, and interactive gameplay.

In this article, I‘ll dive deep into the mythology and history that makes Vikings so fascinating. As an avid gamer, I‘ll also share tips and tricks for experiencing Norse quests in AC Valhalla first-hand. So come along viewer as we set sail to unravel the mysteries of Valhalla!

Norse Mythology 101 – Gods, Heroes and Sagas

Norse myths originated as part of pagan religious beliefs of the Vikings between the 8th and 11th centuries AD. Their stories explained the world through supernatural beings like gods, giants and monsters. The myths were passed down orally until writers eventually recorded them in manuscripts.

The Nordic world had nine realms, connected by the great tree Yggdrasil, with gods inhabiting Asgard, mortals Midgard, and the dead Helheim. Let‘s look at some key figures:

• Odin – Ruler of Asgard, chief of the gods, associated with wisdom, poetry, magic and the dead
• Thor – God of thunder and lightning, protector of mankind, wields the hammer Mjolnir
• Loki – Trickster god known for mischief and cunning
• Freya – Goddess of love, beauty and fertility
• Heimdall – Guardian of Bifrost, the rainbow bridge to Asgard

The most famous Norse myths revolve around the Aesir-Vanir War, where two groups of gods battle, and the eventual Ragnarok – the prophesied death of the gods and end of the world.

These tales are chronicled in texts like the Poetic Edda, a 13th century collection of old Norse poems, and the Prose Edda written by scholar Snorri Sturluson in 1222. They continue to be seminal works on Norse mythology even today.

Valhalla – The Hall of the Slain

In both Vikings shows, references to Valhalla abound. But what exactly is this mythic place?

In Norse legend, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard ruled by the god Odin and his fellow gods and goddesses. It is where worthy Viking warriors who are slain in battle are chosen by female figures called the Valkyries to live out the afterlife.

Valhalla literally means "hall of the slain" in Old Norse.

Here, fallen fighters engage in endless fighting and feasting – they battle one another every day but are resuscitated each evening. They drink mead supplied endlessly from the udder of the goat Heiðrún and eat pork from the boar Sæhrímnir. Valhalla is thus the ultimate paradise for daring Viking warriors.

No wonder Vikings characters and fans alike are drawn to the idea of dying in glory and being summoned to such a rewarding afterlife by Odin, the Allfather himself.

Ragnar Lothbrok – The Legendary Viking Warrior

While containing many fantastical elements, Norse myths often involve historic figures and events.

One such figure is the legendary Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok, who reigns at the center of Viking tales and looms large in the Vikings TV universe.

While debated, many historians do believe Ragnar was a real Viking chieftain who conducted raids on England and France.

In the sagas, Ragnar is said to be the son of the Swedish king Sigurd Hring and was the scourge of England and France, sacking Paris and Rouen. He meets his demise after being captured by King Aella of Northumbria and thrown into a snake pit.

But his sons Bjorn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye and Ubba revenge him by invading England with the Great Heathen Army.

In Vikings, Travis Fimmel captures Ragnar‘s cunning intelligence, tactical brilliance, and restless ambition to explore new lands. Despite his eventual demise, Ragnar‘s legacy lives on through his sons and elevates him to mythical status.

Odin – The Allfather

In Norse mythology, Odin is the chief god, the allfather of the Aesir. He is associated with wisdom, poetry, war, death, and sorcery. Odin is the god who rules Valhalla, choosing the most triumphant warriors to join him after death.

In texts, Odin is described as a wanderer often wearing hats and cloaks to disguise himself. He carries the spear Gungnir, wears a magical ring, and is accompanied by two wolves and two ravens that gather intel for him.

In Vikings, Odin frequently appears to Ragnar and his sons in times of turmoil offering cryptic advice and prophecies. The show captures Odin‘s penchant for concealing himself and nudging mortals towards their destiny.

Through his interactions with the legendary Vikings, we get glimpses of Odin‘s enigmatic nature and his influence over the fates of both gods and people.

The Lore Comes to Life in Vikings: Valhalla

After becoming so invested in Ragnar‘s saga in Vikings, I eagerly anticipated its sequel Vikings: Valhalla which debuted on Netflix in February 2022. Rather than continuing the stories of Ragnar‘s sons, Valhalla jumps forward a century.

The show follows other iconic Vikings like explorer Leif Erikson, his fiery sister Freydis Eriksdotter, and Nordic prince Harald Hardrada on new adventures a century after the events of the original.

But the lore continues with numerous references to Odin and Valhalla. In the first episode, Harald utters this line while grieving his brother:

"As long as we keep alive the stories of the great deeds our loved ones performed, part of them still lives on in here. And we will see them again. In Valhalla!"

This immediately pulled me back into the mystical Viking universe. The children of Ragnar may be gone, but Odin, Valhalla and fate continue to drive this next chapter in Vikings history.

I‘m mid-way through the season, but so far Valhalla draws me in with its stunning production design showing off Viking longships, rituals, and the Scandinavian landscape in all its harsh glory. The new characters are complex, and the acting is top-notch.

If you‘re a fan of medieval sagas, you‘ll definitely appreciate this extension of the Vikings franchise. I eagerly await the remaining episodes of the inaugural season.

Embracing the Viking Life in Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla

Beyond shows and movies, we can directly immerse ourselves in Viking adventures through games like Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla.

As an avid gamer who loved previous entries in the AC series, I was thrilled they were taking it to the world of Vikings next.

Assassin‘s Creed games blend real historical figures and events with mythological elements.

In Valhalla, you play as Eivor Varinsdottir, a young Viking raider leading their clan from freezing Norway to settle in England during the 9th century conquest alongside Saxon resistance like King Alfred the Great.

True to the era, you get to live the fantasy of being a legendary Viking warrior – sailing longships, raiding monasteries, and settling new lands. Dual-wielding axes and flails while battling Saxons is immensely satisfying.

But there are also fantastical quests that incorporate Norse gods and mythology directly into the gameplay. Let me share some mythological highlights (minor spoilers ahead!)

Fighting Mythic Beasts

 

Early in the game, I took on my first Daughter of Lerion – massive, glowing bears with connections to Norse legend. This was my first taste of the mythic elements blended with real Viking adventure.

Later, I battled the legendary great white wolf Fenrir and gigantic cow Audhumla across scenic Asgardian realms. These boss battles capture some of that Ragnarok lore beautifully.

Mystical World Events

 

As you explore England, you may randomly come across spiritual figures and mythical references:

• Valkyries hovering over battlefields to pick out chosen slain
• Glowing doves marking mystic places tied to Norse gods
• A dwarf in a cavern seeking the magical mead of poetry

Keep an eye out for these events that add hints of Norse magic.

Meeting Legendary Figures

A major mystical questline involves the seer Vili coming to you and eventually transporting Eivor to Asgard.

Here you interact with legendary Norse gods like Tyr and Freya as they train you to fight Surtr the flame giant who brings about Ragnarok. These interludes capture that Norse larger-than-life quality.

Later in the game, you even take control of Odin during mythical quests to uncover lore secrets. Embodying the Allfather himself is a unique gaming experience.

So in summary, fans of Norse mythology will find a lot to appreciate in Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla. It truly does justice to the Viking age in all its aspects – historical and legendary.

Tips for Mythic Quests

If you plan to pick up Valhalla, here are some tips to get the most out of its mythological elements:

• Seek out World Events marked by glowing birds – they lead to mythic locales.
• Complete the Asgard and Jotunheim questlines to unlock the best mythical gear.
• Max out your settlement by building the Seer‘s Hut to pursue visions and mythology.
• Scan documents and notes during quests for more lore on Isu and Norse legends.
• Fight all the Daughters of Lerion and Lost Drengr for unique boss battles.

The Timeless Appeal of Vikings

Clearly Vikings have captivated the modern imagination. But why does Norse culture continue to enthrall us? Here are some of my thoughts on why Viking fervor continues today:

Ideals of Adventure – Tales of Vikings voyaging into the unknown capture our innate desire for exploration and thrill-seeking. It‘s human nature.

Warrior Ethos – Legends of courageous Viking raiders and warriors appeal to fantasies of combat, honor, and glory.

Mysticism and Magic – Norse myth interweaves human achievement with mysticism in iconic ways that fascinate us.

Daring Independence – Vikings represent fierce independence and rebellion against authority that many find romantic.

Stunning Aesthetic – The vivid imagery of longships, ornate patterns, and Nordic vistas captivate artistic minds.

For these reasons, it‘s clear why Vikings endure as icons of adventure, warrior life, and mysticism. And new shows and games continue to stoke the flames of enthusiasm for Norse culture among new generations.

So in summary, Vikings have clearly left an enormous mark on our culture and imagination. The call of Valhalla, gods like Odin, and legends like Ragnar Lothbrok speak to timeless human interests and desires.

Whether you experience Norse myths through shows like Vikings, games like Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla, music, books or art – there‘s no denying their impact on pop culture today. Valhalla continues to inspire modern entertainment by bringing ancient Viking heroes roaring back to life.

So I hope this deep dive has illuminated what makes Vikings and Norse mythology such a perennial source of fascination. Let me know if you have thoughts on other shows, games, or art inspired by Viking lore! I‘m always eager to experience new takes on these enduring legends.

Until next time friends – thank you for joining me on this voyage into the depths of Norse myth and the Viking warrior life. Skål!