Helheim

Helheim
Location	Nine Worlds
Position	Afterlife for the dishonorable dead in Norse mythology
Ruler	Hel
Appearance	The Sword of Summer The Ship of the Dead (mentioned) 9 from the Nine Worlds

Helheim (pronounced "HELL-hame") is one of the Nine Worlds and is the land of the dead for those who die outside of battle (e.g., from ailments such as old age and disease). It is ruled by the goddess Hel.

Description

Helheim is a cold, dark lifeless place full of miserable souls who died of old age or disease. Magnus describes it as looking like Charlestown. To get there, a person has to ride down an icy road into the pitch-black Valley of Death, cross the River Gjoll on an iron bridge guarded by a giantess, somehow make it across the Wall of Corpses and finally arrive at the Hall of Hel. There, they will endure an eternity of starvation, misery, and pain- at least until Ragnarök, when they will join Surt. Helheim used to be a part of Niflheim, but once Hel ruled over, the terrain and name changed.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

The Sword of Summer

Loki mentions that the residents of Helheim will join Surt during Ragnarok, to fight against the Norse gods.

The Ship of the Dead

When Magnus, Sam and Alex walk over the gangplank of Naglfar, Alex and Magnus hear the voices of their deceased friends and relatives.

9 from the Nine Worlds

Nice Doggy

After being drafted into finding Garm by Hel, Thomas Jefferson Jr. searches the land of dishonorable dead for the guard dog and succeeds in luring him back to his cave.

Known Prisoners

• Balder
• Natalie Chase
• Caroline Chase
• Emma Chase
• Aubrey Chase
• Randolph Chase
• Adrian
• Ms. Jefferson
• Millions of Mortal Souls

Trivia

• Though the English word "Hell" roots from this, it is a morally neutral resting place.
• The characters in Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard frequently use the words 'Hel' or 'Helheim' in place of the English 'hell', even in curse words. The goddess Hel doesn't like this.
• Helheim seems to depict a somewhat bleak look of the afterlife for those who do not die heroically. It is also unknown if all of Helhiem is as described in the books or if there is an area reserved for morally good souls like Natalie Chase.