Niflheim

Outer region of cold and darkness, abode of Hel Queen of the Dead an underworld region; black, frigid, fetid, dreary, and toxic. This region is the final destination of most of humanity, only heroes gained admittance to Valhalla. People here have been assigned to drag out their destinies until Ragnarok, when they would be freed to fight with Hel’s legions against the Gods and heroes.

Nastrond

The hall where Hel dwells is known as Nastrond.

Nastrond (Dead Body Shore) Nastrond is a hell state found in the depths of Niflheim. It is a dark, cold place with walls formed of snakes .

This hall of the dead stands in a damp forest of firs in the mountains called the Strand of Corpses. It is said that Nastrond is one of the eternal planes that will exist after Ragnarok, when it will be the prison of evil gods who survive that war.

Encounters

• Hel
• Dwarf (Duergar) 1
• Elf, Dopkalfar 1
• Lindworm 1/2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20
• Svartalfar (Dark elves) 1
• Hell Hound 3, 9
• Mara 3
• Doppelganger 3
• Skeleton 1/3
• Wight 3
• Hag Gullveig 4
• Helhest 5
• Wraith 5,11
• Kelpie 10
• Revenant 11
• The Firedrake 20
• Linnorm Flame 23
• Winterwight 23
• Barrow Wight Template +2

Gjall and Slith

Two rivers cross the lands of the dark lady Hel. The first, the River Slith, flows from Oinos, where at the site known as the Corpse of the Beast, this torrent of black sludge bursts forth. The waters of the River Slith are an ice-cold mixture of tainted blood, poison, tears, ink, and sewage within which floats blades of all kinds.

While travelling through Oinos, the Slith passes through the Suffering City at the base of the Crystal Spire. Beyond there, it passes into Niflhiem, where it lies as the last barrier to the dark house of Nastrond. The Slith, known as the River of Blades, eventually empties into the Styx. The river Gjall, the River of Echoes, is the first barrier into Niflheim.

The only crossing is at Gjallarbru, the Echoing Bridge. Modgud female skeleton warrior F14/NE guards the bridge, making entrance to Hel’s realm difficult. The waters of the Gjall are largely foam and whirlpools in which bones float. Travellers are swiftly ground to pieces against the bottom of the river. The Gjall is said to spring from a well somewhere in the highest reaches of Niflheim’s mountains, from whence it cuts a deep gorge of high, bone-studded cliffs.

Encounters

• Norse Sea Worm 4
• Ondine 4
• Troll Scrag 5
• Whale-beast 6
• Draugr
• Sea Serpent 9
• Kelpie 10
• Linnorm Midgard 37

The Iron Wood

Valgrind and Hvengelmir: Just beyond Gjallarbru, one finds the Iron Woods. Here, the fir trees change into black metal, with each needle as sharp as a Dagger. Eventually though, the Iron Wood ends, and the dank forests of Niflheim return. Half-way between the rivers Gjall and Slith, the city of Valgrind stands. This is Hel’s city, guarded by her minion,Garm at the cave Gnipa.

In this joyless city, shade-like petitioners gather the nail parings of the dead, building great ships in dry dock, preparing for the coming darkness. Further, beyond Valgrind, one re-enters the forest. At an unknown location between the city of Valgrind and Nastrond itself, in a clearing in the forest, the great ever-boiling cauldron Hvengelmir sits. Around Hvengelmir, an encampment of Hel’s servants – trolls, hags, and others – carry prisoners to the cauldron. The enemies of the Norse are then boiled alive in the cauldron Hvengelmir. Beyond the clearing lies the River Slith and Hel’s abode. Close by the cauldron, and the spring that feeds it, is the root of Yggdrasil, where Nidhoggr gnaws forever at the base of the World Ash.

Encounters

• Nidhoggr
• Lindworm 1/2, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20
• Skeleton 1/3
• Elf, Dopkalfar 1
• Attorcroppe 2
• Mara 3
• Doppelganger 3
• Wight 3
• Hag Gullveig 4
• Lycanthrope Werebear 5
• Helhest 5
• Wraith 5,11
• Huldre 6
• Troll Snow 6
• Kelpie 10
• Linnorm Frost 21
• Winterwight 23
• Linnorm Flame 23
• Barrow Wight Template +2