NaosArchives-Valkyries

Servants and daughters of Odin, the Valkyries are demigods responsible for gathering the bravest of the dead, choosing the most valiant for continued existence in Valhalla. They are known for being incredible warriors themselves, and are associated with ravens and wolves (which they actually ride - the so-called "valkyrie horse" being a skaldic kenning for the wolves that scavenge corpses after a battle).

The warriors of Valhalla - chosen by the Valkryies - will provide the Aesir with a great army composed of incredibly potent warriors on the day of Ragnarok. It should be noted that the einherjar, as these soldiers are called, are not ghosts or undead; they are snatched up at the last moment before death and given immortality in Valhalla. The Valkyrie are known to carry horns which allow them to summon a number of einherjar at their will. When slain, these warriors do not die permanently. By using her horn a second time, the Valkyrie may return the einherjar to Valhalla, living or dead. Once there, she need only invite them to eat and drink, and they rise again, perfectly healthy, to feast and fight again.

Known Valkyries

The following are known Valkyries active in the world today.

Reginleif

Reginleif appears only briefly in the Norse Eddas, mentioned in Snorri's Edda, excerpted below:

Mank valkyrjur Viðris nefna. Hrist, Mist, Herja, Hlökk, Geiravör, Göll, Hjörþrimul, Gunnr, Herfjötur, Skuld, Geirönul, Skögul ok Randgníð. Ráðgríðr, Göndul, Svipul, Geirskögul, Hildr ok Skeggöld, Hrund, Geirdriful, Randgríðr ok Þrúðr, Reginleif ok Sveið, Þögn, Hjalmþrimul, Þrima ok Skalmöld.

I will recite the names of the valkyries of Viðrir (Odin). Hrist, Mist, Herja, Hlökk, Geiravör Göll, Hjörþrimul Gunnr, Herfjötur Skuld, Geirönul Skögul and Randgníð. Ráðgríðr, Göndul, Svipul, Geirskögul, Hildr and Skeggöld, Hrund, Geirdriful, Randgríðr and Þrúðr, Reginleif and Sveið, Þögn, Hjalmþrimul, Þrima and Skalmöld.

She is also mentioned in the Grímnismál, quoting Odin, as below:

Hrist ok Mist vil ek at mér horn beri, Skeggjöld ok Skögul, Hildr ok Þrúðr, Hlökk ok Herfjötur, Göll ok Geirahöð, Randgríð ok Ráðgríð ok Reginleif. Þær bera einherjum öl.

I want Hrist and Mist to bring me a horn, Skeggjöld and Skögul, Hildr and Þrúðr, Hlökk and Herfjötur, Göll and Geirahöð, Randgríð and Ráðgríð and Reginleif. They carry ale to the einherjar.