Jötnar

The Jötnar (singular Jötunn) were a major faction who primarily operated in Jötunheimr and were ruled by their king, Suttungr. Despite Suttungr having absolute dominion over the jötnar, a separate group of them called Muspels dwelled in Múspellsheimr under the rule of Surtr. Much like in Norse mythology, they were remembered for regularly come into conflict with Isu factions like the Æsir and the Vanir. The Jötnar were also renown for mastery over their ability to weave and manipulate illusions. These illusions were regularly seen around different regions of Jötunheimr when Eivor's was reliving the visions of Odin's memories.

Mythology

The jötnar were towering beings who claimed singular descent from Ymir, the first primeval being created in the chaotic void of Ginnungagap. Although often referred to as anything from "giants" due to their size or "trolls" for perceived misshapen appearances, jötnar were in fact shape-changers who could take on any form.

Most famously, the Norse trickster god Loki was half jötunn, and fathered three children with the giantess Angrboða, all of whom would later fight the gods during Ragnarök.

Influence

In the 10th century, Thorvald Hjaltason considered that Östen Jorundsson could have been the product of such a union as he sought out reliable men for his war band.

Behind the scenes

Most of the jötnar are depicted with pale blue skin, but in Norse myth, there is no record of jötnar ever being described as blue. Their coloration is ice-like, which is also seen in the Frost Giants from the 2011 Marvel film Thor and the table-top game Dungeons & Dragons. Surtr, who is not associated with ice, does not share this coloration, which suggests that it is intended to reflect their environment rather than reflecting a subspecies or racial group.

Gallery

Concept art of a male jötunn

Concept art of various male jötnar hair styles

Concept art of male jötnar clothes

Angrboða

Gunnlöð

Surtr

Suttungr

Concept art of a male jötunn's torso

Concept art of a female jötunn

Image used for the database entry.

The Builder

Hyrrokin

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Fate of the Gods (first mentioned)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
  • Dawn of Ragnarök
  • The Forgotten Saga (simulation only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga (mentioned only)
• Discovery Tour: Viking Age (indirect mention only)
• Echoes of History (mentioned only, as "ice giants")
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Forgotten Myths
• The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)