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 named Modgud, 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.
Later, Hel teleported Magnus to Helheim to try to convince him to let Surt free Fenrir, even offering to see his mother Natalie if he accepted. When Magnus refused the offer, Hel returned him to Midgard.
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.
- According to Hel, not all of Helheim is horrible, mentioning that her hall has beautiful rooms for her favorite guests, but it is not known if what she said is true.
| Locations (MC) | |
| Nine Worlds: | Alfheim | Asgard | Helheim | Jotunheim | Midgard | Muspellheim | Nidavellir | Niflheim | Vanaheim |
| Cities and Towns: | Boston | Flåm | New London | Provincetown | York |
| Administrative Divisions: | Connecticut | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | North Yorkshire | Sogn og Fjordane | South Carolina |
| Countries: | Norway | United Kingdom (England) | United States of America (Confederate States of America) |
| Continents: | Europe | North America |
| Other Locations: | Alderman Estate | Bifrost | Blitzen's Best | Boston Public Library | Bridal Veil Falls | Cape Cod | Charles River | Charleston Harbor | Chase Mansion | Dorchester | Fadlan's Falafel | Folkvanger | Fort Wagner | Ginnungagap | Hotel Valhalla | Loki's Cavern | Longfellow Bridge | Lyngvi | Morris Island | Nabbi's Tavern | Provincetown Airport | River Oure | Sessrumnir | Svartalfheim | The Thinking Cup | Vigridr | Yggdrasil |