Helheim

The lowest of the nine realms, Helheim - often referred to as simply Hel in Old Norse - is commonly thought of as the underworld. Grim and cold, it is ruled over by the goddess Hel, whom the realm is named after (with Helheim literally meaning "House of Hel.") She, predictably, is the goddess of death, and is a daughter of Loki. Alongside Hel is her giant hound, Garmr, who guards the gate and walls.

This realm is found beneath another of Yggdrasil’s three roots, as well as below or, debatably, connected to Niflheim. The way one travels to Hel is recounted many times in Norse myth, even having its own name - Helvegr, meaning "road / way to Hel." This journey is said to start by heading underground, after which one begins traveling through the dark and mist until coming upon a bridge. This bridge crosses over a raging torrent of either icy water or clanging weaponry and may be guarded by a giant. Beyond the bridge can be found the walls of Helheim, and its well guarded gate.

As Norse myth seems to have many afterlives - like Valhalla and Fólkvangr - most people differentiate Hel as where the unworthy or dishonorable dead go. Unlike those who die in battle and are chosen by the Aesir and Vanir, these souls died of old age, disease, or in other less valiant ways. Those who follow this mindset see Hel as a place of torment, in which the souls of the immoral can experience no happiness. This, however, is up for debate and may be a corruption by Christian influence. Others say that anyone, immoral or not, can end up in Helheim and that the afterlife carries on much like life does on Midgard. The purely punitive or negative nature of Helheim is often called into question by the myth of the death of Balder; a son of Odin, this god was said to be "so handsome, generous, and good that he gave off light simply by the purity of his character." He was murdered and went to Helheim to await his rebirth after the end of the world. To a Christian, this would be comparable to Jesus going to Hell. That doesn’t exactly match up, does it? In truth, all we are sure of in regards to the dead in Helheim is that they will be used as an army against the gods come Ragnarok.