Jotunheim

Neighboring Midgard is one of the wildest, most inhospitable realms in Norse myth - Jotunheim. It is separated from Midgard by a great wall, and separate from Asgard only by the river Iving, which never freezes. Home to a great variety of giants, called Jötnar, this world consists largely of wilderness - mountains and dense forests. A few treasures can still be found here, such as Mimir’s well or the well of wisdom which sits below one of Yggdrasil’s roots, but the most well known aspect of this realm is its inhabitants - namely the frost giants, of which the giant Thrym is king.

Though largely known as Jötunheimr in Old Norse, another name for the giant’s abode is Útgarðr. This literally indicates a world “outside the fence,” a world outside of the Aesir’s law, which is putting it lightly. The land there is not even fertile enough for farming, leaving the giants as avid hunters. Despite this seemingly primitive nature, Jotunheim is known for its collection of fortress cities. The largest and most formidable of these is Utgard, an ice fortress so fittingly giant that one can hardly see the top. This is ruled over by a Jotun named Utgard-Loki, who is among the most infamous Jötnar along with the pseudo-god Loki (no relation).

One might think it strange that a Jotun like Loki would willingly become an honorary member of the Aesir, as the two races are generally sworn enemies, but this law of mutual hatred has been broken countless times. In fact, the Aesir themselves are guilty of a great many affairs with giantesses, weaving Jotunheim solidly into the fabric of Norse myth.