Jörmungandr

Jörmungandr

Jörmungandr

Primordialwell-documentedNorseScandinavia
Origin

The second child of Loki and Angrboða, Jörmungandr was hurled into the ocean by Odin, who foresaw its destiny. There it grew until it could encircle the entire world and bite its own tail. Thor fished for it once and nearly hauled it from the sea before the giant Hymir cut the line in terror. At Ragnarök the Serpent will release its tail, wade to land, and spray venom across sky and earth — Thor will kill it but walk only nine steps before collapsing from its poison.

Appearance

A serpent of incomprehensible size — its body wraps around the entire earth. Its scales are as wide as mountain cliffs. When it moves, it creates ocean storms. Only seen in full when it rises at Ragnarök.

Abilities

Can cause ocean storms merely by moving. Its venom is potent enough to kill the strongest of all gods. Its encircling of the world maintains the boundary between Midgard and the outer chaos. Its release initiates the end of the cosmos.

Weaknesses & Wards

Weaknesses

  • other
    Mjölnir — Thor's hammer kills it, though Thor then dies of its venom

Wards

  • ritual
    No mortal protection — this is a cosmic entity
Sources
  1. [1]
    Gylfaginning. Snorri Sturluson. Prose Edda, Gylfaginning 34, 51. c. 1220 CE.literary
  2. [2]
    Hymiskviða. Hymiskviða. In Poetic Edda. c. 13th century manuscript.literary
well-documented