Hel (Goddess)

Connections

• Bödvar led his Skandian people against her
• After Diana held the damned at bay for eleven days, the Goddess Hel herself found her and ejected the troublemaker

Context

This would undoubtedly be the Norse goddess Hel, who rules Helheim as its queen. Most surviving Norse legends don't talk about Hel very much (except as the antagonist in the tale of the death of the god Baldr). She is indifferent at best and harsh and cruel at her worst. She is the daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. Her relation to Loki makes her a sister to the wolf Fenrir and the giant serpant Jormungand.

It's not clear if Hel can be called a witch in Norse mythology. The only connection I've found between Hel and witchcraft is that the etymology behind her name can be traced back to words that meant "sorceress." "magic," and "rune." So, the Hel of the Brawlhalla universe is likely the same as the one from our Norse myths, but perhaps with more magical abilities.