Helheim/Hell
Helheim
("house of Hel")
is one of the nine worlds of Norse mythology. It is ruled
by Hel, the monstrous daughter of the trickster god
Loki and his wife Angrboda.
This
cold, dark and misty abode of the dead is located in the
world of Niflheim, on the lowest
level of the Norse universe. No one can ever leave this
place, because of the impassable river Gjoll that
flows from the spring Hvergelmir and encircles Helheim.
Once
they enter Helheim, not even the gods can leave. Those who
die of old age or disease, and those not killed in battle,
go to Helheim while those who die bravely on the battlefield
go to Valhalla.
The
entrance to Helheim is guarded by Garm, a monstrous
hound, and Modgud. The giant Hraesvelg ("corpse
eater") sits at the edge of the world, overlooking Helheim.
In the form of an eagle with flapping wings he makes the
wind blow.
Source:
the Encyclopedia Mythica, please visit their site for
much more
