| “ | FOR VANAHEIM! | ” |
–Birgir | ||
Birgir is a Midgardian Mortal who fought alongside the Vanir Gods. He was a former Traveler before he saw the lies behind Odin's path and chose to side with Vanaheim, causing other Travelers to label him a heretic.
Birgir is introduced God of War Ragnarök as a supporting character. A member of the Vanir resistance against the Aesir.
Quick Answers
What led Birgir to leave the Travelers and join the Vanir Gods in God of War Ragnarök?
How does Birgir's name reflect his role in the Vanir resistance?
What is Birgir's role in the Vanir resistance against the Aesir in God of War Ragnarök?
Why is Birgir considered a heretic by other Travelers in God of War Ragnarök?
How does Birgir's story connect to the Norse poem 'cows die, friends die'?
Norse Mythology[]
Birger is a Scandinavian name from Old Norse, bjarga, meaning "to help, to save, to protect". It is widely used in Norway as Birger but also as Børge. In Old Norse, Birgir means helper. In Old Norse, a Berserker named Birgir is mentioned.
In God of War Ragnarök[]
At some point, he was a devout member of the Travelers, following the enigmatic Path without question. During his travels, he discovered that the Path was in reality a means for Odin to send several soldiers to Jötunheim to besiege the unsuspecting occupants. Upon learning the terrible truth, Birgir forsook the Path and the Travelers, and left, but not before sending letters to his brethren, warning them of the truth.
After this, he made his way to Vanaheim, where he would become a staunch ally of Freyr, using his skills against Odin's endless Einherjar.
He is first seen in Freyr's camp. He requests that Kratos and Mimir keep the location of the camp secret.
After Freyr and Byggvir were captured by the Einherjar, Birgir stumbled upon Byggvir, who had escaped, and brought him back to camp. He maintained a steady sigil over his wounded ally.
Birgir is present in breaking out Freyr. During the escape where Kratos is running while carrying the wounded Vanir god, Birgir tackles several charging Einherjar with his large sword. While the group is escaping on Freyr's flying boat, they are attacked by a pair of Wyverns. With the beasts being too fast for any ranged attacks and the boat in peril, Birgir deflects a blast with his sword before proceeding to mutter a poem from Hávamál[1]. Birgir launches himself off the side of the boat, to Freyr's protest, and manages to impale his sword in one wyvern before steering it to impale his sword in the other, with all three plunging to their presumed deaths far below the clouds.
His friends and allies are distraught, but Freyr, with seeming naïveté, believes him to be alive.
After returning the camp, the resistance's hound, Helka, is barking incessantly. When followed, she leads Kratos and company to a cliffside. When using Freyr's boat, they are attacked by a dragon, which forces them to crash in a previously unexplored area of Vanaheim, where flares can be seen being detonated in the distance. Birgir survived after all.
After slaying the dragon that took Birgir for his next meal, Birgir is seen alive and well, if not a little injured. He is pleased to have been rescued. When inquired on how he survived, he simply says he "rolled". It can be presumed that he chanted a spell of sorts to survive his fall right before he leapt off the boat to attack the wyverns earlier.
Birgir returns to Freyr's camp, where he can be seen again. During the exploration of the Crater, three Travelers are found, who attack Kratos on sight. Upon their defeat, they drop scrolls containing messages from Birgir alerting his fellow Travelers of the truth behind the Path. The three Travellers encountered were assassins sent to silence the heretic.
Birgir is recovering in Freyr's camp. He is grateful for his rescue and for Kratos dispatching his would-be assassins. He mentions wanting to retire, exhausted from fighting. Freya mentions a friend he could keep company.
He is last seen in Freya's old home in the Sanctuary Grove, as Chaurli's caretaker. He is grateful for Freya's kindness, saying he doesn't wish to impose on her, but she insists he stays, as she wants to stay and assist Kratos. Birgir mentions he might write a book.
Appearance and Personality[]
Birgir, like most Traveler warriors, appears as a strongly built, middle-aged man with a weathered and serious tone. He is very tall, towering over Kratos. His skin is a light tan tone and he has hazel eyes. On his skin there are light markings, perhaps tattoos/paint visible on his forehead and face. He has a thick, dark-grey/brown beard and mustache. The beard appears full and somewhat shaggy, with strands that vary in length. A braided section of beard/hair extends down from the sides, twisted and braided into two separate braids, beaded jewelry adorns these braids. He wears a warrior-style outfit heavily decorated with patterns and a bandanna-like head covering with runic designs. The armor he is wearing appears elaborate, his armor consists of a metal and leather looking design that is intricate and detailed, appearing woven or patterned. The armor covers his torso, arms, and legs, extending to elaborate leg guards. The armor has various shades of browns, tans, and metallic gold tones. Small, circular decorative elements are featured on the chest piece. His hands appear to partially wear dark-colored gauntlets. His legs are clad in decorated leg wrappings/armor. Birgir also brandishes the trademark oversized Traveler sword, it is an ornate sword with a complex hilt featuring metallic bands and a golden-bronze-colored guard. The sword is a light-colored blade with glowing, light-blue runes along its length. His sword appears to also be damaged at the tip for unknown reasons.
Birgir is polite and soft-spoken. Lúnda remarks that he isn't much of a talker. Despite this we get to see that he is very loyal, protective and brave. Birgir risks his life to save his group, just showcasing how truly nice he is.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Depending on when Kratos rescues Birgir in the Vanaheim Crater:
- Should Kratos rescue Birgir pre-Ragnarök, Atreus can later inform him of a lonely friend who could use company, at Freyr's Camp.
- Should Kratos rescue Birgir post-Ragnarök, Freya will inform him of Freyr's death.
References[]
- ↑ https://heimskringla.no/wiki/H%C3%A1vam%C7%AB% Poem 76
Old Norse
Dęyr fé,
dęyja frændr,
dęyr sjalfr hit sama;
ek vęit ęinn
at aldri dęyr:
dómr of dauðan hvęrn
- Approximate English Translation
- Cattle dies,
- Kinsmen die,
- Oneself dies all the same;
- I know one [thing]
- That never dies:
- The judgement (honor) of ones deeds