This article contains lore based on real-life sources from Norse mythology as introduced from the God of War Norse era.
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Gladsheim, also known as Glaðsheimr, is one of the twelve halls of Asgard and the most important region of the realm. As the heart of Odin's power, the hall is introduced as a major location in God of War: Ragnarök and most notably shelters the seats of the main Norse gods as well as Valhalla, though it is not shown in game.
Norse Mythology[]
The gods and goddesses of Asgard each have a hall where they can meet without the interference of the opposite sex. The Gladsheimr hall is where the male gods have their high council seats and is presided over by Odin. The hall is so large that the hall of Valhalla is located within it.
Not all the gods have a place in this inner circle with only thirteen places reserved for the greatest and wisest among them. The hall is built upon the Idavollr or "splendor plain" and is not far from the hall of Vingolf where the goddesses have their meetings.
After Ragnarök, the plain of Idavollr is where the surviving gods will meet to construct the shining hall of Gimli.
In the God of War Series[]
Trivia[]
- Though it is not mentioned in game, Gladsheim is one of the twelve halls of Asgard, all dedicated to Norse gods. The city also shelters Valhalla and is full of Einherjar patrolling all around.
- Gladhseim is also known as Odin's Hall.
- Gladsheim is the most important of them since it is dedicated to Odin himself, which can explains why it's been displayed in God of War: Ragnarök.
- In mythology, there is no mention of Gladsheim being surrounded by Hrimthur's Wall, unlike what's featured in game. The Walls are supposed to protect Asgard as a whole, not only Odin's Hall. This could be explained by the fact that Gladsheim, located in the very heart of Asgard, is the personification of the Aesir power. In other words: Gladsheim represents Asgard itself.
- This theory is confirmed when Heimdall suggests Atreus to drink "in the splendor of Asgard," as the two of them are about to reach Gladsheim.
- Another difference is that Gladsheim is portrayed as a full city, which can lead to confusion if one expects it to be featured as a hall in the proper sense of the term.
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