| “ | Wow, that's almost as impressive as Baldur taming a dragon! | ” |
Gulltoppr is Heimdall's personal steed that serves as his official mount to protect the kingdom of Asgard.
Norse Mythology[]
In Norse mythology, Gulltoppr (Old Norse: [ˈɡulːˌtopːz̠], "golden mane") is one of the horses of the gods. Gulltoppr is mentioned in a list of horses in the Poetic Edda poem Grímnismál and in Nafnaþulur section of the Prose Edda. According to Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, he is the horse of Heimdallr. Gulltoppr is believed to be one of the fastest and most majestic creatures in all the realms. Gulltoppr's brilliance and speed mirror Heimdall's own qualities of radiance and alertness.
In the God of War Series[]
Backstory[]
At some point, Gulltoppr was defeated and claimed by the God of Foresight Heimdall to act as his personal mount. While Heimdall claims to have done so "fair and square", it is unknown whether he did so or used his gifts of intuition to dominate the Graðungr. He certainly accompanies and aids his master whom he "loves the most" in many conflicts over the centuries. The beast must have performs his duties efficiently, thus making him the only creature in the Nine Realms that the God of Foresight had a positive disposition off.
God of War Ragnarök[]
After Atreus was allowed into Asgard by Heimdall, the two made their way to the stables where Gulltoppr was kept. Heimdall playfully asked the beast if he loved him the most before mounting it. Atreus then said that Heimdall taming Gulltoppr was almost as impressive as Baldur taming the Dragon Dagsetr. Heimdall snapped that Baldur only could because of his invulnerability, while Heimdall did so fair and square. The two proceeded to ride Gulltoppr through Asgard while Heimdall mocked Atreus's beliefs of the Aesir. After they arrived at the Great Lodge, Heimdall dismounted and after lecturing Atreus about power, slapped Gulltoppr's side, sending the beast into a frenzy and throwing Atreus off. Heimdall quickly re-mounted Gulltoppr as he proceeded to send a group of Einherjar to kill the young archer, with Gulltoppr attacking Atreus if he tried to escape past the beast, with Heimdall complimenting his mount.
When a rescue party is sent to go rescue Freyr from the Einherjar in Vanaheim, Heimdall, riding Gulltoppr, uses the opportunity to ambush Kratos and Freya after they give away their position, with Gulltoppr growling at the two. After Freya leaves, Heimdall and Gulltoppr quickly battle the Ghost of Sparta. When Kratos begins attacking the beast, Heimdall sarcastically asks what Gulltoppr had ever done to him. The Graðungr uses its brute force and agility to keep the Ghost of Sparta on his guard, while Heimdall occasionally throws blasts of Bifröst from the beast’s back. When Gulltoppr slowly starts to lose, Heimdall calls it a "dumb animal".
Eventually, Gulltoppr manages to pin Kratos against a wall, but this allows him to see a spike sticking out. Despite Heimdall walking across the beast to kick Kratos' head into the wall, the Spartan manages to push the creature back. Gulltoppr charges at him again, but Kratos is able to grab him by the horns and impale the creature's body through the spike before stabbing the Blades of Chaos through his neck, killing the Gradungr. Heimdall, rather than showing grief at the loss of his personal mount, shrugs it off, callously kicking Gulltoppr's corpse before engaging the Ghost of Sparta himself, with Gulltoppr turning to ash as the two Gods clash.
Appearance[]
Gulltoppr is a large, creature resembling a lion. His skin/fur is a pale beige/cream color with darker markings and accents. His head and upper body is covered in intricate, ornate golden-bronze armor, decorated with detailed carvings and designs. The armor motifs are inspired by Norse iconography. He has very large paws and a long tail. His paws are clawed, with a dark, almost black coloring. A large saddle with decorative straps and gold accents is on his back. His mane appears to have golden highlights and accents. His eyes are a light blue/turquoise color. He has many sharp, slightly yellow rows of teeth. His horns are prominent and detailed, extending outward from the top of his head. His musculature is pronounced, showing his bulky form.
Powers & Abilities[]
Although Gulltoppr doesn't possess fire or ice attacks like other Graðungr, Heimdall is able to imbue Gulltoppr with Bifröst energy, and blast it outwards in a shockwave. Other than that, Gulltoppr's strength, speed and aggression are its main strengths. He was strong enough to briefly pin Kratos against a wall, though he was quickly overpowered and killed by the Ghost of Sparta.
Trivia[]
- In Norse mythology, Gulltoppr is represented as a horse, though in the game he is a lion-like creature with horns native to Asgard known as a Graðungr.
Gallery[]
Concept Art[]
3D Model[]
Screeenshots[]
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