Sköll (Old Norse: Skǫll) and Hati are two Giant wolves featured in God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök. They are legendary for chasing down the Sun and Moon.
Quick Answers
Who are the parents of Sköll and Hati in Norse mythology?
What are Sköll and Hati famous for chasing in Norse mythology?
What event in Norse mythology is marked by Sköll and Hati finally catching the sun and moon?
How are Sköll and Hati portrayed in the God of War series?
What are the names of the chariots that Sköll and Hati chase?
Norse Mythology[]
In Norse Mythology, Sköll and Hati Hróðvitnisson are the sons of the Archwolf, Hróðvitnir, another name for Fenrir. Sköll and Hati chase the horse-drawn chariots of Sól and Máni, the personified sun and moon respectively, every day and night until they finally catch them, marking the onset of Ragnarök.
History[]
Sköll (left) and Hati (right).
Backstory[]
Born from the Giant Wolf and Sons of Hróðvitnir, When Sköll and Hati were pups, Odin captured them and kept them in the kennels in Asgard in order to keep their father Archwolf, who was considered one of the Aesir's most dangerous enemies, at bay.
When the sun and moon grew mutinous and stood still, Odin put Sköll and Hati to use. Using ancient magic, Odin cast the wolves to the heavens, and they began chasing the sun and the moon, but they will not do so endlessly. It is foretold that the day Sköll and Hati catch and devour their prey will be the day that marks the beginning of Ragnarök.
God of War (2018)[]
Their shrine is located in a ruined temple in the Wild Woods in Midgard.
Because Odin controlled the wolves he believes he also had control over Ragnarök.
Kratos instigates Fimbulwinter by killing Baldur hundreds of years before the day Ragnarök was said to begin.
God of War Ragnarök[]
It is revealed from the shrine that the Celestial Wolves are freed by two giants, allowing them to escape to Vanaheim in order to avoid Odin.
After Freya's curse is broken, Kratos and Freya observe Hati chasing the moon, bringing on daylight. Freya is surprised they are in Vanaheim.
When Kratos, Mimir, and Atreus return to Vanaheim to assist Freya, Hildisvíni informs them that the Celestial Wolves haven't been seen in seeming days, as the moon has vanished, per the shrine's story. The trio go to their den to find them asleep together. Without the moon, Hati had nothing to chase, and presumably Sköll stopped chasing the sun in kind.
After claiming the captured moon, the trio return to the wolves' den and Atreus cracks the moon's 'prison', immediately awakening Hati and then Sköll. Hati growls and howls at the moon, which returns to the sky, causing a total eclipse, again per the shrine's story. Atreus then shoots an arrow at the eclipse, with Sköll taking to the sky to resume his pursuit of the sun, which flees as Hati howls to signify nighttime. Hati gives Kratos a tool for celestial shrines to change the time of day whenever before returning to sleep.
Sköll and Hati can be seen again during the Ragnarök war mauling two ogres, with Hati even seen throwing his victim away. While it is not said explicitly, it can be presumed Freya recruited them for the war when she went to Vanaheim. It is also not shown how they escaped, but the player can continue to use the celestial shrines in Vanaheim after the campaign's conclusion, and they are heard howling when they're used. It is possible, with most if not all the realm towers destroyed, that Angrboda and Fenrir used realm tears to evacuate them and the army back to their respective realms before Ragnarök could destroy Asgard.
Shrine Story[]
Mimir: "You're familiar with the tale of Sköll & Hati, bringers of day and night?"
Atreus: "Oh, yeah! The Wolf-Giants!"
Mimir: "Aye. They were born of the arch-wolf Hróðvitnir, a great nemesis of the Aesir Gods. Odin captured them as pups and kept them in the kennels of Asgard, to hold his foe at bay. But when the sun and moon grew mutinous and stood still, Odin put Sköll and Hati to use. With his ancient magics he cast the wolves to the heavens, and they began their chase. And long shall they chase, but not endlessly, for it is foretold that someday Sköll and Hati will catch and devour their prey. And that day shall be Ragnarök, the twilight of the Gods."
Atreus: "But... Ragnarök is supposed to be Odin's doom, isn't it? Why would he set the wolves loose if it fulfills the prophecy?"
Mimir: "Precisely the question, lad. It's always about control. The wolves determine when Ragnarök begins, and now he controls the wolves. A battle fought on his timetable is a battle he better stands to win."
Appearance[]
Sköll and Hati take the appearance as massive wolves, large enough to maul and toss around ogres, but significantly smaller than the resurrected Fenrir in Garm's body.
Sköll has a gray coat with a faint stripe of black fur running down between his eyes and nose. Hati is opposite this, having black fur, and a gray stripe.
Sköll's eyes are a glowing orange and Hati's a glowing blue, signifying their relationship with the day/night cycle.
Gallery[]
.png "Chasing the Sun and Moon (God of War 2018).png (458 KB)")
.png "Sköll and Hati (God of War 2018).png (210 KB)")
Trivia[]
- In Norse Mythology, Sköll and Hati are the grandsons of Loki.
- Kratos seems to be fond of them. When he and Freya are on their way to rescue Freyr, they must use one of the altars to continue, and should the player use the altar again, Freya asks why Kratos does this, to which he sheepishly replies that he wants to see them again.