This article contains lore based on real-life sources from Norse mythology as introduced from the God of War Norse era.
| “ | I may owe Odin my life but I don't owe him my death. | ” |
–Skjöldr | ||
Skjöldr is a Midgardian mortal who was taken in by Odin to the realm Asgard. Skjöldr, along with the other Midgardians are placed in a settlement named "New Midgard".
Quick Answers
Who was Skjöldr in Norse mythology?
What is the significance of Skjöldr in the God of War Norse era?
What is the role of Skjöldr in the settlement of 'New Midgard'?
How is Skjöldr related to Odin in Norse mythology?
What are the historical sources mentioning Skjöldr?
Norse Mythology[]
Skjöldr was among the first legendary Danish kings. He is mentioned in the Prose Edda, in Ynglinga saga, in Chronicon Lethrense, in Sven Aggesen's history, in Arngrímur Jónsson's Latin abstract of the lost Skjöldunga saga and in Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum. Under the name Scyld he also appears in the Old English poem Beowulf. The various accounts have little in common.
In the Skjöldunga saga and the Ynglinga saga, Odin came from Asia (Scythia) and conquered Northern Europe. He gave Sweden to his son Yngvi and Denmark to his son Skjöldr. Since then the kings of Sweden were called Ynglings and those of Denmark Skjöldungs.
Skjöldr was also the husband the aesir goddess Gefjon.
In the God of War Series[]
God of War Ragnarök[]
After allowing Huginn to take him to the Asgardian realm, Atreus makes his way up to a small Midgardian settlement at the foot of the large wall that protects Asgard. Here, he meets Skjöldr, a young Midgardian farm boy whose family and the rest of the Midgardian peasantry relocated to the outskirts of Asgard thanks to the generous hospitality provided by Odin. In reality, Odin had caused The Desolation that forced them to come to Asgard in the first place.
Both Atreus and Skjöldr immediately hit it off, becoming fast friends with Atreus introducing himself as Loki. Skjöldr informs him that the only people allowed in Asgard are Aesir gods, and that if he wants to get through, he'd have to climb the wall. Atreus accepts the challenge, baffling Skjöldr. As he begins to walk toward the wall, he and Skjöldr talk, with him telling the young boy that he knows Odin and that he's his apprentice. Skjöldr follows him to the foot of the wall, and from there watches as Atreus makes his way up toward Asgard.
Skjöldr is seen again sometime later as he and Atreus are waiting for Thrúd to arrive. Atreus explains about how his father taught him an exercise to build focus he is performing and how it is meant to help him control his emotions, in light of Heimdall constantly trying to provoke him. Thrúd arrives and a flustered Skjöldr awkwardly tries to hold conversation with her. Skjöldr then gives Thrúd a jar of milk curd for her mother, then says goodbye to Atreus.
Skjöldr is mentioned when Mimir asks if Thrúd is the one that Atreus likes. Atreus says no, and tells Mimir that Skjöldr likes Thrúd.
Skjöldr is seen again during the battle of Ragnarök, rescued by Lady Sif, bloody and wounded. He tells Atreus that Odin had commanded the Midgardians to hold their ground against Kratos' army, citing that the Midgardians had owed him for his hospitality. Atreus tells Skjöldr that he does not owe him his death. Skjöldr then leaves with Sif, as she is helping him gather the Midgardians they can find and flee the realm.
After Ragnarök, Atreus encounters Skjöldr in Midgard inside the hold, where he is leading the dispatched Midgardians into making a new camp as Angrboda's wolves have helped them to gather food. He tells Skjöldr to take care, in which he reassures him before he leaves.
Kratos, Freya and Mimir would later encounter Skjöldr near a large rock, where the young boy can be seen trying to retrieve the Asgardian coin given to Kratos by Odin, which got embedded in a rock when Kratos threw it away. Skjöldr informs the trio that he dreams of sailing out and adventure beyond the Nine Realms, to which Kratos wishes him the best of luck.
Appearance[]
Skjöldr is a thin boy of average height, believed to be about the same age as Atreus, Thrúd and Angrboda, with pale and somewhat dirty skin, freckles, blonde hair and brown eyes. He wears a slightly torn and tattered light blue, embroidered tunic with yellow cuffs over a yellow shirt, the embroidery is yellow on the blue tunic while a similar pattern can be seen on the yellow shirt in a darker yellow. The tunic is tightened at the waist with a brown leather belt, the belt has a golden buckle with an intricate design, hanging from the buckle are five golden threads with five small golden objects hanging from them. He also wears grey puffy pants and long brown leather boots with simple stitching. He also wears a necklace with a silver symbol around his neck.
Gallery[]
Concept Art[]
Trivia[]
- Skjöldr's mythological status as king of Denmark is alluded to towards the end of the game when he's trying to retrieve the Asgardian coin that Kratos threw away earlier in the game. Mimir makes a comment hoping that Skjöldr one day grows up to be a great king (though mainly so he, Kratos and Freya can say they knew him when he was an idiot). Skjöldr shows signs of being a great leader towards the end of the game when he is seen helping the displaced Midgardians.
- The Nordic word of Skjöldr translates to shield, foreshadowing the fact Odin is using the Midgardians as human shields to defend Asgard.
- Skjöldr dreaming of sailing out beyond the Nine Realms is hinting towards the start of the Viking era which is supposed to take place after the events of Ragnarök. Thus making Skjöldr the first mortal Viking in comparison to Týr and Loki who are gods.
- Skjöldr has a noticeable crush on Thrúd which is also pointed out by Atreus when Mimir assumes Atreus has a crush on her.
- In Norse mythology Skjöldr is married to the Aesir Goddess Gefjon.
- This cannot be in the God of War series as Mimir confirms she is already deceased when he says "Great Gefjon's ghost!" in a particular part of the game.
- Skjöldr apparently makes Thrúd's mother Sif milk curd often.
- This could be due to the fact he's trying to gain Thrúd's affections or he's simply helping Thrúd in her attempt to make her mom less upset.