Valheim is a deep and mesmerising world. The opening credits give some explanation as to where the player finds himself and why, but far more depth to the back story is found when you think over the meanings of the various runestones left for future adventurers.
Death, and Valheim
The player begins with a description of Valheim. The god Odin, the Allfather, cast out his foes and exiled them to the tenth world, Valheim. This world was set adrift from the world-tree (which you can see in the sky above Valheim) and events continued out of sight. Kingdoms rose and fell, and the ruins of these can be found within that world. Odin heard that his enemies were growing stronger again and sent for the greatest of his warriors, you, to be born again in Valheim.
Meadows Runestones
Sisters and brothers of the shield-wall, lift up your hearts! You are the greatest warriors, chosen by the Allfather himself for your courage and valor. Now death has brought you to a land where you can remake yourselves in battle and toil, winning favor and honor from the gods! Leave your memories to rot in Midgard along with your sins, the finest part of you is here!
Meadows – World Lore
This message emphasises the initial explanation, that you are a great warrior, chosen by Odin. You have died in battle and now you are in a new world with no memories of your previous life.
Pause, traveler. You are well come to the last and most lawless of the Ten Worlds. In Valheim, the air is pure, the water deep and clear and the forests overflowing with bounty. Here is adventure, joy and glory for the taking!
Meadows – welcome
A runestone which explains that there are ten worlds, and that Valheim is the last of them. It is a pure world with plenty for those that can take it.
Heed these words of Ulf, a poor settler in a strange land. You will find here good stone and wood, all you need to build a house. You will need to craft a roof to keep out the rain. Then you will need walls to stop the roof from falling down. Finally, you must have a door or it will be much harder to go in and out.
These things Ulf has learned for himself. Now he writes them on this stone to help others. Pray to Odin for his soul.
Meadows – advice on building a home
This is decent advice from Ulf on how to build a house. You need stone and wood to craft a hammer, and then you can build a roof, walls, and a door.
Where the grass grows underfoot
Meadows – advice on fires
And the sky is blue overhead
There will always be a hearth and a home
This runestone may just be an inspiring poem, but it is more likely some words of advice on how to provide a home. A campfire (the closest to a hearth at this stage) must be built on the ground, and it will only provide heat when it is not raining. A campfire is needed to sleep in a bed, so this is a cryptic clue on how to create a bed to sleep in.
Long ages past, when the Allfather Odin united the worlds, he threw down the Vanir, the giants and those creatures older than any others. The greatest of them could not be killed but were instead Forsaken, exiled here to Valheim for eternity.
When they tread the earth, the lesser creatures jump like crumbs on a drumskin. You will know them when you see them.
Meadows – World Lore regarding the Forsaken
Give thanks to Frey for the rain and sun
Meadows
For the shoots that break the earth’s skin
And the fruits of the vine
Give thanks to Odin for the flesh and bone
The smoke from the cooking fire, the warm pelt
And the strength of your arm
This runestone doesn’t give any information on how to achieve any of it, but it does talk of the useful vegetables and fruits, flesh of animals, cooking fires, pelts to wear, and the fact that you will have to physically obtain these.
Hold, traveller, and bear witness to my warning. We are many who have come before you, carried here by Odin’s will to do his work. The path ahead is hard and the dangers great. If you hold your life dear, keep to these meadows and make your dwelling away from the trees. Fear the Horned One and spare his kin.
Meadows – in relation to Eikthyr
Ulf, Astrid and others have carved this message. This is the first of many runestones, particularly relating to progression through the biomes and bosses. It talks of the ‘many who have come before you’ letting you know that these are, like you, fallen warriors that Odin has chosen to bring to Valheim. The warning is to keep to the meadows as the trees (Black Forest) as more dangerous for now. The Horned One is Eikthyr, who you will need to kill to progress further.
I was Astrid, a shieldmaiden of the forest. I know nothing of my life before I came here but my arm remembers the sword and my eyes see the course of the arrow. Now the raven guides me and I fight the great beasts in Odin’s name.
Meadows – Astrid
This is an introduction to Astrid. It highlights that the sword and the bow will become important, and it also explains that the raven (Hugin) provides guidance.
On this spot a tree fell on my head and I cursed the gods. So I leave this stone in praise of them, that they might forgive my reckless words.
Meadows – Sage advice on tree-felling
This message is obvious, but useful, advice on felling trees. They are deadly if they fall on your head, so take care.
This land is hard and wild but we who are brought here are harder still. Take comfort, traveller, in the gifts before you, the good wood and stone, the fruits and flowers of the forest.
Look also to the wild boar who roam these lands. They fear fire and the hand of man but they can be taught to obey it. Go quietly to them and let them eat of your stock. Roots of the ground are their pleasure.
Meadows – Boar information
An inspirational message to begin with, the runestones tell the traveller to use the gifts of wood, stone, fruit and flowers in the forest to become more comfortable. It also talks of the wild boar. They will run from fire and they become agitated in the presence of man. They can be tamed if you calmly give them food. They like ‘roots of the ground’ such as mushrooms, carrots, turnips, onions.
Blue-eyes shufflers in muck, the neck are small lizards native to Valheim. Surly and mean-spirited, they will attack on sight and must be destroyed like vermin. They stay near water because the creatures of the land loathe and abhor them.
Meadows – Neck information
Yet no creature is all bad. Their tails are delicious.
This runestone speaks of the Neck. They are an unusual creature, and it is explained that they are native to Valheim. They will attack on sight and must then be destroyed. They cannot be tamed. They can be found near bodies of water, which is useful information. Their tails can be cooked and eaten.
Black Forest Runestones
We who were carried here by the Valkyrie are not the first men in this land. I have seen with my own eyes the halls they made beneath the ground and the ruins of their cities. Will the same fate await us?
Black Forest – World lore
There is talk of civilisations existing in Valheim before the current set of adventurers carried from Midgard. This is what we see when we find ruins of towers and halls.
Seven were the creatures banished to this world by mighty Odin in the first days of his kingship. Seven gods and monsters too proud to bear his yoke. I have heard the tread of the Old Ones in the forest and have crouched in the shadow of the Mountain Mother when she flies. Of the others I know little. I will add to this stone when I have seen more.
Black Forest – World Lore regarding the Forsaken
Beneath the ground, the roots of the forest twine together on a great loom. Pluck one thread and the whole weave will move. Chop down one tree and all the wood will know. Make yourself known to the One Who Walks, and he will seek you out.
Black Forest – The Elder is described
Beware the Old One. The ravens say that in ages past he was a shoot of great Yggdrasil itself and a force of wisdom in the days when men and trees were friends. Now he scorns the axe and sets himself against the works of the Gods themselves. Odin banished him here for his pride but his roots are deep.
Black Forest – The Elder
The last three runestones speak of the Forsaken. Seven of these creatures (bosses) exist (although only five in the game at the moment). The Old One in the forest is mentioned in two of them, and we later know him as the Elder. The Mountain Mother is also spoken of as somebody who flies. We later know her as Moder. The Elder is described as being cut off from the Yggdrasil tree which makes him a tree himself. He is connected to the other trees in the forest and he walks.
I was Harald, a man from the coast. I remember nothing more of my life in Midgard except that I was a warrior. In my dreams I see the faces of those I killed. I leave this stone that at least my name will remain.
Black Forest – Introducing Harald
Harald has been mentioned for the first time in the Black Forest. He was a warrior once, but he remembers nothing more of his previous life.
Rest awhile and remember Ulf, who carved this stone with his own hand but could think of nothing to say.
Black Forest – Not useful info about Ulf
This runestone may be a marker for a future change, or it may indicate Ulf’s lack of mental capacity.
Let all who read me beware of the Greydwarfs, the skulkers in darkness, the soulless ones. They are born from rot and rainfall, they spring like mushrooms from the smoking soil. There is nothing on their tongues or behind their eyes, those who fear nothing should still fear them.
When the soul of a murderer or a great sinner rots under the ground, it makes a hollow cyst which draws rock and wood and moss to it. It gathers up the peat into flesh, braids reeds into bone and takes rags for skin.
Black Forest – Greydwarfs
It should not walk but when the night comes it walks. Should you who read this see one with a sword to your hand, lance it and let it out. Or put it to the torch, for it fears the flame.
Beware the deep trees, beware the true dark. When the night comes, keep close to your fire.
Black Forest – Advice on Night
The last two runestones gives a lot of information about the Greydwarfs. They are soulless creatures, not animal like you or I, but born from ‘rot and rainfall’, spawning from the soil. They have no brains, but they should be feared. It describes how they are created, and that they walk at night. It advises to kill them with sword, or to light torches as they are afraid of the flames. The second runestone merely says to beware the deep trees and the true dark. When night comes stay close to your fire. This matches the Greydwarf tendency to come out at night and be afraid of flames.
Swamp Runestones
Heed the words of poor Ulf and do not build your house beside the murky waters. Bad dreams and a soggy bed are all you will find. I leave this stone as a warning and go now to make my dwelling on higher ground.
Swamp – Advice from Ulf
Perhaps an obvious message from Ulf, the great warrior but not-so-bright wordsmith, but what may not be so obvious is that the water level can rise and fall in bad weather. This can dampen the brightest homes if it seeps into your bed. He was most likely talking about the dangerous creatures walking around though.
In this gloomy region you may yet find something which shines. War-flesh, warrior’s gold, bread of the forge… Bright iron is here for those who will take it!
Swamp – Treasures to be found
This runestone is speaking of one of the more useful aspects of the Swamp. This is where scraps of iron (bread of the forge), leather scraps (war-flesh), coins (warrior’s gold), rubies, and other treasures are found.
Linger not, traveller. The air is pestilent and the water poison. The Draugr walk here and the thing I will not name stirs below the surface, a bitter mass of bone and sin. Tread carefully and quickly until you feel the sun on your face once more.
Swamp – Creatures
You who pass, remember me. I am a man whose home was once in the mountains of Midgard, carried here when I thought to earn my rest, to find a life after life in Valheim. There were seven of us before the Greydwarfs came. Now Odin will not hear me and the seas refuse me. Soon this stone will be all that remains.
Swamp – A previous adventurer
This message speaks of the poisonous hazards of the Swamp. The water is poison (due to leeches) and Draugr are mentioned. The Forsaken boss Bonemass is also referred to – ‘a bitter mass of bone and sin’.
A previous visitor to Valheim speaks of the misfortune that his party succumbed to.
Below the mist and murk
Bone speaks to bone
Remembering flesh.
Swamp – Skeletons
This message is unclear, but is probably a reference to the Skeletons which are found in or around the swamp water.
In centuries past, the Draugr walked these lands just as you do now. Pity them, caught between the living and the dead in a shadow of the world they once knew. To destroy them is a mercy.
Swamp – Creatures – Draugr
Long ages ago, the world of Valheim was home to a race of proud and noble people. They built great towers that touched the clouds and delved deep into the earth for precious metals. But their pride was their undoing. They challenged the very gods and went to war against the Aesir and the Vanir, destroying themselves completely. Great Odin levelled their cities and Loki consumed their mines in fire. Mighty Thor broke down their towers and Freya sowed their fields with salt tears.
Now they are sunk many hundreds of years deep. No songs sing of their stories, and the earth has claimed their cities. But pride cannot be killed entirely and the warriors who fought in that final battle will not surrender until their bodies are dust and the dust long gone. They return as Draugr, unholy walkers in ancient armour, creatures of rust and despair.
Break them, bury them, let them know they are dead.
Swamp – Draugr
These two runestones speak of the Draugr. They explain that the Draugr once walked the land and were alive. They are not stuck between living and dead as a penance for challenging the gods. This was many centuries ago and their cities have been long lost. They now exist in ancient armour and fight as they once fought. You are told to kill them.
Beware the surtlings, embers of a great fire long ago stamped to ashes. They are drawn to the swamp in numbers but their lights can be seen from afar. Keep to the high ground.
Swamp – Creatures – Surtlings
Let you who read me know of the Surtlings, that you might not fall prey to their wickedness.
Long ago the great demon Surtr was brought down and destroyed by the First Men, giant warriors of whom you are but a dwindling echo. They smote long upon the body of this Surtr with swords and hammers so that his fiery substance was shattered into many small pieces.
He who was made of the fire was fire in every part of him. You could not say ‘Here is the brain of Surtr’ or ‘Here is Surtr’s liver’ because every part was Surtr. So all the fragments of him were Surtr still, only much weaker in power and in thought and in memory, with no way to become whole once again.
Now we call these fragments Surtlings and when they are found they should be stamped out like the last embers of a fire or doused with water to choke off their flames at the root. They will throw fire from afar and joy in causing terror and destruction. Even in his scattered dotage, the demon seeks revenge on the children of the First Men.
Swamp – Surtlings
Two more runestones which describe the Surtlings. They are descended from the demon Surtr who was destroyed by the First Men long ago. Fragments of the Surtr live on as Surtlings. They are described as throwing fire from afar and causing terror and destruction. They live in the swamp but you can see them from a distance.
Rest, wanderer, and consider the wraiths.
We know that when a warrior dies, their soul cracks open and seeps into the earth around them, thereby to nourish new life and strengthen those who follow after.
Yet if a warrior should die with no great deeds to their name, their soul will be too thin and airy. It will flow upwards instead, like smoke from a hearth. These wisps of souls sometimes catch in the branches of trees long enough to form wraiths, wretched shadows with nothing but bitterness and jealousy to drive them. Blown about the land in despair, they remain only to prey on those who are still living.
Should you see one, kill it and count it a mercy.
Swamp – Wraiths
The Wraiths are explained as being a warrior who dies with no great deeds to their name. His soul is too thin and airy and catches in the trees. They contain great bitterness and jealousy and so prey upon those who are still living.
Mountain Runestones
Great cities do not rise of themselves
Harden your heart, settler in a strange land
Build from the ground upwards
Mountain
Halt and listen, traveller. On the highest peaks of Valheim, the air is thin and fragile. From here you can sometimes catch sounds from other places, the ring of battle on Midgard, the roar of a feast in Valhalla or the shriek of a Valkyrie as she crosses the space between the worlds.
Mountain
Let those who read me know not to tarry on these slopes, far from their hearth and the safety of the greenwood. The beasts of the mountains are fell and fierce, hungry for meat, and the worst of these beasts is the cold wind itself. Wear thick furs, build strong fires and be sure not to disturb the eggs of the great drake if you value your life.
Mountain – nature of the biome
The three runestones above speak of the Mountains. The first is an observation that the ruins around the world must have been built by somebody, and that the settler must begin building at the ground. The second describes the sounds that can be heard from the mountain tops, and highlights that this is not the only world which the Valkyries can move between.
The third runestone tells us that the Mountain is a dangerous place. The cold wind is a fierce beast and you should wear thick furs or build strong fires to ward off the cold. The eggs of the Drake should not be disturbed, although nothing appears to actually happen if they are.
Watch for him in moonlight haunter of the night.
Mountain – regarding the Fenring
Soft of foot
Sharp of tooth
Slow to stalk
Quick to bite.
This message relates to the Fenring, a werewolf creature only found at night in the mountains. He is able to sneak up slowly on his foes and pounce with his sharp teeth.
Let you who read me be aware of the Frost wyrms, one of the most ancient kins sprung from Ymir’s body.
The most common form of the wyrm are the Drakes, the small males that cares for the offspring. Most often they can be seen poised by rocky nests guarding the eggs. In contrast, the females are much larger and a rare sight to behold, but once angered they provide a vicious foe.
Mountain – regarding the Drake and Moder
The description above is the first of the smaller male Drakes. Frost Wyrms, or Wyverns, are a form of dragon that breathes icy breath. The small males guard the eggs of the mother Drake, who is much larger, rarer, and more vicious.
This marks the spot where the great drake was first seen by me, Ulf, in the third summer of my life in Valheim. She stopped here to leave a pile of dung holding the bones of deer, boar and the skull of a greydwarf. I will never come near this place again.
Mountain – regarding Moder
Where this stands I once saw the great drake flying above me and I hid in a bush until she passed. Ulf the Brave carved this stone.
Mountain – Ulf regarding Moder
Few of us found our way to these mountains. We were twenty and now we are two. Agda is dying, a Draugr arrow lies near her heart. I will bid her farewell beside this stone and give her ashes to the wind. Then I will turn my face to the highest peak and seek out the Winged One. May Odin give me death or glory.
Mountain – regarding Moder
The three runestones above describe previous travellers’ impressions of Moder. The first speaks of a spot where Moder, the great Drake, was first seen by Ulf. She is large enough to eat deer, boar and greydwarfs. This also describes an enmity between the drakes and the greydwarfs which may be useful. The second is where Ulf saw Moder flying overhead and hid in a bush. Though he is known as the Brave, he was still frightened. The third is an account of twenty warriors who have been whittled down to just two. They appear to have left the swamp recently as Agda is dying of a Draugr arrow. The final warrior will turn towards the highest peak where Moder resides and seek her out.
This stone was placed by me, Astrid, in my seventh year in Valheim. At this spot, the Allfather spoke to me. I awoke from a deep sleep to find his words scattered around me on the ground, frozen to pebbles by the deep cold. When I warmed them in my hands they thawed and spoke his message to me, one word after another.
Slay the Forsaken. Chain their heads. I will come.
Mountain – message from Odin
This story is from Astrid. She has been given a message from Odin regarding the Forsaken. From this we know that Odin wishes the Forsaken killed and chained. Once this is done he will return, presumably to reward the victorious Vikings.
Plains Runestones
This place was too hot for Ulf, a man used to brushing snow from his beard. He carved this stone and moved on.
Plains – Ulf’s discomfort
Ulf’s stone is his usual ravings. The Plains is a hot biome, so he left.
Where no rain falls
And no crops will grow
Still the ground can give up treasures.
Plains – regarding Silver
Found in the Plains, this runestone relates to Silver in the Mountains. This is where no rain falls (it only snows) and where no crops grow. The ground can give up treasures so you must dig for the Silver.
Beneath the ground are the halls of men and women long since gone, ancient tribes who lived in Valheim even before the Allfather turned his eye upon this place. Delve deep to find their treasures but beware, some amongst them do not yet know they are dead.
Plains – regarding Iron
Another Plains runestone which refers to a different biome. Below the ground are the crypts of the Draugr in the Swamp. Travel downwards through the crypt to find their treasures, but watch out for undead beings.
Near this spot I saw a star come unfastened from the great curtain of night and fall into the sand. It glowed red when I approached but by morning was cool. Blessed sword-flesh, furnace-food, a gift of iron from the Gods!
Plains – the appearance of Black Metal
The resource to be found in the Plains (on the sand) is Blackmetal. This is a meteorite which can be used to build swords after being fed to a furnace.
Here on the plains you will find the dwellings of the Fuling, that ancient race who once built towers and cities to rival those of men until Odin punished them for their pride. He trampled the Fuling armies, their armor cracking like snail shells beneath his feet, and tore down their cities.
Only Yagluth, the great sorcerer, would not bend or break before his fury. So Odin tore his body in half and cast the remains into Valheim, where he bled into the earth and crumbled to dust, wept over by the last of his people.
Now the Fuling rule over the plains of Valheim, savage and wild with only hatred and fear in their hearts. But Yagluth is with them still, an unseen force that the Fuling shamans draw upon for their crooked magic, growing again in strength as his people spread across the world…
Plains – Fulings
This is a description of the Fulings and their history. Like other races in Valheim they built cities and towers until recently. Odin almost destroyed the Fulings, taking their armour and tearing down their cities. Yagluth (the fifth Forsaken) was a sorcerer but was torn in half and bled out. He is found as a giant skull dragging itself around by its arms, which is consistent with this account, a fact made possible by the Fuling shamans.
Still your mind, traveller. Odin speaks to those who listen. Here in this barren land, one of the Forsaken Ones dwells. He is an ancient sorcerer twisted by bitterness, dragging what remains of his broken body across the sands. Surely Odin will smile upon the warrior who can vanquish this abhorrence.
Plains – regarding Yagluth
Another message from Odin relating to the Forsaken – it speaks again of Yagluth in the Plains, and Odin’s pleasure at the warrior who will destroy it.
Good friend, lay your hand on this stone and remember Harald, who carved it. In Midgard I lost my life on the battlefield but in Valheim it was restored to me. Yet still my battles continued.
In the green meadows I fought Eikthyr the Great Stag and lost an eye to his horns.
In the deep woods I gave my shield hand to the Old Man of the Forest, and took a draugr arrow below my ribs that my fingers can still feel.
On the mountainside I fought the Mother Drake and she bit off my leg at the knee so that I must walk always with a staff.
Now my last battle must be at hand. When I sleep this time, where will I wake?”
Plains – the Forsaken
Harald was a warrior in Midgard, who died and continued his battles in Valheim. It takes us through the story so far, with battles against Eikthyr, the Elder, Moder, and now the final battle. It does not mention Bonemass, but does speak of a Draugr arrow, so he must have been to the Swamp. Harald may be the same warrior who wrote of Agda on the Mountain, but we may never know.
Interestingly, Harald appears to be emulating the gods. He has lost an eye to Eikthyr and a leg to Moder so he now walks with a staff, similar to Odin. Odin’s son Tyr lost his hand (although his right), like Harald. Perhaps this is all coincidence, but Harald does not appear to have much luck.
In my dream, Odin came to me as an old man leaning on a stick, a wide-brimmed traveller’s hat on his head. He told me to trust the ravens who carry his words under their tongues and to carve this stone that others might know his will. We must kill the Forsaken to find our places in his hall at Valhalla.
Plains – Odin’s wish
The final runestone speaks of another of Odin’s messages. The dream tells the author to trust the raven (Hugin) and to tell his successors of this. The Forsaken must be killed to win places in Odin’s hall in Valhalla.
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