Jotunheim

Jotunheim (meaning Gianthome in the Giant language). In the Great Wheel Cosmology it was the divine realm only of the gods of the frost and fire giants, Thrym and Surtr, respectively. It was located on Ysgard's first layer.

Cosmography

Usually, Jotunheim bordered the realms of Asgard and Vanaheim. The Iving River, the largest river in all of Asgard, served as the border between it and Jotunheim. The realm of Muspelheim was situated behind a barrier of continually active volcanoes.

Geography

This plane consisted of a glaciers, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, and desolate plains. Much of the landscape was dotted with menhirs and forests of towering pine and oak trees. Some described the vegetation on this plain as sickly, such as yellowing mistletoe and scraggly weeds.

Inhabitants

The giants who inhabited Jotunheim were noted as being somewhat smarter than their relatives on the Material Plane and they were said to possess giant-sized magical items with the power to affect a deity. Some considered them to be a low form of quasi-deity.
Some Ysgardian dwarves and gnomes were said to be encountered within this realm, though they were detested by the resident giants. The dwarves often brought wares from their home layer of Nidavellir and charged double what they normally would.

Notable Locations

Gudheim

• The crystal palace of Annam All-Father before he departed to the Hidden Realm in the Outlands in his exile.

Fimbulwinter

• Sometimes known as Jotunheim, was the domain of the giant god Thrym in the World Tree cosmology. Some claimed he maintained no permanent palace in the realm, while others believed he had a massive palace of ice.

Florallium

• The domain of the giant goddess Iallanis. It was large, peaceful palace full of gardens and crystal springs. It was an unspoken rule that the domain was a neutral territory for Jotunheim's deities and petitioners, a place where peace's could be negotiated.

Meerrauk

• An enormous underground city. In the Great Wheel cosmology, Surtur was said to reside within it.

Okalnir

• A beer-hall ran by a frost giant named Brimir. It was typically very active in the summer time, but quite deserted during winter.

River Iving

• A river that connected the planes of Jotunheim with Asgard. A clan of mountain giants ran a ferry that transported travelers along it.

The Steading

• The domain of the giant god Grolantor. A large wooden house that stood on the foothills of one of Jotunheim's many mountains.

Stormhold

• The domain of the giant god Stronmaus. A massive white cloud, atop which stood a palace made of various precious metals and gems, that roamed across Jotunheim bringing rain and light storms.

Thraotor

• The domain of the giant god Memnor. A massive thunderhead cloud, atop which stood a palace of adamantine, that roamed across Jotunheim spreading violent storms in its wake.

Utgard

• A major city and fortress that was guarded by various illusions and camouflage. It was ruled by a giant king named Utgard-Loki.

Well of Mimir

• A legendary magical well that was situated close to one of Yggdrasil's roots.

Woodhaven

• The domain of the giant goddess Hiatea. It was a large collection of great longhouses within the heart of a massive oak forest.

Notable animals within this realm included winter wolves the size of elephants and rocs.