Bruce Berglund - Can You Survive the Battle of Ragnarök?: An Interactive Mythological Adventure

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Long ago, tales of the Norse gods were shared among peoples across much of northern Europe. Norse mythology describes a great battle, called Ragnark, that will bring an end to everything. Will you fight the army of the dead or follow Odin to face his doom? Or perhaps youll wield the great hammer Mjlnir in combat. Choose carefully. At Ragnark, even the gods can be killed!

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through this mythical adventure.

Once upon a time, the Norse gods watched over the humans world. Each day, Odin sent his two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, to watch over people and report back what they had seen. The noble Frey brought the sunshine and rain, so the crops would grow. The mighty Thor protected the humans from giants.

But Odin, Thor, and Frey are now asleep in Asgard. Most of the other gods sleep as wellexcept for Loki. His tricks went too far. He killed the great Baldur, son of Odin and brother of Thor. Now, Loki is imprisoned and being punished for his crimes. When there is an earthquake, it is Loki trying to break free.

But there are few people left to be frightened by the earthquakes now. It is the time of Fimbulvetrthe Mighty Winter. For three years, there has been no warmth.

All of Midgard is dark and cold. The ground is frozen. Spring never comes, and the cruel wind comes from all directions. The cold has killed all the farm animals, and plows cannot cut through the frozen soil.

Across Midgard, people are starving. Family members are fighting each other for food. The few people left act like wild animals, searching empty towns for scraps of food.

The time of kings and queens is over. The time of great warriors who carried the axe and sword is past. People hide in the ruins of the great fortresses where royalty once lived.

Most of the gods are warm in their beds. But Heimdall, the watchman of the gods, stays awake. He lives near the Rainbow Bridge that connects Asgard and Midgard.

Heimdall can see far, even into the future. Through the wind, he can hear a bird ruffle its feathers to get warm. Close by, he keeps the Gjallerhornthe great horn that calls the gods.

Vidar, another son of Odin, is also awake. He searches Midgard for pieces of leather from old belts and shoes. He weaves the leather into his boots. He must do this, but he does not know why.

Vidar is near the sea when he sees a great ship come out of the waves. The ship carries an army of the wicked deadwarriors who lived cruel lives and died shameful deaths. The army is led by Loki, whos finally broken free from his chains.

When a strong earthquake strikes, Heimdall looks in the distance and sees flames. It is Surt, the fire giant. He holds his burning sword and is leading warriors from Muspell, the of fire.

Vidar races to Heimdall. It is time, says the son of Odin.

Yesit is time, says the guardian of the gods. Heimdall blows the Gjallerhorn.

Quickly, the gods awake from their sleep and put on their armor. Soon, they have gathered, ready for the final battle. What fate will you choose?

You are Odins son, Thorthe god of thunder. The other gods all wear helmets, even your father. But not you. Your long hair blows in the cold wind.

When you heard the Gjallerhorn and rose from your bed, you put on a simple red . You need no armor. But you put on the Power Belt, called Megingjord, that doubles your great strength.

You also wear the Jarngrieper, the Iron Gloves. They help you to wield your powerful hammer, Mjlnir, in battle.

Mjlnir was made by the dwarves and is the mightiest of all the gods weapons. Anything Mjlnir strikes is destroyed. If you throw the war hammer, you know it will hit the mark. And it will always fly back to your hand.

Your wife is Sif. She stands nearby with the other gods. She is beautiful. You are not. In fact, you have a rock stuck in your forehead from a fight with a giant.

Your daughter, Thrud, is one of the , the great hall of the noble dead.

But now Thrud is here, ready to go to battle herself. Your sons are here as well. Their names are Modi and Magnithe Angry One and the Mighty One.

This will be a mighty battle, my son, Odin says to you. Surt the giant is coming. And Loki has broken free from his bonds.

Thats all? you ask. Ive killed many giants. And you can handle Loki. Why did we need to wake everyone up?

Loki and Surt arent alone, says Vidar. Surt leads a large army of fiery warriors from Muspell. Loki has his own army as well. Hes brought the wicked dead from the . Even more, the giant Hrym is with Loki, along with the frost giants. Theyre coming on a giant ship, the largest I have ever seen.

There are still more enemies coming, says Heimdall. I see Fenrir the giant wolf. He has broken his chains and is coming from the mountains. Fire shoots from his nostrils, and he devours everything in his path.

Heimdall turns toward the sea and looks into the distance. I also see the serpent Jormungand. He has risen from the deep and is coming to shore.

The wolf and serpent are children of Loki, says Odin. They have come to bring on us, for casting Loki into the Underworld.

Odin turns to you. You are the strongest and bravest of us all, he says. Where will you fight?

I know how to kill giants, you say. You point to the rock stuck in your forehead. I have this from when I killed Hrugnir, the mightiest of giants. Hrugnir hurled a stone at you just as you threw Mjlnir. The hammer killed the giant, but a piece of the rock stuck in your head.

But I have hunted the serpent a long time, you add.

The gods set off in different directions to face their enemies. You will stay to guard the Rainbow Bridge.

Father, we shall stand with you, says Magni. His brother Modi nods.

Thank you, my sons, you answer. You stood with me against Hrugnir. You are both great in strength and courage.

You remember your battle against Hrugnir. After your hammer smashed the giant, he fell on top of you. His enormous leg pinned you to the ground. Thankfully, Magni and Modi were there to lift the giants leg and set you free.

But I have never faced this giant, you say, pointing to Surt. I do not know his strength.