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PLEASE NOTE: This article contains SPOILERS regarding God of War Ragnarok.2018's God of War tells the story of Kratos and Atreus as they attempt to scatter Laufey's ashes on the highest peak in the nine Norse realms. Aside from being Kratos' wife and Atreus' mother, Laufey also had her share of roles to play. She was a fierce giantess warrior who thwarted many of the Norse gods' plans while at the same time helping those in need. She was also the last Guardian of the Jotnar (giants) who stayed behind to protect Jotunheim and its secrets. Even after she passed away, Laufey (also known as Faye)continued to serve as a guide for Kratos and Atreus through her many yellow markings, and that carries over in God of War Ragnarok.
But despite her significance in God of War, Laufey's identity is shrouded in mystery. Both her husband and son did not know of her giantess nature until much later in their journey. If it weren't for the giant mural Kratos and Atreus found in Jotunheim, Laufey's intentions would still remain largely unknown. God of War Ragnarok turns the notion of Faye's anonymity on its head almost immediately as it sheds some light on the elusive woman.
The Mysterious Giantess in God of War
People can put together bits and pieces about Laufey's life as they play through 2018's God of War. As the mother of Atreus, she taught her son archery, hunting, tracking, and what she knew of the languages of the nine realms among other skills. These lessons would prove useful to Atreus later on in his life as his father, Kratos, wasn't as well-versed in them as his mother was.
Even though she was Kratos' wife, Laufey was a strong woman in her own right. Kratos and the Norse gods comment on how Laufey was a fierce warrior who "fought beautifully" - a trait that must have smitten Kratos when they first met. She was well-versed in the ways of the nine realms and used her skills to go out of the way for those in need. Aside from this, her giantess nature gave her the ability of precognition - as evidenced by the paths she marked for Kratos and Atreus' journey prior to her death. While these tidbits of information give insight into Laufey's abilities and personality, they do very little to identify her appearance.
Faye: A Name to a Face
This all changes in God of War Ragnarok. After leaving Atreus to bury the dead wolf Fenrir, Kratos retires in their home for the night. In his sleep, he has a dream of his wife. But where Laufey was once portrayed as a disembodied voice, she is now a woman with form.
Laufey has bright auburn hair and a pale face (though not as pale as Kratos') and wears a yellow garb that represents her giantess nature. Atreus sports his mother's hair and pointed nose, and also seems to have gained a preference for yellow clothes. Her voice is also calming and kind. In Kratos' dream, she talks to her husband playfully about lifting a log so that she can walk down a path. She also can be seen speaking kindly to a frightened wolf that trespasses in the area near their home. But Laufey's voice can also carry an air of seriousness when the need arises, as can be seen when she urgently tells Kratos to get a move on and find Tyr - the Norse god of war.
Kratos wakes up after being spurred on by the dream of his wife and soon finds himself embroiled in a conflict with Thor and Odin. This predicament eventually leads him and Atreus on the quest to find Tyr - which is exactly what his wife wanted. Kratos mentions to Mimir that he has had multiple dreams about his wife, which hints that these visions could be more than just mere dreams.
Laufey continues to have an impact on the people she knew long after her death. She provides her husband and son with guidance, and her friends still sorely miss her. But instead of remaining a disembodied voice for the sequel, God of War Ragnarok has finally had the decency to put a face to the name.
God of War Ragnarok is available now for PS4 and PS5.
