Highlights

  • Haldor and Hildir are unique dwarf merchants in Valheim with ties to Norse mythology.
  • Their presence in Valheim may be aligned with Odin's influence in the game.
  • The origins and wares of Haldor and Hildir provide clues to their place in Valheim's lore, as instead of for business purposes, it seems like they are in the tenth realm to assist the player.

Valheim's setting, a plane just below the famed Yggdrasil tree of Norse myth, is rife with many a mystery. However, one of Valheim's strangest details lies not in the machinations of Odin's foes, but in the motivations behind a pair of humble dwarf merchants.

Hildir and Haldor are a pair of dwarf merchants in Valheim. The former can be found in a Meadows biome, while the latter can be found in a Black Forest. Both spawn decently far from the world's center (especially Hildir) and both sell a variety of wares. Hildir mostly sells cosmetic goods in addition to quest rewards, which unlock new invasion events. Haldor sells more practical goods, including materials necessary for high-tier equipment. The pair are the only NPCs that the player can visit to spend their coin.

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Haldor And Hildir Are An Enigma In Valheim

Valheim's Haldor and Hildir are beyond strange. The game's other dwarves are centralized in the Mistlands, and are less than predisposed to dealings with the player. In fact, business is incredibly slow in the tenth realm considering its isolated status; the player is among the few creatures that an NPC could theoretically trade with. Even if Haldor and Hildir can travel between the worlds of Yggdrasil, there's little reason for them to bring wares down to the area. There are many possible reasons as to why the two dwarves could be found in the realm of Valheim—a dangerous land not conducive to trade.

The Mythological Roots Of Haldor And Hildir

Though Valheim takes many elements from Norse myth and Scandinavian folklore, Haldor and Hildir find no roots within such tales. Hildir does have a name similar to the valkyrie 'Hildr', whose name is an Old Norse word meaning 'battle'. Hildir does send the player on quests that lead to combat encounters, whereas Haldor does not—though this is where the similarities end. Valkyries are established creatures within Valheim, taking the form of huge birds that deliver slain vikings to the tenth realm. Neither Hildir nor Haldor show any similarities with them, other than being in alignment with the player.

That's not to say that Valheim's dwarves have nothing in common with their mythological counterparts. One of Haldor's wares, Ymir flesh, hints at the origin of dwarves in Norse mythology. In Norse cosmology, Ymir was a frost giant slain by Odin, and it's his very flesh that was used to create not only the earth but dwarves. Dwarves were also dispatched across the cosmos in Norse myth, so it's not unreasonable for Valheim's dwarves to be traversing the realms.

In addition, Haldor's name may derive from the Norse name 'Hallþórr', which is formed from the words 'rock' and 'Thor'. The latter word's relation to the word 'thunder' gave it an association with fishing and good fishing spots. This again points players towards Haldor's wares; Haldor also sells a fishing rod, fishing bait, and a Thunder Stone, all of which tie into his name. Such traits are further clues to his place in Valheim's lore.

Haldor And Hildir Might Be Aligned With Odin

Odin is a distant god in Valheim, but his influence looms large. It is he who sends the player to the tenth realm to fight his enemies—creatures that he imprisoned there. With this in mind, it should be noted that both dwarves have camps protected by Odin's Illusory Rune. Moreover, dwarves often serve Odin and other gods in Norse mythology—such as the dwarves that Odin sends to hold up the sky or the dwarves that craft the god's weapons. This hints towards the possibility that both Hildir and Haldor are in the tenth realm on Odin's orders, present not specifically for business but to assist the player.