Svartalfheim – literally home of the black elves – is where the Dwarfs live.
Unlike our modern depictions, there is no evidence that Dwarfs were short, stout beings. Instead, they are considered ‘lesser’ beings and so some may have warped this into ‘short’.
Dwarfs dwell in the earth, and Svartalfheim is often thought of as a labyrinthine underground complex of mines and forges. Smithing – making things – is what we think of best when it comes to Dwarfs.
Amongst the incredible artefacts forged by the Dwarfs are Mjollnir – Thor’s hammer – Skidbladnir – a ship belonging to Freyr that always has a favourable wind – and Draupnir and Gungnir – Odin’s ring and spear.
Dwarfs are highly knowledgeable, very wise, extremely skilled and magically powerful. The four Dwarfs Austri, Vestri, Nordri and Sudri – East, West, North and South – hold the sky aloft by its four corners, a testament to their incredible strength.