The Real Norse Myth of Laufey: How Different is ‘God of War’s’ Faye From Legends

Laufey is one of the most overlooked figures in Norse mythology, primarily known as the mother of Loki, the trickster god. She exists on the fringes of surviving texts, appearing in fragments within the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda.

Despite her limited presence, Laufey’s name holds significant weight, influencing our understanding of Loki’s origins. With Santa Monica Studio’s newly announced ‘God of War: Laufey’, this shadowy figure finally steps into the spotlight as a full protagonist, showcasing a striking creative leap from mythological roots to game reimagining.

In the original Norse texts, Laufey is described in modest terms. She has a second name, Nál, meaning “needle” in Old Norse, which reflects her slender and frail appearance—one of the few physical descriptions of a female figure in these ancient tales.

The Prose Edda, penned by Snorri Sturluson around 1220, introduces her simply as Loki’s mother, without delving into her character or personality. Scholars find it remarkable that Loki is often referred to as “Loki Laufeyjarson,” emphasizing his maternal lineage rather than his father Farbauti, which is unusual in a patrilineal Norse society.

This mystery surrounding maternal prominence is where ‘God of War’ makes its mark. In the game, Laufey is reimagined as “Laufey the Just,” the Last Guardian of the Jötnar, portrayed as a warrior actively working to thwart the Aesir’s cruel intentions toward the Nine Realms. While her identity as a Jötunn is preserved, the game expands her narrative significantly. In Norse mythology, Laufey is classified as an Ásynjar, an Aesir goddess, but in ‘God of War’, she is depicted as a Jötunn, allowing Atreus to be a half-god, half-giant offspring. This deliberate change adds depth to Loki’s hybrid heritage and reshapes the family dynamics at the core of Kratos’ story.

With ‘God of War: Laufey’, Santa Monica is taking the character further than ever. The game follows Faye as she unexpectedly awakens in a strange land after her funeral, realizing that the plans she set in motion to protect Kratos and Atreus are now at risk. She must battle through the Everywhen, the afterlife of the gods, where ruthless deities from various mythologies vie for power in a land filled with dangerous magic. This narrative serves as a direct continuation rather than a prequel.

Franchise director Cory Barlog explicitly confirmed that the game takes place after Faye’s death, making it a continuation of the established timeline rather than a retrospective on her life before Kratos.

The decision to make Faye the protagonist has been a long time coming. In an interview with IGN, Barlog explained that the aim was not to replace Kratos but to explore a character pivotal to the beginning and to delve deeper into her story, revealing connections and surprises. The game features Deborah Ann Woll reprising her role as Faye, with the narrative picking up at the moment shown briefly in the opening of ‘God of War’ (2018), when her body is cremated on the funeral pyre.

The contrast between the ancient sources and Santa Monica’s interpretation is striking, given how little was originally provided. Laufey exists mainly as a genealogical figure in Norse mythology, serving to define Loki’s origin without an independent narrative role, as noted by scholars like John Lindow. Her significance lies primarily in what she symbolizes.

Her name translates to “leaf” or “tree island,” and her union with Farbauti, whose name means “dangerous striker” symbolizing lightning, metaphorically birthed Loki, akin to lightning igniting a tree. She embodies elemental origins and maternal functions, with little else documented.

The game’s creative team has essentially crafted the character from the ground up, using that symbolic foundation as a springboard. The PlayStation Blog describes Faye as “a legendary warrior and leader whose impact was felt across the Nine Realms long before she met Kratos,” aiming to explore “the humanity, strengths, and flaws of the person whose legacy was cherished by many.”

The Everywhen serves as a brilliant narrative device, expanding mythology beyond Norse borders. Unlike previous ‘God of War’ entries that focused on one mythology, the Everywhen acts as a melting pot where gods from various traditions converge, with confirmed antagonists like Sekhmet from Egyptian mythology and Begtse from Mongolian tradition.

The gulf between the Laufey of the Eddas and Faye of Santa Monica’s imagination is vast, and this is arguably the most thrilling aspect of the new game. One version is a frail woman, barely named and lacking her own story, while the other is a formidable warrior navigating the afterlife of all gods. Both share the same name and the symbolic weight of a mother whose children shape the world. Share your thoughts in the comments about whether you believe Santa Monica has honored the essence of the original myth or strayed too far from it.

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