Valkyries
In short
Valkyries are powerful female figures from Norse mythology who serve the god Odin. They decide which warriors live or die during battles.
In plain words
In old Viking stories, Valkyries are divine beings who fly over battlefields. Their main job is to pick the bravest and best fighters who have died in combat. They carry these chosen souls to Valhalla, a grand hall in the heavens, where the warriors can feast and prepare for the final battle of the gods.
A simple example
Imagine a great battle is happening on a field. A Valkyrie flies down on a winged horse, looks at the fighters, and chooses a hero who fought with great courage. She then guides that hero away from the battlefield to a magical place to live forever.
Why it matters
They are important because they represent the Viking idea of honour and fate. To these people, dying bravely in battle was the highest goal, and the Valkyries were the ones who rewarded that bravery by bringing them to a glorious afterlife.
Easy to mix up
People often mix them up with simple angels or fairies. While they are magical beings, Valkyries are much more focused on war and death, and they are specifically tied to the Norse gods rather than being general spirits of nature.