Valhalla isn’t a reward though, it’s a hell for those that don’t enjoy battle. Here’s what happens in Valhalla:
You equip your armor and weapons
You walk out into the courtyard
You kill eachother
You are resurrected
You go to dinner
You equip your armor and weapons
You walk out into the courtyard
You kill eachother
etc. etc.
It is NOT a reward. Valhalla is not heaven, it is a place that Odin puts his very specific chosen warriors that died a violent death in battle. Whether you go to Valhalla doesn’t depend on you being either a good or bad person, only how you died. Odin himself will even actively intervene and make sure you lose your fight and die in battle, just because he wants you as one of his Einherjar.
Valhalla being portrayed as this big reward for good people is a bastardised version brought in by Christians.
OP didn’t include this, but the whole point of Valhalla is that it’s a training facility for Ragnarok. Odin is gathering the fiercest warriors to fight at the end of the world.
Also, it’s possible (likely?) that Norse warriors actually really wanted to go to Valhalla. Their values system was different to ours, and a place where you get to fight (gain honor) and feast with your friends every day probably sounded pretty good to them.
Entrance to Valhalla doesn’t depend on your killstreak. It’s more about your warrior spirit. The Norse likely would have respected warriors who fought against equal or stronger enemies more than those who cowardly fought against weaker foes. Remember, the battle for Ragnarok will be against titanic monsters and giants. The Norse believed they would be the underdogs in that fight.
For instance, I doubt remote drone operators would qualify, although your example of WW2 tank and plane crew definitely could.
Absolutely! Also why Berserkers were a thing - to charge into battle with a weapon in each hand and no defense showed their spirit like not much else could.
So that they could join the immortal dead and live on as legend while they feast and prepare with Thor for the end times.
Valhalla isn’t a reward though, it’s a hell for those that don’t enjoy battle. Here’s what happens in Valhalla:
etc. etc.
It is NOT a reward. Valhalla is not heaven, it is a place that Odin puts his very specific chosen warriors that died a violent death in battle. Whether you go to Valhalla doesn’t depend on you being either a good or bad person, only how you died. Odin himself will even actively intervene and make sure you lose your fight and die in battle, just because he wants you as one of his Einherjar.
Valhalla being portrayed as this big reward for good people is a bastardised version brought in by Christians.
Would you like to know more?
☑️ yes
OP didn’t include this, but the whole point of Valhalla is that it’s a training facility for Ragnarok. Odin is gathering the fiercest warriors to fight at the end of the world.
Also, it’s possible (likely?) that Norse warriors actually really wanted to go to Valhalla. Their values system was different to ours, and a place where you get to fight (gain honor) and feast with your friends every day probably sounded pretty good to them.
Thanks! TIL Valhalla was a place of death and feasting waiting to fight and die again.
Man Valhalla must suck extra. It’s like being a toddler and playing soccer with the grown-ups.
Imagine thinking you will be the elite warrior hero but then WW2 plane pilots and tank operators that died during battle show up.
Entrance to Valhalla doesn’t depend on your killstreak. It’s more about your warrior spirit. The Norse likely would have respected warriors who fought against equal or stronger enemies more than those who cowardly fought against weaker foes. Remember, the battle for Ragnarok will be against titanic monsters and giants. The Norse believed they would be the underdogs in that fight.
For instance, I doubt remote drone operators would qualify, although your example of WW2 tank and plane crew definitely could.
Absolutely! Also why Berserkers were a thing - to charge into battle with a weapon in each hand and no defense showed their spirit like not much else could.
So that they could join the immortal dead and live on as legend while they feast and prepare with Thor for the end times.