← All characters

Poetry · Character

Hermod

The swift god who rides to Hela's realm to beg Balder's release and carries back the terms of his ransom.

supporting

Also known as Niord

First appearance: i sending

As a supporting figure in Poetry, Hermod is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Hermod the nimble descends into the underworld as Asgard's messenger, pressing Hela for the conditions of Balder's return and daring to ask whether he may greet the dead. Hela grants him speech with Balder, and he…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Hermod sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Hermod in i sending

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Hermod sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

BABalderHOHoderODOdinHEHelaNANannaHEHermod

Relationship types

  • Friendship
  • Family
  • Other

Character groups

  • Norse myth Balder

+4 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In "Longing," the emotional peak occurs as the speaker shifts from passive despair to an active, desperate ple…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

  • Balder

    friendship · positive

    Hermod is Balder's loyal brother and companion, who undertakes a perilous journey to Hel… How this plays out →

  • Hoder

    family · negative

  • Odin

    family · positive

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Hermod in i sending