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Þjálfi’s sister and Thor’s companion Röskva is a human figure in Norse mythology known for becoming, together with her brother Þjálfi, a companion and servant of Thor. Both enter the god’s service after an episode involving his goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, and later accompany him on his journey towards Útgarðr. Röskva is Þjálfi’s sister. Snorri presents them both as children of a farming family that offers Thor and Loki lodging during one of their journeys. The surviving sources provide little information about their parents. The two siblings are human, and their story changes when Thor arrives at the family home accompanied by Loki. Thor was travelling with his two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, which pulled his chariot. On reaching the family home, he kills his animals to provide food and orders that the bones be carefully placed on the hides. The next morning, he uses Mjölnir to consecrate the remains, and the goats rise again. However, one is lame because one of its bones has been broken to reach the marrow. Loki had suggested that Þjálfi break the bone. Thor becomes furious, but eventually accepts compensation and takes Þjálfi and Röskva as servants. Röskva becomes directly connected with Thor as a human who enters his service. Þjálfi gains greater narrative prominence, especially through his extraordinary speed, while Röskva remains with the group even though the sources give her fewer individual actions. Thor sets out on a journey east accompanied by Loki, Þjálfi and Röskva. The group crosses lands ruled by giants, encounters Skrýmir and finally reaches the fortress of Útgarðr. Röskva witnesses the trials arranged by Útgarða-Loki. Loki competes against Logi, Þjálfi races against Hugi, and Thor faces challenges involving the sea, Jörmungandr and old age. No competition of her own is documented for Röskva, but she is part of the small human group accompanying Thor throughout the episode. The sources establish a clear difference between the two siblings. Þjálfi has an exceptional ability as a runner and performs actions of his own within the story. Röskva is documented primarily as Þjálfi’s sister and Thor’s companion. We have no specific supernatural ability attributed to her. Nor is there firm evidence that she was a warrior, sorceress or völva. Her importance lies in her human status within the retinue of one of the principal Norse deities. After the stories involving Thor, the surviving sources cease to provide significant information about her. We do not know how long she remained in his service, whether she took part in other expeditions or what happened to her afterwards. Nor is there a surviving tradition describing her fate during Ragnarök. Nature: human Brother: Þjálfi Parents: farmers whose names have not survived Relationship with Thor: companion and servant Origin of her service: compensation after the incident with one of Thor’s goats Travelling companions: Thor, Þjálfi and Loki Notable journey: expedition towards Útgarðr Her own trial at Útgarðr: none documented Supernatural powers: unknown Weapons: unknown Divine status: human, not an ásynja Fate: unknown Participation in Ragnarök: unknown Main source: Gylfaginning in Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda
Röskva