Who rules the underworld realm of the dead?

The story behind the answer

Hel is the Norse goddess who rules Helheim, the underworld realm where those who die of sickness or old age dwell—distinct from Valhalla (Odin’s hall) or Fólkvangr (Freyja’s field) for fallen warriors. She is the daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboða, often described as half-living, half-dead, reflecting her dominion over the deceased.

Remember: Hades and Persephone are Greek, and Anubis is Egyptian; Hel is uniquely Norse. Mnemonic: “Hel rules Helheim.” In the Nine Realms, Helheim lies in the cold depths associated with Niflheim beneath Yggdrasil, reinforcing that Norse “Hel” is a neutral realm of the dead, not a place of moral punishment.