Beyla is a Dark Elf Warrior. She is the wife of Byggvir and ally to Freyr.
Quick Answers
Who is Beyla's husband in Norse mythology?
What role does Beyla play in the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna?
What is the proposed meaning of Beyla's name in Norse mythology?
Who are Beyla's allies in Norse mythology?
What is Beyla's status or occupation in Norse mythology?
Norse Mythology
Beyla (Old Norse: [ˈbœylɑ]) is one of Freyr's servants along with her husband, Byggvir, in Norse mythology. Beyla is mentioned in stanzas 55, 66, and the prose introduction to the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna. Since this is the only mention of Beyla, scholars have turned to the etymology of Beyla's name for additional information about her. However, the meaning of her name is unclear and her name has been proposed as related to "cow," "bean," or "bee".
Beyla was a servant of Freyr. She and her husband Byggvir attended the banquet of the gods (as portrayed in the Lokasenna), hosted by Ægir. There, she exchanges insults with Loki, who had recently insulted Sif.
In the prose introduction to Lokasenna, Beyla and Byggvir are cited as attending In stanza 55 of Lokasenna, after his verses with Sif, Loki accuses Beyla of being filthy but the reason for this is unclear.
In relation to Loki's comments in Lokasenna, proposals have been made that Beyla and her husband are personifications of agriculture associated with Freyr: Beyla as the manure that softens the earth and develops the seed, Byggvir as the refuse of the mill, chaff.
In the God of War Series
Backstory
Beyla was one of the Dark Elf Warriors from Alfheim, who are constantly at war with the Light Elves, fighting over control of the Light. At some point, she was imprisoned along with Byggvir, a Light Elf who had been trying to spread and uncover taboo information about the history of the Elves and their division in an attempt to form peace between the two factions. During their time in prison, they eventually grew close to each other, and by the time they escaped, they had become lovers, despite being from opposing sides.
With the never-ending war raging in Alfheim and little chance of peace between the two sides, Beyla and Byggvir eventually left Alfheim and joined Freyr's resistance group in Vanaheim.
God of War Ragnarök
Beyla is first seen shorty after Kratos, Freya and Mimir arrive in Vanaheim. She is a member of Freyr's resistance alongside Byggvir, Lúnda, and Birgir, all of whom ambush and surround Kratos when he first enters Freyr's encampment, only standing down when Freyr orders them to. After Kratos and Freya reconcile and return to Freyr's camp, Beyla and Byggvir ask Kratos to acquire a book from a restricted library in Alfheim's Forbidden Sands, believing that it holds taboo information on the history of the Light and Dark Elves, and that it may be a first step in promoting peace between the two sides. They both thank Kratos once he returns with the book.
Byggvir is later captured by Heimdall and his Einhenjar forces, but manages to escape, using the eclipse created by Kratos and Atreus once they return the moon to Sköll and Hati as a distraction. Both Beyla and Byggvir are later seen aiding Freyr's rescue alongside Kratos, Freya and Atreus. Once safely returned, Beyla asks Byggvir to promise to not let himself get captured again.
The two are present at Týr's Temple the night before Kratos' attack on Asgard, and are also present in the Realm Travel room during Kratos' final speech. During the battle, they are seen coming to Kratos' aid once he signals for them to regroup, and he orders them to help the Midgardian refugees get to safety. They are last seen resting with the survivors in Hoddmímis Holt, where they share their fond memories of Freyr. They raise a drink to Atreus and Kratos once they pass.
Appearance
Beyla has deep, almost violet-blue skin, with a visible muscle structure highlighted by pinkish-purple lines and markings along her face. Her lips are a muted reddish-purple, and her almond-shaped eyes are dark blue. High cheekbones and a sharply angled jawline give her face a striking, defined look.
Large, dark-brown horns extend outward from her head in a crown-like arrangement. A pale beige cloth wraps around her head and neck, from which hang two bright blue crystals worn as jewelry. Strips of cloth crisscross her upper torso and chest, resembling bandages, over a deep blue garment shaped like a sports bra. Ornate, crescent-shaped bone ornaments with decorative banding are attached to the chest cloth strips. Additional bandages wrap her arms and portions of her torso.
Beyla wears decorative wooden plating on her chest and hips, complemented by a layered, skirt-like cloth in dark browns, grays, and muted blues. Ornate patterns and armor-like adornments cover her torso and lower skirt, reflecting either her warrior background or dark elf culture. The back of her attire is tattered, with a greyish-white skirt falling below her waist and frayed edges. Greenish vegetation atop her head and shoulders simulates hair.
Her nails are short and goldish, while her toenails are sharp and similarly colored, with feet shaped like an insect’s. Large, iridescent reddish-brown wings extend from her back, exhibiting intricate veining like an insect’s, with edges and spines resembling wooden branches.
Personality
While Byggvir is polite and chatty, Beyla is stoic and blunt. Byggvir notes that she rarely speaks with others. Before Kratos helps break Freya’s curse, Beyla scolds Byggvir for greeting Kratos, whispering rudely that he should leave. After the curse is broken, she accepts Kratos as an ally but remains reserved, cautioning Byggvir not to ask Freya and Kratos for help because it is “rude,” which Byggvir disputes. She shows mild embarrassment when Freya does not inquire about her thoughts on the Light of Alfheim and voluntarily shares her perspective.
Like her husband, Beyla is critical of the war in Alfheim and the Light, believing the teachings she received—that the Light was all that mattered—were “shit.” She describes the elves as stubborn and blindly devoted to the Light, comparing them to moths incapable of thinking for themselves.
Despite her stoicism, Beyla is affectionate and open with her husband, playfully reminding him not to share too much about their relationship with others.
Powers and Abilities
- Dark Elf Physiology:
- Flight: Like all Dark Elves, Beyla possesses a pair of insect-like wings that enable her to fly.
Gallery
Photo Mode
Concept Arts
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