Nine Realms

The Nine Realms  are a group of distant planets connected by the cosmic nimbus Yggdrasil, and are home to various different races and cultures.

History
The Nine Realms are nine individual worlds that, while located in separate star systems, are systematically connected by Yggdrasil. The inhabitants of the realms mostly associated with each other rather than the other advanced species residing beyond the realms. Earth, where Humanity resides, is one of the Nine Realms, but its inhabitants are considered to be too underdeveloped by the other races to associate with.

Asgard is considered to be the head of the Nine Realms, and its inhabitants, the Asgardians, are arguably the most powerful species in the realms. The Asgardians produced a sister race which settled on the planet Vanaheim, and are referred to as the Vanir. Nidavellir, home of the Dwarves, neighbors Asgard, and a strong relationship is present between the two. The world of Alfheim also lies close to Asgard.

Slightly below Asgard is Jotunheim, which is inhabited by the Jotuns, also known as the Frost Giants. The Frost Giants have tried to conquer the other realms a number of times, but were thwarted in each attempt by the Asgardians. Located above Asgard is Muspelheim, a world that is bathed entirely in flames and is home to many beasts that manifested from the fires. Located at the bottom of Yggdrasil are Svartalfheim and Niflheim. The former was once home to the Dark Elves before a cataclysmic battle against the Asgardians ravaged the planet's surface and nearly drove the species extinct. The latter is a world controlled by the Frost Giants, and is notable for being the location of Hel, a shadowy area that the Asgardians believe hold the souls of those in the Nine Realms who have died.

Every five-thousand years, an event called the Convergence would take place in Yggdrasil where the spatial boundaries between the Nine Realms gradually decrease until becoming almost non-existent. This would result in the formation of portals between the worlds.

Nine Realms

 * 1) Asgard - Home of the Asgardians. Ruled by Loki (disguised as Odin).
 * 2) Midgard - Also known as "Earth" or "Terra". Home of the Humans.
 * 3) Jotunheim - Home of the Frost Giants. Formerly ruled by Laufey.
 * 4) Vanaheim - Home of the Vanir.
 * 5) Svartalfheim - Also known as the "Dark World". Home of the Dark Elves. Formerly ruled by Malekith.
 * 6) Nidavellir - Home of the Dwarves. Ruled by Eitri.
 * 7) Muspelheim
 * 8) Alfheim
 * 9) Niflheim


 * Other regions:
 * Nornheim
 * Hel
 * Valhalla