Sovngarde (Location)

For other uses, see Sovngarde.

"It is time for Nords to learn the truth. Eternal life can be theirs, without the need to spend an entire mortal life in vain pursuit of something completely unattainable. In the end, all valiant Nords can enter Sovngarde. Dismemberment, decapitation or evisceration seems a small price to pay for the chance to spend an eternity in Shor's wondrous hall."

―Beridette Jastal^[src]

Sovngarde is the Nordic afterlife, created by Shor, that exists in Aetherius. Nordic warriors who have proven their mettle in battle arrive in Sovngarde after death. Fleshly pain and maladies evaporate upon entering its Hall of Valor. Spirits here enjoy mead-drinking and contests of physical prowess. When Nordic Werewolves die, Hircine claims their soul for his Great Hunt just as he would with any other Werewolf, thus preventing them from reaching Sovngarde.

Legend versus reality

Stories of Sovngarde have been told since the early Merethic Era. Since, scholars have attempted to study Sovngarde, looking for tangible evidence of its existence. Many more paradise-seekers sought an entrance to Sovngarde other than the traditional mode -- death. One such explorer, Rolf the Large, failed to discover Sovngarde after a lifetime of searching. Defeated, he returned to Skyrim, where Giants slew him. After passing into Sovngarde, he wrote letters of correspondence with a psychic medium named Felga Four-Fingers, detailing the existence of this Nordic paradise of drinking and merriment. The letters were discovered in the medium's residence in Cyrodiil.^[1]

Interactions

The Dragonborn and Odahviing

The Dragonborn enters Sovngarde in the Fourth Era after setting Odahviing free in the quest "The World-Eater's Eyrie". In return, Odahviing carries the Dragonborn to Skuldafn where a portal guarded by the Dragon Priest Nahkriin is found leading to Sovngarde.

Entering Sovngarde

Once inside Sovngarde, the Dragonborn discovers that Alduin laid a mist where he hides and feeds upon trapped souls to gain strength. The Dragonborn needs to gain entrance to the Hall of Valor by defeating Tsun, the Nordic god of trials against adversity, positioned there to test those who wish to enter the hall by challenging them to a battle.

Once the Dragonborn gains entrance into the hall, he or she meets with the three heroes who the Dragonborn saw in a vision of the past that showed the last defeat of Alduin. The heroes, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Hakon One-Eye, and Felldir the Old are then permitted by Shor, the chief deity of the Nord pantheon, to join the Dragonborn in the battle against Alduin.

Alduin's fate

Although the terror has been defeated, Alduin's essence is warped elsewhere hinting that Alduin may someday return.

Werewolf spirit

Kodlak, the Harbinger of the Companions, dies as a werewolf and does not go to Sovngarde. The Dragonborn is able to mend this by killing the Wolf spirit within him after breaking the spell that made him a werewolf.

Known inhabitants

TESV Jurgen Windcaller — Jurgen Windcaller enjoying the luxuries of paradise.

Always present

Felldir the Old, Ancient Nordic Hero.
Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Ancient Nordic Hero.
Hakon One-Eye, Ancient Nordic Hero.
Jurgen Windcaller, founder of the Greybeards.
Olaf One-Eye, former Jarl of Whiterun.
Torygg, former High King of Skyrim.
Tsun, Nordic God of Trials, guards the bone bridge.
Ysgramor, Atmoran warrior and Harbinger of the Five Hundred Companions.
Erlendr, Nikulas and Hunroor, who were turned to stone by the wizard Grimkell while on a quest to find Sovngarde.
Unnamed Heroes of Sovngarde, generic male and female Nordic Heroes wearing random armor or clothes.

Conditional

TESV Banner Sovngarde — The banner of Sovngarde.

Ulfric Stormcloak, male leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion. (If the Imperial Legion won the Civil War.)
Galmar Stone-Fist, male second in command of Ulfric Stormcloak. (If the Imperial Legion won the Civil War.)
Legate Rikke, female Chief Lieutenant of the Imperial Legion. (If the Stormcloaks won the Civil War.)
Froki Whetted-Blade, male Elder. (If killed in his home, Froki's Shack.)
Svaknir, Bard to Olaf-one eye. (If the quest Tending The Flames is completed.)
Kodlak Whitemane, the former Companions' Harbinger. (Completion of the Companions questline)
Stormcloak Soldier, member and soldier of the Stormcloak Rebellion.
Imperial Soldier, member and soldier of the Imperial Legion.

Temporary

Alduin, Nordic God of Destruction.

Trivia

Projected across the sky of Sovngrade are the three constellations: the Thief, the Mage, and the Warrior. They appear in the sky exactly as they appear in the Skill menu, circling around a great ball of light.
Sovngarde is most likely based on Asgard, the home of the gods in real world Norse mythology.
"Søvn" in several Scandinavian languages means "Sleep" (as a noun), and "Gard" means an enclosed space; "Sovngarde" almost translates literally into "a place for sleep."
If you open the map, it says you are just south of Riverwood.