Overview
Alvíss (“All-Wise”) is a dwarf famed throughout Norse mythology for his unmatched knowledge of the cosmos. He appears prominently in the Poetic Edda, where he claims the right to marry Thor’s daughter — a promise made while the thunder god was away.
When Thor returned, he refused to hand over his daughter and instead challenged Alvíss to prove his wisdom. This resulted in a long contest in which the dwarf answered every one of Thor’s questions with flawless mastery of myths, gods, giants, elves, and cosmic lore.
Though Alvíss triumphed in knowledge, he failed to notice Thor’s deception: the god prolonged the contest until sunrise, at which point the dwarf — like many dwarves — turned to stone when struck by the light of day.
Key Themes & Roles
Master of All Lore
Alvíss displays encyclopedic knowledge of the nine realms — their peoples, forces, and divine names — surpassing even many gods.
The Long Questioning
Thor challenged Alvíss with dozens of riddling questions, buying time until sunrise while pretending to judge his answers.
Turned to Stone
Like many dwarves, Alvíss was vulnerable to sunlight. At dawn, the rays turned him to stone before he could claim Thor’s daughter.
Wisdom Versus Power
Alvíss symbolizes intellectual mastery, but also the limits of wisdom when confronted by divine trickery and raw strength.
Quick Facts
Related Stories
Domain
Deep Underground
Like most dwarves, Alvíss dwells beneath the earth, where stone halls and subterranean forges hold the secrets he mastered.