an illustration from a 17th century Icelandic manuscript of the mighty Nidhogg gnawing at the roots of Yggdrasill.
Níðhöggr or Nidhogg (Malice Striker) is a powerful dragon that is found in Norse Mythology. The mighty dragon chews on the roots of the ash tree Yggdrasill, also known as the World Tree, which holds the nine realms of Norse mythology together. He hopes one day to topple Yggdrasill and destroy all realms. he has a rivalry with an eagle that lives at the top of the World Tree and the two exchange harsh words through Ratatöskr, the squirrel, that bears the words between the two. It is said that the Níðhöggr will arrive at Ragnarök, the Norse Judgement day. It was said that after the death of both Lðröthrían and Fafílögg, the Níðhöggr would gain the strength of Halönrí and destroy the village of Rötskívar, home to the mighty Norse hero, Lor.