Ratatoskr

Ratatoskr was the squirrel who served as the caretaker and tenant of the World Tree, Yggdrasil, watching over the Nine Realms from its branches. Kratos and Atreus first knew him only through a rude spectral counterpart before meeting the true Ratatoskr, who explained that the foul-mouthed creature they had summoned was merely one aspect of himself.

Tenant of the World Tree#

By his own account, Ratatoskr was originally just a normal squirrel who nearly died to a predator. When he arrived on the World Tree, Yggdrasil saw potential in him and made him its tenant, granting him immortality and other powers at the cost of never being able to leave the Tree. He was charged with overseeing the Nine Realms, ensuring their stability, and tending to the Tree's needs. He had a working relationship with Nidhogg, who had tended the Tree's roots long before him, and over time he removed aspects of his own personality that he found disturbing so he could focus on his duty. His connection to the Tree let him sense events throughout the realms, compensating for his inability to leave.

The Bitter Squirrel#

Before they ever met the true Ratatoskr, Atreus could summon a spectral counterpart known as the Bitter Squirrel, who would scurry to Kratos and dig up healing or rage stones while berating father and son with a ceaseless barrage of insults. Despite his foul mouth he never cheated them, always providing the stones Atreus asked for. Kratos simply ignored his abuse, and once silenced Mimir when the head tried to tell a story about the squirrel mid-battle.

The true Ratatoskr#

The real Ratatoskr first appeared to Kratos and Atreus as they prepared to travel to Alfheim, cheerfully introducing himself and explaining how Realm Seeds opened travel between the realms. He gave Kratos a chime that could summon him whenever counsel was needed, and answered Atreus's questions, including telling him that the dragons he had noticed were Nidhogg's children. He shared the story of how he had become the Tree's tenant and showed Kratos the spectral aspects of his personality, apologizing for their difficult temperaments. Curious by nature, he was astounded to learn that Greece had no World Tree, and was fascinated that Kratos could travel between mythologies by boat or on foot.

Guardian of the realms#

After Nidhogg was killed by Kratos and Freya, Ratatoskr was found worried at the Tree, but he bore them no ill will once he understood, blaming Odin for corrupting her and praising Kratos for taking responsibility. He tasked Kratos with capturing the orphaned Lindwyrms so he could raise them himself and be a proper role model, and in time they came to accept him as their father rather than an appetizer. When Garm was freed, Ratatoskr demanded that Kratos and Atreus put an end to the beast's rampage while he repaired the damage done to the Tree and the realms. He also enlisted Kratos to help return the Stags of the Four Seasons, needed to keep the overgrown World Tree in condition during Fimbulwinter.

Grief and friendship#

After Brok was murdered by Odin, Ratatoskr was devastated that he had failed to see through the All-Father's disguise and sickened that the death had happened on his Tree. He expressed his condolences and worried for Sindri's state of mind. Later he and Kratos spoke as friends, with Ratatoskr lamenting his recent failures and questioning who he would be without his role as the Tenant of the World Tree; Kratos comforted him by simply accepting him for who he was. After Asgard was destroyed and the Tree was shaken loose of many Realm Seeds, Ratatoskr praised Kratos for all he had done, gave him the seeds, said that Brok would be proud, and welcomed him to Yggdrasil any time as an honored guest.

The aspects of his personality#

Because Ratatoskr could remove parts of his own personality, his negative emotions still existed as separate spectral squirrels that wielded some of his powers and let him see through their eyes. The Bitter aspect was sarcastic, foul-mouthed, and rude. The Arrogant aspect was a narcissist incapable of admitting error and easily goaded into mischief. The Anxious aspect was nervous and paranoid, certain that everyone hated him and that he was sent out to the realms more than the others. The Perfectionist aspect was laconic and dismissive of flaws, the only one Kratos seemed to like, and the only one that did not call Ratatoskr "Boss." The true Ratatoskr, by contrast, was humble, polite, and kind, addressing others as "Master," though even he could show anger when summoned too often.

Powers and abilities#

As the Caretaker of Yggdrasil, Ratatoskr was an entity of mysterious power. The Tree had granted him immortality, and it was unclear whether he could be killed at all unless the Tree itself were destroyed. He could warp reality to a degree, conjuring the chime that answered only to Kratos's axe and repairing the damage Garm had torn in the fabric of the realms. He could project aspects of his personality across the realms, conjure mystical stones, open portals, move with remarkable speed through the branches of the Tree, and sense disturbances anywhere within it, swiftly aware of Nidhogg's death, Garm's release, and Brok's murder alike.