Who Is Laufey? What We Know About Kratos' Wife Ahead of God of War Laufey
Better known as Faye, Laufey is the second wife of Kratos and the mother of Atreus. Her death serves as the catalyst for the events of 2018's God of War, setting Kratos and Atreus on the journey that ultimately leads to Ragnarök and the fall of Odin. While players spend much of the Norse saga hearing about her rather than interacting with her directly, each game gradually reveals that she may have been one of the most important figures in the Nine Realms.
Known among the giants as "Laufey the Just," Faye was a Jötunn who concealed her true heritage while living in Midgard alongside Kratos and Atreus. According to stories shared throughout the games, she earned a reputation for helping the weak, standing against the Aesir, and protecting her people from Odin's campaign against the giants.
As the Norse storyline unfolds, players learn that many of the events driving the plot were influenced by Faye long before the games began. She worked with Týr, helped hide Jötunheim from Odin, and possessed knowledge of future events. By the time Kratos and Atreus begin their journey, many of the clues and paths they follow had already been put in place by her.
God of War Ragnarök expanded her role significantly through flashbacks and revelations. Players finally witnessed some of her relationship with Kratos and learned more about the respect she commanded among both giants and gods. The game also revealed that she once fought Thor to a standstill, a feat few characters in the series could claim. Their battle left lasting scars on the landscape and further cemented her reputation as a formidable warrior.
Perhaps most importantly, Faye's actions repeatedly demonstrate a desire to let others choose their own path. Ragnarök reveals that she deliberately interfered with prophecies concerning her family because she did not want Kratos or Atreus bound by a predetermined fate. Instead of following destiny, she believed they should decide their future for themselves.
Her Role In God of War Laufey
Played by Deborah Ann Woll of Daredevil fame, Laufey is getting her own video game, set in the ‘afterlife of the Gods.' As shown in the latest State of Play, Faye will attempt to escape this afterlife, something Kratos used to do frequently back in the Greek days.
Something of note is the spread of the apparent pantheons on offer this time, since the two other ‘gods' Faye meets seem to be of Asian and Egyptian mythologies, but I personally didn't catch their respective names. What's important is that they're clearly from different pantheons, so this installment of God of War might do away with limiting itself to a single mythos.
Kratos killed a lot of Gods during his adventures, so one or more of them are bound to make it to this afterlife. However, it is framed as a limbo of sorts for deities with unfinished business, which can be an excuse to not have absolutely everyone here, ala Smash Bros Ultimate.
All in all, an exciting prospect and a great way to breathe new life to the God of War franchise. The only question remaining is that gelatinous cube (Frank?) that Faye befriends. Is D&D now canon in the God of War universe?
Related: Northlands Sagas Brings Viking Inspired Adventures To Dungeons & Dragons
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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM.