Valkyries

Valkyries are God-creatures of Odin. While they behave as individuals, even arguing among themselves, all valkyries are a manifestation of the will of Odin. Each comes from a tiny spark of the god's divinity with a purpose often based on the characteristic for which they are named, such as being merciful or the stormy moods of Kara ("stormy one").
Because of this divine sourcing, valkyries are immortal, of a kind. They can be killed, though they are great fighters and that can be difficult. However, once "dead," they are simply reabsorbed and re-manifested through Odin. Walking the world for so many centuries has given them full-fledged personalities and, despite having personalities, they do not have souls.
Too Wyrd Spoiler

I looked up as Mercy came over. “How are you and your sisters?” I asked.

“We'll be fine.” She shrugged. “Two were lost.”

I felt tears building up in my eyes. “I'm sorry.”

Mercy looked me in the eye. “Don't be,” she said. “This is what we do. Besides, they were reabsorbed into the essence of Valfodr and will be renewed.”

Valfodr. Father of the Slain. Odin. He had soaked them up and they would exist again.
I took a shaky breath. The whole dying without dying thing was a little hard to grasp, even with all the other stuff that had happened.

~ Nicola, Too Wyrd

Basic Information

Anatomy

Identical to human female in physical appearance.

Biological Traits

Exclusively blonde haired and blue eyed, though the specific shades vary. While they all are nearly identical in height and weight, the distribution of muscle mass and shape of features makes them easy to distinguish.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Each Valkyrie is named after a characteristic of their personality. While, traditionally, this is the Old Norse word, the modern name is either a variation on the Norse or the English interpretation of the characteristic.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Valkyries are fully polyglotal, speaking any known, living language as if a native speaker.

Common Myths and Legends

Valkyries, from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain," are females who choose who dies in battle and who lives. They choose the best warriors of those who die in battle and the other half go to Freyja's hall Fólkvangr.
The valkyries take the chosen to Valhalla, the hall of Odin. The warriors become einherjar, and the valkyries bring them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes at times, though this may be wishful thinking on the part of Humans.

Scientific Name

Meta naturalis valkyr

Lifespan

Eternity

Average Height

1.76 m or 5'9"

Average Weight

75 kg or 165 lbs