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    Thorgal and his family 

Thorgal Aegirsson:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/thorgal_8881.png

Son of Varth and Haynee, a pair of Ancient Astronauts who returned to Earth, abandoned by their ancestors, in search of new energy sources. After the conflict between his father and grandfather over what to do with the Puny Earthlings, Thorgal was cast down onto the Earth in a water-proof capsule and found by the Vikings. He became a foster son of the Viking chief Leif Haraldsson, but never felt fully a Viking. He is the husband of Aaricia (with a three-year gap) and father of Jolan, Louve and Aniel. Has always had a love-hate relationship with the gods.

  • Chick Magnet: For too many chicks to count, but he only has eyes for Aaricia.
  • Childhood Friend Romance: With Aaricia.
  • Good Is Not Soft: Though he does not believe in the Viking tradition of killing your neighbors and stealing their possessions, he is no weakling. Wor-the-Magnificent and many, many other enemies learn this the hard way.
  • Good Scars, Evil Scars: A nice-looking one on the cheek, courtesy of Gandalf-the-Mad.
  • Ideal Hero: Stong, skilled, loyal, courageous yet not reckless, and a family man.
  • Improbable Aiming Skills: As displayed several times. It's even the main plot point in The Archers
  • Last of His Kind: The last of the Star People.
  • Meaningful Name: He was named 'Thorgal, son of Aegir' after Thor, god of storm, and Aegir the sea giant, because he was found at the seacoast just after the storm.
  • Moses in the Bulrushes: Found in a vessel on a shore after a raging storm.
  • Mr. Fanservice: He's often shirtless or in briefs for the female fans.
  • Nice Guy: Why Aaricia loves him. Or, as she tells their son Jolan, "Because he's simple, strong, brave and good."
  • Papa Wolf: Jolan and Louve should never be menaced in his presence.
  • Paradox Person: It is even stated that from the gods' point of view it is like he existed and not existed at the same time.
  • Reluctant Warrior: He fights only when he has to supply food or defend his family (which means: all the time).
  • Star-Crossed Lovers: With Aaricia.
  • Strong Family Resemblance: His facial features bear a resemblance to Varth, Haynee and Xargos. Only natural, since Varth and Haynee were his parents, while Xargos was his maternal grandfather. The family resemblance between Thorgal and his grandfather is clearer in the flashback sequence showing the Star People in space, when we see a younger and cleanshaven Xargos, back when he commanded the expedition to Earth. He basically looked like a middle-aged Thorgal with short hair.
  • Tall, Dark, and Handsome: His dark hair make shim stand apart from his Norse foster family.
  • Telepathy: With Jolan.
  • Tranquil Fury: Occasionally.
  • Troubled Child: As Gandalf prohibited him from learning how to fight and sail along with the other boys, he trained to be a bard, which was not exactly his cup of tea.
  • Unstoppable Rage: When someone threatens his family.
  • Weirdness Magnet: The fact that he's not from our world to begin with is teh cause of this (see Paradox Person above)

Aaricia:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aaricia_8558.png
Daughter of Gandalf, sister of Bjorn and a Viking princess born with two tear-shaped pearls in her hands, she disobeyed her father and married Thorgal, for whom she was destined from birth by the goddess Frigg. Having been a Pregnant Hostage more than once, she is the mother of Jolan and Louve as well as the foster mother of Aniel.

  • Action Girl: In Thorgal's absence she is able to deal with dangers by herself if needs be.
  • Adrenaline Make Over: A couple of times, but most notably before the journey to Qa.
  • Action Survivor: She isn't a trained fighter like Thorgal and usually doesn't fight physically but she's often practical and smart enough to deal with dangerous situations. However, when push comes to shove, she isn't above entering the action. For instance, she killed Brek Zarith's tyrant, Shardar herself, even though she was tied up and hanging over a very high cliff, tripping him over the ledge with her legs.
  • As Long as It Sounds Foreign: Unlike most names in the series, Aaricia isn't a nordic one.
  • Beware the Nice Ones: When someone threatens her children and Thorgal is not around, or when some other woman seems to like Thorgal too much.
  • Betty and Veronica: To Kriss's Veronica.
  • Childhood Friend Romance: With Thorgal.
  • Mama Bear: Threatening her kids is a good way to bring this out in her. When Kriss of Valnor had Jolan kidnapped to the Land of Qa, she was very willing to torture the mercenary in order to find out her son's whereabouts.
  • Mark of Shame: She is branded with hot iron after the Vikings realize that Shaigan and Thorgal are the same person. She gets better, though, courtesy of her son's powers.
  • The Ugly Guy's Hot Daughter: Obviously inherited her looks from her mother, judging by her mother's appearance in "Odin's Mountain" ( which was a demon disguised as her mother).
  • White Sheep: When you have Gandalf-the-Mad as a father and Bjorn as a brother...

Jolan:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jolan_7327.png
The son of Thorgal and Aaricia, brother of Louve and half-brother of Aniel, he inherited psychic abilities from his father and, unlike Thorgal, learned to use them in a controlled way. He offered his life to the half-god Manthor in exchange for the life of Thorgal and was sent by Manthor on a dangerous mission to Asgard.

  • Bratty Half-Pint: As a child.
  • A Child Shall Lead Them: In Qa and then in Manthor's realm. And then again in Kriss' series where he becomes a Viking lord. He initially keeps his face hidden to avoid people not taking him seriously due to his age.
  • Calling Parents by Their Name: He has always called Thorgal and Aaricia by their name ever since his first talking appearance in Alinoe.
  • Mind over Matter: He's not exactly telekinetic, but he can cut the bonds between atoms with his mind, essentially vaporizing objects at will and it's shown that with enough experience he can rearrange the atomic structure of things in order to heal wounds, age or de-age people, transform objects or vaporize/kill people with a thought.
  • Mouthy Kid: From time to time.
  • Power Incontinence: But not incurable.
  • Spoiled Brat: For a while, when in Qa where he was regarded as a god.
  • Took a Level in Jerkass: In the Kriss series where he uses threats to make clear to everyone who's the boss.
  • Transmutation: Jolan can psychically rearrange atoms to disintegrate objects.

Louve:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/louve_7731.png
Daughter of Thorgal and Aaricia, sister of Jolan and half-sister of Aniel. Later (in the spin-off) becomes more of an Action Girl.

  • The Quiet One: She's quiet and reserved and even doesn't say a word in some issues. Averted in her spinoff where she's very talkative.
  • Raised by Wolves: In a sense. She was born next to two wolf-pups and their mother's scent has forever been mixed with that of hers.
  • Speaks Fluent Animal: Especially with the Canidae.
  • Weapon Jr.: Her bow.
  • Wild Child: Thanks to her supernatural connection to wild animals.
  • Xenafication: In her spin-off series, she became a lot more tomboyish and insolent than she used to be in the main series.

Aniel:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aniel_7995.png
The son of Thorgal and Kriss of Valnor, who, when dying, left him under the care of Aaricia. His grandfather Kahaniel, anticipating his own death, prepared his soul to enter the body of his first male descendant, who turned out to be Aniel. He was made mute by his owners while learning to make jewellery as a slave in the tin mine.

  • Red Eyes, Take Warning: As a result of supernatural factors in Aniel's genealogy.
  • Reincarnation: Aniel is an incarnation of his grandfather, who used the forbidden Red Magic to be born again in his body.
  • Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome: In Kriss of Valnor, he's two years old. By the time of The Shield of Thor, he's claimed to be near his fifth birthday. Only a few months happen between the two albums. Yves Sente admitted he did it on purpose because his grandfather will reincarnate into him on his fifth birthday.
  • The Speechless: His vocal cords were cut by the slave-owners who did not want him to disturb them with crying.
  • Walking Spoiler: His existence pretty much spoils the entire Shaigan arc.

Varth / Ogotay:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/varth_2842.png
The father of Thorgal and husband of Haynee. His conviction that the Star People should take over the Earth instead of sticking to the rule of non-exposure with regards to its inhabitants led him to the rebellion against Xargos. After landing on Earth and the destruction of the expedition, he became the god and tyrant of the Chaam people and declared war against their neighbors. He was killed by Kriss just after he realized that Thorgal was his son.

  • A God Am I: He initially planned to dominate earth by using his Psychic Powers to pass as a god. After too many losses and some Sanity Slippage, he end up believing it himself.
  • Ambition Is Evil: Varth's ambition ultimately resulted in misery for him, his loved ones and countless others.
  • The Conqueror: Sought to conquer the Earth as a god. He already wanted to take over the world when the Star People were still in space.
  • Dark Messiah: Is this to the city of Mayaxatl.
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones: And Varth has Haynee.
  • Evil Overlord: sporting a spiky helmet and dark robes.
  • God-Emperor: Rules the city of Mayaxatl as its god, constantly demanding bloody sacrifices.
  • Mad Scientist: His scientific expertise gives his armies an edge in their conquests; he developed the technology for the airships used by his forces, among other things.
  • Mind over Matter: Has the same psychic powers as Jolan and a brainwave amplifier to strengthen them. This allows him to read minds, induce heart attacks from a distance and instantly age people.
  • Motive Decay: Originally wanted to take over the Earth so that his planet could be supplied with energy sources. The loss of his friends and family drove him to madness, so that he now only wants to take revenge on the Earth for taking his wife and son away from him.
  • Non-Action Big Bad: Rules his empire in a distant and godlike manner, rather than engaging in action directly. Nonetheless, he is more than capable of defending himself, as Kriss of Valnor learns the hard way.
  • Spikes of Villainy: Wears a spiky helmet as part of his evil overlord garb. Its practical purpose is to hide the brainwave amplifier that he salvaged from the shipwreck and which strengthens his already prodigious psychic powers.
  • Tragic Villain: Despite his evil acts, in the end one cannot help but pity him on account of all that he has lost.
  • Training the Peaceful Villagers: To the extent that said peaceful villagers became his shock troops in his bloody conquests.
  • Villainous Breakdown: Has arguably undergone a continuous one ever since the destruction of his expedition and the loss of his family. But he really loses it when Thorgal reveals to him that he is his son.
    Ogotay: "LIES! ALL MY FAMILY ARE DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! ALL DEAD ON THIS CURSED PLANET!"
  • With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: Xargos claims that the madness was already lurking within Varth back when they were in space. By the time Thorgal confronts him, however, such hidden madness has bloomed into full-blown, grief-fueled insanity and megalomania.

Xargos / Tanatloc:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/xargos_1083.png
The father of Haynee and grandfather of Thorgal, the leader of the expedition of the Star People in search of new sources of energy. After the conflict with Varth, in which he defended the rule of non-exposure and non-interference with regards to the inhabitants of Earth, he was overthrown, fell to Earth and led the Xinjin against Varth under the name of the god Tanatloc.

  • God-Emperor: How the Xinjin see him. Only his closest advisor knows the truth.

    Thorgal's friends 

Key Guardian:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/keyguardian_1021.png
The guardian goddess keeping watch over the gates between the worlds. She has a crush on Thorgal from the first time they met, when he decided to protect her from his crooked companion even though she was the opponent of both of them.

  • Godiva Hair: Apart from her belt, her long dark hair are her only clothing.
  • Ms. Fanservice: The Guardian is a beautiful young woman who is naked except for a golden belt with an oversized buckle. And while her long dark hair usually conceals her breasts, they don't always conceal them.

Galathorn:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/galathorn_5386.png
The prince of Brek Zarith, whom Thorgal helped to regain the throne usurped by his evil cousin Shardar.

Shaniah:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shaniah_868.png
A girl who fell in love with Thorgal and lied to her fellows to make them expel him in revenge, which resulted in the destruction of her village and the supposed death of Aaricia. Being left by Thorgal in the ruins of the village, she took care of him when he was out of his mind due to the despair, and went with him to the Otherworld where she gave her own life for that of Aaricia and was trapped forever in Niflheim.

  • Heroic Sacrifice: In Beyond the Shadows she cuts her own life thread to revive Aaricia
  • Just a Kid: Thorgal's words, when he defended her from Caleb's anger.
  • Ret-Gone: The end of Beyond the Shadows implies Thorgal is the only one who remembers her after her sacrifice.
  • Smitten Teenage Girl: Starts with a huge crush on Thorgal.

Jorund the Bull:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jorund_8862.png
A Viking chief who became the king of the Vikings of the North after Gandalf's death. His attitude towards Thorgal is decidedly positive, which cannot be said about some of his countrymen.

  • Easily Forgiven: He left Thorgal and Bjorn to die on a barc in the middle of the sea. The next time Thorgal sees him, they act like good friends and never bring up the incident.
  • Horny Vikings: He sports an impressive horned helmet.

Solveig:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/solveig_166.png
Aaricia's best friend, she helped her after the Vikings exiled Thorgal's family in revenge for Shaigan's deeds.

Arghun the Pegleg:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/arghun_3759.png
The uncle of Tjall and a friend of Thorgal and Jolan. He was a professional archer in the past, but after his accident became a weaponsmaker specializing in bows and arrows. He was forced by Kriss to accompany Thorgal in his journey to Qa, where he later decided to stay.

  • I Choose to Stay: Believing himself too old to return to his homeland, he eventually decides to settle in the land of Qa.
  • The Mentor: to Jolan and, presumably, to Tjall.
  • Transmutation: He trained Jolan in how to use this ability and has even greater control over it, able to rearrange them into different objects at will, such as making a flower from thin air.

Tjall the Reckless:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tjall_7554.png
The nephew of Arghun and a great archer, he travelled to Qa with Thorgal and Aaricia to rescue his uncle and Jolan. Because of his infatuation with Kriss, he abandoned Thorgal - only to later redeem himself and die while saving him.

  • Beware the Silly Ones: Is scatter-brained, a bit clumsy and easily swayed by a pretty face... and almost as lethal an archer as Thorgal.

Tjahzi:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tjahzi_3603.png
Being the youngest and bravest of dwarfs, he was sent by the dwarf king Ivaldir to seek the non-existing metal which was to be given to Nidhogg in exchange for Ivaldir's name, and young Thorgal helped him to fulfil the task by giving him the screw from outside the Earth and joining him in his journey.

Vigrid:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/vigrid_1423.png
A minor deity and the messenger of Odin. He was helped by young Aaricia after being blinded by Hrun the giant during his journey to Midgard, and later returned the favour.

Darek:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/darek_5696.png
A Svear boy, the brother of Lehla and a friend of Jolan. He met Jolan when they were both enslaved and joined him in escape. He settled in Arachnopolis to stay with his beloved Siloe.

Lehla:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lehla_9036.png
A Svear girl, the sister of Darek and the love interest of Jolan, rescued from prison by Darek and Jolan. She came to live in Arachnopolis along with Darek.

  • Betty and Veronica: probably, in a way, to Kriss' Veronica in a future album.
  • The Bus Came Back: She reappears seven albums after "The Blue Evil" and still seems to have strong feelings for Jolan.
  • Put on a Bus: Stayed behind in Arachnopolis along with her brother and Jolan's dog, much to Jolan's grief.

    Thorgal's enemies 

Kriss of Valnor:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kriss_2113.png
The daughter of the evil warlock Kahaniel of Valnor and Olgava, a peasant girl, she loves and hates Thorgal at the same time. During Thorgal's divinely induced amnesia she made him believe that she was his wife, which was why he spent three years at her side under the name of Shaigan, leading a fleet of pirates. She was the mother of Aniel. She died covering the retreat of a wounded Thorgal and his family. In the spin-off it is revealed that she had a Dark and Troubled Past, including Rape as Backstory and then Roaring Rampage of Revenge.

  • Depraved Bisexual: She's in love with Thorgal, but she has no problem whatsoever with groping Aaricia's breasts in the bathtub — a twisted provocation: Kriss knows that Aaricia hates her guts, but also needs Kriss and her fighting skills to get her and Aaricia's children to safety. Kriss later enjoys a more loving relationship with Princess Hildebrun.
  • Easily Forgiven: Jolan's attitude towards Kriss changes a lot over the series. He initially despises her. In "Ogotai's Crown", his future self even throttles her while shouting he should have killed her for what she did to his family. Kriss responds by fatally stabbing him in the gut. Seven albums later, he has developed a reluctant respect for her bravery and perseverance and in the fourth Kriss album he not only expresses relief to see her alive, but also enters into an arranged marriage with her to cement his claim to the Vikings' throne.
  • Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Her only friend Sigwald, Thorgal (whom she loves to hate) and her son Aniel.
  • Heel–Face Revolving Door: After her resurection, she's not allowed to kill anybody and thus became more sympathetic helping Brunhild. However, after the latter's death and once the Walkyries allow her to kill again, she takes the throne and goes back to her former self.
  • Light Feminine and Dark Feminine: to Aaricia's Light.
  • Thou Shalt Not Kill: After being resurrected, she's forbidden to kill any kind of living being, not even a fish.

Gandalf the Mad:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gandalf_2994.png
The father of Aaricia and the king of the Vikings of the North. In his youth he was quite a warrior, but later became a cruel, greedy and paranoid ruler. He usurped the throne after the death of Leif Haraldsson, the foster father of Thorgal.

  • Heel–Face Turn: He accepted Thorgal as his son-in-law after the latter spared his life.
  • Kick The Son Of A Bitch: He kept Slive a prisoner for 10 years. The same Slive who enslaved an entire people and captured all the sailors unlucky enough to be found by her ship to force them to work in her coal mines.
  • Predecessor Villain: For Bjorn.
  • The Starscream: Was this to Leif Haraldsson, going so far as trying to have him killed under the guise of a sacrifice to the gods during the storm which culminated in Leif and the others finding an infant Thorgal. Afterwards was content to wait for Haraldsson's death, following which he usurped the latter's power.
  • Sudden Sequel Death Syndrome: By the time of The Black Galley, Jorund succeeded him.
  • Ungrateful Bastard: Hated and persecuted a young Thorgal throughout his life, even though it was the light beacon of baby-Thorgal's capsule that guided him and the other survivors of Leif Haraldsson's expedition to safety through a raging storm. Then there was the time a young Thorgal saved Aaricia from falling to her death (in "Odin's Mountain")... Then again, he was known as "The Mad" for a reason.

Bjorn:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bjorn_9929.png
The only son of Gandalf and thus Aaricia's elder brother.

  • Big Brother Bully: For Aaricia. He gleefully taunts her about Thorgal's impending death when he hears that he left the village following Leif Haraldsson's funeral.
  • Child Soldiers: Challenged Thorgal to the "Holmganga" duel when they were both kids, as part of a plot by Gandalf to get rid of Thorgal legally.
  • Incest Subtext: He hates Thorgal because he's close to his sister...
  • Kids Are Cruel: Was this towards Thorgal when they were children, both as a result of his father's hatred of Thorgal and his own resentment at Thorgal being so close to Aaricia.
  • My Little Panzer: For Gandalf.
  • A Real Man Is a Killer: Firmly believes this, which is yet another reason why he hates the far more peaceful Thorgal.
  • Royal Brat: In contrast to his sister, who never really cared much about her title.
  • Sibling Yin-Yang: The bad elder sibling to Aaricia's good younger one.
  • Spoiled Brat: Used to having his way on account of being the king's son and heir.

Slive:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/slive_6026.png
A descendant of the Star People, she was known among the Vikings as the evil sorceress from the Island of Frozen Seas. She forced the native inhabitants of the island to work in her coal mines in order to gain energy necessary for the maintenance of the starship, but her main goal was to repopulate the Star People by marrying Thorgal with her daughter. Kidnapped and imprisoned by Gandalf, she sought her revenge on him with the help of Thorgal and returned to her fortress for the rest of her life.

  • Broken Bird: Her terrible experiences in her life left her this.
  • Canine Companion: Her wolf.
  • Dark and Troubled Past: Was part of the Atlantean expedition that crash-landed on Earth, most of her surviving companions either perished from disease or were killed in the shipwreck (except for Varth), and she was captured by Gandalf-The-Mad and held prisoner in a tower for many years, losing one of her eyes in the process.
  • Driven to Suicide: When her daughter is killed.
  • Emotionless Girl: Her years of suffering have arguably made her into this.
  • Evil Redhead: For a given degree of 'evil.'
  • Eyepatch of Power: Courtesy of losing one of her eyes to an enraged Gandalf, many years previously.
  • Ice Queen: Both in personality and almost literally, as she rules over the Inuits in the far north.
  • I Want Grandkids: Wanted Thorgal to be her daughter's mate.
  • Last of His Kind: Is one of the last surviving Atlanteans on Earth, along with Thorgal, Varth and Xargos.

Volsung of Nichor:

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/volsung_9004.png
One of Aaricia's suitors during the adventure in Aran. Defeated by Thorgal, he spent a long time in the void. He was rescued from there by Nidhogg, who magically gave him Thorgal's looks and made him seduce the Key Guardian in order to steal from her the magical belt - but he failed to bring the belt to Nidhogg and, as a result, was changed into a frog.

Nidhogg:

A powerful, mythological monster creature, which Thorgal dared to go against in his youth with the help of the goddess Frigg. Based on Níðhöggr from Norse mythology.


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