Ratatosk

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This image from a 17th century Icelandic manuscript shows Ratatoskr with a horn.

In Norse mythology, Ratatoskr (drilling tooth, sometimes Anglicized Ratatosk) is a Red Squirrel who runs up and down with messages in the world tree Yggdrasill and spreads gossip. In particular he ferried insults between the eagle at the top of Yggdrasill, and the dragon Níðhöggr beneath its roots.

[edit] Modern Appearances

Ratatosk makes a minor appearance in Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman comic book, as an accidental "midwife" to Thor in a story told by Loki. He also appears in Gaiman's novel American Gods.

Ratatosk also appears in Poul Anderson's Operation Luna. He is never seen, but his tracks are seen and his strength is mentioned.

In the (currently) Japan-release-only game, Shin Bokura No Taiyou: Gyakushuu no Sabata (which would have translated into Boktai 3), there is a major enemy named Ratatosk. This continues the trend in Boktai games where many characters, especially villains, get their names from the Norse mythology.

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