The berserkers or werebears are barbarian figures from Norse mythology and Viking-era history, famously known as a ferocious warrior who fought with such uncontrollable rage that they were said to enter a trance-like fury, immune to pain and fear. The word berserker likely comes from Old Norse: “ber” meaning bear and “serkr” meaning shirt, possibly translating to “bear-shirt”—a reference either to warriors who wore bear skins or to the idea that they became bears in battle.
Einar is s a berserker
Berserkers were elite fighters believed to have served Norse kings and chieftains as shock troops.
They would charge into battle howling, biting their shields, and showing superhuman strength and endurance.
Some accounts suggest they fought without armor, relying on their rage and divine protection.
They were said to be possessed by animal spirits—especially bears or wolves—granting them the power and rage of the beast.
A state of uncontrollable fury or trance, often described in sagas as “going berserk.”
During berserkergang warriors:
Could feel no pain
Were impervious to wounds
Became immune to fire or steel
Would slaughter indiscriminately, sometimes unable to distinguish friend from foe
After the furies passed, they were often left exhausted or weakened, sometimes for days:
Berserkers may have undergone rituals or consumed substances (possibly hallucinogens like fly agaric mushrooms) to induce their state.
They were possibly shamans or cultic warriors, channeling animalistic or divine powers.
Related figures include the ulfheðnar, warriors associated with wolves rather than bears.
