Hermod

Hermóðr (Old Norse: [ˈhermˌoːðz̠], "war spirit"; anglicized as Hermod) is a figure from Norse mythology, the son of the god Odin and the brother of Baldr. He is often considered the messenger of the gods.

Attestations

Prose Edda
Hermóðr appears prominently in Section 49 of Gylfaginning in the Prose Edda. It describes how, after Baldr's death, the gods were speechless and devastated, unable to respond due to their immense grief. After recovering from the shock and mourning of Baldr's death, Frigg asked the Æsir who among them would gain "all their love and favor" by riding to Hel. The one who agreed would offer Hel a ransom in exchange for Baldr’s return to Asgard. Hermóðr agreed to this task and set off to Hel on Sleipnir.

For nine nights, Hermóðr rode on Odin’s horse Sleipnir through deep and dark valleys to the Gjöll bridge, covered with shining gold, which was guarded by the maiden Móðguðr, the "Battle-Rage" or "Battle-Weary." Móðguðr informed Hermóðr that Baldr had already crossed the bridge and that Hermóðr should ride down and northward.

When he reached the gates of Hel, Hermóðr dismounted, tightened Sleipnir's saddle, remounted, and spurred Sleipnir on, making him leap over the gates entirely. Hermóðr finally arrived at Hel’s hall and saw Baldr sitting on an honorable seat. Hermóðr pleaded with Hel to release Baldr, as the Æsir wept greatly for him. Hel declared that Baldr would only be freed if all things, both dead and alive, wept for him.

Baldr gave Hermóðr the ring Draupnir, which had been burned with him on his pyre, to take back to Odin. Nanna gave a linen garment for Frigg and other gifts, along with a finger ring for Fulla. Hermóðr then returned with his message.

In most manuscripts, Hermóðr is referred to as "son" of Odin, while in the version of the Codex Regius—which is generally considered the best manuscript—Hermóðr is referred to as sveinn Óðins ("Odin’s boy"), which likely means "Odin's servant" in this context. In a later passage, however, Hermóðr is called Baldr’s brother and also appears as a son of Odin in a list of Odin’s sons. See Sons of Odin.

Poetic Edda
The name Hermóðr seems to be applied to a mortal hero in the Hyndluljóð (stanza 2) from the Poetic Edda:

We seek the favor of the High Father,
To his followers, he gladly gives gold;
Hermóðr he gave a helmet and a chain-mail,
And Sigmund a sword as a gift.

Skaldic Poetry
In the skaldic poem Hákonarmál (stanza 14), Hermóðr and Bragi appear in Valhalla to receive Hákon the Good. It is unclear whether Hermóðr or Bragi is intended to be a god in this poem.

Beowulf
In the Old English poem Beowulf, Heremod is a Danish king who is driven into exile. In the Old English genealogies, Heremod is listed as a descendant of Sceafa and typically as the father of Scyld.