Scientific name -- Homo valkyria
Size -- human-sized
Diet -- doesn't eat, but drinks mead

The Valkyries were blonde, blue-eyed warrior maidens who assisted Odin by choosing which newly slain warriors would enter Valhalla. Here the chosen would fight each day and feast and drink each night in preparation for Ragnarok, when they would help defend Asgard in the final battle in which the gods would die. The Valkyries rode through the air in glistening armor and helped determine the victor of battles and the course of wars. The Valkyries also served Odin as messengers, and when they rode forth on such errands, their armor would sparkle, causing the strange atmospheric phenomena known as the Northern Lights.

The original Valkyries were Brynhild ("mail of battle"), Sigrun ("victory rune"), Kara, Mist, Skogul ("battle"), Prour ("power"), Herfjotur ("war fetter"), Raogrior ("god's peace"), Gunnr ("battle spear"), Skuld ("she who is becoming"), Sigrdrifa ("victory blizzard"), Svava, Hrist ("the shaker"), Skeggjold ("wearing a war axe"), Hildr ("battle"), Hlokk ("din of battle"), Goll ("battle cry"), Randgrior ("shield of peace"), Reginleif ("heritage of the gods"), Rota ("she who causes turmoil") and Gondul ("enchanted wand" or "Werewolf").

"On all sides saw I Valkyries assemble, Ready to ride to the ranks of the gods; Skuld bore the shield, and Skogul rode next, Guth, Hild, Gondul, and Geirskogul. Of Herjan's maidens the list have ye heard, Valkyries ready to ride o'er the earth." -- The Poetic Edda