ASHES OF YGGRASIL

SHELTER FROM THE GODS

(Concept Phase)

In the wake of Ragnarök, the world lies broken. The gods are dead, the seas have swallowed the realms, and only the bold remain. Welcome to Shelter from the Gods a 3D generational world-builder set in a post-apocalyptic Norse universe. You are not merely managing a settlement. You are the architect of Yggdrasil itself.

Guide the World Tree's growth infinitely upwards into the heavens and downwards. Fuse the creative freedom of 3D construction with the strategic depth of a grand strategy game and the emotional investment of a dynasty sim. Three pillars define the experience:

  • Infinite Verticality: Yggdrasil expands both skyward and underground, creating a dual-layered construction challenge unlike anything in the genre.

  • Realm-Spanning Expansion: Physically grow Realm Roots into all Nine Realms, establishing Outposts and extracting exclusive resources from Jotunheim to Helheim.

  • Dynastic Legacy: Cultivate a Viking dynasty across generations. Every warrior's life achievements permanently shape the bloodline they leave behind.

Build an Infinite Sanctuary

The survival of your people depends entirely on the shelter you construct upon and within the infinite trunk of Yggdrasil. Your sanctuary is a living, breathing structure that expands in every direction — upward into the sky, and downward into the dangerous depths of the earth.


Key Features

  • Players construct and expand a sanctuary on and within the infinite trunk of Yggdrasil upward into the sky (branches, living quarters, production) and downward into the earth (three underground layers of increasing danger and reward).

  • Hexagonal turn-based combat system built on deterministic outcomes no RNG hit-chance. Featuring the Web of Wyrd (enemy intent visibility), Norse formations (Shield Wall, Boar's Snout), Holmgang duels, Valkyrie's Choice death mechanics, and Berserkergang.

  • Players grow Realm Roots from Yggdrasil into the Nine Realms, unlocking Outposts and exclusive resources. Each realm is gated behind an epic Discovery Quest chain with unique hazards and guardians

  • Every Viking is a living entity governed by the Seven Norse Virtues. Players cultivate a dynasty across generations, retiring legends to the Hall of Ancestors whose achievements permanently bless their bloodline descendants.

  • Ancient Knowledge is spent across four branches (Architectural, Martial, Mystical, Cultural) in a five-tier Tech Tree, with research speed driven by the Wisdom of assigned Vikings.

Join the Althingi Initiative

At Polar Region Games, we believe games are built with players, not just for them. Shelter from the Gods is developed hand-in-hand with our community through the Althingi Initiative — inspired by the ancient Icelandic assembly where great decisions were made together.

Join our Discord, participate in playtests, and help shape the fate of the Nine Realms. Your voice matters.

[Join our Discord]


Unlock the world anew

  • Spend Ancient Knowledge — earned through story quests, lore expeditions, and the wisdom of your Ancestors — in a five-tier Tech Tree with four specialization branches: Architectural, Martial, Mystical, and Cultural. Research is not instantaneous; Vikings must be assigned to the Rune Library, and the speed of discovery scales with their combined Wisdom. Some technologies are gated behind quest completion — you must encounter the Elves before you can research Alfheim Diplomacy.


  • Every Viking in your shelter is a living entity with a unique identity, governed by the Seven Norse Virtues: Valor, Cunning, Endurance, Wisdom, Craft, Leadership, and Fate. These are not abstract numbers each virtue directly shapes both how a warrior performs in the shelter and how they fight on the battlefield.

    Cultivate your dynasty across generations. Breed the next generation of warriors, retire legends to the Hall of Ancestors, and watch their lifetime achievements — quests completed, monsters slain, artifacts discovered — permanently bless their direct bloodline descendants. Each family line in your shelter becomes meaningfully distinct, carrying the weight of the choices made by those who came before.

  • Push massive Realm Roots from the trunk of Yggdrasil to bridge the gap between worlds. Each Root is a unique visual and mechanical extension of your sanctuary — ice for Jotunheim, obsidian with magma veins for Muspelheim, dark polished stone for Svartalfheim. Establish Outposts and unlock realm-exclusive resources that cannot be found anywhere else.

    Unlocking each realm requires completing an epic Discovery Quest chain — multi-stage missions with unique objectives, formidable guardians, and narrative consequences. Every realm brings its own battlefield hazards: cracking ice that collapses under weight in Jotunheim, lava vents that erupt every three rounds in Muspelheim, and the Death Mist of Helheim that drains health from any warrior who lingers too long.