Jötun

The jötun are a group of beings similar to gods in Norse mythology. The main difference is that jötun are usually more monstrous in appearance and/or personality. It should be noted that "monstrous" is more of an indication of a lack of human-ness than an actually negative characteristic.

Jötun should be reverse anthropomorphized - even behavior or motives that appear human-like should be approached as non-human.

The jötun often mingle and work with the Norse gods, and some may be seen as part of the Norse pantheon (such as Loki or Hel). However, they are, in many ways, outsiders to the Norse gods, who are properly called Æsir or Vanir

The frost and fire giants of Norse mythology are jötun, as are many of the mythological "monsters" that the Æsir battle - particularly Thor, Odin and Loki. The most famous of these are Loki's children, Fenrir and Jörmungandr, the world snake.