Egil (brother of Volund)

Egil appears within the Volund/Weyland cycle as one of three brothers—commonly named Slagfinn, Egil, and Volund—sometimes described as sons of a Finn-king. He features in the Old Norse poem Volundarkviða and in saga redactions (e.g., Thidreks saga) and related continental Germanic material. The narrative episodes situate him at the court of the king Niðhad/Nidung, where trials and captivity of Volund prompt Egil's deeds, including compelled marksmanship and the shooting of birds to supply feathers for Volund's crafted wings.

The sources do not give an extended physical portrait; Egil is principally identified by role. He is referred to by epithet as an archer and is associated with archery equipment and arrows. No consistent clothing or stature descriptions are preserved in the provided materials.

Egil's primary attributed skill is exceptional archery: he is ordered to shoot an apple from a boy's head in a courtly test and readies extra arrows (a motif attested in the sources). He shoots birds and collects their feathers, which Volund uses to fashion wings to escape captivity. He functions as a loyal fraternal ally whose martial skill assists Volund's fortunes.