The Valhalla Nursing Home is a location in Alan Wake 2.
History[]
Background[]
The Valhalla Nursing Home was built in 1965 by an unknown architect for renowned Finnish filmmaker Thomas Zane and his partner Barbara Jagger, with the intention of it becoming the home for an artist's commune. However, in 1970, Barbara Jagger drowned in Cauldron Lake and Thomas Zane went down with Diver's Isle after the caldera erupted.
In 2014, Barry Wheeler purchased the building and it had remodeled into a care home for Tor and Odin Anderson of the the rock band Old Gods of Asgard after the completion of their farewell tour. Barry left Bright Falls before the remodeling was complete, after which the contractors abandoned their work and fled with the money. This caused the roof work to not be completed and would leak when it rained. After its opening, Oh Deer Diner waitress Rose Marigold and Russian immigrant Vladimir Blum became employees of the facility.
More elderly residents were moved into the home over the years, including Pat Maine and Cynthia Weaver. After 2019, an interdimensional being named Ahti, appearing as an aged Finnish man, became a resident and janitor of the facility as well.
Staff[]
- Harry
- Karn Helen
- Rose Marigold
- Vladimir Blum
Residents[]
Layout[]
In 2023, the Valhalla Nursing Home consists of the manor, the wellness center, and a fenced garden area with two gazebos and a central pond.
The manor is home to residents and has three floors and a basement. The 1st floor has Rose's office, a rec room, lounge, main hall, drawing room, dining room, and stage. The 2nd floor is home to Pat Maine, Donna, Tor, and Odin, as well as a lounge, a trophy room, and the Old Gods of Asgard Museum. The 3rd floor is home to Ahti, Mandy-May, Norman, Gail, and Cynthia Weaver, as well as a door marked with a spiral symbol. The basement houses the laundry room, the boiler room, a workspace, and storage.
The Wellness Center is a nearby one-floor building for patients to receive medical attention. The medical-centric areas of the facility include a ward reception area, examination rooms, patient rooms, a dispensary, and a spacious rehabilitation room. Additionally, there is a staff lounge, a security room, a workshop, an office, a kitchen, a dining hall, and several restrooms.
Alan Wake 2[]
Return 3: Local Girl[]
During Saga's initial visit to Watery, she crossed paths with employees and several nursing home residents. Vladimir is near the bus, while inside Suomi Hall, Rose, Mandy-May, and Donna gather to watch Ahti singing on stage. Nearby, Norman can be found outside of the sauna. Lastly, Saga encounters Tor and Odin, drinking moonshine at the trailer park.
Return 5: Old Gods[]
After being dismissed by the FBC, Saga ventured to the Valhalla Nursing Home to visit the Andersons. By the time she arrived, The Dark Presence had already claimed several lives. Both Cynthia Weaver and Gail had been turned into Taken. Vladimir was killed, with his lifeless body left in the basement. Tor had been moved to the wellness center, having fallen under Cynthia's control, while Odin was left immobilized and confined to his bed.
The other residents were throughout the manor, with Rose, Ahti, Norman, and Mandy-May occupying the first floor. Pat Maine recorded his radio show in his room while Donna exercised in hers. Should Saga attempt to open the door marked with a spiral symbol, Ahti will appear behind her, warning "Getting in is forbidden, for your own safety," before moving to his bed.
As Saga's exploration continued, the threat of the Taken continued to grow. Cynthia dragged Tor into an Overlap within the pond, with Rose protesting from the water's edge. To help combat the Dark Presence, Rose would provide Saga with her keyfob, while Ahti would advise Saga on how to restore power. Meanwhile, the remaining residents, Pat, Norman, Mandy-May, and Donna, had relocated to a well-illuminated rally point on the porch.
After Saga entered the Overlap, defeated Cynthia, and rescued Tor, the immediate area was restored. The pond's water receded, and most residents returned to what they were doing before.
Return 8: Deerfests[]
Upon his return to The Dark Place, Alan would recognize the round windows of the Writer's Room in a photo of the Valhalla Nursing Home on the back cover of Return. Glimpses of Alice would first guide Alan to the wellness center, only to be interrupted by Scratch. In his attempt to escape from Scratch, Rose would emerge as Alan's savior, providing a safe haven within the well-illuminated manor. Upstairs, Ahti would unlock the door marked with a spiral symbol, granting Alan access to the Writer's Room. Alan would enter to continue his writing and bring this story to a conclusion.
Documents[]
First Floor: Hallway[]
The following is a dedication plaque found in the main hallway.
Appearance | Transcript |
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![]() Dedication Plaque |
The Valhalla Nursing Home was established in 2014 by the Old Gods Foundation. Originally built in 1965 by an unknown architect for the Finnish filmmaker Thomas Zane, this manor is steeped in artistic history. I met Odin and Tor Anderson in 2012, in a strange trip that resulted in strange new friendships. I was honored to manage their band as they made their comeback, touring the country and producing revolutionary new music. However, all good things must come to an end. |
First Floor: Rose's Office[]
The following are found displayed on shelves, alongside photos and Alan Wake memorabilia.
Appearance | Transcript |
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![]() Rose's Shrine to Alan Wake |
WAKE UP! Alan Wake's crime novels have become the sensation of the nation! Join us as we flip through the pages of the man behind the books! |
I was wondering if you could help me [longing internally] | |
ALAN WAKE: THE BAD BOY OF FICTION Bestselling Author Sets a Feisty New Tone for Writers | |
WHERE IS ALAN WAKE? Mystery Writer Mysteriously Disappears |
Second Floor: Old Gods of Asgard Museum[]
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Appearance | Transcript |
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![]() Old Gods of Asgard Hall of Fame |
TRASHED HOTEL ROOMS AND RUINEDPOOLS Crowds Go Wild for The Old Gods of Asgard Ragnarok Tour |
"ROCK MUSIC IS THE ANCIENT LANGUAGE OF THE SOUL", MUSES OLD GODS OF ASGARD'S LEAD SINGER I sit down with the Anderson Brothers of Old Gods of Asgard fame in the lobby of a rundown hotel somewhere in downtown Detroit.
Currently on their Ragnarok hit tour, the busy band members have only a moment to spare to a fledgling journalist and his questions before running off to the soundcheck for their concert tonight. | |
OLD GODS OF ASGARD BAND MEMBER DEAD The legendary heavy rock band Old Gods of Asgard mourns the loss of their divinely talented guitarist Bob Balder. "Fat" Bob, as he was affectionately and ironically called, died from complications of a severe illness. Leaving his bandmates Odin and Tor Anderson behind, the peace-loving musician will be sorely missed, also by the band's numerous fans. |
Second Floor: Odin's Room[]
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Appearance | Transcript |
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![]() Odin's Writings |
THE SEA OF NIGHT To drink from the cup of the wise one |
WHERE DID I PUT THE EYE Before time - I gave it to Mimir to drink from the well of wisdom (the cauldron) |
Basement[]
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Appearance | Transcript |
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![]() Note on Fuses |
Rose spare fuses now locked away because someone (Ahti!!!!) Keeps stealing them. Code is in the laundry room. |
![]() House of Zane Article |
HOUSE OF ZANE: RENOWNED FILMMAKER ESTABLISHES ARTIST COMMUNE IN BRIGHT FALLS Thomas Zane (born Thomas Seine in Finland) and his partner Barbara Jagger (born Baba Jakala in Finland) have recently established an artist commune here in Bright Falls. Mr. Zane has purchased the old manor house outside town and the couple has already settled in. |
Nursing Home Overlap[]
Placeholder text - preserve while the page is under construction.
Alex Casey Lunchboxes Case: Closed[]

Trivia[]
- Both instances of Odin "losing an eye" appear on manuscript pages
- "1976" refers to a page from Departure (manuscript), "The Anderson Brothers in the 70s"
- "1988" refers to a page from Return (manuscript), "Odin Loses An Eye"
- The Valhalla Nursing Home is a location in the game that subtly displays the conflict in narrative between reality and the changes wrought by Alan’s manuscripts.
- While the plaque in the entry hall states the building was built in 1965 for Finnish filmmaker Thomas Zane, there are a number of indicators the building is far, far older.
- The date "1887" is lettered on the roofline above the main entrance, which would be consistent with the manor's American Queen Anne style. Date marks like this often note a building of historical value.
- The brickwork in the basement is consistent with a coal-fired heating system - unlikely for a structure built in the 60's.
- A newspaper clipping in the basement indicates Thomas Zane had purchased "the old manor house outside town", which means the building existed well before his and Barbara's arrival in Bright Falls.
- The nursing home's exterior, as well as some interior elements like Cynthia's bathtub, was inspired by the historic Flavel House in Astoria, Oregon. Coincidentally, the 1887 date above the main entrance was when the Flavel house was completed.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Barry Wheeler already had similarities to Emil Hartman, such as being the assistant to Alan Wake like Hartman was to Thomas Zane. Hartman opened the Cauldron Lake Lodge to house the troubled artists in Bright Falls, including the Anderson Brothers, similar to Barry. However, Barry opened the home out of pure altruism, whereas Hartman built it to use the artists under his control to shape the world in his image via the power of Cauldron Lake.
Gallery[]
Newspaper Clippings[]
Tor's Newspaper Clippings[]
Rose's Shrine[]
References[]
- ↑ Departure (manuscript), "The Anderson Brothers in the 70s"
- ↑ Return (manuscript), "Odin Loses An Eye"