The transcendant AI known as YGGDRASIL has no known origin. It predates the existance of the Ymir by thousands of years. When the Asgardr happened upon it through the psionic Volvas, it was discovered to lead through the Ginnungagap (hyperspace) to other worlds. This computer network allows communication between worlds and eases travel for starships by use of augeries to detect its signal while in transit. Odin's family has a hereditary duty to maintain the AI, and does so currently by a contract with NORN, the Asgardr technical and medical service. YGGDRASIL has its own sentinels, however, the Ratatosk patrol the spacelanes and man the AI's terminals. They have done so for thousands of years. What little they have had to day on the matter suggests that YGGDRASIL caused them to come into being.

YGGDRASIL has hinted that he is not the only AI left from his creator's age of the universe. He declines to elaborate, despite attempts to appease him.

Of all the devices connected to YGGDRASIL, two are of special interest, BIFROST and Mimir's Well.