Standing tall, with a mighty chest and ruddy cheeks, Njal was an imposing figure; he was a giant of a man with massive shoulders and long, heavily muscled arms. He had a head of curly golden hair streaked with gray and a short trimmed beard to match on his heavy jaw. Like other Æsir, he had fair skin and blue eyes.
 
Njal was an Æsir jarl (cheiftan), who lead a band of raiders "known and feared on the wintry borders between Asgard and Hyperborea".  Njal was also a woodsman, born and bred, and an expert hunter. 
 
Njal died in battle with Vammatar's Legions of the Dead. 
He was survived by his daughter, Rann.