A kenning is just another kind of metaphor. It is a usual feature of Old English and Old Norse literature such as Beowulf.
Swirling surf means it resembles fire.
Wave-floater simply means ship.
Evil-doer refers to a villain.
Life-evil is a dragon.
A dragon-slayer is a person that successfully slayed a dragon.
A war trooper's leader is the head of a group of warriors fighting war/s.
Chief of strangers may refer to a person so mysterious or a wanderer. Horrible hermit refers to a person who stays at home and avoids people.
A devil from hell refers to an extremely evil person.
