Chief among the gods, although newer in comparison to the older Vanir, are the Æsir. Their name derives from the word Óss/Áss, or ‘god’, and defines their role in the Nine Worlds. The word is used to signify a place, person or thing as being ‘divine’ and used by the gods.
Examples of this are Ás-Brú, or ‘rainbow’ (‘Gods’ Bridge’), and Ása-Thor, or ‘Thor of the Æsir’. The peoples of Germania and the Nine Worlds designate many things around them as being
and, eventually, gave them a world of their own, Jötunheimr, so they could dwell and not threaten Oðin’s reign.
These early victories were not his only ones to be remembered, for he accomplished many other deeds, each gaining him hid- den secrets and powers no one else in the universe was privy to. One of which was the sacrifice of his left eye at Mimír’s Well under Yggdrasil to gain the wisdom of the Ages. This wis- dom prepared the Allfather for knowing all there is to know in the manner of common sense, proper cause of action and more. In disguise, Oðin saw the sorrow and troubles that the gods and men will suffer through the loss of his eye. He knew instantly this and gained the vision of the future and prepared. Thousands of years of experience were gained in that one sacrifice, but this was not his only sacrifice.
The loss of his eye and its wisdom was for his own personal gain, with little to impart to the peoples of the Nine Worlds, but it was his self-sacrifice, pierced by his own spear, Gungnir, upon Yggdrasil for nine days and nights that Oðin discovered the secrets of the runes. This brought the magic that holds the universe together out from its hidden place and enabled the peoples of the Nine Worlds to share in it.
In his many adventures, he would take on many guises (gaining him most of his other names) to get what he wanted from giants, gods and men. Through his adventures, he was able to acquire many magical weapons, items and bring a large family into the Nine Worlds. With his wife Frigg, he had many sons, but these were not his only children. Oðin lusted after many beautiful giant and human women and, by deception, sought them out. He rules from three halls primarily: Valhöll (where he draws in the souls of the BattleSlain, the Einherjar), Gladsheim and Valaskjálf. He sits atop Yggdrasil in his high seat, Hliðskjálf, above the Nine Worlds where he watches over everything that passes and transpires in the universe. If he really wants to see it, nothing escapes his gaze. Hliðskjálf sits atop the silver roofed hall of Valaskjálf with his two ravens, Huginn and Muginn (Thought and Memory).
Huginn and Muginn fly about the Nine Worlds, gathering information about everything and everyone that concerns the gods and the stability of the Universe and then return to his seat above Yggdrasil. Although he relies on them for their data, Oðin does dread that someday the two ravens will not return. Usually, they follow where ever their master goes and are al- ways present with him in portrayals and artwork.
Among his other animals are his two wolves, Geri and Freki, that sit by him on his throne and hunt for him. They are forever ravenous and fierce by nature, so fierce that the Bererkers in Germania idolize and try to emulate them when they go into the rage and frenzy (See Berserker character class in Chapter 6). It is both an honor and a shame to be torn apart and devoured touched and influenced by the Æsir in Ásgarðr, the highest
world on Yggdrasil’s dark trunk.
This large family of gods and goddesses are the result of the efforts of their founder and leader, Oðin Allfather. They are kin to him and his wife, Frigg, who rule from their thrones in the gold guilt halls of Ásgarðr. Since Ymir’s slaying and the Æsir-Vanir War, the Æsir won supreme control of the universe, uncontested since their victories. By blood, many of the Vanir are now considered a part of the Æsir and included in gatherings, feasts and other functions as family.
To the Saxons, they are called the Ōs, and among the Goths, they are called the Anses, but to all of the peoples of Germania, they were the same – powerful and capable of great feats no one else could ever achieve and worthy of respect and fear. The Æsir took no time to gain superiority over mankind, but they did struggle at times to dominate the giants.
Twelve gods rule among the Æsir and fourteen goddesses,with many others that are distantly related and connected by remote means in this pantheon. The first three gods are Oðin, Vili and Vé, each a state of mind and spirituality (manic/frenzied, conscious desire and the sacred and numinous).
Once a year, the gods gather in a large feast to partake in a special event that enables them to continue possessing their powers and immortality. Each year, this is done and with heavy ritual to make sure the gods do not lose their special divine traits. If one element is lost in this, the gods may never regain the divine powers that set them apart from the rest of the Nine Worlds. It isn’t impossible that the giants and the other enemies of the gods have plotted to deny or sabotage this special ceremony to disable and weaken them.
Listed are the twenty-six Æsir, their details and their roles in the universe and among the gods themselves are explained. Those listed are according to the Gylfaginning in the Prose Edda of Snori Sturluson from the 13th century in Iceland. After them are included more deities and not-so- positive entities such as the giants, monsters and wizards that are divine in their own right.
o
ðiNa
lföðrHe is Woden to the peoples of Germania and Oðin to the tribes of Scandza. One of the three Sons of Borr, born from an ancestry of giants, he initiated the uprising from the do- minion of the cruel and brutal Jötnar. Famously, the Sons of Borr conspired and slew Ymir and, by Oðin’s vision of things to come, constructed the universe and its Nine Worlds from the slain giant’s corpse.
Oðin was quick to victory and aggressive in his progression from architect of the universe to master of all. He brought war to the giants and put them in their place through many battles
usually too late when people discover that they have been de- ceived or met him. One result of his cunning and clever guises was obtaining the Mead of Poetry (‘Skáldskapar Mjaðar’), a drink that turns its drinker into a skald or scholar. This mead was given to the rest of the Æsir and to those gifted in poetry as his gift. Those so blessed or gifted are said to be handed the ‘Rhymester’s Share.’
Another gift from the Sons of Ivaldi is the magical ring Draupnir. It is capable of reproducing itself each ninth night. Rings will drip like hot wax from the metal and form nine more rings for Oðin to use in his oaths. His oath bound, whether in Ásgarðr, Miðgarðr, or any other world, the ring bearers must keep to their vows. Breaking Oðin’s oath is the worst thing to do in the universe, for his wrath and justice will be swift or devious.
In the arts of war, he is without equal, only barely rivaled by one of his own sons, Týr. Oðin can fire twenty arrows in one pull of the string, cause armies to be held by invisible means (‘fetters’) and storm through forces as though they were air. His frenzied manner can be cast over others, sending them into a berserk state, or stripped from them at a whim if it suits him. Oðin Alföðr’s presence in a battle would be a mixed blessing for all sides to the conflict. His spear, Gungnir, was forged by the Dvergar Sons of Ivaldi and the master smith Dvalin, its wood taken from the wood of Yggdrasil and its head covered in runes. The weapon can hit any target it is aimed at with precision and return to him in a flash.
Grim is his inclusion into any battle or war, especially if it is one that he himself started. Grimmer still is his knowledge through his visions about his own fate at the clawed and toothed fury of the devil wolf Fenrir once Ragnarök occurs. He placed the many safeguards to hold the spawn of Loki in Niflheimr even though he has knowledge of the many events that must transpire before Fenrir is freed.
Oðin Alföðr leads the Wild Hunt (‘Wuotis Heer’) at certain times in the year, during certain holidays and, more often, at random. His hunt is followed by a fierce storm and is a crowded affair involving many beings, monsters and spirits. The Wild Hunt is always in the forests, rarely elsewhere, and follows designated paths and roads and will not deviate or change direction for any one thing. Woe be it to those who lie in his path during these hunts on those nights. For more information on Oðin’s Wild Hunt, see The Wild Hunt in Chapter 6.
The triple joined symbol called Hrungnishjarta’, or ‘Hrungnir’s Heart’, represents Oðin’s fate intertwined with the Nine Worlds. Each is a triangle weaved in another with all three together in one chain. Each corner of each triangle represents one of the Nine Worlds in the universe. Oðin places this symbol on his armor, spear and his halls. To see it reminds the viewer of the Nine Worlds and Oðin’s dominion over them all.
by Geri and Freki, if they are sent from the Allfather. Their pres- ence in the Nine Worlds is rare but not impossible to witness. Prized and just as heavily relied on is Oðin’s eight legged steed, Slepnir. Considered the ‘best of horses,’ this spawn of Loki and Angrboða is often described as being ‘wolf-like’ and stronger than any steed in the Nine Worlds. Slepnir is the Alfather’s only mount of choice to ride into battle or across the Nine Worlds. This magical horse has many spawn of its own ridden by kings and heroes, some sharing aspects of its powers and others possessing nothing more than a vitality and virility that can only be seen as divine. On its own, Slepnir is formidable in battle and cannot be outran or bettered and, with Oðin, is unstoppable. Oðin will more often cause wars and great battles for his own personal benefit, much to the despair of those who must fight it. Sometimes it is for his own enjoyment and others to achieve some hidden plan, but he will throw his spear, Gungnir, over the peoples he wishes to instigate the furious change of affairs. This act is emulated by the peoples of the Nine Worlds who want to tell their foes to expect conflict.
Another side to his behavior is being the master of deception and trickery. Oðin will take another disguise or form, if it suits his needs, to get what he seeks from others. He does this to not reveal what his aims are to his own family of gods or the Vanir and certainly not the giants who always seek to find his faults and weaknesses.
Sacrifices are made to Oðin Alföðr by his loyal worshippers during the many Blt celebrations across the Nine Worlds. War- riors will dedicate their slain enemies up to him for blessings and recognition, and commanders and captains aspire to have his presence of influence in their forces during war. Death by a spear is the preferred method to sacrifice an animal or person to Oðin. In battle, it is a part of the turmoil and clatter to be expected in death by a spear, but even a warrior denied such a fate would find a way to perish by a spear’s blade to be sent to Valhöll and be in the god’s company.
The Allfather’s temperament is dodgy, however. At times he will show great compassion and concern for his peoples, but at others, he will be foul-tempered and cruel, making his consis- tency doubtful. Oðin is a master of cunning and will not stop using his wiles until he obtains whatever it is he seeks from others. One would think that such demands would be so simple for the Allfather of All, but he does so for reasons only known to him. Moody and brooding, Oðin seems accursed with his wisdom of the Ages, gained from the loss of his eye, but he does what is needed to see the realization and reality to those endless visions in his head.
Oðin travels among the peoples of the Nine Worlds in his many guises and forms to spy and stir them up toward whatever ends he desires (See ‘Oðin’s Many Names’ in Chapter 7). It is
Thor’s many names are Ásabragr (‘Æsir Lord’), Ása-Thor (‘Æsir Thor’), Atli (‘The Terrible’), Björn (‘Bear’), Einriði/ Eindriði (‘The One who rides/rules alone’), Ennilangr (‘The One with a Wide Forehead’), Harðvéurr (‘The Strong Archer’), Hlriði (‘The Loud Rider’), k-Þor (‘Cart/Driving Thor’), Rymr (‘Noise’), Sönnungr (‘The True One’), Véþormr (‘Pro- tector of the Shrine’), Véuðr (‘Hallower’), Véurr (‘Guard of the Shrine’), and VingÞrr (‘Battle-Thor’).
The peoples of Scandinavia and Germania have praised his name for as long as Oðin’s and will continue to do so until even after the Great Winter and Ragnarök have come. Thor will pro- tect and defend the peoples of the Nine Worlds and slay giants for as long as he can and champion them against all evils.
b
aldrHe is the second son of Oðin Alfölðr and the most fair and shining of them. Baldr glows with beauty, and his bravery is unmatched, even among the other Æsir. Baldr’s skill as a warrior would be first and foremost within their ranks if his younger brother, Týr, hadn't been born.
Part of his bravery is due to his invincibility since birth. No nor- mal iron can harm him in anyway over his body. Any arrow, spear or other weapon cast, swung or lunged at Baldr would either miss or bounce off of him entirely because of his nature. Added to this is his well spoken manners and words and wise judgements among the Æsir. His council is welcomed by the other gods. His hall, Breiðablik, is one of the most gleaming and fair in Ásgarðr and is where his family dwells. His wife is Nanna and one of the more famous of his offspring is Forseti. Because of his beauty and unusual wisdom (inherited from his father), most of the gods are jealous of him in some way. His hall is a place of purity where no evil can dwell or be present, or it will be consumed into fire.
If his perfection wasn’t already overwhelming, Baldr also pos- sesses a great ship, Hringhorni – a ship so wondrous and beautiful that none others in the Nine Worlds can compare. Golden and white, Hringhorni is the finest designed sea vessel ever made and can travel between the worlds with ease and hold Baldr’s court and family.
Unfortunately, Baldr’s fate is woven into the sword of the troll Miming, Mistletoe – his one weakness. The sword was forged by the master smith Völundr for another but ended up in the hands of the troll. The time has yet to come when the sword will be used by Höðr, one of Baldr’s brothers, in a plot devised by Loki to have him slain over the hand of Nanna. This will begin the slow process of Ragnarök when it occurs. Baldr has been denied knowledge of his own fate and how it revolves around the final battle between gods and giants.
T
horHe is the first son of Oðin and a famous slayer of giants with his Dvergar forged hammer, Mjölnir, a weapon that can turn mountains to rubble and dust. Thor is a mighty, supernaturally strong, red-haired, bearded warrior. His strength does not match his already intimidating height but is equal to or greater than any giant’s.
He is a friend of mankind and spends much of his free time in Miðgarðr and Mannheimr among humans. When he is not, he is hunting down and slaying the defiant and troublesome giants in the Nine Worlds, righting their wrongs as he goes, and aiding his father, the Allfather.
Where Thor goes, storms are sure to follow him. Lightning and fierce winds and rain escort his arrival or departure. Giants fear his many names when heard, afraid he will arrive any minute to shatter their skulls by his hammer.
His three most prized possessions are the Járngreipr (‘Iron Griper’) gauntlets, Megingjörð (‘Power Belt’) and Mjölnir (‘Crusher’). These combined more than double his mighty strength to a level that few giants or gods can rival. Thor also owns a staff, Gríðarvölr, a chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir (‘Snarler’) and Tanngnjóstr (‘Teeth Grinder’), and three halls of his own to rule over as Prince of the Æsir. His wife is Sif, the goddess over wheat and the Rowan, from whom he had several prodigious children with. Like his father, he also has had many lovers in his years and other children from them along the way. One lover was a Jötun named Járnsaxa, the most unusual and unlikely of races he would be involved with intimately.
Thor’s doom will come, as foreseen by his father and the Norns, after the time of Ragnarök by the coils and fangs of the Jörmangandr. As with all of the Æsir, he knows of his fate if the final battle occurs between the gods and giants, but he does not cower or show fear, only an urgency to complete his many tasks before that time.
Among the gods and other beings in the Nine Worlds, his appetite is massive. He can eat and drink the supplies empty himself, if given a chance. His two goats can be slain and eaten whole by Thor and others and restored to full life the next day with a touch from his hammer. So long as he does not break or lose a bone, the goats will return intact. Otherwise, defects will show from the sloppy and clumsy handling of the animals. As with many of the Æsir, he has had many adventures in the