Njord
Legacy Name: Crag That Casts Long Shadows

Name: Njord
God of: The Sea, Wind, Wealth, Fishermen
Aliases: Hadingus
Race: Vanir and Aesir
Gender: Male
Alignment: True Good
Age: Ancient, but appears to be in his fifties.
Sexuality: Straight
Halls: Noatún(in Asgard)
Magical Items: Tridents, fishing equipment

It was always Nerthus.

Njord was born to two Vanir deities who faded away to nothingness shortly after. He was the twin of Nerthus, and he loved her more than anything else. The two felt they were meant to be together always.

There were only a handful of Vanir in those early days, but Njord only had eyes for Nerthus, and she for him. They were a power couple, made of sand and sea, and powerful in magic. So they were made the leaders of the Vanir.

In this golden age of growth and prosperity, Njord and Nerthus had twins of their own(Freyr and Freyja). Neither of them were surprised when they caught Freyr and Freyja together. Instead they encouraged the two to marry. Soon enough they were blessed with a granddaughter, Zisa.

But soon they learned of the Aesir. The Vanir had many meetings discussing the Aesir. Njord learned the Aesir were getting offerings and tribute from the mortals in Midgard. Every meeting came to the result of “let them be”. The Aesir didn’t bother them, so why bother the Aesir?

It was headstrong and curious Freyja that broke that. She went missing for many weeks. It was not uncommon for her to travel the realms, so Njord didn’t think much of it. But when she finally returned and told him she had gone to see what the Aesir were like, everything changed.

Njord learned that Freyja spoke up about the tributes, saying that the Vanir were just as important and powerful as the Aesir and so deserved respect and tribute as well. What happened next made Njord’s blood boil. The Aesir called her gold-greedy and burned her alive… not once, or even twice, but three times! Had she not been so powerful in her magic, his little girl might have died!

Now when they met with the other Vanir to discuss the Aesir, they spoke of war.

The war lasted for centuries, neither side gaining victory over the other. Finally they agreed to meet and discuss a truce. Njord said they would not accept anything short of half the offerings and tributes the Aesir received from Midgard.

Odin, leader of the Aesir, pondered on it for quite some time then suggested Freyja marry him and he would give her half those slain in battle. Freyr was quick to object, Njord right on his heels. After how they treated Freyja they would not give her to them.

But Freyja was a woman of her own, and said she would agree to it only if she got the first pick of the slain. Odin agreed. But Freyr loved his sister and wanted to ensure the Aesir did not harm her once they got her over there, and so demanded to go as well. Nerthus felt the same and begged Njord to go with to ensure their only children were treated well. After much discussion it was agreed that Freyr and Njord would both go with, and that the Aesir needed to send two of their own to the Vanir.

Parting with Nerthus was difficult. But he promised her he would look after their children. And so, Njord left his sister and wife behind to rule Vanaheim while he went to Asgard.

In Asgard Njord, Freyr and Freyja were all popular deities who received many offerings from the mortals on Midgard. They were popular among the Aesir as well, and treated well. Odin gave Njord a great hall by the sea called Noatun, gave Freyr Alfheim to rule over, and of course married Freyja making her queen of Asgard. Even when Freyja and Odin separated due to differences, he granted her her own hall Sessinrumnir.

All was great until Loki helped a Jotunn kidnap Idunn. The Aesir killed the Jotunn but his daughter, Skadi, came seeking vengeance. Instead she would get a husband. And so all the unmarried men stood behind a curtain with their feet bare for her to choose her husband. She chose the most beautiful feet, naturally thinking they belonged to Baldr, the most beautiful god. However, Njord often walked the beach barefoot and the sand and waves scuffed his feet of any calluses or dry skin. His were the most beautiful feet.

Njord did not want to marry Skadi, just as he knew she was disappointed in him as her match. In his mind, he was still married to Nerthus. But for the sake of the Aesir, and because an oath was an oath, Njord married Skadi.

The first nine nights she complained constantly about the seagulls, and of the constant sound of the ocean, and of the salt that covered everything, and anything else she could think of. So they went to her fathers hall in the mountains between Asgard and Jotunheim. Njord missed the sea. He couldn’t stand how bitterly cold it was, or the howling of the wolves. For nine nights he tried to endure it, but finally could take it no more.

Njord and Skadi amicably split up, and Njord returned to Noatun.

Now Njord spends his time in Noatun and on the seas. But as soon as Heimdall blows the horn to signal Ragnarok he plans to return to Vanaheim. It has always been Nerthus who held his heart, and he will return to protect her come Ragnarok.

Extravert or Introvert: Introvert
Optimist or Pessimist: Optimist
General Traits: Practical, Logical, Loyal, Easygoing, Agreeable, Accommodating, Conflict-Averse Diligent, Observant, Resourceful, Spontaneous, Authentic, Independent, Grounded, Unapologetic, Insensitive, Reserved, Easily bored, Overly skeptical.
Mannerisms: Relaxed and casual body language, Practical and functional dress style, Confident physical presence, Subtle observation of surroundings, Controlled and minimalist gestures, Calm demeanor in stressful situations, Preference for personal space, Often looks lonely
Habits: Closing his eyes to think for a moment before speaking,
Pet Peeves: Being without inner peace, Neediness, Endless nagging, Controlled by red tape, Overbearing, Manipulative behavior, Invasive personal questions,
Ruled by Heart or Mind: Equally both
Motivated by: Being at peace with himself and others, a desire for hands-on experiences, problem-solving, and understanding how things work
Life Motto: The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.

Parents:
Siblings: Nerthus
Spouse: Nerthus(former wife), Skadi(ex-wife)
Children: Freyr(by Nerthus), Freyja(by Nerthus)
Grandchildren: Zisa(by Freyr and Freyja), Hnoss and Gersemi(by Freyja and Odin), Fjölnir(by Freyr and Gerdr)
Pets:

Odin, Loki, Frigg, Tyr, Heimdall, Thor, Vidar, Bragi, Saga, Idunn, Hel, Eir, Hermodr, Ullr, Fulla, Sif, Sigyn, Gerdr, Baldr, Hodr, Nanna, Magni, Modi, Thrud, Jord, Ran, Nott, Sol, Mani

Heathen, Norse, Freydis

Story by Asa, heavily inspired by Norse Mythology
Background by Asa
Picture AI art by Pinterest