Odin

Name: Odin
Byname: All-father
God associated with: Wisdom, Knowledge, Air, Poetry, War, Death, Healing, Royalty, Divination, Gallows, Frenzy, Magic and Runes
Aliases: Aldagautr, Algingautr, Angan Friggjar, Arnhǫfði, Atriðr, Ásagrimmr, Auðun, Bági ulfs, Baldrs faðir, Báleygr, Biflindi, Bileygr, Blindr, Brúni, Bǫðgæðir, Bǫlverkr, Bors niðr, Bragi, Bróðir Vilis, Burs arfþegi, Byrlindi, Darraðr, Draugadróttinn, Dresvarpr, Eylúðr, Faðmbyggvir Friggjar, Farmagnuðr, Farmaguð, Farmr galga, Fengr, Fimbulþulr, Fimbultýr, Fjallgeiguðr, Fjǫlnir, Fjǫlsviðr, Fornǫlvir, Fráríðr, Fundinn, Gagnráðr, Gangleri, Gautatýr, Gautr, Geirlǫðnir, Geirǫlnir, Geirtýr, Geirvaldr, Ginnarr, Gizurr, Gestumblindi, Glapsviðr, Godan, Goði hrafnblóts, Goðjaðarr, Gǫllnir, Gollorr, Gǫllungr, Gǫndlir, Gramr Hliðskjálfar, Grímnir, Grímr, Gunnblindi, Hagvirkr, Hangadróttinn, Hangaguð, Hangi, Haptabeiðir, Haptaguð, Haptasnytrir, Haptsǫnirî, Hárbarðr, Hárr, Harri Hliðskjálfar, Hávi, Heimþinguðr hanga, Helblindi, Hengikeptr, Herblindi, Herfǫðr, Hergautr, Herjan, Herteitr, Hertýr, Hildolfr, Hjaldrgegnir, Hjaldrgoð, Hjálmberi, Hjarrandi, Hléfreyr, Hleifruðr, Hnikarr, Hnikuðr, Hoárr, Hǫtter, Hovi, Hrafnaguð, Hrafnfreistuðr, Hrami, Hrani, Hrjóðr, Hroptr, Hrosshársgrani, Hvatmóðr, Hveðrungr, Ítrekr, Jafnhárr, Jalfaðr, Jálkr, Járngrímr, Jólnir, Jolfr, Jǫlfuðr, Jǫrmunr, Kjalarr, Langbarðr, Loðungr, Niðr Bors, Njótr, Ófnir, Olgr, Ómi, Óski, Rauðgrani, Reiðartýr, Rǫgnir, Rúnatýr, Runni vagna, Saðr, Sanngetall, Síðgrani, Síðhǫttr, Síðskeggr, Sigðir, Sigfǫðr, Siggautr, Sigrhǫfundr, Sigmundr, Sigrúnnr, Sigtryggr, Sigtýr, Sigþrór, Skilfingr, Skollvaldr, Sonr Bestlu, Spjalli Gauta, Sváfnir, Sveigðir, Sviðarr, Sviðrir, Sviðuðr, Sviðurr, Svipall, Svǫlnir, Tveggi, Tvíblindi, Þekkr, Þrasarr, Þriði, Þriggi, Þrór, Þróttr, Þuðr, Þundr, Uðr, Váfuðr, Váfuðr Gungnis, Váði vitnis, Vakr, Valdr galga, Valdr vagnbrautar, Valfǫðr, Valgautr, Valkjosandi, Valtamr, Valtýr, Valþognir, Vegtam, Veratýr, Viðfräger, Viðrir, Viðrímnir, Vingnir, Vinr Lopts, Vinr Lóðurs, Vinr Míms, Vinr stalla, Vófuðr, Vǫlundr rómu, Yggr, Ýjungr
Race: Aesir
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral
Age: Ancient, but appears to be in his mid-60s
Sexuality: Straight(aside from dalliances with Hermóðr during the practice of seiðr)
Halls: Valaskalf, Gladsheim, and Valhalla
Magical Items: Gungnir(a spear that never misses it's mark), Draupnir(a golden ring which replicates itself every ninth night)

Odin was born to Borr and Bestla. His brothers Vili and Ve followed shortly after. In this time there were two realms that bordered on one another: Muspelheim, the realm of ice to the north, and Niflheim, the realm of fire to the south. Between the two lay Ginnungagap, a dark, yawning void where the frost from Muspelheim collided with flames from Niflheim.

Odin and his brothers were inseparable. They fought many evil giants together, and eventually killed the primordial giant Ymir. Odin and his brothers dragged Ymir’s corpse to Ginnungagap. From the corpse they created the earth, the sea on top of it, and the heavens at the very top. Ymir’s blood became the ocean, rivers, lakes, and springs; his large bones were crafted into the mountains; his teeth and broken bones became the sand and pebbles; his hair was turned into the swaying trees and plants and grass. They then flung Ymir's brains into the air, which became the billowy clouds.

From Ymir's skull the sons of Borr made the sky and set it over the earth. Under each corner of the sky they put a dwarf, whose names are North, South, East and West. They wasted no part of Ymir’s body. The brothers even used his eyebrows to build a high fence around the world, to protect the race of people they planned to create to inhabit their beautiful new world. They called this Midgard.

While walking along the beach in Midgard, the brothers found a branch made of ash and a branch made from elm. They were shaped like a man and a woman, only they were lifeless and powerless. So the three gods decided to give them what they lacked and make them true humans. Vili imparted understanding and the power of movement. Vé gave them shape, speech, hearing and sight. And finally, Odin blew into them the breath of life, and spirit. The man was named Ask and the woman Embla. From Ask and Embla sprung the races of men who lived in Midgard.

Odin then created Asgard, and connected Asgard(home of the Aesir) to Midgard(home of the humans) with a rainbow bridge called the Bifrost. Heimdall(who had been born to the 9 sea maidens by Odin), Thor(who had been born to Jord by Odin), and Vidar(who had been born to Gríðr by Odin), all joined their father and his brothers in Asgard.

It was around this time Odin met a friendly Jotunn named Loki. The two went on many adventures together, despite the misgivings of his brothers and sons(Loki was a Jotunn after all). Odin swore an oath that Loki was like a brother to him and that he would not accept the mead horn unless Loki was also offered the mead horn. And so, Loki became accepted by the Aesir. A mistake? Perhaps.

Ever the curious one, ever the one seeking knowledge, Odin decided to make a sacrifice of himself to himself. So he hung himself from the great tree that connected the nine realms together, Yggdrasil. Pierced by his own spear, he hung there for nine days and nine nights, until finally he grasped the knowledge of the runes from Urðarbrunnr, well of the Norns. Odin learned 18 spells or abilities through his mastery of the runes, including healing, practical combat advantages, influencing emotions and manipulating the weather.

But one day as Odin sat upon his high seat pondering the cosmos, he heard through the rustling of Yggdrasil’s leaves whispers of doom and of the uncertain future. Yet even with the knowledge of the runes, he could not see see the future. He needed more clarity.

Odin knew of a great Jotunn named Mimir, a wise and powerful being. And so he traveled to the roots of Yggdrasil to Mimisbrunnr, a great well which Mimir guarded and drank from daily. Odin traveled there, and spoke with Mimir a great many times, but the Jotunn would not give him the information he asked for. And so, Odin instead asked for a drink from the well. Mimir pondered on it for a long moment, then said he could, but only if Odin gave him an eye. Without hesitation, Odin plucked out his one of his eyes and tossed it into the well.

Mimir took a great horn and filled it with water, which Odin drank in one mighty gulp. That day Odin saw more of the world than any other Aesir had seen before... he gained an understanding of the world deeper than any other Aesir had before. With only one eye he saw better and more clearly than he had ever seen with two. The insight he gained was far beyond description, and he had more to ponder than he ever imagined. Yet still, he did not have the ability to see into the future, or the answers he was looking for.

Then one day a woman who called herself Heid came to Asgard. She told people their futures in exchange for gold. Odin eagerly awaited for her to come to his hall, where he then gave her a seat of honor at his table. He charmed her, and seduced her, and the two spent the night together, after which the Volva told him there was much doom in his future, but also good. He wanted to know how to see the future, but she would not teach him. She then claimed she was from Vanaheim, and that her people were worthy of worship and tribute from humans just as much as the Aesir. She asked for equal share for her people in tribute.

Angered that she would not tell him what doom would befall him, or teach him how to perform seidr magics, the next day at the feast he announced and was gold-greedy, he called her Gullveig, and ordered her to be burnt her alive. The Aesir tied her to a pole, built a pyre around her and lit it aflame. Only... she did not die.

Odin then pierced her with his 'spear' and asked her to look into the future again, demanding to know if he will learn seidr.

“You will learn seidr, but it will not be this day, and it will not be through me,” she relented. Odin demanded to know when, and who, but she would not tell him. So, Odin had the Aesir build a bigger pyre around her. They lit her aflame once more, and once more, she did not die. One more time they tried to kill here with fire, but she did not die. She finally told Odin that she foresaw a Vanir woman by the name of Freyja would teach him the art of seidr magic, and so Odin let her go.

This was how the first war was started. The Vanir did not take kindly to the mistreatment of Heid, who was actually their beautiful and most beloved Freyja in disguise. The Aesir fought by the rules of plain combat, with weapons and brute force, but could not kill the Vanir. Meanwhile the Vanir used the subtle art of magic to tear down the defensive walls of Asgard.

Eventually both tribes of divinities grew weary of the never-ending war and stalemate. And so, they came together to make a truce. The Vanir wanted half the tribute the Aesir got from the mortals. Odin thought long and hard, then said, ”Freyja. I want Freyja as my wife and I will give her half of the slain I receive.”

Freyr, who was her husband at the time objected, as did her father, Njord, knowing the mistreatment Heid had received when she went to them. However, Freyja agreed that she would divorce Freyr and marry Odin if she got the first pick of the slain. Shocked to find out Freyja was actually Heid, Odin quickly picked up his dropped jaw and regained his composure. He agreed to the terms. Freyr and Njord said they would not let Freyja go alone with the Aesir, that they would go with Freyja to live with the Aesir. In turn the Aesir would need to send two of their best and brightest to live in Vanaheim. Odin sent his uncle, Mimir and his brother Vili, who chose the new name Hoenir.

With Freyja as his wife, she agreed, finally, to teach him the art of Seidr. It was considered an unmanly magic, as one needed to submit themselves to be a receiver to gain a foothold in euphotic ecstacy. There were many ways to do this, and Odin wanted to learn them all. When it came time to learn the form of seidr Freyja had used on him, Odin chose Hermodr, his faithful manservant whom he knew loved him. Again, Odin learned much from this magic, but it was still not enough to quench his thirst for knowledge of the uncertain future.

Odin continued on many long travels through all the realms in his search for wisdom and knowledge. One of which led to his obtaining of the Mead of Poetry, which resulted also in another son, Bragi, by the Jotunn who guarded the powerful mead.

Then one day Odin received from Loki some troubling news in the form of a golden necklace. How his wife obtained such a necklace was what troubled him. She stormed into his chambers in a fury, demanding her beautiful and powerful necklace back. The two bickered for days, as Odin could not have a harlot wife. She may have bore him twin daughters, but he needed a son… and one whom no one could question his legitimacy, and he needed a wife he could leave the safeguard of Asgard with when he was away not someone who'd travel the realms as well. But Freyja was just as independent as Odin, and cried that he left her far too often and for far too long.

The two amicably agreed that they would separate, as love each other though they might, they were just not a right fit for one another. Of course, to receive her necklace back, Odin told Freyja she needed to start a war between kings in Midgard that lasted for centuries, so that he might get more Einherar for Valhalla. She did his bidding and won her necklace back.

Odin then turned his eye to Frigg, the daughter of Fjörgynn and Jord. He had remembered seeing her with the Norns when he had hung himself in sacrifice to himself. She was a comely woman, said to know the future of all. She was just as sharp-witted as he, with almost as much knowledge. This endeared Odin to her. The two married.

Frigg did not mind Odin’s constant wanderings. In fact, she encouraged them, knowing it was much needed. Frigg was a faithful and dutiful wife, and soon she bore him Baldr, the light of his life, followed by another son, Hodr, who was blind. Odin trusted Frigg beyond any other to take care of Asgard while he was away on his travels. Of course, Odin knew Frigg sought solace from her handmaiden, Fulla, while he was away, but he did not forsake her this comfort so long as she took no man to her bed as Freyja had often done.

It was when Frigg came to Odin to tell him of their precious son’s nightmares that Odin once again began to fret about the future. Baldr dreamt of his own death, and Frigg knew these dreams to be prophetic. Odin's travels grew more frequent and lasted for longer as he sought out powerful Volva, alive or dead, to tell him the future and how he might prevent such a thing.

One such Volva he raised from the mound in the underworld. From her Odin learned was that Ragnarok was nigh. His most beloved son, Baldr was fated to die. His dutiful sons Heimdallr and Tyr would die. His wise son, Bragi, would die. His most powerful son, Thor, would die to a serpent called Jormungandr. He, himself, would die to the powerful wolf Fenrir. The realms would crumble, and many would die. Surtr would kill Freyr and set the worlds ablaze, killing everything in his path. The waters would rise to consume everything.

Odin could hardly stand what he was hearing. "Have you learned enough yet, Allfather?" she asked. Odin was about to say he had learned enough. But he steeled his will and said he wanted to learn more.

She then said there was hope. The lands would rise from the waters again, green and full of life. His sons Vidar and Vali would survive, his grandsons Magni and Modi would survive, as did several others. Baldr, Hodr, and Nanna would come back from Hel’s grip and meet them in Idavoll, where the Aesir would start over. Feilds will bear harvest without labor, all sickness would disappear, and they would live in a golden age.

Odin often sat, lost in contemplation of all the Volva had told him. Now he knew what Ragnarok was. He wondered if Freyja and Frigg had seen it, powerful Volva and seeresses that they were. It didn't matter. What mattered was how he was going to face this... when the time came.

Learning of Loki's hidden children shook Odin out of his isolated contemplative state. The Aesir hunted them down and brought them to Odin to decide what to do with. The Volva's words haunted his mind as a snake, a wolf pup, and a sickly girl were brought before his high seat. He could kill the wolf and serpent right now to avoid the prophecy. But would Baldr still die? If so, would he still even be able to come back from Helheim should Odin kill the serpent and wolf right now? Could he kill his sworn brother's children? For once in his life, Odin didn't know what to do. So he kept them as guests until he could figure it out.

Finally, he decided to toss the serpent into the waters of Midgard, unfortunately that gave Jormungander plenty of space to grow... and he grew so large that he encircled the entirety of Midgard. With the wolf pup, he decided keep him in Asgard, where they might always keep a close eye upon him. And finally, the little girl, Hel, she had by now grown into a young woman. As far as he knew the girl had no role in Ragnarok, and he noticed that her left arm and leg were rotting, and the rot was quickly spreading to her body. Apparently her mother had been using magic to keep it from spreading this whole time... but now her mother was no more.

Odin pitied Hel, and decided to bring her to the underworld, where time stood perfectly still. Hel would remain, frozen in age for the rest of eternity, however this was the only place Odin knew of that could stop the spread of the rot, killing the girl entirely.

When Baldr was slain, it came as no surprise. Yet the pain of losing his beloved son was just as powerful and painful. Odin leaned over his son’s body and whispered in his ear that he accepted his own fate so that Baldr may rise again, then sent the ship off in the waters to be burned.

Thinking about the Volva's words, his son Vali would avenge Baldr's death. But, he had no son named Vali. Odin turned to Frigg, but she was too grieved to even entertain the thought of producing another child. And so Odin went traveling, where he happened upon a princess named Rindr. Through her he begot his son, Vali... who grew to age in just one night and immediately hunted down Baldr's killer... who happened to be his own brother, Hodr.

Only, Hodr wasn't actually Baldr's killer. While at a feast in Aegir's hall, Loki arrived drunk. He immediately began casting insults around in flytings towards every person he laid eyes upon. Including Odin. The Gods were furious with Loki. As one final punch to the gut, he drunkinly admitted to his hand in Baldr's death before making his departure. Odin could hardly believe it. His sworn brother killed Odin's son.

Odin and the Aesir hunted Loki down. Death was too good for Loki... instead Odin turned one of Loki's sons by Sigyn into a wolf and it attacked and killed Loki's other son. From that son's entrailes they bound Loki to a rock. Skadi placed a serpent above his head that would drip venom onto Loki. Odin thought it was a good punishment... an everlasting punishment for the death of his son.

Now Odin awaits Ragnarok and his final doom.

Extravert or Introvert: Introvert
Optimist or Pessimist: Realist
General Traits: Reserved, Visionary, Clever, Cunning, Curious, Independent, Determined, Confident, Ambitious, Purposeful, Analytical, Strategic, Structured, Patient, Deceptive, Cruel, Selfish, Ambitious, Rational, Informed, Independent, Determined, Curious, Original, Self-Confidence, Problem-solving skills, Arrogant, Judgemental, Dismissive of emotions, Overly critical, Combative, Socially clueless, Perfectionism, Resistance to Authority
Mannerisms: Maintains neutral face expression during casual conversation, tends to gaze off into the distance when lost in thought, often seen in a pensive stance, physically withdraws from social settings
Habits: Obsessive planning and strategizing, spends a lot of time alone and lost in his thoughts, Analyzes everyone and everything
Pet Peeves: Disloyalty, Untrustworthiness, Unintelligence, Procrastinators, Superficial small talk, Oversharing, Incessant talking, Incompetence, Passive-aggressive behavior, Controlling behavior, Social niceties, Helplessness
Ruled by Heart or Mind: Mind
Motivated by: A relentless pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, wanting to understand why he exists and what the purpose of it all is
Life Motto: "Let others lead small live, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their futures in someone else’s hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

Parents: Borr and Bestla
Siblings: Vili and Ve
Spouse: Freyja(estranged), and Frigg
Other Lovers: Many, but notably - The nine daughters of the sea, Jörð, Hermóðr, Gunnlod, Gríðr
Children: Tyr(foster-son), Heimdall(son by nine daughters of the sea), Thor(son by Jörð), Víðar(son by the giantess Gríðr), Bragi(son by the giantess Gunnlod), Hnoss and Gersemi(twin daughters by his wife, Freyja), Baldr(son by his wife, Frigg), Höðr(son by his wife, Frigg), Vali(by Rindr)
Grandchildren: Magni(by Thor), Modi(by Thor), Thrud(by Thor), Forseti(by Baldr), Thræll(by a Heimdall), Karl(by Heimdall), Jarl(by Heimdall)
Pets: Hugin and Munin(ravens named after thought and memory who fly through the realms and gather information for him), Geri and Freki(wolves who accompany him on his travels), Sleipnir(an eight-legged horse capable of carrying him through all the realms)

Loki - Like a brother to Odin. Odin refuses the mead horn unless Loki is also served.
Njord - Was a father-in-law, now a good friend.
Freyr - Was a brother-in-law, now a good friend.
Zisa - Was a step-daughter by Freyja, now a foster-daughter-in-law by Tyr.
Saga - Views her as a foster daughter, sister of Tyr, loves talking history with her.
Idunn - Daughter-in-law by Bragi, and immortality provider to the Aesir
Skadi - Accepted her into the Aesir after her father was killed by the Aesir.
Hel - Loki's daughter, Odin couldn't keep her around but gave her her own realm.
Eir - Half-sister-in-law by Frigg, healer of the Gods.
Ullr - Step-grandson by Thor
Fulla - His wife's handmaiden and lover while he's away.
Sif - Daughter-in-law by Thor
Sigyn - Loki's wife, Odin pities her.
Gerdr - Freyr's wife
Nanna - Daughter-in-law by Baldr
Ran - Tempestuous Jotunn of the seas
Nott - Jotunn of the Night, herald of the moon.
Sol - Jotunn of the Sun
Mani - Jotunn of the Moon.

Valkyrie, Heathen, Norse, Harald, Egil

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