The old gods

Saga of the Old Gods

Beyond the veil of death lies a meadhall for those who retain the zeal of life. It is a place of fellowship without fear of pain or the creep of age, where all those who died with honor go to celebrate with their ancestors. The hall is filled with endless feasting tables, bottomless barrels of ale, and weapons of divine craft laid aside for all who enter. Beyond its golden doors are countless scores of souls in revelry and playful banter. Battles rage in joy, while combatants fall to each other’s might. And when the battles end their souls rise again to feast, boast stories of valor, and to celebrate the glory of their victories and defeats. They fight wars between each meal with soldiers that never tire and tankards that never dry. At the head of the massive feast sits a golden warchief with name unknown to those who have yet to enter the hall. Some believe it may be Luminos preparing the children of Adrasil to reclaim the world from the dark. Others believe that the figure is the first warchief of men, whose prowess was so great that they rose to become something divine. Either way, warbands, battle hordes, and legions of soldiers across time have called to the Halls of Val-Noran before charging to their deaths in the hopes that the great warchief would look favorably upon their courage. A glorious death is worth far more than a peaceful life to these few. And the doors of that great hall will only open to those who are worthy.

The Pantheon

Aifur

Domain: Mischief and Merriment

Defining Features: “The Trickster God.” Shapeshifter. Almost always depicted smiling. Often depicted wielding swords, or daggers.

Animal Associations: Snake, Racoon

Asta

Domain: Love, Healing, and Cycles

Defining Features: Matriarch of the Gods. Reveals herself to humans as either a maiden, a mother, or a crone. Often depicted with a staff.

Animal Associations: Cats (maiden), Doe (mother), Tortoise (crone)

Daud

Domain: Death, the Forgotten

Defining Features: “The Forgotten Shepherd.” Forgotten by all gods except Asta and Aifur. Claims the souls of those found unworthy by Verda. Often depicted with a shepherd’s crook.

Animal Associations: Owl, Opossum

Ferra

Domain: The Wilds and the Hunt

Defining Features: Mother of the Berserkers. Associated with hunting and foraging. Often depicted with a bow and quiver of arrows.

Animal Associations: Wolf

Haf

Domain: Water

Defining Features: Associated with the ocean and rivers. Keeps the souls of those who die at sea in her domain. Often depicted with a spear.

Animal Associations: Octopus

Halvor

Domain: Mountains, Crafting, Industry, and Hard Work

Defining Features: “The Smithy God.” Gifted the runic alphabet to humans. Often depicted with ram horns and a great hammer.

Animal Associations: Ram

Odar

Domain: War and Wisdom

Defining Features: Patriarch of the Gods. Left eye replaced with the eye of Thrasia. Often depicted with antlered helm and spear.

Animal Associations: Bears, Stags

Thrasia (Antagonist)

Domain: Destruction, Chaos

Defining Features: The “First of the Dragons,” and the “Mother of Lies.” She is the enemy of the gods, and of humanity.

Valan

Domain: Light, Inspiration, Creation, and the divine spark of humanity

Defining Features: Twin brother of Verda. Associated with fire. Was killed by Thrasia, but healed in the Spring of Val-Noran. Often depicted with a flaming sword.

Animal Associations: Hawk

Verda

Domain: Justice

Defining Features: Twin sister of Valan. Judges who may enter Val-Noran. Wings made from the weapons of fallen warriors. Often depicted with sword, spear, and shield.

Animal Associations: Horse