Difference between revisions of "Deity"

Odin is often depicted with long white hair, missing one eye, and holding his spear Gungnir. It is said none can match his prowess in magic, though he was once a pupil of the goddess Freya.

Ever thirsty for knowledge, Odin will not hesitate to sacrifice to gain it. It is said he achieved wisdom by offering one of his eyes to the giant Mimi, and drinking the Water of Knowledge from the roots of Yggdrasil.

Odin lives in a great hall in Valaskjálf, home of the gods. From his throne Hlidskjalf he peers down at the world below. Whenever he sees brave warriors die in battle, he sends his warrior maidens, the Valkyries, to gather their souls and bring them to Valhalla, where they prepare for Ragnarok, the end of the world.

At Ragnarok, Odin is fated to be swallowed by the giant beast Fenrir.

In later Vedic mythology, Mithra is a god of honesty, friendship, meetings and contracts despite his role as an asura (although he is sometimes addressed as a deva). He was counted among the great solar deities who were the supreme keepers of law and order. In this way he was often paired with the asura Varuna where they were twinned as Mithra-Varuna. Together they were the gods of the oath and the most important asura in the Vedic pantheon.

During a plot by the frost giant Geirrod, Thor's brother Loki was forced to trick him into going to Geirrod's castle, where Geirrod planned to kill him. On their way to the castle they stopped by the dwelling of the giantess Grid. Grid, who was fond of Thor, warned him in secret of the sinister trap he was heading for, and gave him three sacred items; The war hammer Mjolnir, which when thrown at his enemies will return magically to his hand, and has the ability to produce fearsome lightning bolts. The belt Megingjord, which boosts the strength of its wearer ten-fold, allowing them to control Mjolnir. And finally the gloves Jarn Griepr, which allowed the wearer to lift Mjolnir. With all his new found power, Thor easily slew Geirrod, and then all other frost giants he could find. With his three new artifacts in hand, Thor became the most powerful god of the time. It is prophesied that at the time of Ragnarok, the Midgard Serpent, Jormungard, will raise from the sea and poison the sky. Thor and the serpent will do battle, and Thor will kill it, however once Thor has taken nine steps, he shall die from the effects of the serpent's poison.