[center][b]The Nordic Pantheon[/b]
by
Moth Grima Wyrmtongue
[i]1989 D.F.[/i]

[img]http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/tml/img/02400.jpg[/img]
[i]the fall from Odin's grace[/i][/center]

For the purposes of this tome, I shall be outlying just the high tier of Gods that sit atop the Pantheon. My contemporaries have produced volumes upon the subject, but my intent here is to give but an easy reference to even the most detached of layman. The All-Father's children are many, and gone from the world though they may be, let us always give worship and learn and ask forgiveness.

[b]Odin[/b]
Praise be to Him, the All-Father, from which all life has sprung, Master of the Heavens and the Kingdom Beyond. It was Odin who created Rheagonn, forged the world in fire, water, rock and air. He is the lord of the elements, and though he gave us wisdom and sight, He could not save us from sin and poor judgement. Odin sits in Valhalla, awaiting those mortals who earn places of glory in the realm of mortals.

Odin's beautiful Shield-Maidens, the Valkyrie, shepherd the souls of the valiant dead, upon being burned from the mortal realm, to the halls of Odin in Valhalla, to feast and fight forever more.

[b]Thor[/b]
He is the First-Born, the bold and the honourable, may all who seek courage and great deeds in battle pay homage to Him. Odin gave Thor dominion over Norsia, to lead mortals to the grace of the All-Father. Many lessons Thor taught mortals both on and off the field of battle, to be truthful and honourable and ever strong. He sits now in Valhalla, waiting to greet those who follow his tenets.

[b]Loki[/b]
Loki, holder of cunning wisdom and a serpents tongue. Jealous of the favour bestowed upon his brother by Odin, Loki fought for control over Norsia, leading through guile, giving wisdom and keen sight to those mortals who followed Him. Reconciliation happened in the late hour of the God's reign on Rheagonn, and Loki sits now in Valahalla among the All-Father and kin. When strength fails you, pray to Loki for cunning but never forsake your Nord's honour.

[b]On Dreagonn[/b]
It is incumbent upon me, dear reader, to impart to you but a brief lesson on Dreagonn, the man who called himself god, for if one is to understand the Gods, then even the briefest of lessons on the Sinner is needed. 

Dreagonn was a man who shunned Thor's rule of Norsia, and proclaimed himself master of the realm, and entitled to the powers of the Gods. A mighty army he gathered to him, through lies and deciet that even spurned Loki to the banner of His brother. Promising Godhood to all who followed him, Dreagonn cast countless lives to end at the hands of the Gods. Dreagonn stole Thor's hammer, and drew blood from the God, filling himself and his sinful followers with power. 

Odin, grieved by the fall of his mortal children called the Gods back to Valahalla, to mourn the fall of Rheagonn from grace, and await those valiant enough to return to his embrace.

May the All-Father forgive us all, and may we look upon Him again in his high halls.