MYTHOLOGY
The Sons of Odin
Almost every Aesir, male and female, is supposed to be descendant from Odin. His married wife is Frigg, the Goddess of marriage and motherhood. The two brought into the world five sons:
Balder:
Balder is the God of Light, Purity, Joy, Beauty, Innocence, and Reconciliation. He is known as the best looking male Aesir, and also as a good, friendly, wise and eloquent character. He is the most beloved Aesir God. His hall is named Breidablick, and he spends his life there, with his wife Nanna and their son Forseti. His death is brough upon him by his own brother, Hodur.
Hodur (aka Hod):
He is the blind God of Darkness and Winter, and twin brother of Balder. Being blind, Hodur judges everyone according to inner values. Hodur’s blindness is the ground of which Loki takes advantage when causing the tragic death of Balder.
It is said, that Balder and Hodur will make their peace and will both return from the realms of Death after Ragnarok, to build the world anew.
Hermod:
He is the quick Messenger of the Gods. After the death of Balder, he volunteers to ride into the realms of Death to try to bring back his brother. However, his mission fails.
Bragi:
He is the God of Eloquence and Poetry, and the patron of skalds. He is married to Idun, whom he won with his skilled poems and music. Bragi is the first, who welcomes the Einherjer, when they enter Valhalla.
Tyr:
Tyr is the god of War and Justice. He is one handed, because he was the only Aesir brave enough to put his other arm between the jaws of wolf Fenrir when the Gods tied him with the enchanted shackle named Gleipnir.
On Ragnarok Tyr will kill the hellhound Garm, the guardian of the realm of Death. But from Garm Tyr will suffer a deadly wound.
Odin fathered four more sons with various mistresses.
Wali (aka Vali)
Wali is the son of Odin mothered by Giantess Rind. He was born on the night of Baldar’s death, and before and he was the one who swore to avenge his brother. Before the break of dawn, he was already grown to the size of an adult man, and thus he was able to put an end to Hodur’s life.
Vidar
Vidar is the son of Odin and the giantess Grid He is the God of Silence and Revenge, the second strongest of the gods. On one foot he wears a special shoe, made out from the leather scraps resulting from all shoe-makers in the world. All existing leather scraps have been adding to this shoe, since the beginning of time.
At Ragnarok, Vidar will avenge his father, Odin. He uses the foot with the special shoe & his bare arms to tear apart the jaws of Fenrir, thus bringing him death.
Thor
Thor, the God of Thunder is the son of Odin and the Earth Goddess Jord. His realm in Asgard is called Thrudvangr and his house, named Bilskirnir holds 540 rooms. It is the biggest ever build in Asgard. He resides there with his Sif, the Goddess with the golden hair, and their daughter Thrud. Thor is the most powerful Aesir after his father Odin, and the sworn enemy of Jotuns & the Midgard Serpent.
Heimdall
Heimdall is known as the White As (singular from Aesir). He has one father, Odin, but nine mothers, who give birth to him at the same time. Heimdall lives in Himinbjorg (Cliffs of Heaven), rides a horse called Gulltopp and bares a horn named Gjallarhorn.
Among humans, Heimdall is often referred to as Rig, and is believed to be the one who fathered social classes.
He is the watchman of the Gods and guardian of Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge, which connects Midgard with Asgard. It is his duty to prevent the giants from entering the realm of the Gods.
Thanks to: Einar for the entry above
The War of Aesir vs Vanir
The Vanir are a group of Gods associated with fertility, wisdom and the ability to see the future while the Aesir are a group of God mainly associated with power and war. The Vanir lived in Vanaheim, while the Aesir lived in Asgard.
The Aesir-Vanir War occurred over the killing of Giantess Angrboda, by the Aesirs. She was the mother of Gerd - wife of Freyr. Therefor, the Venir Gods regarded her as a relative & took offence in her being killed. They demanded a compensation for her death. But Odin, was annoyed by the request and threw his spear at the Vanir Gods . Thus the war began.
The Vanir defended their land, and breached into Asgard causing severe demage. Eventually Odin called on a truce. The parties in combat agreed upon trading hostages. The Vanir sent their most famed deities, the wealthy Njord and his children Freya and Freyr (as well as beautiful Gerd) to live in Asgard. In their turn, the Aesir sent sent Honir, a big, handsome man who they claimed to be a skilled ruler, along with Mimir, the wisest man of the Aesir.
Honir, was honored by being appointed the ruler of Vanaheim. Unfortunately, he didn’t act like a ruler, and relied exclusively on Mimir’s advice. Whenever he was forced into making an own choice, he would say: "let others decide." The Vanir suspected they had been tricked into an unfair exchange. Filled with anger, they beheaded Mimir and sent his head to Asgard.
Odin didn’t want to allow Mimir’s wisdom to be wasted. He smeared it with a mix of herbs and casted spells on it, which brought the head back to life & provided it with the ability to speak & reveal secrets. Odin took the head next to Mimir’s Will (Mímirsbrunnr) and he often sought the advice of Mimir’s head in times of need.
Thanks to: Sygn for the entry above
ODIN
He is the chief divinity of the Norse pantheon, the foremost of the Aesir. He is a God of war and death, but also the God of poetry and wisdom. He is often referred to as the Allfather, since almost every Aesir, male and female is supposed to have descended from Odin.
Almost every Aesir, male and female is supposed to be descended from Odin
Odin was fathered by Bor, the primordial Norse male, and his mother was giantess Bestla. Odin´s brothers are Vile and Ve. His wife was Goddess Frigga. They had three sons: twins Balder and Hodr, and Hermod. Throughout his life, Odin had other sons too: with Goddess Jord he had Thor as a son, with the giantess Rind Odin fathered Vali (Wali), and with giantess Grid he fathered Vidar. Bragi, Heimdall and Tyr are his sons as well.
In Asgard, Odin had three halls:
Valhalla is the best known of them. This is where Odin welcomed the warriors who had bravely fallen in battle, known as the Einherjar. All the brave warriors from Valhalla were preparing to fight by Odin’s side at Ragnarok.
Valaskjalf is a impressive hall, built of solid silver, where Odin’s throne, Hlidskjalf was situated. From there, he could see all the happenings throughout the world.
Gladsheim, is a vast hall where he presided over the twelve Diar (Judges), whom he had appointed to decide upon the affairs of Asgard.
Odin had several magical artifacts
- the spear Gungnir, which never missed its target; a precious gift by the 4 sons of Ivaldi (dwarves).
- the magicl ring of power, Draupnir made for him by dwarves Brokk & Eiti. Each 8th night, the ring generated 8 new similar items (which lacke dthe ability to further duplicate).
- Sleipnir, the eight legged horse, whom he had received as a gift from Loki.
Odin was always accompanied by ravens Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) which flew around the Earth daily and report the happenings of the world. He also commanded a pair of wolves named Geri (Thought) and Freki (Memory). Each night, he offered them his food in Valhalla, since he only lived on mead or wine.
Odin is an ambivalent deity, and has the ability to shape-shift. Whereas he is offen associated with poetry, and inspiration, fury, madness and the pleasure of wandering are also related with this complex deity. As God of poetry he used to grant worthy poets the mead of inspiration. As a wanderer, Odin was said to travel the world as an one-eyed, grey bearded old man, with a wide-brimmed hat.
As a God of war, Odin is regarded as the one who decides victory in battle, as well as the faith of warriors. He also welcomed & commanded the Einherjar.
Odin has great sense of self-sacrifice, in his quest for the ultimate knowledge: to achieve his knowledge of the runes, he hung for nine days, pierced by his own spear, on the World Tree. Also, in order to be allowed one sip from Mimmer’s Will (Mimersbrunnen – the will of wisdom), he gave up one of his eyes. The remainig eye blazes like the sun.
Oden will fall at Ragnarok. He will be killed by the Fenrir wolf and be avenged by his son Vidar.
The word “Wednesday” derives from Odin’s name.
Thanks to: Cerus and Einar for the entry listed above.
Frigg versus Freya
In short, Frigg is the highest Goddess of the Aesir, while Freya is the highest Goddess of the Vanir.
Frigg
Her name is sometimes spelled as “Frigga” and means “beloved one.”
Frigg was the daughter of Fjorgynn (the male personification of the earth) and the wife of Odin, with whom she had two sons: Balder and Hodr.
She was the Queen of Aesir and the only person permitted to sit on the high seat that overlooked the world, other than her husband Odin. Frigg’s home was known as Fensalir (Marsh hall), and was situated in Asgard.
Frigg was the Goddess of marriage, childbirth, motherhood, wisdom, household management, weaving and spinning. As Goddess of weaving she was associated with weaving clouds and the threads of fate. She had the reputation of knowing every person's destiny, but she never revealed it. Despite this, and the gift of prophecy, she was unable to save her own son, Balder, from his tragic fate.
She had more than ten maidens who assisted her. The most well known of them are: Hlin (Goddess of Protection), Gna (a messenger Goddess) and Fulla (a fertility Deity).
Freya
Her name, which is often spelled “Freyja”, means "the lady".
Freya was the daughter of Njord (God of sea & winds) and the twin sister of Freyr. The twins represented the untamed forces of nature.
Freyr and Freya, along wit their father Njord, were of Vanir origin. But, when the Vanir against Aesir war ended, they were sent to live in Asgard, as a pledge that peace will not be broken.
Freya was the Norse Goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, wealth, divination and magic. She had the ability to shape shift and to perform spells
Freya is married to Od (sometimes mistaken for Odin), and they had two children: Hnoss (jewel) and Gemesi (treasure). Freya had many lovers among the Gods, including the trickster Loki. Also, she didn’t hesitate to repay the dwarves who had crafted her famous Brisingamen, by spending a night with each of them. The Brisigamen was enchanted, and while wearing it, no man could resist her charms. However, her love for her husband remained unaltered, and upon his disappearing she cried tears of gold.
Freya was entitled to the souls of half of the bravest warriors who died in battle. She invited them on her land, named Folksvang (folks meadow), where her hall Sessrumnir was situated. Her hospitality extended to the wives and lovers of the warriors, and in general to women who died bravely. Freya was also leader of the Valkyries.
Thank you to: Anam Cara, Sygn, and Einar for the entry above.
Further information can be found in the [url='http://www.asgard-saga.com/forum/official-forums/message-board/p12676-mythology-guide-share-your-knowledge-here-odin/#post12676']Mythology Guide Thread[/url]
The Midgard Serpent
The Midgard Serpent, is named Jormungandr, and his venom is deadly even to the Gods. He is the middle child of the giantess Angerboda and Loki, the God of Fire and Mischief. When the serpant was born, the Gods were already aware the monster was destined to bring much suffering into the world. Therefor, Odin casted Jormungandr into the great ocean that surrounded Midgard, in a desperate attempt to make it harmless. However, the serpent not only survived, but also grew so enormous, that he was able to circle the Earth and constantly bite on his own tail. As a result, he earned the title: Midgard Serpent or World Serpent. According to the legend, when the beast looses the tail from its jaws, the world would end.
Jormungandr is Thor's most feared enemy, and it is said the serpant can only be killed by the God’s Mjollnir. On the first confruntation between the two, which takes place when Thor goes fishing with the giant Hymer, the God manages to hook the serpant like a fish. But the moster escapes thanks to Hymir, who, out of fear, cut Thor’s fishing line.
The last meeting between the serpent and Thor is to occur at the battle of Ragnarok, when Jormungandr poisons the sky, after rising from the ocean's depths. On this final battle, Thor kills the beast, but also loses his own life, being poisoned by the serpent’s venom.
Thanks to: Mithrilweaver, for the contribution to the entry listed above.
The Norns
The Norns, are mythological beings (demigoddesses), who rule over the fate of men, dwarves, elves and even Gods. It is said, that they are descended from the Jotuns (giants). Nobody knows when exactly, they came to Asgard, but as soon as they showed up, time & deeds ceased to flow without aim for the Aesir Gods. Each act & minute began to bear significance, and so it stayed till the end of time.
In Norse lore, only three Norns are commonly referred to, by their name: Urd, Verdandi and Skuld. In translation, these names stand for “The Past” (Urd), “The Present” (Verdandi) and “The Future” (Skuld). In other interpretations their names mean “fate” (Urd), “necessity” (Verdandi) and “being” (Skuld)
These three mysterious women carry out their lives at the roots of Yggdrasil (link to Yggdrasil), in a dark cave, next to the well of Urdarbrunnr (also known as Urd’s Well or Well of Fate). From this well they take water and mud, to pour it over the roots of Yggdrasil, in order to prevent them from rotting.
It is next to this holly well, whose water is white as snow, that the Gods gather for their daily council. The Norns use to witness their reunions, and state the things which are ment to happen. Their sayings can never be undone.
In some myths, it is also said that the Norns used to provide assistance to the women giving birth, and determine the lifetime and the fate, of the newborn. Also, there was a belief that each person had a personal Norn.
Thanks to: Einar, for the entry above
Hammer Of Thor
After he ruined Sif’s beautiful hair, Loki was forced into seeking a way to recover the damage. He asked the dwarves known as Sons of Ivaldi to create precious gifts for the Gods. Not only did they make, new wonderful, pure gold hair, for Sif, but they also crafted the foldable boat Skidbladnir for Freyr and the spear named Gungnir for Odin! Loki was so confident & overjoyed with these incredible gifts, that, when passing by the forge of Sindri (aka Eitri) and Brokkr, he bet his head that the two would not be able to craft even more astonishing objects. The two bothers accepted Loki's challenge and began to work.
First, Sindri put a pig skin in the forge and told his brother to blow without cease until the skin was ready to be taken out. To prevent Brokkr from completing his task, Loki disguised himself as a fly and pinched his arm. But Borkkr proceeded further. Sindri soon took out of the forge Gullinbursti, which is Freyr's boar with shining bristles.
Then Sindri put some gold in the furnace and Brokkr began to blow again. The disguised Loki came again and pinched Brokkr’s neck, twice as hard as before. Still, the dwarf continued blowing, and soon Sindri took out Draupnir, Odin's Ring of Power. Each ninth morning, the ring spawned eight similar rings, therefore it was a source of endless wealth
Eventually, Sindri put some iron into the forge and asked Brokkr to blow continuously. But Loki pinched his eyelid much harder than before. His eyelid began to bleed and Brokkr stopped blowing for a brief second. Soon, Sindri took out a hammer, but its handle was a bit short. They offered this gift to Thor, who could master it with one hand. The hammer is called Mjollnir, and it has some special features: it always hits its target, and then returns to the hand of Thor, it throws lighting bolts & and it shrinks, in order to be easier to bear by its master. Thor must wear special iron gloves when handling it.
The Gods evaluated all gifts, and Sindri and Brokkr won the bet. Still, Loki managed to keep his head in the rightful place, through a small mischief: he pointed out the neck had to be cut too, in order for him to be beheaded. The dwarves had to accept these terms, but Brokkr sewed Loki's mouth, with an enchanted needle, to teach him a lesson.
Thanks to: Asodal & HammerOfThor for the entry listed above
Construction of the Wall of Asgard
Just when the Aesirs were willing to build a fortification wall around Asgard, a stonemason came and volunteered to do the job. He offered to complete the work in nine months. As payment for his work he demanded to be given Goddess Freya as a wife, and also the Sun & Moon.
Loki, the god of Fire & mischief, advised the Gods to accept the deal, imposing new terms that no one could comply with. Eventually, the Aesir Gods promised to give Freya as a wife to the mysterious mason, provided that he completes the wall within 6 month, without being assisted by any human being. The man agreed to the terms, requesting to be allowed to use for work only his horse, Svadilfari. The Gods didn’t see any harm in that, but soon they realized they had been fooled. Te horse had the ability to carry huge block of stone, and helped his master erect the wall faster than anyone could have ever imagined.
Only three days before the first summer day, which was the deadline, the wall was almost finished, and the Gods knew they were heading for big troubles. They didn’t want to break their promise, but they didn’t want to give Godess Freya away either. Angry & frustrated, they called in Loki, who had talked them into accepting the deal in the first place. They summoned him to find a way out, or else he would face death. Loki did some thinking, and came up with a witty solution: he used his powers to turn into a good looking mare, and lured the constructor’s stallion away from his master. Without his horse, the man could no longer continue his work, and he failed to meet the deadline. In desperate anger, he revealed his real nature, and turn out to be, not a man, but a giant, named Hrimthur. Thor killed him immediately with his mighty hammer.
As for Loki, he returned after few days, looking exhausted. At the end of few more months, he delivered a beautiful 8 legged colt that he presented to Odin as a gift. The Allfather named him Sleipnir, and he was the best horse ever known, in the world of Gods and Men.
Thanks to Kathul, for the blog entry listed above.
The Nine Worlds
According to Norse Mythology, the Universe consists of three levels: one above the ground, one on the ground, and one bellow the ground.
In the sky, on the highest level of the Universe are situated:
Asgard - the world of the Aesir Gods. Asgard is surrounded by a wall made out of stone blocks.
Alfheim - the World of the light elves.
Vanaheim - the World of Vanir Gods.
On the ground, in the middle region of the Universe lay:
Midgard - the world of Mankind.
Jotunheim - the world of the frost and rock giants.
Svartalfheim - the world of dark-elves.
Nidavellir - the world of dwarves.
Bellow the ground are placed:
Muspellheim (home of desolation) - a world of desolation and fire. Sparks from Muspelheim melted the ice of Niflheim, and thus resulted Ymir (link to “Ymir” text) the first being in the Universe.
Niflheim (home of mists) - a frosty world of ice. The realm of Hel is located in the center of Niflheim.
Thanks to: HammerOfThor, for the contribution to the entry listed above.
Ymir & the Norse Creation
Ginnungagap was the name of a yawning gap, which existed prior to anything else. In the north of Ginnungagap was Niflheim, a cold frozen region, which hosted the will of Elivagor. Out of this will came poisonous, foam-like substance, known as eitr. When freezing it turned into black ice.
In the south laid Muspelheim, a region which was very hot and full of glowing embers and bright sparks. When the hot fire of Muspelheim collided with the ice of Niflheim a huge explosion was herd. Drops of eitr stuck together, into the shape of a giant and the sparks from Muspelheim gave him life. His name was Ymir and he was the first of the mountain giants.
Out of white, pure, ice of Nifelheim a cow called Audhumbla was born. Audhumbla was providing milk for Ymir, while feeding herself upon the salty blocks of ice. Audhumbla’s constantly licking the salty ice eventually brought out the shape of a man. His name was Bure and he was the forefather of gods. Bure had a son called Bor.
Bor married Bestla and they had three sons: Odin, Vile and Ve. One day, the three brothers gathered their strength and killed Ymir. The blood dripped out of his body, like a river, and almost all the giants drawned in the bloody flood. Only two descendents of Ymir survived: Bergelmer and his wife. The two of them brought forth the jotun race.
The three sons of Bor slayed the fallen body of Ymir, and used it to create the world. His flesh became the earth, the blood dripping from his wounds turned into endless seas, oceans and rivers, out of his smashed bones they made mountains, his hair turned into wide forests. His teeth became stones, and the dwarves were created from his bone marrow. The giant’s skull became the sky, and four dwarves, named North, South, East and West, bare it on their shoulders. The eye brows of Ymir turned into sharp, tall edges and were used as boundaries for a part of the world, which was named Midgard.
The surviving giants were allowed to seek refugee in a land called Jotunheim. It was separated from the rest of the Universe by a waste sea.
One of Ymir’s sons was sent at the end of the world, in the form of an eagle, to create wind by flapping his wings. Ymir’s brain was spread into the wind, to make the clouds.
When all was ready, deep darkness laid across the Universe. The sons of Bor, took sparks from the fire of Munspelheim, and spread them across the sky. The sparks turned into shinig stars.
Later on, Odin turned two Jotun kids into the Sun (Sol) and Moon (Mani). They were sister and brother, and they circle the earth endlessly.
Thanks to: HammerOfThor and Arkay for their contributions to the entry listed above.
Yggdrasil – the World Tree
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is a gigantic tree, which connects all the nine worlds of Norse cosmology. Its branches extend over all the Universe and reach out to the sky. It is most often believed to be an ash tree.
The Gods use to hold their daily councils by the World Tree.
Three roots support the huge trunk that covers the worlds: one passes through Asgard, one through Jotunheim and the last one through Niflheim.
Beneath the Asgard root lays the sacred Well of Urd (also known as Well of Fate or Urdarbrunnr). It is guarded by the three Norns, over whom even the Gods have no control. Daily, the Norns put water and mud taken from the sacred will, to preserve the integrity & feed the root of the tree.
Beneath the Jotunheim root lays the Well of Wisdom (also known as Mímisbrunnr), guarded by Mimir. This is where Odin comes, in seek of advice from Mimir.
Beneath the Niflheimlheim root lays the roaring well of Hvergelmir, guarded by a dragon, named Níohoggr.
On top of the tree perches a giant eagle named Vidofnir. The dragon, and the hawk, hate each other to death, also they’ve never met. Ratatosk, is a tireless squirrel that goes up and down the tree, all day long, forwarding insults between the two..
Four stags feed constantly on Yggdrasil: Duneyrr, Durathror, Dvalin, and Dainn.
Thanks to: Anam Cara for the contribution to the entry listed above.
THE EINHERJAR
Definition:
The Einherjar, which means ‘Lone Fighters’ in ancient Norse, were warriors who died in battle and were brought to Valhalla by the Valkyries. They lived in Odin's hall and were prepared daily for the events of Ragnarok when they would fight on Odin's side.
Becoming an Einherjar was the supreme aim of any fearless warrior.
Additional info:
The Einherjar are those, who fell in battle, fighting brave, to the last drop of blood, without any fear of death. Bravery to the last breath makes the difference between the Einherjar and those who just found their death on the battlefield (the latter end up in the dark kingdom of goddess Hel.)
At night time, the Einherjar were fed on wild boar (magic one, called Saehrimnir – which rejuvanted them) - and their cups were always filled with mead, by the Valkyries.
Throughout the day, they practice the art of battle, by engaging in bloody conflicts with each other. But at sunset, the fallen ones came back to life, and walked off the field, along with the survivors, being the best of friends.
Thanks to: the Blak, gwpower & Anam Cara for their contribution to the guide entry listed above
FENRIR
No one is more feared than the Fenrir wolf
The incomprehensible monster
The corrupter of friend and foe
The prophet of the Apocalypse
(free interpretation of the Edda)
…Fenrir growled; a deep, unbelievably threatening sound, filled with all the hate and anger that dwelled within this creature from the depths of Hel. His claws scratched through the snow as if he wanted to rip the earth’s own body open to taste its blood...
(© Wolfgang Hohlbein, THE ASGARD SAGA - Part 1)
More about FENRIR
Next to Odin, the father of all gods and Thor, the world's demolisher, Loki is the mightiest god and also the most peculiar. He is a shapeshifter, while his children have almost no human stature at all. His daughter, Hel, the Goddess Of Death, is half alive, half decayed. His second child, the Midgard serpent was plunged into the sea out of fear. Yet, the most dangerous of his children is Fenrir, the sheer untamable wolf.
Fenrir has the form of a giant wolf and the thirst for revenge equal to that of a god who has suffered too much. According to the prophecy, he shall cause the downfall of the old world, that will also be the end of most gods. This is the reason why the god’s fear him so much. They cannot and will not let him roam free, thus they bring him to Asgard.
Fenrir grows constantly, acting totally unpredictable, attacking friend and foe alike. So the gods decide to put him in chains. But the two heavy chains they have fabricated especially for him, Leding and Dromi, are torn apart by Fenrir effortlessly. He leaves Asgard, spreading panic and malice among gods and men alike.
It is then that the gods remember the magic shackle Gleipnir, which may look harmless, yet cannot be destroyed. The elves made Gleipnir from the tendon of bears, the breath of fish, the beards of women, the saliva of birds, the sound of a cat’s kick and the roots of the mountains.
They bet with Fenrir that he will not be able to destroy the special shackle. Although he does not feel comfortable, he accepts the challenge. But he demands that one of the gods put his right hand into his jaw. It is Tyr, the God Of War, who eventually agrees.
The gods then bind the giant wolf with the shakle Gleipnir, tightening it further and further. And indeed, Fenrir is unable to free himself; so he bites off Tyr’s hand. Tyr endures it with composure knowing that– for the time being – he has saved the World Of The Gods. However, according to the prophecy, Fenrir will able to free himself to Ragnarok („The Fate Of The Gods“) where he will devour Odin before being killed by Odin’s son, Vidar.
LOKI – God Of Fire And Evil
„Loki is handsome and has a compelling stature,
but his nature is evil and erratic.
He outmatches all others with his craftiness
and he is the master of deceit. “
(translation from „Prose Edda“, Stange, page 282, Verse 33)
If there were one God who could defeat Thor, it would be Loki. Physically he is inferior to Thor,
but he levels this out with his furtiveness and shrewdness.
Odin and Loki are blood brothers for they are both aware of the end. Under Odin´s protection,
Loki gets away with things the Father Of Gods would never allow any other Aesir.
For all other Gods he is unpredictable, sometimes acting like a high-spirited jester, sometimes like a cold-blooded politician, who is always seeking his own advantage. Changing sides is part of his cunning character. At times he serves the Aesir, only to backstab them shortly afterwards.
For example, it is him who is responsible for the disappearance, but also the retrieval of the Apples Of Youth, without which the Aesir will grow older.
His strength is also reflected in his three children – the untamable wolf Fenrir, the snake Midgardsomr and the Goddess of Death and Ruler of the Underworld , Hel. He often uses his children’s abilities for his own needs.
