The Aasveigan Pantheon Myth in Emaxus | World Anvil
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The Aasveigan Pantheon

"Asvatra. That is what we call our worship. Our gods are as closely bound to this land as we are, and we give them thanks and worship as they are due."

Credits to Einar Martinsen for the fantastic cover art!
The Maor of Aasveig worship their own sect of gods, apart from the Pantheon of Emaxus, in a religion known as Asvatra. The pantheon worshipped in Asvatra is not, in fact, a pantheon of gods like the Pantheon of Emaxus, but a group of animistic and humanoid demigods bound to the isles of Aasveig themselves. However, Asvatran devotees believe that they are their gods, unique and tied to the lands they call home.   Chief among these "gods" is Isael the Tempest herself, for she created the rest of the pantheon. The ancients who comprise the rest of Asvatran worship are those who were left by their godly creator to watch over Aasveig and ensure the ruin of the Reckoning never spread to it. In modern times, these ancients stay in their fortresses and lairs, though some prefer to roam the isles as reminders of the Aasveigan Pantheon's presence.  

Isael the Tempest

The Maor hold Isael chief among their gods, and believe she created the rest of their pantheon (which is partially true). To see her details, find her article under the Children of Yamma, as the Maor hold to the same tenets.  

Bjarnófærr, Bear of Thunder

Perched atop Himinbjorg, the tallest peak in Aasveig, Bjarnófærr watches over the Maor people. The Bear of Thunder is known for his resolute calm and iron will, which shrouds his true emotions like the constant storm clouds that shroud his peak. He has a rivalry with Fenryr, who believes the Aasveigan Pantheon should take a more active stance in the world, while Bjarnófærr believes that they should maintain the duty they were charged with after the Reckoning. He remembers the scars of gods walking the earth well, and seeks to avoid it happening again at all costs.   Appearance. Bjarnófærr is a massive bear, standing around thirty feet tall normally and almost fifty feet tall when standing on his hind legs. His eyes glow blue and crackle with lightning. His fur is a warm brown, but it becomes black when he channels his power.  

Eikþyrnir, the Stag of Strength

Eikþyrnir is as resolute as Bjarnófærr and as strong as Fenryr; however, unlike each, Eikþyrnir stays stationary and actively provides for those who follow him. Feasting on the leaves of the great tree Læraðr, Eikþyrnir's vast horns secrete a special golden nectar that fills the well Hvergelmir. This nectar drains through the rock and feeds the river Leiptr, the greatest river of Aasveig. Eikþyrnir defends Hvergelmir and the Norns, the sacred women who maintain it.   Appearance. Eikþyrnir is a massive stag, standing at nearly twenty feet tall, with horns made of gold. His eyes glow a dull green and he often wears gold and jade jewelry about his wide neck, all gifts from his people and the Norns.  

Fenryr, the God-Wolf

As cunning as he is ferocious, Fenryr is one of the few Aasveigan gods who roam the isles. He is often seen prowling the woods and hills, stalking elk and other prey with a divine intellect and a predator's reflexes. He is a firm believer that the Aasveigan gods should take a more active stance in the world, a belief that rubs some of his comrades the wrong way. He is known for his rivalry with Bjarnófærr, but their tension has never sprouted in conflict due to the mandates from their creator---sadly, the same cannot be said for their devotees.   Appearance. Fenryr is like a dire wolf, only he stands well over twenty feet tall. Yellow-gold runes cover his charcoal-black fur, and scars from countless battles crisscross his body. His eyes are like fire and his teeth are each the length of a longsword.  

Harrkykvendi, the Leviathan

One of the largest krakens to ever live, Harrkykvendi protects the seas of Aasveig from foul creatures and dark corruption; however, she holds no love for the Maor. She does nothing to calm the storms of the seas or sooth the rage of the waves, and she has even destroyed Maor vessels on occasions. She is feared and respected, and seeing her dark shadow is rarely anything other than an ill omen.   Appearance. Harrkykvendi is a massive kraken, and legends credit her with being able to span entire harbors with her tentacles easily. Her skin is deep blue and her eyes glow bright purple.   

Hræsvelgr, the Eagle of Wind and Death

Also called the Eagle at the End of the World, Hræsvelgr is a monolithic eagle that sits perched atop an island at the heart of Helvatn, the vast frozen lake that dominates the northernmost isle of Aasveig. Hræsvelgr is credited as the source of all winds to the Maor, and it is believed that those Maor who do not die in battle or with honor are sent to the depths of Helvatn, where Hræsvelgr watches over them for all eternity.   Appearance. Hræsvelgr is an eagle standing well over thirty feet tall with a wingspan "big enough to shadow villages." Her feathers are like clouded skies and her eyes radiate with the bright gold of divine intellect. Her talons are each like curved greatswords, and her beak is the size of a horse-drawn cart.   

Jörmungandr, the World-Serpent

Jörmungandr is a serpent of unparalleled size. Legends say that he is wrapped around the entire world, his body coiled along the bottom of the ocean, but the true size of the World-Serpent is unknown. Jörmungandr's true personality is hardly known. His worshippers believe he is benevolent, and that he wraps the world to defend it. Others believe he is a sleeping giant and that he will bring doom if he is ever awoken.   Appearance. Jörmungandr has only been seen a handful of times among the depths of the Aasveigan seas, but he is often described as an unimaginably long snake whose body and head is as wide as a village, with scales of grey and black and eyes of deep green.  

Níðhöggr, Root-Dragon

Deep beneath the roots of Yggdrasil exists Níðhöggr, a deep dragon that gnaws on the World-Tree's roots. Legends hold that Níðhöggr was placed there to keep the tree's growth in check, but stories about Níðhöggr have grown darker has time has gone on. Many now believe that Níðhöggr is actually not a creation of Isael, but an evil dragon playing at godhood and gnawing on the branches to gain power for himself.   Appearance. Most stories of Níðhöggr tell of a massive dragon of pitch-black scales, blackened wings, and glowing purple eyes. She has rarely, if ever, been seen in the flesh.  

Odin, the All-Watcher

Odin keeps watch over the isles of Aasveig from his mountain lodge Odherberg. Odin sacrificed his right eye to create his raven companions, Huginn and Muninn. Through them, he watches over Aasveig and spies on people and clans. An old man with ravens on his shoulders is an infrequent sight in Aasveig, but it always brings portents of coming change---or disaster.   Appearance. Odin is a shapechanger, though his true form is that of an old human man with an eyepatch over his right eye. Stories often describe his weathered skin, runic tattoos, and robes sized for a man bigger than he.    

Ratatoskr, World-Tree Messenger

Sole god to live among the branches of Yggdrasil, Ratatoskr is also the most amicable of all the Asvatran gods. He must be, considering he runs messages between them all. He can speak all languages and even exist in multiple places at once. He has no clan dedicated to him, but messengers and couriers throughout Aasveig must bear his blessing---an acorn of Yggdrasil---to be considered trustworthy.   Appearance. Ratatoskr is a large squirrel---large for squirrels, that is. He carries the many pouches of a courier, clad in armor and robes of the greens and bright blues and whites of the Yggdrasil.  

Svaðilfari, the Stallion of Flame

Divine work horse of Aasveig, Svaðilfari is a proud and strong laborer and craftsman. While he roams the hills and mountains of Aasveig frequently, he calls the Heithrylr his home. A geological hot bed of magma and sulfur pools, it is rumored that somewhere within it is the entrance to the Forge of the Tempest, but only Svaðilfari knows where it may be, or if it exists at all.   Appearance. Svaðilfari is a fifteen-foot tall horse with skin of deep burgundy. His mane and eyes are that of lit flame, and he radiates a heat to melt stone.

Champions and Clans of Asvatran Gods

Asvatran "gods" might not be real gods, but they are some of the most powerful divine creations still in existence today. The clans that have formed around many of the Asvatran gods are singularly devoted to their chosen deity. In many cases, the Asvatran god at the heart of each clan will empower champions and clerics, much like the full-fledged gods of the Emaxian Pantheon.   For example, Fenryrthal---the massive clan-kingdom that devotes themselves to Fenryr---has rituals in Fenryr's names. They dedicate their hunts, battles, and wars to the God-Wolf; their berserkers will perform rituals to embrace Fenryr's ferocity before battles and their hunters will dedicate their kills to the God-Wolf's name. While many of these devotees receive no actual power from Fenryr, they do receive the power of faith and belief; however, there are occasions where Fenryr will actually empower a champion or cleric of his name, granting them divine magic and strength.

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