Ødger, the Storm Claw
There is no weakness that cannot be made strength. I will not be moved. I will not be shaken. None can stand against me. Like the storm, I am strong. I fight to please you. If I fall, I fear not death. Accept me as iron soaked in the blood of battle. By your blessing, eternal glory is mine.
Ødger is a Primal Deity and the god of Competition, Storm, Strength, and War. The Eldest Primal Deity and one of the most popular across Erenel, Ødger, enjoys admiration but demands his worshipers acknowledge him with deeds, not merely prayer. They shout his name during duels, on the battlefield, and as a challenge versus great beasts in the wild.
Worship
Many mortal races play sports, and countless wars are fought on Erenel; therefore, everyone has some sort of reverence or opinion of Ødger. However, most of his worshipers are Human, Minotaur and the Ursus, who search for a connection between themselves and the Storm Claw.
Barbarians, Fighters, and anyone who relies on physical prowess tend to worship, or at minimum acknowledge Ødger in their pursuits.
Divine Domains
Strength, Tempest, War
Divine Symbols & Sigils
The symbol of Ødger is represented by a bear's paw with two broken claws. To honor Ødger, warriors and athletes will grow out their hair and beards, braiding only the left side to represent the broken claws. Others choose to wear earrings and facial jewelry on the right side of their face while leaving the left side bare.
Tenets of Faith
Competition is Sacred
During contests for personal glory, you must always obey the rules of fair competition to earn my favor. Anyone who purposefully loses a competition for any reason is not welcome in my kingdom. Trickery is for lesser beings only fit to fill a warriors glass after victory.
Emulate My Glory
To become truly victorious and join me in the afterlife, you must be self reliant. If you live a life pursuing strength and bravery you will never fear death, for the perfect end is to fall honorably in battle. The body will eventually grow old and feeble, concluding as an insignificant death from old age. Your deeds are forgotten by the comforts of your bed.
Weakness Made Strength
There is no frailty the cannot be made firm. Through physical struggle you body and spirit improves. Be faithful in overcoming a weak will. Social rank, gender and race does not make one better than another. Everything can be earned by strength of character and constitution.
Holidays
Sworday
3rd of AvulsShortened from Sword Day, Sworday pays homage to Ødger, the Storm Claw and those fallen honorably in battle. After a morning of tales dedicated to the bravery of the deceased, gladiatorial competitions begin, lasting well into the night. The last remaining gladiator is awarded an ornate sword or comparable weapon crafted in the likeness of the region's culture.
Physical Description
Identifying Characteristics
Ødger is an enormous bear with white fur whose eyes and fanged teeth spark with electricity. The Storm Claw wears a dark blue breastplate and cloak into battle and has long fur braided under his chin.
When Ødger speaks, his voice booms like thunder and lightning arcs between his fangs.
Divine Classification
Deity
Realm
Honorary & Occupational Titles
the Storm Claw, the Mighty, the Thunderer, the Victorious
Children
Might Makes Right
Ødger often sides with common folk and soldiers and has little love for those who consider themselves superior purely because of knowledge or wealth. Yet, Ødger seems to have no problem with those who use physical prowess to unify people in a common cause.
While his brother Hrólfr, the Ancient Wolf puts faith in the strength of individual power, Ødger wishes to see the mortal races unified where the will of many prevails over the few.
Personal History
The eldest Primal Deity created by Al’Madoon, Ødger, watched over Aymara the Foremother diligently and was first to rush into the fray in her protection. Over the centuries, his might proved more than enough to handle her watch, and he grew bored. To amuse himself, he began to make a game while in battle.
How many could he crush in one blow? How quickly could he quell this attack compared to the last? Constantly putting his strength to the test in competition, he grew stronger. Countless attackers fell under his claws, the mightiest being an army of giants, created by and infused with power of the Elemental Lords in the four elemental planes. The Elemental Lords were furious with Al’Madoon for his abandonment and sought to destroy Aymara, the Foremother.
Ødger’s gargantuan claws carved through the giant army, ultimately engaging the Storm Giant commander, Jotakent. Jotakent, wielder of the mace Fulmination, fought valiantly, and for the first time Ødger was struck in combat. Jotakent swung his artifact weapon in defense as Ødger’s right paw bore down upon him, breaking the two left claws before meeting his demise.
After defeating the giant assault and furious with the Elemental Lords, Ødger swallowed the remains of every giant that fell under his claw, including Jotakent. With a loud burp, he exhaled a lightning bolt and grinned. By consuming the giants empowered by the elemental lords, Ødger absorbed a portion of their essence, empowering him as a speaker to the elements.
After the Great Sacrifice, the new lord of storms would focus his attention on the Elemental Lords responsible for his broken claw. Those deemed worthy by Ødger join him in their afterlife to fight alongside the Storm Claw in a never-ending war against the Elemental Lords.
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