Norse

NORSE	TRADITION
Combat	Guardian
Detection	Earth
Health	Plant
Illusion	Air
Manipulation	Fire
Drain	Willpower + Logic
Preferred Spells	Death Touch, Eyes of the Pack, Insulate, Shatter, Personal Warmth, Shape Ice
Preferred Adept Powers	Combat Sense, Counterstrike, Pain Resistance, Supernatural Toughness

The Norse legends are common knowledge to the people of Scandinavia (with some popularity beyond those regions, thanks in part to the mainstreaming of Thor), and these myths have seen resurgence since the Awakening. The tradition has revived the ancient religion and formed an exclusive construct with its own runic alphabet, unique spell formulae, and methods of communing with spirits. The associations of this tradition with the terrorist Winternight organization are not fair, in my mind, but they mean that professed members of this tradition may undergo increased scrutiny from authorities outside Northern Europe.

The Norse spirits vary, ranging from fire giants to the dark fae, but one aspect with which many outsiders are familiar is the Valkryie, the warrior maiden who chooses the slain. The relationship a ganner, a Norse magician, may have with a spirit is never easy as respect and obedience are earned and often takes the form of negotiations and tribute to extract services from the proud or hostile entities.

The tradition is intrinsically intertwined with the religion sometimes referred to as Ásatru. Casters often serve as priests for cults within Scandinavia, leading them in worship of the Aesir or Vanir as a whole or in the worship of a singular god. The aspect of a cult’s chosen deity often directs the paths of the cult, with followers of Hiemdall preferring to work as sentries or guards or followers of Odin, seeking knowledge no matter how painful the cost.

The Norse tradition is not exclusively composed of magicians, with adepts often taking the role of battle leaders for the cult. These individuals often take the role of berserker, throwing themselves into combat with abandon. Although most berserkers are adepts, some mystic adepts and magicians also follow this path. When frenzied, they often manifest a shamanic mask, which frequently parallels their mentor.

Erik Larson is a noted professor at Stanford University, with his primary area of instruction being European history. He is a popular faculty member, with a number of papers published regarding galdor, the lore of Norse runes. He is known to participate in the great ceremonies held by members of the MIT&T faculty. He is a registered magician but has not been seen performing a spell in public since his immigration.

(p4-5 Shadow)