The Tölyr

Overview

The Tölyr are the Gods of the Valnir. These Northmen gods are seen as more brutal and savage by their neighbors to the south. However, those of the Valnir recognize the closeness they have with their gods and how connected they are with everything. They have found peace amongst their gods and their guidance. After all, their gods govern may different parts of life, not just warfare.

The Gods

The Gods of the Tölyr are more connected with spirits and nature than others and because of this, many of their followers are also more spiritual in nature. While not necessarily having priests and other trappings of an 'organized religion' instead they rely on shamans and other spiritual guides, as well as general piety amongst their followers.

The Raven Mother

The Raven Mother, in many ways, the eyes and ears of the gods. She is the protector nature and all things wild. She protects the ancient groves that exist throughout the land and nurtures the wild creatures and plants that many rely on to survive. She is depicted as a hooded figure with deer antlers, only ever shown in shadow. She is worshiped by hunters, gatherers, and druids alike for protection and in thanks for any bounty they might give. The most devout offer her a quarter of what they gain in thanks and reverence.
Domains:

• Nature
• Druidcraft
• Balance

Njal, The Storm King

Any storm or crack of thunder is attributed to Njal, The Storm King, his wrath incurred by some act of faithlessness or a lack of sacrifice, or perhaps simply because he was feeling temperamental. Njal is the patron of storms and the gales. He can carry a ship across the waters or he can sink it with a swift bolt of lightning. Beyond those domains, Njal also is worshiped by the giants who live in the mountains. He is depicted with a mighty greatsword raised to the sky, which he is said to use to conjure storms and vanquish them both in equal measure.
Domains:

• Storm
• Competition
• Justice

Renwulf and Venyr, The Twin Axes

On a blood-soaked field, with a heavy fog set in. A longship beached, everyone is dead except for two; Renwulf and Venyr, The Twin Axes. Each one clad in only a pair of pants and boots, wielding two axes. Renwulf and Venyr are the bloodthirsty barbarians of the gods. Said to have been two raiders whose rampage and bloodlust prevented them from dying, cutting down a whole clan by themselves, missing limbs and having massive gouges in their bodies, their bloodlust so intense that they fought each other, in a fight that still has not ended to this day.
Domains:

• Bloodlust
• Fighting
• Raiding

Ullitsa, The Keeper

Ullitsa, The Keeper, the scion of all knowledge and keeper of lore. Ullitsa has many shamans who are known as 'lorekeepers' and Maedyr. She is represented as a kindly old lady reading a book, and it is said she is the one who keeps records of everything in history and in the present, instilling the knowledge into the Maedyr so that they might pass along the stories to their villages and ensure that progress keeps being made. She is the patron of all those who seek knowledge and discovery, and those who value knowledge above all.
Domains:

• Knowledge
• Discovery
• Storytelling

Heimdallr, The Eternal Watcher

There is one who watches over the land, a scout to ensure that their clan and village is protected. Then, there is Heimdallr, The Eternal Watcher, he who watches over the gods and the souls in the afterlife. He is the patron for both scouts and the rangers who watch over the land and ensure the peace. He is depicted as a cloaked individual with a wolf companion with a thick beard and a stern, but peaceful look. He another god closely associated with nature and the forests, trying to keep the peace and ensure that there is a sort of balance struck between people and nature.
Domains:

• Nature
• Loyalty
• Protection

Asa, Victory's Kiss

When you finish a battle and look to the celebration after, you pay homage to Asa, Victory's Kiss, she is the patron of everything that one might happen when someone achieves whatever they are striving for. She is depicted as a joyous woman with a flagon of ale in one hand and a sword in the other. She is associated somewhat minorly with battle, instead she is praised for the feasting, drinking, and other general celebrations that happen after the fact. Because of this, almost all the warriors give praise to her in some form.
Domains:

• Revelry
• Battle
• Celebration

Valdis, Death's Maiden

Valdis, Death's Maiden, the ruler of their hell. Valdis is depicted as a fair lady with black hair and covered in furs. Her face stern and her gaze icy. She is the bitter chill of death seeping into your bones. She is not a commonly worshiped god as she tends to be more associated with the bad parts of death, and sometimes even necromancy. But, still some boneseers pay homage to her for knowledge and guidance, sometimes at the cost of their life or damnation of their soul. But to some, power is power, no matter the price they must pay.
Domains:

• Necromancy
• Death
• Bones

Magnhild, The Battlemaiden

Magnhild, The Battlemaiden, patron of battles, strategy, and conflict. She was said to have been from a clan lost to time, and that while she was considered weak by the clan and unable to fight, she disguised herself and worked to build muscle, eventually outshining even the greatest of warriors amongst her clan. She is known to have many tattoos and warpaint on at all times and armored in chain and fur, wielding both spear and shield. Every five years, it is said she names a woman from a clan to be her Fólkmeyj.
Domains:

• Warfare
• Strategy
• Duels

Sigmund, Protector of the Hall

It is said, when all great warriors die in battle, they will awake to being greeting by Sigmund, Protector of the Hall, the one who watches over the the warriors and the feasting in the afterlife. One day, perhaps, they shall be called upon to fight. Sigmund is depicted as a bulky man with little armor and no weapons, arms crossed over his chest. He is not seen as a god to be worshiped, instead, warriors carry a single Nár-Eyrir to be given to Sigmund when they reach the halls. Taking such an item from a warrior is considered to be one of the highest crimes in the land, punishable by public execution in a gruesome way.
Domains:

• Afterlife
• Feasting
• Judgement

Sverre, The Betrayer

Sverre, The Betrayer, outcast of the gods. Sverre is no longer worshiped save for in cults. It is said that she broke many of the codes and laws governing the gods, and as such was stripped of her title and prestige and sent out from the temples of the gods. Now, she is only worshiped by others who have been sent out of their clans, finding some sort of kinship in this deity, who so little is known about. Not even her crime is known anymore save for by the gods themselves who refuse to speak of her, in an effort to, perhaps one day, destroy all faith in her and perhaps strip her of all of her power.
Domains:

• Betrayal
• Rebirth
• Malice

Gortrek, The First Blooded

Many of the Northmen give up something during their lives. A sort of personal sacrifice made for clan, kin, or sometimes even a stranger. Gortrek, The First Blooded is the one whom many associate with sacrifice. Legend says that when Asger first united the clans of the north under a single banner, an attempt was made in his life. Gortrek stepped into the blow and had the axe cleave into his shoulder, unsheathing his seax and driving it into the skull of the assailant. It was for this valorous sacrifice that when Asger rose to become a deity, Gortrek joined him.
Domains:

• Sacrifice
• Valor
• Guardianship

Eyir, Queen of the Göspyndir

Often seen as the goddess who ferries the dead to their afterlife, Eyir, Queen of the Göspyndir, and the arbiter of the afterlife. She determines if a soul has been sold to another plane or not, if they have not, they are sent to Næyr to be judged. She is depicted as an armored, angelic being with a spear and shield in hand, gazing down upon those in eternal judgement. Another god who is not quite worshiped, but still fulfills an important role in society. Legend says that when Sigmund releases the warriors of the hall, Eyir and her angels will usher them onto the field of battle.
Domains:

• Souls
• Travel
• Fate

Næyr, Judge of Souls

Næyr, Judge of Souls and arbiters of souls. She is depicted as sitting in a chair with a book laid out before her, in one hand she has a sun and in the other, a moon. Many tell tales, spinning Næyr as the Fates themselves. In truth, the three sisters known as the Fates are her servants, chosen when they pass and are called Wyrdþræll, mortal servants who are both masters of divination, and can change fate and destiny to fit the plan laid out by Næyr. Some even believe that Eyir is a trusted servant and ally of Næyr, ushering the souls wherever they are needed or judged to be.
Domains:

• Fate
• Judgement
• Balance

Asger Balderson, The First Jarl

Legendary amongst the Northmen, Asger Baldersson, The First Jarl led his people to their home across a stormy sea in an exodus that lasted for three years. Upon landing they were sick, tired, and staving. Yet Asger stepped up, felling a mammoth with a single javelin, feeding his entire clan for days, feasting on the meat and gaining warmth from the fur. He is venerated by the lords and clan leaders of the north, as he is the one who discovered and founded their home. However, many common people may tribute to him for the land that they now lay claim to.
Domains:

• Justice
• Discovery
• Hearth

'Calder,' The Bitter Snow

A terrifying sight to behold, the sun blotted out and an icy chill settling into bones... 'Calder,' The Bitter Snow, a massive dragon whose mere presence gives off such a bone chilling cold that it can freeze a man in moments. He is considered by many to be seeking the downfall of the northern clans, though the truth of this is often marred in stories of glory and legend. Calder is said to have made home in Nahail'gar where he hoards such a massive treasure that even legends have tried and failed to claim it from him.
Domains:

• Destruction
• Ice
• Dragons

Fiskyr, The Shipwright

The one who many credit the discovery of the shipbuilding techniques used today. Fiskyr, The Shipwright is a legend who made the longships both sturdier and able to navigate more easily along rivers and other difficult sea lanes. All the shipbuilders pay homage to Fiskyr for his techniques and his talent, many of them getting a tattoo of an anchor to show solidarity with him. Fiskyr is also the patron of all craftsmen, from the smiths to those who paint and write. Beyond that, sailors tend to pay homage to him for the vessals that they pilot, no matter the shores they venture to.
Domains:

• Shipbuilding
• Sailing
• Craftsmanship