Freya, Goddess of the Sun

Freya the Lightgiver is the goddess of fertility and the sun. Worship of Freya celebrates the cycles of life and nature, especially the creation of new life through farming, husbandry, or procreation. It is also the belief in a better tomorrow and an afterlife without wants for those who show devotion.

When she appears to mortals, it is usually in the shape of a young elven woman with glowing crimson hair, clad in a white dress and a cloak adorned with falcon feathers. In this shape she is said to sometimes appear in the back rows of a wedding, visible only to the bride and groom, or on a cliff or rooftop at dawn, guiding the sun into its position.

Seeing an image or vision of Freya is considered a very good omen. She rarely speaks in her visions, instead choosing to guide and direct with light. If she does speak, her voice is soft and soothing and appears to come from all directions at once.

War and violence are not a goal upon itself, but even the most devout disciples of Freya recognize that there are times that it is unavoidable, and on those occasions it is better to strike swiftly. To that end, her sworn champions, the Pilgrim Knights, protect those who cannot defend themselves.

The elves call her Luthiel (luthiel, 'Sun-goddess').

Folkvang

Freya's realm in Vanaheim, Folkvang, is a massive field of wheat where it is always dawn. In the middle of Folkvang lies Sessrumnir, her great hall. The hall has a mirror roof which refracts the light of the rising sun onto her champions, who feast within in an afterlife without hunger or misery. Freya has a seat at the table of honor where she oversees the feasting. She is usually happy to receive mortal audiences, provided they are pure of heart.

Her radiant Valkyries gather those of her followers they consider worthy, from both battlefields and sickbeds, and take them to the bliss that is Folkvang. Those that inhabit Folkvang are destined to rebuild civilization in Midgard after Ragnarok, the battle at the end of the world when Odin's armies will march out from Valhalla against the forces of darkness.

To make a tuning fork that is attuned to Folkvang, a piece of the sun will be needed, such as a blessed crystal of luxite, or a willingly given feather from the wing of one of Freya's valkyries.

Divine Relationships

Freya's closest ally among the gods is Heimdall, and she greatly admires his craftsmanship and considers ít essential for civilization. She is also closely aligned with Balder, as poetry and artistry not seldom leads to love, although she thinks Balder's views on love are a bit too ephemeral - love should be for life.

Folkvang and Odin's Valhalla might appear as something that would bring division between the Lightbringer and the All-Father, but they are simply different sides of the same coin. They are both content with the souls each are given to tend in the afterlife. Odin takes the mightiest warriors as preparation for Ragnarok and Freya shelters the kindest souls to rebuild mortal civilization afterwards.

As the most beautiful goddess, more than once the schemes of Loki have ended in Freya being unwillingly entered into marriage pacts with various entities. This has left her with a disdain for anything that has to do with the God of Deceit. She thinks of Thor as too impulsive for his own good, but she is nevertheless thankful for his eternal defense of Asgard.

While Skadi the Landmother dislikes civilization, she is not blind to the importance of the sun for nature, and thus she tolerates Freya's influence over her domain. She is on better terms with Uller, the brother of Skadi, and the Lightgiver has been hunting with Uller many times.

Servants and Saints

While Freya's realm is an afterlife for many of her followers, only a small handful are given responsibilities of their own. Mortals who fully devote themselves to Freya in life are sometimes given eternal life by her. Some are given the duties of a valkyrie, tasked with bringing mortal souls to the afterlife.

Aurora, the Dawn

(solar, LG): Freya's right-hand advisor, implicitly trusted with the secrets of the Lifegiver. Aurora is foremost among the Valkyries, who bring souls to the afterlife in Folkvang.

See also: Equilax, Halvdan the Bold, Arwyn Elsiter

Myths of Freya

The legends and tales that surround the Lady of Light show her as a kind patron of civilization through the life-giving rays of the sun.

The Brisingamen

Freya was gifted the Brisingamen, a jeweled necklace, by Heimdall. The luxite gem at its center came from the tallest branches of the world tree and contains the light of the sun. The necklace was however stolen a long time ago. The Pilgrim Knights have been searching for it - the greatest artifact of their goddess - since their founding, but so far only whispers have turned up.

Ymnis and Rothar

After Ymnis and Rothar had failed to conceive a child after many years of marriage, they prayed to Freya at dawn of the summer solstice. She heard their prayer and made Ymnis pregnant. The child, a girl, grew up to be a priestess of Freya. This story is usually told at weddings, sometimes with a small play.

The Beautiful Bride

The giant Thrym stole the hammer Mjolnir from Thor. As a precondition to giving it back, he wanted to marry Freya. When this is suggested to Freya she is furious, but the gods come up with a plan. They dress Thor in Freya's dress and a bridal crown and send him back to Thrym, posing as a bride-to-be. Aided by Loki, this disguise is just enough to make the giant reveal Mjolnir, and Thor promptly reclaims it by force and slays Thrym.

Freya's favor

Freya chooses her champions among the loving and good people of the world. They are her instruments in the fight against darkness and the decay of civilization. Not all need to be strong in arm - there are other ways to aid her causes - but all are kind and compassionate.

• You were conceived during a solstice.
• You grew up in an orphanage where the matron suddenly died. You took care of all the other children despite your young age.

Worship of Freya

True clerics of Freya are almost exclusively women, as they are the source of new life. Rituals in her honor are usually conducted upon learning of a pregnancy, or during sowing or harvesting of the fields. There are rumors of secluded cults that worship the sun-goddess by standing naked atop mountains, greeting the dawn. All Freya's worshippers fear and revere eclipses, as they disrupt the natural cycle of the heavens.

Freya's month is the seventh month of the year, and starts with the celebration of the summer solstice. This is a joyous occasion with much revelry and cheerfulness.

Temples to Freya usually have some way of viewing the sunrise, be it a large window, or just an open wall. The largest temples of Freya are those of the Pilgrim Knights, most notably the one at the center of the Grand Refuge. They often have a bell tower, which calls the populace to prayer.

Ideals of Freya

Devotion Only by fully accepting Freya can the afterlife in Folkvang be achieved. (Any)

Family Raising the next generation is the most honorable path in life. (Good)

Protect the Weak Those who cannot fend for themselves can find protection behind my shield. (Good)

Monogamy True love is the closest thing to divinity a mortal can achieve. (Lawful)

Civilization By building together, we can create a Sessrumnir of our own. (Lawful)

Spread the Light The sun will cleanse the rotten places of the world. (Any)

Earning and losing piety

You increase your piety score to Freya when you expand the influence of the sun and uphold the natural cycles of the world by committing acts such as these:

• Destroy undead or fiends that threaten a village
• Help a village prosper, perhaps by helping a farmer to bring in the year's harvest
• Overcome, or help someone else to overcome, obstacles in the way of true love
• Feed the hungry, house the homeless, or aid the poor
• Build or defend a temple of Freya

Your piety score to Freya decreases if you diminish her influence, contradict her ideals or otherwise ridicule her through acts such as these:

• Destroy a farm, or hinder the usage of one
• Engage in the raising of undead or summoning of fiends
• Have multiple amorous relationships at the same time, or have one without committing fully

Freya's Devotee

Piety 3+ Freya trait

You have earned the notice of the Lightgiver and you can call upon her blessing. You learn the Light cantrip, and you can cast Sanctuary once per long rest, requiring no material components.

Freya's Adherent

Piety 10+ Freya trait

Your actions continue to earn you the favor of the Lady of Light. You can cast the Daylight spell once per long rest, and the light from this spell is sunlight.

Freya's Disciple

Piety 25+ Freya trait

Thanks to your devotion, Freya has taken a personal interest in your destiny and will grant you some of the powers of the sun. You have resistance to radiant damage, and you gain 120 feet of darkvision. This darkvision can pierce magical darkness.

Champion of the Dawn

Piety 50+ Freya trait

You can increase your Wisdom or Charisma by 2 and also your maximum for that score by 2.