Odin, God of Runes

The All-Father, one-eyed Odin sits in Valhalla, the great hall of fallen warriors at the center of Asgard. In order to gain the knowledge of the runes, Odin sacrificed his eye to Mimir, a primordial giant who lives below the world tree. His two ravens, Hugin and Munin, dart back and forth, providing him with tidings of the world. Leaning against his throne is Gungnir, his spear. The tip of Gungnir can pierce the very weave between worlds, and an oath is sworn on Gungnir is said to be unbreakable.

Worthy warriors who fall in battle are taken to Valhalla by his loyal Valkyries, where they feast and train for Ragnarok, the battle at the end of the world. Odin rarely intervenes directly in the destinies of mortals, preferring to let small, nigh invisible changes ripple for centuries until his motives are fulfilled.

Followers of Odin value knowledge and honor above all else. The great libraries of the Archivists are all dedicated to Odin, as are many military units. A worshipper of Odin is curious but not nosey, intelligent but not overbearing, wise but not preachy, strong but not vengeful.

Odin can appear in many shapes, but when he sits on his throne he appears as an old man with a large white beard. He rarely receives audiences from living mortals, but might be swayed if the guests can offer some knowledge even he does not know.

Valhalla

Odin is the lord of Valhalla, the great mead hall in Asgard. Here, mighty fallen warriors are gathered to train and feast in preparation for Ragnarok. The hall is massive and while it seems full, there is always room for more worthy warriors to take their seat.

When Ragnarok comes, the legions of Valhalla will march out and fight under the Asgardian banners on the side of the gods versus the forces of Surtr and Fenrir. Before that happens, each day is filled with training to the death. At the end of each day those who died in the exercise yards rise again and a feast is held.

Divine Relationships and Servants

Uniquely, Odin is both Aesir and Vanir. As he was the one who brokered the peace between the Aesir and the Vanir, he is seen as the first among equals, and all the other Asgardians look up to his wisdom.

Hugin and Munin

Odin's most trusted advisors are his two ravens. Every day, they fly around the worlds and bring tidings back to Odin in Valhalla. They have perches of honor on Odin's throne, where they whisper what they have learned in his ears.

Saerimner

Each night in Valhalla there a great feast is held, and each night the great sow Saerimner is slaughtered to feed all the warriors in Odin's hall. Yet, each morning afterwards, Saerimner lives again.

Stories of Odin

Sacrifices

To gain the hidden knowledge of runes and magic from the universe, Odin hung himself from Yggdrasil the world tree. He hung by his neck for nine days and nine nights before reaching enlightenment about runes and their magic. To gain the wisdom of the world, he gave his eye to the giant Mimir to drink from his well, which gave him the gift of foresight. With his foresight he saw Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods, and started making preparations for it.

Wanderer

When he does not hold court at Valhalla, Odin is said to wander the world in the shape of an old man, cloaked and hooded. In this form he gathers information and knowledge of both the mortal world and the outlying planes.

Odin's favor

The champions of Odin are collectors of knowledge and providers of wisdom. Some communicate what they have learned back to the All-father via his ravens, others are completely unaware that Odin has taken an interest in them.

Worship of Odin

Ceremonies dedicated to the All-father mostly focus on telling stories in verse of his deeds, and extracting nuggets of wisdom from the behaviour within. The traditions are mostly oral, transmitted from storyteller to storyteller. Shrines to Odin are usually centered on a runestone of some sort, which could range from a single rune carved into a mountainside, to a field with dozens of megalithic stones that each holds a piece of a story.

The Winter Solstice, which marks the turning of the year, is dedicated to Odin. During the cold month that follows, followers of Odin celebrate the Allfather with services and sacrifices to ensure a year of prosperity.

Ideals of Odin

Devotion My devotion to my god is more important to me than what he stands for. (Any)

Knowledge I seek out the dangerous secrets of the world. (Any)

Secrecy Some knowledge must be kept from those who would misuse it. (Lawful)

Insight With practice comes mastery. With mastery comes victory. (Any)

Foresight Knowing when not to act is just as important. (Neutral)

Sacrifice There can be no gain without loss first. (Evil)

Earning and losing piety

You increase your piety score to Odin when you expand the influence of knowledge by committing acts such as these:

• Gathering and recording information for later use
• Learning a secret that was kept from you
• Abstaining from an opportunity if it would be better in the long run
• Kill a great fighter, so they can join Odin's forces in Valhalla
• Discover the secrets of a magical artifact

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

• Willfully letting knowledge be lost, such as by burning a book or scroll
• Lying to people who trust you
• Acting rashly without considering the consequences

Odin's Devotee

Piety 3+ Odin trait

The all-fathers single eye is upon you. You can cast Find Familiar once per long rest, but you can only summon a Raven.

Odin's Adherent

Piety 10+ Odin trait

Odin has granted you some of his foresight. You can cast Augury once per long rest.

Odin's Disciple

Piety 25+ Odin trait

Odin listens to you, and he might even answer. You can cast Divination to speak with him once per long rest.

Champion of the All-father

Piety 50+ Odin trait

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