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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12084 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jul 2013 : 07:06:45
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I've recently gotten into a resurgence of reading old Norse stories (through reading the stories to my girlfriend's daughter), which also inspired me to go out and pick up collections of the old Thor comics. Anyway, that and some of Markustay's talk of giants here makes me just think about expanding the giant pantheon unofficially with say some demi-gods, etc... So, I started thinking to myself, why is it that we never hear of any other Norse giants in D&D other than Surtur and Thrym? So, I've started just a minor list off the top of my head and googling... however, does anyone remember any others from stories that were particularly interesting to you?
So far I have the following noted:
Utgard-Loki - a tricksterish giant who tricks not only Thor but Loki as well in several contests
Skadi - a "snow goddess" involved with skiing and hunting and mountains
Gerd - the giantess which tempted Frey and for which he sent Skirnir to essentially threaten into being with him
Angrboda - Loki's wife and mother of the Fenris Wolf, midgard serpent, and Hel
Sinmara - noted as Surtur's wife and guardian of a weapon Lævateinn. Only noting her because she's Surtur's wife
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2013 : 14:15:44
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Thjazi, who kidnapped Idunn and the apples
Hrungnir
Dragon 110 has stats of Angur-Boda, Gridr and a few others |
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Tamsar
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
141 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2013 : 21:33:02
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| I'd heartily recommend the books of Elizabeth Boyer if you can get them, although I suspect they are probably Out of Print by now. Based on Norse myths, I enjoyed them immensely when I read them 25 odd years ago. A few giants in them, elves, dragons and draugar. |
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light |
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
556 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2013 : 04:54:22
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
I've recently gotten into a resurgence of reading old Norse stories (through reading the stories to my girlfriend's daughter), which also inspired me to go out and pick up collections of the old Thor comics. Anyway, that and some of Markustay's talk of giants here makes me just think about expanding the giant pantheon unofficially with say some demi-gods, etc... So, I started thinking to myself, why is it that we never hear of any other Norse giants in D&D other than Surtur and Thrym? So, I've started just a minor list off the top of my head and googling... however, does anyone remember any others from stories that were particularly interesting to you?
So far I have the following noted:
Utgard-Loki - a tricksterish giant who tricks not only Thor but Loki as well in several contests
Skadi - a "snow goddess" involved with skiing and hunting and mountains
Gerd - the giantess which tempted Frey and for which he sent Skirnir to essentially threaten into being with him
Angrboda - Loki's wife and mother of the Fenris Wolf, midgard serpent, and Hel
Sinmara - noted as Surtur's wife and guardian of a weapon Lævateinn. Only noting her because she's Surtur's wife
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
556 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2013 : 04:55:52
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
I've recently gotten into a resurgence of reading old Norse stories (through reading the stories to my girlfriend's daughter), which also inspired me to go out and pick up collections of the old Thor comics. Anyway, that and some of Markustay's talk of giants here makes me just think about expanding the giant pantheon unofficially with say some demi-gods, etc... So, I started thinking to myself, why is it that we never hear of any other Norse giants in D&D other than Surtur and Thrym? So, I've started just a minor list off the top of my head and googling... however, does anyone remember any others from stories that were particularly interesting to you?
So far I have the following noted:
Utgard-Loki - a tricksterish giant who tricks not only Thor but Loki as well in several contests
Skadi - a "snow goddess" involved with skiing and hunting and mountains
Gerd - the giantess which tempted Frey and for which he sent Skirnir to essentially threaten into being with him
Angrboda - Loki's wife and mother of the Fenris Wolf, midgard serpent, and Hel
Sinmara - noted as Surtur's wife and guardian of a weapon Lævateinn. Only noting her because she's Surtur's wife
I'm guessing that many are Titans... |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jul 2013 : 05:20:40
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I base a LOT of my proto-cosmology on Norse myths.
I love the fact that greedy dwarves can become dragons - there's something there I can't quite put my finger on (a relationship between giants, dwarves, and dragons). |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 28 Jul 2013 05:21:55 |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1602 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jul 2013 : 12:35:12
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| Have you checked 1e and 2e Legends and Lore? As for legends only, I always recall Ymir, the first giant. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12084 Posts |
Posted - 30 Jul 2013 : 20:42:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
Have you checked 1e and 2e Legends and Lore? As for legends only, I always recall Ymir, the first giant.
Yeah, the only problem with that is that by the time humans are around, he's dead. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4213 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2013 : 08:33:20
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
Have you checked 1e and 2e Legends and Lore? As for legends only, I always recall Ymir, the first giant.
Yeah, the only problem with that is that by the time humans are around, he's dead.
Well, he is dead in OUR world...doesn't mean he can't be alive somewhere else...after all, such a being could have Avatars/Aspects that survived. |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jul 2013 : 13:59:59
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In my own cosmology, I used him as one of the Ultra-Ordials (a supernal), one who 'died' (sort-of) during the first Godwar.
He was the Prime Material plane itself, which used to be one, giant (flat) world, much like any other plane. He was poisoned by agents of Cthon, and in his death-throws Gaia (the embodiment of 'life') embraced him and joined with him... but it was too late. Just before he shattered (Sundered?) into a multitude of pieces (the Crystal Spheres) his 'blood' (actually the energy he contained) leaked through the forming fissures and the dwarven race was born (that also comes from Norse myth). So he still exists, but in a comatose, unaware state, and his remaining energy - and that of Gaia - is spread throughout the universe on all the Prime Worlds. Gaia does still remain self-aware, but her psyche is also fractured, with different aliases existing in different spheres. 'Dead worlds' exists where the essence of Gaia has completely leeched-out of the remaining pieces of the 'body' of Ymir.
And thats my version of the 'Big Bang'. 
Most of the 'Elder Gods' are no longer active, and certainly don't interact with mortals. Except for Ptah, who represents 'Space' (volume) - for whatever reason he enjoys maintaining a church amongst mortals. What most folks don't know is that he favors the dwarves (he is the one that first 'blessed' them with women... before that dwarves were born directly from the stone).
Kronos (time) was actually tricked into starting the first Godwar - agents of Cthon convinced him to 'devour' (absorb) the first human deities (which many saw as a threat to the status quo). He, too, has drawn way into the background; some believe out of guilt for having caused the death of his brother (the ending of that conflict).
Thus, all myths are true - the specifics get altered from world to world. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Norse Giants from stories
