NORSE GLOSSARY

[halfbloodhillmods]

Alfheim - the realm where Light Elves live. Andvaranaut - a ring that can make gold. It was last in the posession of Brynhildr, though after Ragnarok, its location is unknown. Apples of Idunn - apples that provide the eater with eternal youth. Asgard - This is the realm where most of the Norse gods live. Inhabitants of Asgard are called the Aesir. Balmung - a legendary sword that Sigurd used to kill the dragon Fafnir. Bifrost - the rainbow bridge reaching between Midgard and Asgard. It is guarded by Heimdall. Thor is not allowed to walk across it while holding his hammer, as the weight of Mjolnir will cause the Bifrost to break. Blot - a Norse pagan sacrifice to deities. Unlike sacrifices of Greek, Roman and Egyptian myth, blots included a feast-style sacrifice to the gods where they would smear the blood of an animal on a statue of a god and then cook and eat the animal, sharing the meal with the gods. During blots to Odin, however, male servants were sacrificed. Brisingamen - the beautiful necklace owned by the goddess Freyja. The Cauldron of Hymir - a cauldron on Jotunheim. It can be used to brew endless ale. Dainsleif - the sword made by dwarves that was owned by King Hogni. This sword kills every time it is unsheathed as well as never misses. If someone is injured with Dainsleif, the wound will never heal. Draupnir - a magical ring. Every nine nights, it creates eight identical copies of itself. Drinking horn - a horn of a cow or some sort of bovine animal used to carry drink. Mead is often served in one. Eitr - the mythical liquid from which all beings are formed. Eldhrimnir - the cauldron in which Andhrimnir cooks every night. Felag - A felag is a joint financial partnership between two warriors. It is magically guarded by a runestone and if someone is to break the runestone, the felag also breaks. Fenrir - a monstrous wolf guarded by Baldur. Son of Loki. Fimbulvetr - The winter that plagued the Nine Realms before Ragnarok. Flyting - the practice of exchanging versed insults in Norse culture. It is similar to the current practice of freestyle rap battles. Ginnungagap - a large trench separating Muspell and Niflheim. Gjallarhorn - A loud horn owned Heimdallr. He blows it at Ragnarok. Gleipnir - the indestructable ribbon used to hold back Fenrir. Grettir the Strong - A strong Norseman hero. Once, he caused a man to eat his own shield. He also stole fire and beat some people with flaming logs. Gridavolar - a great staff owned by Thor, given to him by the giantess Gridr. Gullinbursti - A golden-maned boar that was ridden by Freyr. Hel - The world of the Dead. Hel is guarded by a goddess also called Hel. Helskor - these are special shoes put on the dead. It is said that anyone wearing helskor will be transported to Valhalla. Hof - a temple to a Norse god. Hofuo - the magical sword of Heimdall. Hrotti - a magical sword owned by the great hero Sigurd. Ifling - the river separating Asgard and Jotunheim. Jarngreipr - magical gloves owned by the god Thor. In order to wield his magical hammer Mjolnir, he must wear these. Jormungand - The serpent who encircles Midgard and holds it up. Son of Loki. Jotunheim - realm of giants. Norse gods often visit Jotunheim on adventures. Kvasir - a poet with the gift of great wisdom. It is said that if one drinks his blood, they will gain ultimate wisdom as well as a gift of great skill with words. Laevateinn - the magical sword that could kill without a user. Was once in the posession of Freyr until he gave it away to marry his wife. Its current location is unknown. Lif/Lifthrasir - man and woman who are alive after Ragnarok. They will repopulate the world. Mead - an alcoholic drink that was a favorite of the Norse gods. Mead hall -this is a longhouse used for feasting in Norse Mythology. One of the most famous is Valhalla. Mead of Poetry - a magical mead. Anyone who drinks of it will become a great skald. It will either give the drinker great wisdom or a berserker-type rage ability. Midgard - The realm of humans. It is said that Midgard was formed of one of Ymir's eyebrows. Mjolnir - Thor's hammer. It is able to kill most things. In some myths, it can ressurect the dead.