Odin

"Knowledge is the deadliest weapon a warrior can arm himself with."

-Odin the Allfather, Lord of Valhalla and King of Asgard

Odin the Allfather is the leader of the Aesir Pantheon, ruling over Asgard and its vassal realms, several of which survived the Great Maelstrom. Brilliant and cunning, Odin is known as one of the most dangerous beings in Creation, thanks to the deadliness of his mind. He is also a tremendously potent sorcerer and mighty warrior, which have allowed him to retain power throughout all his long years of rule. In the modern Iron Age, Odin is a prominent figure within divine politics, as he weaves a complex web of schemes, alliances, and rivalries.

Early Life
Odin was born in the realm of Jotunheim, to the pantheon composed of descendants of Ymir, known as the Jotnar. Though Odin's parents, Bor and Bestla, were both Archons, Odin was a more advanced form of Primal being; an Empyrean. His two younger brothers, Vili and Ve, were not so fortunate, being Archons, like their parents. Thanks to his abilities as an Empyrean, Odin was able to take on lesser Avatars, whose diminished power allowed him to move about undetected by his peers, especially Ymir, the King of the Jotnar. When he was young, Odin's greatest traits were his intellect, and his desire for understanding of everything. As a boy, he was infamous among the Jotnar for endlessly asking questions of everyone he met.

Ymir had long outlawed any travel too and from Jotunheim, which was one of his Three Laws. Odin, who was insatiably curious, and longed to see the outside world, found this intolerable. He was not the only one who chafed under Ymir's confinement. Over his teenage years, Odin sought out means to undo Ymir. Vili and Ve, his brothers, were the first of his conspirators, following their elder, smarter brother's lead. More important than either of them, however, was Loki, another Jotun who, like Odin, was an Empyrean, and possessed of wicked cunning. Sensing a kindred spirit in him, Odin formed a powerful bond with Loki, one which surpassed even the strength of what he felt towards his own brothers. Eventually, the two friends even swore a blood oath of eternal brotherhood together, and vowed that the two of them would work together to end the reign of Ymir, and free both themselves and their fellow Jotnar from his yolk.

Ingratiation with the King
While he kept the borders of Jotunheim sealed through magic, King Ymir always kept the doors of his own halls open. He was a frequent thrower of feasts and celebrations, and often held moots for the Jotnar community to voice its concerns to him and their peers. Of course, given that requests for the barrier around Jotunheim to be dropped had been denied many times, the Odin and his conspirators never contemplated attempting to bring change in that manner.

Instead, the four sought to ingratiate themselves with Ymir, as part of Odin's plan to learn what powers he used to prevent passage to and from Jotunheim. Loki, the most silver tongued and witty of the group, made himself known by winning numerous flytings, contests of insulting verse, eventually came to be continuously invited to sit with Ymir for his great wit. Vili, whose appetites were tremendous, earned a place at Ymir's side for being the only person in all of Jotunheim to be able to match the king in contests of eating and drinking. Ve, by contrast, wielded his great singing voice, and a unique instrument that Odin had invented for him called the horsehair harp, worked his way to becoming Ymir's personal bard.

Odin earned his way into the king's company by devising all manner of riddles which often stumped the court, thrilling Ymir with the challenge. Still, of all the conspirators, it was Loki who grew closest to the king, for none could make him laugh like the trickster.

The Well of Knowledge
Having been invited to share Ymir's company in his grand hall numerous times, Loki was afforded many opportunities to explore it, and he shared all that he learned with Odin. Eventually, Loki told Odin of a hidden passageway he had discerned, one which lead deep down into the earth. When Odin asked what was at the end of it, Loki admitted that he had been to frightened to venture down. Vexed, Odin recruited Loki to help sneak him into Ymir's hall, so that he himself might venture down and see what lay at the bottom.

Delving deep into the earth, which grew colder and colder the more he descended, Odin eventually discovered a great lake, covered with a sheen of frost. A great white root descended from the ceiling of the gargantuan cavern where it was located, touching the surface of the pool. A being emerged from the water, revealing himself to be Mimir. When Odin asked what the place was, Mimir explained that it was the Well of Knowledge, and he its guardian. When Ymir had first come to Jotunheim, it had been above ground, but he had buried it under the mountains, beneath his own hall, to prevent the brood he intended to sire from ever finding it.

Odin wished to drink from the Well in order to gain the knowledge of how to break the barrier that Ymir had erected around Jotunheim. Mimir told him he could, but would need to defeat him in a battle of wits. Odin agreed, and challenged Mimir to a game of riddles, in which he was unbeaten. To his shock, however, Mimir managed to defeat him. Told that his chance was gone, Odin desperately offered to give Mimir whatever he wanted in return for a second chance. Mimir told him that he must make a great sacrifice to receive a new chance, and so, Odin plucked out his own right eye in offering, They played another game of riddles, and this time, Odin was the victor.

Upon drinking from the Well, Odin's mind was flooded, and the power of his Thought was vastly increased. Not only did he learn that the force that enclosed Jotunheim was tied to Ymir's own life force, but he also gained insight into the nature of the Yggdrasil, and learned of the existence of two other Wells which lay beneath its roots. What Odin learned did not end there. Due to the fact that Ymir had been his focus, he learned his entire life story, seeing it through his eyes, and much, much, more. Eager for a second drink, Odin challenged Mimir once more, but for the second time, was defeated. On the verge of rendering himself blind, Odin was informed if he wished to contest him once again, that his new sacrifice would need be even greater.

And so, Odin left the Well, his heart heavy, wondering what he would need to sacrifice, and knowing he would need to murder a being who he admired, liked, and now, understood and sympathized with, in order to realize his dreams.

First and Second Betrayal
As Odin began the long trek to the surface, and contemplated what he had learned, a mighty realization fell upon him: He learned Ymir's True Name. Within his grasp, he had the power to end his reign. The prospect tore at him, for it was no easy thing to contemplate harming someone he had just come to know so intimately. Eventually, however, his personal desire won out, and he deemed Ymir's death a necessary sacrifice.

That said, guilt made it impossible for Odin to confront Ymir directly, and his intellect made it so he concocted a careful plan. Should Ymir ever reform, however many millennia that might take, Jotunheim would be cut off from the rest of the world again. Such a thing could not be allowed to happen, and so Odin resolved to use Ymir's True Name to bar him from ever returning to Creation after his death.

Odin knew that Ymir could not simply drop dead out of nowhere, nor could he be made to simply kill himself. His fine temperament was too well known, and while many Jotnar chafed under never being allowed to leave their home, Ymir was a well loved king, and investigations would be launched into so mysterious a death. Odin needed a scapegoat, someone who lacked the wit to piece together what was happening.

When Odin realized who the perfect choice would be, his already considerable sorrow deepened. Odin did not leave the deeps of the cave where the Well lay. Instead, he invoked Ymir's True Name from afar. He commanded Ymir to drink from a cup given to him by Odin's brother, Vili, and upon doing so, to choke and die, looking upon Vili with a choked gasp and an expression of deep betrayal in his eyes. Odin knew well that his brother would not survive the wrath of Ymir's subjects.

Odin emerged from the earth three days later, to find all of Jotunheim in mourning, and the force that had kept it isolated from the rest of the world vanished. He quickly hurried home, to his grieving parents, finding their dwelling vandalized, for it was their son, the Jotnar believed, who had treacherously murdered the beloved king. Odin explained his missing eye by stating that he had been attacked, for his association with Ymir's murderer. His lie was believed, and Odin's parents informed him of their intent to leave Jotunheim, given the hostility that still surrounded them. Odin agreed it was a prudent measure, but, still weighed down by guilt, and unable to bear to be in the presence of his parents, told them that he would go his own way, stating that they would be safer if they split up. Ve, his brother, wished to go with him, and Odin agreed.

Third Betrayal
Privately, Odin told Ve that he had discovered the Well of Knowledge below Ymir's dwelling, and tearfully confessed to what he had done with the knowledge he had gained. Ve was furious, and lashed out at Odin, blaming him for the brutal death Vili had suffered at the hands of a Jotnar mob. Odin accepted the beating without resistance, but when Ve had tired of striking him, Odin put forth the idea that, should Ve earn himself a drink from the Well, he might gain the knowledge to help them restore Vili.

Ve agreed, and Odin lead him down to the Well, where Ve was free to challenge Mimir to a battle of wits in order to earn his right to drink. However, it soon became clear that Ve had no hope of besting Mimir in their chosen battle. Odin panicked at the prospect of Ve's returned anger, and the possibility that he would reveal what Odin had confessed in his moment of weakness to all, and ruin Odin's plans to travel and discover Creation's wonders.

And in that moment of frantic panic, Odin realized what an optimal second sacrifice could be. Falling upon Ve from behind, Odin struck him down, and made an offering of his life to Mimir. Shocked and revolted at what Odin had done, Mimir nonetheless accepted Odin's sacrifice, and offered him a second drink, free of contest, for Odin's offering had been tremendous indeed.

Odin drank from the Well once more, and his knowledge expanded, as information about worlds and beings across Creation flooded his mind, so much that he could not contain most of it. As he processed what he had learned, Mimir asked, with disgust in his voice, if Odin wished to challenge him for another drink. Odin refused, and took his leave.

He sought out Loki, who had been in hiding after what had happened. There were no confessions this time, for Odin had resolved to carry the secret of his betrayal to his grave, never allowing it to taint the final relationship he cared about. Odin told Loki that Ve had simply fled Jotunheim, but at that lie, he broke down. He did not admit the truth, but instead, tearfully begged Loki not to abandon him, and to journey with him into the unknown, as they had dreamed. This act of mixed sorrow and manipulation moved Loki, who reminded Odin of the vows of brotherhood that they had sworn.

Together, the pair departed Jotunheim. Odin promised himself that he would explore Creation's greatest wonders, and do it with Loki by his side. The last person that he loved, who he vowed he not betray as he had the others.

Personality
Odin is a staunch pragmatist, and will do whatever he feels will benefit his family in the long term. While he is proud, Odin is perfectly willing to swallow his pride and take actions which he abhors if he feels it will benefit him in the long run. With regards to his children, Odin does not often openly display affection, but instead, attempts to impart important lessons to his children, acting to them mostly as a fatherly teacher. Above all else, Odin lusts for knowledge and wisdom, and is willing to make great sacrifices in order to obtain it.

Powers
Odin possesses the standard powers of a God, though his abilities are far above most of his peers. Odin’s interactions with the Well of Urd have granted him various telepathic powers, such as mind reading and illusion. In addition, Odin possesses the gift of prophecy, allowing him occasional glimpses into the future.

Skills
Odin is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent, wise, and knowledgeable beings in the universe, being a brilliant tactician, shrewd diplomat, masterful manipulator and highly insightful reader of people. In addition to his astounding brilliance, Odin is an immensely powerful sorcerer, with a knowledge of spells that entire nations would envy, which he used to develop the ritual which transforms human souls into Einherjar. Furthermore, Odin is an experienced and deadly warrior, and is a terror upon any battlefield, especially with his dwarf-forged spear, Gungnir, in hand.

Notable Equipment
Gungnir

Stats
Power Level: 4

Traits
Strength: 8

Dexterity: 8

Endurance: 11

Intelligence: 13

Charisma: 9

Perception: 12

Skills
Academia: 12

Artistry: 7

Brawl: 7

Charm: 8

Command: 11

Craft: 8

Deception: 11

Empathy: 12

Intimidation: 9

Intrigue: 12

Leadership: 8

Marksmanship: 8

Medicine: 10

Melee: 9

Occult: 12

Performance: 5

Seduction: 5

Stealth: 9

Stewardship: 10

Survival: 9

Torture: 8