Before time there was a land called Niflheim. In its center was a well that fed 12 rivers. These flowed into a bottomless pit, which finally froze solid. Muspelheim, a warm land to the south, was guarded by Surt, a giant with a flaming sword. Hot winds from Muspelheim caused a mist to rise over the melting ice of the pit. From this mist sprang Ymir, the first Frost Giant. He was nourished by Audhumbla, a cow created for him by Surt. While Ymir slept, a giant man and woman issued from under his left arm.
    Audhumbla, licking salt on the frosty rocks, uncovered a giant named Buri. Buri’s son Bor became the father of Odin, Vili, and Ve. These three brothers killed Ymir and made the seas from his blood, the sky from his skull,, and all trees and vegetation from his hair. Midgard, the abode of mankind, was fashioned from his eyebrows.
    Odin established day and night by putting the sun and moon in the sky. He and his brothers created a man from an ash tree and a woman from an elm. Odin endowed them with life and soul, Vili gave them reason and motion, and Ve presented them with senses and speech. Yggdrasill, a mighty ash tree, supported the universe. One of its three roots extended into Asgard, home of the gods; another stretched to Jotunheim, where giant enemies of the gods lived. The third grew to Niflheim, region of cold and darkness.
    Odin was chief of the gods. With his wife Frigga he dwelt in Gladsheim. His faithful companions Freke and Gere are giant black wolves that travel the planes informing Odin of various developments. Odin’s mount is the eight-legged steed named Sleipner who will only allow Odin to ride him. A pair of ravens named Hugin and Munin carry messages for Odin throughout the planes. Thor is the son of Odin and referred to as the god of thunder. Vidar is another of Odin’s sons and is known as the god of strength and silence. Valkyries are know as the "Choosers of the Slain" and ride pegasi that are offspring of Sleipner. The Valkyries’ duty is to bring the slain valiant souls of warriors back from the battlefield to Valhalla. They also are employed as servants to Frigga. Balder is the god of beauty and resides in Gladsheim. Forseti is the god of justice and asked to judge in cases where Odin cannot be impartial. Freya is the goddess of love and fertility and is leader over the Valkyries. Heimdall is called the bright god and is the guardian of the Bifrost Bridge. Magni is another of Odins’ sons and is called the god of strength. Tyr is the god of war and law and lost his right hand to the Fenris Wolf. Tyr watches over the Valkyries and makes sure that only the most valiant warriors are taken to Valhalla.
    Loki, Hel, Jormungandr(Midgard Serpent), Surtur and Thrym are Evil.

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