Odin

Odin (also known as Woden) was the greatest of the Norse Gods, and called the All-Father. He had an unpredictable personality, and could be untrustworthy. Odin ruled over the runes, poetry, magick, knowledge, weather, civilization, justice and the arts. Though he was clearly associated with civilized things, he could become crazed during battle. Part of his gifts to mankind were 3 different kind of 'frenzies': battle rage, prophetic trance, and poetic creativity.

Though all-powerful, most average people feared Odin more than they worshipped him. Only high royalty and veteran warriors worshipped Odin.

In the afterlife, it was Odin's great hall that all warriors hoped to go after death. All of the Gods and Goddesses had halls in Asgard (the land where the Gods resided), but Odin's Valhalla was the grandest of them all. Only great and honoured warriors came here after death, for never-ending feasting and battle.

In his pursuit of knowledge, Odin hung like the dead from the branches of the World Tree (Yggdrasil). After 9 days, he discovered the secret of the Runes, which are still used today for divination.

He was often in the company of his 2 ravens and 2 wolves. The ravens names were Huginn and Muninn, which mean Thought and Memory. These birds flew throughout Asgard and the human world to bring news to Odin. The wolves were called Geri and Freki. His animal companions also included an 8-legged horse named Sleipnir.