Asgardians

The Asgardians are the inhabitants of Asgard on which the gods of Norse mythology are based. They are a race of extraterrestrials similar in appearance to humans, possessing both highly advanced forms of technology and magic, upon which their civilization is built on. They are ruled by Odin and for millennia had a reputation as peacekeepers within the Nine Realms. They are also described to a brave and powerful warrior race whose passion for adventure is their religion, and their reputation as one of the mightiest races in the universe has earned them the respect and fear from other races. Their interactions humans over 1,000 years ago had a strong influence on Scandinavian culture, with the Asgardians becoming the template for the region's Norse mythology.
== History ==
=== Galactic Exploits ===
Being an advanced, spacefaring people, the Asgardians interacted with various other races and cultures. Their encounters with other galactic groups helped the Asgardians build a higher reputation for themselves, earning respect from the other races, while also making them enemies of some.
Although they have a history of contact, Asgardians do not have very close ties with cultures from worlds other than the Nine Realms. Even though they are recognized, Asgardians are not seen as one of the prominent members of the integrated space community.
=== Traveling to Earth ===
==== War against Jotunheim ====
: "Midgard, also known as the Planet Earth, has long captured the interest of the Asgardians, who have traveled on the Rainbow Bridge to observe this realm. Over the years, those visits have threaded their way into Earth's Norse myths. Many think those stories are nothing but fantasy, but they are in fact true."
: ―Section on Midgard[src]
In 965 AD, the Frost Giants of Jotunheim set about to conquer the Nine Realms, starting with Earth. The Asgardians, now under the rule of Odin, arrived in humanity's defense. The Asgardians eventually drove the Frost Giants back to Jotunheim, where Odin personally defeated the Jotun king, Laufey to the point of surrender. After a truce was made, the Asgardians claimed the Casket of Ancient Winters, Jotunheim's greatest weapon, and took it back to Asgard for safekeeping.
While on Jotunheim, Odin found Laufey's abandoned son and decided to raise him as his own alongside his own son, Thor. Odin named the child Loki and planned to eventually use him to unite the two kingdoms and bring about a permanent peace
==== Becoming Norse Legends ====
Asgardians also began travelling to Earth and formed a strong relationship with the humans. Thor and Loki visited Earth with Odin. The Asgardians taught the Norse people their language and culture and displayed their abilities; this caused the Norse people to believe the Asgardians to be deities, and bestowed upon Thor and Loki the monikers "God of Thunder" and "God of Mischief". This tradition was continued for many years.
=== Thor's Banishment ===
: "You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!""And you are an old man and a fool!""Yes... I was a fool, to think you were ready."
: ―Odin and Thor[src]
Six centuries later, Thor had proven himself as a worthy prince, defending Asgard in many battles and becoming something of a hero. When Odin decided to finally make Thor king, a jealous Loki decided to postpone the crowning. Opening a secret passageway into Jotunheim, Loki allowed three Frost Giants to enter Asgard where they attempted to steal their Casket from Odin's Trophy Room. Although the attempt failed, Thor's coronation was indeed postponed. Furious with rage, Thor, Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three travelled to Jotunheim where they began slaughtering as many Frost Giants as they could.
When Odin attempted to calm the situation, Laufey declared that they were once again at war. Returning to Asgard, Odin stripped Thor of his hammer, Mjølnir, and banished him to Earth to learn humility and prove himself worthy of the throne. In his absence, Loki confronted Odin of his true heritage and learned of how he was found. Under enormous stress, Odin fell into the Odinsleep, leaving Loki to take the throne.
Devising a plan, Loki travelled to Earth and told Thor that he is to remain on Earth in exile, stating that Odin had died from the threat of a new war. Loki then went to Jotunheim and struck a deal with Laufey, granting him permission to enter Asgard and kill Odin in his sleep. Meanwhile, Sif and the Warriors Three had travelled to Earth to bring Thor home. Loki had, in turn, sent the Destroyer after them. In a fierce battle in a small town, Thor proved himself worthy and his powers were restored, leading to the Destroyer's defeat. The incident caused the Earth to once again believe in the legends.
Back on Asgard, when Laufey attempted to make the killing strike against Odin, Loki betrayed and murdered him. Thor soon returned to Asgard and confronted Loki who revealed his plan to destroy Jotunheim using the Bifrost to prove himself worthy to Odin.
=== The Bridge Destroyed ===
During the brothers' Duel at the Rainbow Bridge, Thor was forced to destroy the Rainbow Bridge and save Jotunheim. Odin awoke from his sleep but declined Loki's pleas for acceptance. Loki then allowed himself to fall into the abyss of space. The Asgardians celebrated Thor's return and heroics but they were faced with a bigger problem. With the Bifrost gone, Asgard would not be able to protect the Nine Realms.
Meanwhile, Asgard discovered that Loki was still alive and had made a deal with the alien tyrant, Thanos. Loki had travelled to Earth to rule them, and in return would be given command of the Chitauri army in order to rule the planet. Using dark energy, Odin was able to send Thor to Earth to bring Loki home.
=== Loki's War on Earth ===
: "The humans think us immortal. Should we test that?"
: ―Loki to Thor[src]
Creating a weapon, Loki traveled to Earth and set about causing tumult in order to proclaim himself Earth's king. Using mind control, Loki had several humans build him a device that could harness the weapons power and open a portal to allow the Chitauri to invade Earth.
Coming into conflict with S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, and Thor, Loki, and his army were met with the battle as they laid waste to New York City. The Chitauri were eventually defeated, the portal closed, and Thor used the weapon to return Loki to Asgard for punishment.
== Technology and Weapons ==
Asgardians are an advanced warrior race with access to technology beyond human comprehension. Some Asgardian devices are deceptively primitive-looking with esoteric, ancient-sounding names. Asgardians are a martial people, and Asgard's armies have kept peace in the Nine Realms for many millennia. They possess energy weaponry, along with aircraft similar to Viking longboats that are armed with cannons and missiles. The royal palace is protected by an energy shield, and travel between the Nine Realms is made possible by the Bifrost, a bridge between worlds. Asgardians also have advanced password systems to open doors that can even be engraved in stone. Some devices are fused with advanced technology and magic, as in the case of the Destroyer.
Asgardian warriors make use of regular melee weapons, such as swords, spears, and shields. These weapons, however, are made of advanced technology. They appear mundane when stationary, but when moving quickly (i.e. sword slashing in battle) the blade glows with a bluish-white aura of energy which greatly increases the weapon's power (very often while the individual handles the weapon, a strange vibration is audible, indicating that the blade can turn blue at any time), leaving handheld weapons obsolete: be they lightning, bullets or arrows. Similarly, certain Asgardian weapons can sometimes create fiery blue or orange sparks when they strike; conversely, Asgardian armor generates similar sparks when struck. Asgardian shields are capable of deflecting laser blasts; when a blast hits the shield, it ripples with the same energy, deflecting the blast. This same energy is present in other Asgardian technology. It is fired by cannons and generated as the shield used to protect the palace.
=== The Bifrost ===
One of the most important pieces of technology the Asgardians possess is the Rainbow Bridge, capable of harnessing and generating a Bifrost Bridge. Himinbjorg, from which Heimdall commands the Bifrost and watches over the Nine Realms and space, lies just outside of Asgard connected by the Rainbow Bridge. The Bifrost allows the Asgardians to travel to other planets without the need of spaceships, as other cultures do.
== Characteristic Traits ==
While Asgardians and humans look the same in appearance, they are very different, possessing a range of superhuman abilities. The most primary of their abilities is a variable degree of superhuman strength. The average Asgardian possesses strength sufficient to battle any being within the Nine Realms. More developed warriors like Heimdall, the Warriors Three, Frigga, and Sif possess slightly superior strength, enabling them to overpower low-level Asgardian warriors. Members of Asgard's royal family, including Odin and Thor, seem to be the strongest Asgardians.
Most significantly, Asgardians possess remarkable durability and regenerative ability. Like their strength, Asgardian durability varies from person to person. While the average Asgardian can survive against the most powerful of opponents, they can still be killed. Trained warriors like Heimdall, the Warriors Three, and Sif have more developed durability, enabling them to hold their own against powerful opponents like the Destroyer. The royal family, again, has the highest level of durability.
Even though they can survive tremendous amounts of superhuman physical punishment more than a normal human being, Asgardians can still be injured. It is at this point that their regenerative abilities take effect. These abilities enable them to heal much faster than humans. Still, there is a "healing room" on Asgard that serves to expedite the treatment of grievous injuries among Asgard's general population. Odin appears to be one of the few Asgardians above such precautions, instead entering the Odinsleep, a prolonged period of suspended animation in which he regenerates his strength. Thor, as Odin's son, also possesses regenerative abilities higher than those of the average Asgardian. Alcohol must be stronger or ingested in higher quantities to affect an Asgardian as it would a human.
The Asgardians have a writing system similar to Earth's Nordic runes, and their spoken language is very similar to Norwegian. Fathers are seemingly honored in Asgardian culture by having their children named after them, spelled similar to Icelandic last names
== Known Asgardians ==
* Odin
* Frigga
* Thor Odinson
* Heimdall
* Sif
* Volstagg
* Fandral
=== Asgardian Citizens ===
* Destroyer Armor \dagger (Automaton)
* Hogun 
* Loki (Frost Giant)
Category:Race
Category:Species from the Nine Realms
Category:Asgardians
Category:Gods