Tyr

**Tyr** is a major character in the *Divine Comedy*.

Tyr is a god of war, law, justice, and honor as well as being the oldest of the Dagda and Morrigan's children. He is known for attempting to create a peaceful coexistence between the children of the Giants and monsters only to fail due to the rising fear and paranoia of the gods. He is perhaps more well-known for his friendship with Fenrir, only for that friendship to be botched by Odin resulting in Tyr losing his hand.

## History

### Background

Tyr is the oldest of the Dagda and Morrigan's three children, the sole brother with his two sisters Sif and Brigid, and while he was a god of war - inherited from his mother's side - he mainly fought for peace and justice. Even as a child he was the glue that held his siblings together but was equally as playful as the others.

At some point, Tyr would end up joining with the Norse gods as their ambassador, weaving diplomatic relations of non-conflict between the barbaric Aesir and the peaceful Vanir alongside Mimir. Though he was mocked by the Aesir for his kind nature and "sissy" attitude they did respect his combat prowess with the Vanir and even other foreign gods holding him in high regard for his impressive diplomatic attitude to not incite conflict.

What prompted Tyr to create more peaceful solutions between the gods and the monsters was the friendship between Gilgamesh and Grendel, and saw that instead of hastening their destruction by making enemies of them they would instead try to befriend them. Tyr would make plans in trying to create a more peaceful outcome between gods and monsters. This experiment would come in the form of Fenrir, a child of Loki and Delphyne, who is prophesied to bring about the destruction of Asgard alongside his siblings. The gods of course were hesitant but Odin would decide to play into Tyr's games and place Fenrir in Tyr's care to test his theory. Tyr took the pup and promised that he'd be safe with him.

### Binding of Fenrir

Over the years, Fenrir lived a relatively happy time in Asgard with Tyr, becoming best friends with the war god as the latter cared for and fed the pup. Fenrir even managed to get in contact with his father Loki who was grateful for Tyr's kindness towards his son but still detested Odin at what he did to his other children. However, with each year, Fenrir would continue to grow and soon became so large he was downright bigger than any castle. Fenrir's eagerness and excitement to see other parts of the realm led Tyr to allow him to roam and explore these realms but under his supervision. During one of such times, Fenrir met and eloped with a female wolf giant who would give birth to three children; two sons named Skoll and Hati with a daughter named Garm.

His growing size started to bring about an air of paranoia in Asgard especially towards Odin who had a nightmare about Fenrir destroying Asgard. Odin's fears overcame his rationality to where even Tyr's pleas fell on deaf ears and opted to bind Fenrir but had to do so stealthily. Odin would decide to feign playing a game with Fenrir where seeing as how big he was growing then he would be able to break out of any chain that held him. So, to test his strength, Fenrir had the gods wrap him in chains that no man or even god could break but each one was snapped after the other. Odin headed to Hephaestus for help, who together with his dwarves crafted a rope made of the following: The sound of a cat's footfall, women's beard, mountain roots, bear sinews, fish breath, and bird spittle. Though the rope was thinner than ribbon it was stronger than any chain around.

Odin went back to Fenrir and presented the rope to him before telling him that if he could break out of this rope then he'll show that he is not a threat and he'd be free to go. Fenrir was getting tired of their games and was starting to smell something sour afoot which made the gods all the more nervous. It wasn't until he was approached by Tyr that he assured him it would be fine and to remember the promise he made to him when he was a pup. In addition, if he thinks Tyr is lying then he could take his hand to which Fenrir accepted. When the gods put the magical rope around him, Fenrir could not break out of it no matter how hard he tried and at the moment, he realized their treachery, but was not as heartbroken upon realizing Tyr's supposed betrayal who was frankly just as shocked and appalled by the gods' treachery. In a fit of rage, Fenrir bit off Tyr's hands at the joint and quickly attempted to devour Odin only for the gods to hold him down before gagging him with a sword.

### Imprisoned

Despite the severity of the situation the gods actually laughed at the ordeal, all except for Tyr who could only look at them with scorn. Fenrir and Tyr shared one last look, their friendship now irreparably broken and sealing their fates at the End Times with Fenrir's binding being the last straw that led Loki to kill Baldr in revenge. Though Tyr lost his hand and his companionship with Fenrir, he would still try to make things right. He knew that Odin would come after Fenrir's children next and so opted to transfer them over to the Greek goddess Artemis knowing that they would be in safe hands with her. Unfortunately, Tyr would be found out by the gods who proceeded to imprison him for "treason" in helping the spawn of the enemy.

Thrown in a cell, Tyr begged and hollered at the gods to not harm Fenrir's children, swearing that they were not dangerous, but none took him seriously any more as Tyr wallowed in his cell. Much later, Tyr would be released and pardoned by the gods who managed to reached a negotiation with his parents. He was also informed that Skoll and Hati would be under the care of Artemis and Apollo much to his relief. However, Tyr was banished from Asgard and forced to wander the outskirts of the gods' realm all while knowing and waiting for the day of Fenrir's release and his death at the hands of his old friend.