Valkyries

## Summary

Valkyries are female-warriors tasked with selecting the most worthy warriors from among the deceased to become Einherjar. Although they are endowed with Heroic Boons from Freyja, they are recognized as the goddaughters of Odin, and there are thousands of them spreaded across Creation, with a hundred stationed in Valhalla to protect it and serve as guides for new Einherjar. They are led by council of nine Elder Valkyries, whose leader always carries the honorary name of「Brunnhilde(Daughter of the Great God)」.

Despite popular belief, the Valkyries aren't a singular race. It's a covenant consisting of members of various species, from Gods, Scions, and Einherjar, to Giants, Elves, and Dwarves. Many of the Æsir goddesses are also considered Valkyries, such as Thrúd, Eir, Göndul and Skuld. The only requirements include loyalty to the Æsir Gods (first and foremost being Odin), a warrior's hearts, and a heroic will. The majority of Valkyries identified as female (cisgender and transgender women alike), there are a handful of Valkyries who identified as other genders such as genderfluid or non-binary, and they are treated equally.

Their main duty is to bring the souls of the bravely slain to Valhalla, where they will be judged to see if they truly deserve to become an Einheri. Their other duties include being bodyguards for principal members of the Æsir (not that they actually need it), overseeing the harvest and preparations of divine sustenances, watching over selected families, vanquishing monsters and demons, and escorting souls claimed by the Norse Gods to Helheim. The Valkyries can be punished if they fail at their duties, if they choose unworthy Einherjar candidates multiple times, or if they are proven to be disloyal toward Odin.

Being a Valkyrie is considered a great honor for they directly serve Odin, and in order to become a Valkyrie, one must prove their bravery and selflessness, as well as performing a worthy enough deed to catch the Allfather's attention. The Valkyries' traditions are passed down orally, from sisters to sisters, and if one wishes to quit the mantle, all memories about the Valkyries' secret teachings will be wiped away with the waters of the Mímisbrunnr to protect the covenant. The only outsiders who are privy to their secrets are Odin, Frigga, and Freyja, who are their patron gods.

## Overall Assessment

### Powers & Abilities

* **Heroic Endowment**
	+ Mythical Physicality
		- *Mythical Strength*
		- *Mythical Endurance*
		- *Mythical Speed & Reflexes*
		- *Mythical Stamina*
		- *Mythical Senses*
		- *Mythical Awareness*
	+ Mental Stability ("Mind-Stilling")
	+ Battle Instincts
	+ Magic Affinity
		- *Limited Necromancy*
		- *Gift of Tongues*
		- *Floating / Flight*
	+ Lesser Purviews (War, Fortune, & Death)
	+ Immortality
		- *Regeneration*
		- *Limited Reincarnation*

### Weaknesses

* Divine Sustenance
* Weights of Immortality
* Allegiance to The Æsir Gods

## Trivia and Notes

### Trivia

* The original Nine Valkyries are: Brynhildr ("bright battle"), Sigrún ("victory rune"), Gunnr ("war, battle"), Róta ("sleet and storm"), Geirdriful ("spear-flinger"), Eir ("protection, help, mercy"), Göndul ("wand-wielder"), Ölrún ("ale rune"), and Skuld ("future").
* Many Valkyries reside in Fólkvangr, the Subrealm in Asgard ruled by Freyja where the Norse Gods' followers might ascend to if they have lived a righteous life. Others have their own private abodes all across the Yggdrasil Kosmos and other Æsir colonies on Earth, or also residing in Valhalla with the Einherjar.
* To prevent them from influencing human wars, Odin prohibited the Valkyries from engaging in a romantic relationship while still in service. Relationships established before joining the Valkyries are allowed, but only if they swear not to let it influence their decision. Not all Valkyries follow this particular rule, however...
* Terrible love life seems to be a running theme among the Valkyries. Whether it's cheating partners, scoundrels who took advantage of their status and magical powers, or falling for someone they cannot be with... the Valkyries have experienced it all.
* Some myths claim if a Valkyrie's feathered cloak is stolen, the Valkyrie will have to marry the thief and stay with him for at least seven years before she's allowed to return. Of course, no respectable Valkyries would allow such thing to happen.

### Notes

* Valkyrie is an Angelicized form of Valkyrja (pl. Valkyrjur).
* Valkyrie means "Chooser of the Slain". Their other aliases mean: Óskmey ("wish maid"), Óðinsmeyjar ("Odin's maids"), Randa-Hlín ("Shield-Goddess").
* In Norse mythology, a Dís (pl. Dísir) is a female spirit of fate often bidden to protect a family or a clan. They play a role similar to that of the Valkyries.