Asgard

Valkyries
Einherjar
Amazons
Trolls
Fomorians

Asgard formerly known as Asheim, is the godly realm of the heavens located on the planet Iðavöllr in the Sky Dimension. It is fortified by an unfinished wall and the Himinbjorg which connects Asgard to the rest of the Nine Realms. It is home the Æsir gods, one of the strongest races in the Universe.

*Asgard is based on Ásgarðr from Norse Mythology and on Asgard from the Marvel Cinematic Universe*

## Description

Asgard is a modernized, gilded Viking-like city existing on the floating island of Iðavöllr. Throughout the city are large golden and thatch towers, halls, and palaces belonging to the most important of the Æsir. Surrounding the realm is an unfinished stone wall and the Himinbjörg, which connects Asgard to the rest of the Nine Realms.

## History

### Development

#### Fleeing Niflheim

Near the end of the War of Niflheim, The Æsir gods born of Niflheim fought in a terrible war against the Ice Giants of the realm. When they eventually killed the leader of the Fomorians, Ymir, the Ice Giants grew more brutal and hostile, causing the Æsir to retreat into the Bifröst where they landed on the planet Iðavöllr in the Ether.

#### Establishing Asgard

The Æsir began constructing a large city on a cliff face on the far north side of Iðavöllr. This city would eventually be known as the Realm of the Æsir and the head of the Nine Realms, Asgard. The Æsir, now known as the Asgardians made several towers and halls for every single god, but none bigger than the hall of Valaskjálf, where Odin's throne resides.

### Attempted Siege of Asgard

#### Wall of Asgard

Asgard was visited by supposed Vanir god named Hrimthur, who heard word of the Frost Giant attack. He offers the Asgardians a protective magical barrier built around Asgard. In exchange he wanted the hand of Vanir goddess Freyja, as well as Iðavöllr's sun and moon. The Master Builder nearly completed the wall in the allotted time but was tricked into losing the bet by the Æsir, Vanir, and Loki, god of mischief. In a rage, Hrimthur revealed himself to be a Fomorian and began to attack Asgard, but he was quickly vanquished by protector god, Thor.

#### Construction of the Himinbjorg

After being attacked by the Fomorians twice, the Asgardians realized the unprotected Bifröst poses a threat to Asgard and its people. They conducted a way to control it. They built the Himinbjorg on the outer edge of the city, where it channels Yggdrasill's energies throughout the Nine Realms.

### Death of Baldr

#### Hödr's Accident

At an unknown point in the past, Ægir, Jötunn personification of Iðavöllr's oceans, threw a large party were all of the gods were invited. In this party all of its members took turns attacking the god of light and beauty, Baldr, who was immune to everything in the Nine Realms, apart from mistletoe. Loki was also invited to Ægir's party, where he plotted to take prideful Baldr down a peg. He tricked Baldr's blind twin brother, Hödr into shooting a mistletoe tipped bolt at Baldr, killing him on the spot and lighting the first spark for Ragnarök.

#### Asgard Mourns

Odin, King of Asgard, tried to retrieve Baldr's soul from Helheim in the Underworld. However, the goddess of death, Hel, would not let him go. They made a deal, that if all Jötnar, Æsir, Vanir, and Ljósálfar in the Nine Realms wept for Baldr, she would let him go. Odin nearly accomplished this challenge, everyone in Asgard, Vanaheim, Jötunheim, and Alfheim, cried for Baldr. But, a Jötunn woman refused to cry for the god of beauty, keeping his soul trapped in Helheim until Ragnarök.