Loki

**Pantheon**: Norse

**Title**: The Trickster God

## Information

Loki is a mysterious, contradictory spirit, perhaps the ultimate trickster. Loki is usually classified as a Jotun (giant) but was conceived when lightning (his father) struck a leafy oak (his mother) and so may be some kind of primordial fire spirit. His name is related to an Old High German word meaning “shooting star.” Loki was born from the spark of life but his own children include the goddess of death and the wolf of doom.

Loki lives among the Aesir spirits and is Odin’s blood brother. He is Thor’s travelling companion; ostensibly his friend. Yet he conspires against them and is responsible for the death of Baldur. At the same time, he is instrumental in obtaining many of their most precious tools and attributes. Loki is the mother of Odin’s prized eight-legged steed Sleipnir. Loki constantly leads the Aesir into danger and then proceeds to rescue them as with the myth of Idunn’s apples or the theft of Thor’s hammer.

Loki’s motives and loyalties are never clear. Part of this confusion is because Norse mythology was committed to paper by later Christian commentators who identified Baldur with Christ. Extending the metaphor, Loki was identified with Judas or Satan. It is difficult if not impossible to find sympathetic portrayals of Loki. (And yet with Loki, there is always an exception: in a traditional ballad from the Faeroe Islands, after Odin and Hoenir, another Aesir spirit, fail, Loki rescues a young boy from a troll in response to prayers directed to him by the boy’s parents.)

If Odin masquerades in the guise of Santa Claus, as some believe, then Loki may be the original persona behind Santa’s dangerous helpers like Krampus or Black Pete.

Loki is more than a trickster and a plotter; he is a skilled inventor, artisan and craftsman. He is a font of obscure knowledge. He is nosy and extremely observant. He has a malicious streak and a vicious, cutting humor although he is also the only one able to make the goddess Skadi laugh following the death of her father. In the poem, the Lokasenna, the other deities seek to keep Loki from entering Aegir’s hall where they are feasting. He enters anyway and abuses them: publicly exposing their secrets and accusing them of cowardice until Thor returns with his hammer and forces Loki to be quiet.

**Favoured People:** Loki is the patron of spies; moles; trouble-makers; plotters; secret agents; double agents; double crossers; those operating under cover. (He may or may not be a reliable patron.)

**Manifestation:** Loki is a master shape-shifter. He can appear in any guise. Loki’s transformations are not merely superficial: when he appears in the form of a gorgeous white mare, the transformation is so complete that s/he gives birth to Sleipnir. Loki who enjoyed sexual relations with many of the Norse goddesses is allegedly very handsome and charming when he wishes to be.

**Consort:** Angerboda is also his sister, possibly his twin, and alter-ego. Both frequently assume other names and disguises. It’s unclear whether some myths reference Angerboda or Loki in disguise as for example the giantess who refuses to weep for Baldur. Loki’s second wife is Sigyn who shares Loki’s exile following Baldur’s death.

**Sacred animals:** Wolves, snakes, possibly spiders

**Star:** Sirius, known as Lokabrenna (“Loki’s Brand” or “Loki’s Torch”) in traditional Norse astrology

**See Also:** Aegir; Aesir; Andvari; Angerboda; Balder; Hel; Idunn; Jotun; Odin; Skadi; Thor

## Smite Lore

Villain. It's a word used to describe those that break the rules, that take what they want, and care nothing for those hurt along the way. Loki, the trickster God, would say villainy is nothing more than a point of view.

The point of view of fools too mindless to seize opportunity.

Of course, with Loki now on the loose, the implications are dire. The end of times may be at hand. The final battle, Ragnarok, possibly on the horizon, for it was foretold that Loki would break free of his prison and herald the horrific final battle that would leave the Gods slain, the heavens sundered, and the world in ashes. None are more eager for that time of chaos than Loki.

Before his confinement, Loki's malicious mischief managed to affect every God in ways both beneficial and terrible. Yet Loki's most heinous act was in the death of the God of light, Baldr.

Baldr's prophetic dreams showcased his own death. Fearful for her son, Frigg, forced all objects of the world to swear never to harm him. All save mistletoe. Cruelly amused, Loki forged a spear from the plant and provided it to Baldr's brother Hodr. The Gods had a new favourite game, hurling objects at Baldr and laughing as they harmlessly ricocheted. So Hodr threw the spear, but, to everyone's horror Baldr was impaled. Hel agreed to release Baldr from the underworld if all creatures of the world mourned the God of Light. And all did, save one crone who refused. So Baldr died.

When it was discovered the crone was Loki in disguise, the furious Gods bound him in entrails and hung a venomous serpent overhead. Loki's wife, Sigyn, collected the dripping venom in a bowl, but when she was forced to empty it, Loki was struck, causing such anguish his thrashing would shake the world.

## Appearance in Marvel

Regular LokiComic book LokiClassic LokiPresident Loki
## Appearance in Modern Media

From SmiteFrom the Marvel cinematic UniverseFrom Marvel ComicsFrom Shuumatsu no valkyrie/ record of Ragnarok MangaFrom Record of Ragnarok AnimeFrom Age of MythologyFrom Shin Megami TenseiFrom persona 5From DislyteFrom Divine GateFrom Dawn of GodsFrom Blood BrothersFrom Puzzle & DragonFrom Force of WillFrom Age of IshtariaFrom Monster StrikeFrom Rage of BahamutFrom Eiyuu Senki
## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes