Niflheimr, Thule, and The Midgard Serpent
Niflheimr,
High res version of Niflheimr
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_U...ew?usp=sharing
High res version of Thule & The Midgard Serpent
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_U...ew?usp=sharing
Far to the Northwest of the Vagothian realms is said to be the mythical lands of Niflheimr. These lands are named after a similar place from their old world. To find it, you must travel over 1,250 leagues heading Northwest from the Skjaldborg Eylands. A little over half way, you will come across the uninhabited island of Thule where your ship will have safe harbor. The waters between Thule and Niflheimr are known for the giant creatures of the deep that travel in great schools. It is said that Jormungandr, the Midgard Serpent, loves to hunt these beasts and causes great storms.
Niflheimr is a realm of primordial ice and cold and has born to the world many terrible things. There are 12 rivers, much like the place of legend from Vagoth's mythology, but a single spring is not the source of these, nor is there a great tree. These rivers are known as: Elivagar, Svol, Gunnthra, Fjorm, Fimbulthul, Slidr, Hrid, Sylgr, Ylgr, Vid, Leiptr, and Gjoll. This is a barren place, with no forests and little vegetation. The animals that do live here mostly dwell along the coast or within the sea. It is also believed that after the end of the Faith Wars, many powerful creatures and lesser gods may have fled to the mountains of Niflheimr.
A black dragon stalks these lands and is known as Nithhoggr, the Malice Striker! He lives in the mountain named Nithofjoll and guards the halls of Nastrond. Nastrond means the Corpse Coast, and it is believed that those who were murders, adulterers, and all who have had died of disease or old age dwell here and serve the Goddess Hel. These are the shores of the undead. They do not feel the cold, they never tire, and one day, they will march against Odin.
From Vagothian Lore:
"From below the dragon dark comes forth, Nithhoggr flying from Nithofjoll. The bodies of men on his wings he bears, the serpent bright. But now must I sink."
"A hall I saw, far from the sun. On Nastrond it stands, and the doors face north. Venom drops through the smoke-vent down, for around the walls do serpents wind. I there saw wading through rivers wild treacherous men and murderers too, and workers of ill with the wives of men. There Nithhoggr sucked the blood of the slain and the wolf tore men; would you know yet more?"
According to legend, Hel's abode is far to the northwest through many valleys and passes. A great city of many mansions sits before the caverns of Niflhel. It is guarded by the Modgudr, the Furious Battlers, a army of frost giants led by Helreginn, the frost giant queen. There are three gates. To the west is Valgrind the Carrion Gate. To the south is Helgrind the Hel Gate. And, to the east is Nagrind the Corpse Gate. On the Northern side of the city, a great abyss known as the Fallandaforad sits at the threshold of the Gates of Niflhel. Within the mountain is the great hall of Eljudnir as well as the caverns of Niflhel beneath.
Hel lives in Eljudnir. Her bed is call Kor the sick bed, and the bed curtains are called Blikjandabol the gleaming disasters. A small table sits within the bedchamber. On it is the dish called Hunger and the knife known as Famine. Two undead servants tend Hel's needs, Ganglati & Ganglot. The guardian hound Garmir lays at the foot of her bed. Hel leans on a staff, and like all Vagothian Gods, is girthed with a blade. Half her body is beautiful, alive, and full of color; while the other half is undead, deformed, and pale blue. Hel, the daughter of Loki, is a dread thing indeed.
The Vagothians can tell me many things about Niflheimr, they know the stories well, but I have yet to meet anyone that has actually been there or who were willing to go there. Even though it is on many maps, I am not sure that it truly exists. Someday, I will have to find the truth of Niflheimr.
Signed,
The Father, Council of the Hvitalfr, Lord of Destiny, and the Patron Saint of Orphans.
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