CODEX NORDICA n this Codex the Nordic cultures are explored will enable CKs and players to jump into a Viking universe, or from a gaming perspective. The peoples that to take piece-meal aspects and elements and insert them into comprise the Nordic groups are the Swedish, their games. Danes, Norse and the other peoples of Scan- dinavia. From their mythical and historical The Castle Keeper will be able to create Nordic of their I perspectives the Castle Keeper and players very own after reading through this Codex. Perhaps it will help can delve into new concepts and ideas that can expand their cam- to inspire research into the full gamut of tales, poems and histo- paigns into new directions. ries and engineer elaborate Viking-like campaigns. This Codex is a perfect fit with the Codex Germania because of the two The northern Germanic peoples, classified as the ‘Vikings’ en- regions’ shared cultures, myths and histories. tered into history by the 8th century not long after the Migration Era tribes swept out of eastern and Central Europe. But they had The more mythologized and glorified perception of the Vikings gained a more vile reputation for their raids and bloody deeds is the focus in this book and this is for many reasons. One, it is across a plethora of peoples from as far west as Newfoundland generally what most people think of when they hear and read in the Americas to Byzantium in the east in later history’s eyes. the word ‘Viking’, and secondly because it is easier to play if the CK wants a dramatic and epic story that conforms with the In this Codex several new character classes will be introduced Nordic style. On the other hand, the CK could take a more fac- (Berserkers, Seiðkona, Völva, and Giant Killer) as well as tual and serious route with the Scandinavian peoples, agreeing countless new monsters, races and beings from Nordic mythol- with history and known evidence using the data in this to add ogy. The Nine Worlds from the mythologies of the Vikings will that supernatural touch to things. be explored and playable for the first time. Take up your sword, grab your lucky charm, and don your As with each Codex in the series, a little of every character class Hammer of Pórr, and jump aboard a long-ship and set sail for is represented (when possible) and in some cases expanded on adventure. Take your gaming to new places with a Nordic twist given the cultures involves. The materials provided in this book in this exciting Codex.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE AGE OF MEN 13 CODEX NORDICA 2 OGL 4 CHAPTER 2: THE NINE WORLDS 15 THE VALIANT VANYIR. 5 MÚSPELLSHEIMR 15 NIFLHEIMR 16 CHAPTER 1: HISTORY & COSMOGRAPHY 7 GINNUGAGAP 18 THE MURKY BEGINNINGS 7 JÖTUNHEIMR 18 THE SUDDEN EMERGENCE 8 HELHEIMR 20 THE MYTHIC HISTORY 9 MIÐGARÐR 21 THE NOTHINGNESS OF THE MIST- 9 ÁLFHEIMR 22 WORLD VANAHEIMR 23 THE GIANT OF GIANTS 9 ÁSGARÐR 24 THE SONS OF BORR & YMIR’S FATE 10 YGGDRASIL 24 CREATION OF MANKIND 10 THE NORDIC LANDS 25 THE MAKING OF THE DAY AND NIGHT 11 ÁSGARÐR – THE HOME OF THE GODS 11 CHAPTER 3: MAGICAL BEINGS & 31 YGGDRASIL – THE WORLD TREE 11 MONSTERS OÐIN’S KINGSHIP OF THE ÆSIR 12 ÁLFAR 31 THE MANY ADVENTURES OF THE ÆSIR 12 ASKRFROA 32 THE FINAL WINTER 13 BØYG 32

2 CASTLES & CRUSADES BYSEN 33 GOÐI – CHIEFTAIN OFFICIATES 59 DI SMA UNDR JORDI 33 THE BLÓT 59 DÖKKÁLFAR 33 RING OATHS 60 DRAGON 34 CHARMS 61 35 ADDITIONAL MAGIC 61 DVERGAR 36 CHAPTER 5: THE GODS AND GIANTS 63 EINHERJAR 37 ELDJÖTNAR 37 THE ÆSIR 63 ELLEPIGER 38 THE ÁSYNJUR OF ÁSGARÐR 71 FINFOLK 38 GIANTS, MONSTERS AND EVIL BEINGS 76 FYLGJA 39 PAGAN RELIGIOSITY 81 HAUGBUI 39 SACRED PLACES 82 HILDISVÍNI 40 FUNERAL PRACTICES 83 HRÍMÞURS 40 THE END OF THE WORLD 83 HULDRA 40 THE BASIC WARRIOR 87 HYLDEMOER 41 THE ELITE WARRIOR 87 IRRBLOSS 42 THE DUEL OF HONOR 89 JÖTUN 42 A HEROIC DEATH 90 KETTA 43 THE SHIELDMAIDENS 90 KETTHONTLA 43 THE METHODS OF BATTLECRAFT 91 KLABAUTERMANN 43 THE ACCUTREMENTS OF WAR 92 KRAKEN 44 THE BERSERKER (CHA) 95 LJÓSÁLFAR 44 GIANT KILLERS – The Bold Hunters 98 MARMENNILL 45 CHAPTER 7: CASTLE KEEPER INFO 102 NÄCK 45 NORDIC SOCIETY 102 PUKI 46 THE ASSEMBLY OF LAWGIVERS 103 SKRØMT 46 VOYAGES 104 ÞURISAZ 47 THE POETS OF COURT 107 47 EXAMPLES OF KENNINGS 108 VALKRYJA 48 THE NAME-GIFT 111 VARDØGER 48 MALE NORSE NAMES 112 VARGR 49 OÐIN’S MANY NAMES 113 VÆTTIR 49 VOGEL GRYFF 50 CHAPTER 8: THE PRECIOUS WORKS 117 WULVER 50 NORSE ENCHANTED WEAPONS AND 117 CHAPTER 4: WIZARDRY & ENCHANTMENTS 53 POSSESSIONS FROM LEGEND THE SMITHS 117 THE SEIÐR 53 ITEMS AND WEAPONRY SEIÐKONA – THE SORCERESS (INT) 54 118 OF ENCHANTMENT THE RUNIC SECRETS 56 THE ÆSÍR AND VANÍR 119 THE RUNES OF OÐIN 57 THE JÖTNAR & ALLIES 123 VÖLVA – THE PROPHETESS (CHA) 58 ADDITIONAL ENCHANTMENTS 125 ABILTIES 58

CODEX NORDICA 3