The Realm of Mortals
The Citadel of the Gods
The Realm of the Vanir
The Luminous Realm of the Light Elves
The Shadowed Dominion of the Dark Elves
The Realm of Endless Frost
The Inferno of Fire Giants
The Realm of the Giants
The Realm of the Dead
The Vikings of Midgard. The only race created by the Aesir Gods with Odin in charge. And hence, they have a special connection with these. Vikings are bred for war from childhood. Both women and men. The best are chosen by the Valkyries of the gods and taken to Valhalla the day they die.
See More
Also called Ljósálfar, residents of the magnificent realm Alfheim. Skilled in light and nature-based magic. They have a strong connection with the sun, life and nature, and a good relationship with the Vanir Gods in Vanaheim. They bear the power of the sun within them and are generally kind-hearted. But if you intentionally harm their holy places, be prepared to feel a smite piercing flesh and bone.
See More
Also called Svartálfar from the dark world of Svartalfheim. They are skilled in Dark Magic and using the shadows to their advantage. They value domination and tyranny, preferring to see their enemies crumble away while working as slaves in their society, rather than killing them right away. The tales from the few escaped prisoners, can unnerve even the bravest.
See More
Also called Dökkálfar. Tinkerers of the underground, living deep in the mountains in a highly comptetitive society. They are the most skilled rune smiths in the cosmos, capable of creating unparalleled magical weaponry. Their magical objects and war machines are coveted by all civilized races. Among many things, they created Thor's hammer Mjolnir and Odin's spear Gungnir.
See More
Draugrs is the undead of Norse Mythology. Their dead necrotic flesh reeks of decay. Cursed to wander the lands with no need for rest or food. They retain most of their intelligence but seek only the destruction of all living things. Using dark rituals they can spread their curse upon weakened victims or those who willingly submit their soul to eternal damnation.
See More
The wilderness is a dangerous place to be for the ill-prepared. Inhabited by many strange and powerfull creatures that only the most experienced and reckless warriors would dare to fight. Creatures like the charming Huldra, the savage trolls and the swift Vargrs. Disorganized but strong, they lurk on the fringes of civilization, where no one will hear your call for help.
See More
In the mystical world of Ashes of Idunn, magic weaves through the fabric of reality, a
foundational force that shapes the destiny of gods, mortals, and the myriad creatures that
inhabit the Norse realms. This world is alive with the ancient energies of Seid, Elemental,
Necromancy, and Rune Magic—each a unique strand in the vast tapestry of the arcane.
Seid Magic delves into the spiritual, offering protection, insight into destiny, and the subtle
manipulation of foes, echoing the whispers of the Norns. Elemental Magic commands the raw
forces of nature, from the fiercest inferno to the deepest tide, embodying the primal fury and
beauty of creation. Necromancy, a darker path, explores the mysteries of death and the afterlife,
wielding the power to summon and command the undead. Rune Magic, the language of the
cosmos, taps into the ancient symbols that underpin reality, allowing for profound acts that
resonate with the very essence of existence.
Together, these magical arts form a complex and interconnected system that practitioners can
combine and weave into spells of great power and versatility. In Ashes of Idunn, magic is not
just a tool but a reflection of the cosmos's complexity, a testament to the depth of the Norse
mythological tradition and the endless possibilities it offers for exploration and adventure.
In the shadowed groves and misty realms of the Norse cosmos, Seid Magic breathes as the
subtle yet profound force that intertwines with the fabric of destiny itself. This ancient art,
bestowed upon the gods and select mortals by the primordial beings of the universe, serves as
a bridge between the tangible world and the ethereal realms of spirit and fate.
The origins of Seid Magic trace back to the dawn of creation, when the cosmos was young and
the threads of fate lay loose and unbound. It was Freyja, the Vanir goddess of love, beauty, and
sorcery, who first mastered this art, teaching it to the other gods and select humans deemed
worthy of its secrets. Seid Magic is deeply rooted in the understanding of the web of Wyrd, a
cosmic tapestry woven by the Norns, the divine beings who dictate the destiny of gods and men
alike.
Practitioners of Seid Magic, known as seidmenn and seidkona, are revered and sometimes
feared for their ability to glimpse into the future, to uncover the hidden threads of destiny, and to
manipulate the course of events with a subtlety that belies the power at their command. They
commune with spirits, seeking their guidance and channeling their energy to perform feats that
range from healing and protection to influencing the minds and hearts of others.
The use of Seid Magic requires not only knowledge and skill but a deep spiritual connection to
the forces that govern the universe. Through rituals and incantations, seid practitioners enter
trance-like states, allowing their consciousness to traverse the realms, to speak with the spirits,
and to weave or unravel the threads of fate. These rituals often involve the use of sacred
objects, such as staves and runes, as well as the chanting of galdr, magical songs that resonate
with the ancient power of the Norse cosmos.
Seid Magic is a double-edged sword, for in meddling with the tapestry of fate, one risks the
wrath of the Norns or the unforeseen consequences that come from altering destiny's course.
Thus, practitioners approach their art with respect, humility, and caution, aware of the
responsibility that accompanies their power.
In the grand saga of the Norse realms, Seid Magic occupies a place of awe and mystery. It is
the whisper in the wind that hints at what is to come, the shadow that moves unseen yet shapes
the world in ways both subtle and profound. Its practitioners are the unseen architects of
destiny, guiding the course of events with a hand gentle yet firm, ever mindful of the delicate
balance that governs the tapestry of existence.
Through Seid Magic, the ancient power of the Norse spirits flows, a testament to the depth of
connection between the realms of the seen and the unseen, and the intricate dance of fate that
weaves the story of the cosmos.
In the heart of the Norse cosmos, where the raw energies of creation pulse with life, Elemental
Magic stands as a testament to the power of the primal forces. This ancient and formidable type
of sorcery draws upon the elements that constitute the world itself: fire, water, earth, and air. Its
origins are as old as the realms, tied to the very act of creation when the fire of Muspelheim and
the ice of Niflheim met in the void, giving birth to Ymir, the first of the giants, and from his body,
the world was shaped.
Elemental Magic is the art of bending these primal forces to the will of the practitioner, a feat
achieved through deep understanding and connection with the natural world. Those who master
this magic can call forth flames that rage with the fury of Surtr, summon torrents and waves as
mighty as those that encircle Midgard, command the earth to shake with the strength of Ymir,
and evoke winds that carry the breath of Odin himself.
The mastery of Elemental Magic is not merely a matter of control but of harmony. The
practitioners, known as elementalists, must attune themselves to the essence of the elements,
understanding that each is a vital part of the world's balance. They learn to speak the ancient
language of the natural world, a dialogue of power and respect that allows them to tap into the
elemental energies that flow through the cosmos.
Fire magic embodies destruction and renewal, a dual force capable of consuming all in its path
yet also providing warmth and light. Water magic is the essence of life and change, its forms as
varied as the seas and as nurturing and treacherous as the depths. Earth magic speaks of
stability and strength, grounding the practitioner in the resilience of the land. Air magic is the
breath of freedom and movement, a whispering wind that carries the seeds of change.
The use of Elemental Magic is both a grand spectacle and a subtle art. In the hands of a skilled
elementalist, these forces can be combined to create phenomena of awe-inspiring power or
delicate balance. A magician might summon a storm to scatter an enemy fleet, call forth a
geyser to thwart pursuers, or weave together the elements to shield an ally from harm.
Yet, the power of Elemental Magic comes with great responsibility. The elements are not
servants to be commanded lightly; they are partners in the dance of creation and destruction.
Misuse of this magic can lead to imbalance, unleashing natural disasters or provoking the wrath
of elemental spirits. Thus, elementalists are not only masters of the elements but also their
stewards, tasked with maintaining the harmony of the natural world even as they draw upon its
power.
In the sagas and tales of the Norse realms, Elemental Magic is a symbol of the awe-inspiring
power of nature and the deep connection between all living things and the world around them.
Its practitioners are revered as powerful sorcerers, capable of shaping the battlefield, aiding
their allies, and commanding the respect of friend and foe alike with their mastery over the
primal forces of the cosmos.
Rune Magic, the most ancient and profound of the Norse magical arts, is the practice of wielding
the primal forces of creation through the inscription and invocation of runes. These runes are
not mere symbols but the very building blocks of the universe, each one embodying a
fundamental aspect of existence—be it an element, a concept, or a force of nature. The origin of
Rune Magic is intertwined with the mythology of the Norse cosmos, traced back to Odin, the
Allfather, and his quest for wisdom.
In his unending pursuit of knowledge, Odin hung himself from Yggdrasil, the World Tree, pierced
by his own spear for nine nights. In this state of sacrifice, he peered into the well of Urd and
discovered the runes, crying out as he took them up. Thus, Rune Magic was born from Odin's
sacrifice, a gift to the gods and, eventually, to mankind, offering a means to harness the
fundamental energies of the cosmos.
Rune Magic operates on the principle that the universe was created and is held together by
these sacred symbols. Practitioners of Rune Magic, known as runemasters or runecrafters,
learn to understand and manipulate the runes to affect the world around them. This can range
from invoking protection, healing, and strength to more esoteric effects like altering the flow of
time or bending the laws of physics. The power of a rune lies not only in its inscription but in the
understanding, intent, and will of the one who wields it.
The practice of Rune Magic requires deep knowledge and respect for the ancient traditions.
Runemasters spend years studying the meanings, combinations, and applications of runes,
learning how to integrate them into their craft. The runes are inscribed on objects, carved into
the earth, or even drawn in the air with energy, each method channeling the desired effect into
the world.
One of the most powerful aspects of Rune Magic is its versatility. Runes can be combined in
countless ways to create complex spells and enchantments. These combinations can amplify
the runes' effects, weave together multiple powers, or even create new magical phenomena.
The skill of a runemaster lies in their ability to understand the nuances of these combinations
and to apply them in the most effective manner.
Rune Magic is also deeply personal; the connection between a practitioner and their runes is
unique and reflects their individual path of understanding and power. This connection is
cultivated through meditation, study, and the runemaster's own experiences in wielding the
magic. It is said that the runes reveal their true power to those who approach them with humility
and a genuine desire for wisdom.
In the tapestry of the Norse realms, Rune Magic stands as a testament to the power of
knowledge and the profound connection between the written word and the forces that shape the
universe. It is a magic that binds the fabric of the cosmos, wielded by those who dare to follow
in the footsteps of Odin, seeking the wisdom of the runes and the secrets they hold. Through
Rune Magic, the language of creation itself is spoken, echoing the primal will that brought the
worlds into being.
Necromancy, within the rich tapestry of Norse mythology, is the art of communing with and
manipulating the forces of death. This dark and forbidden practice stands in stark contrast to the
other magical arts, for it delves into the shadows, reaching beyond the veil that separates the
living from the dead. The origins of Necromancy are whispered in the chilling tales of the
draugrs and the seidr practices that skirt the edges of the darker aspects of magic, revealing a
complex relationship with the afterlife and the powers that govern it.
The practice of Necromancy is believed to have emerged from the ancient understanding of
death and the afterlife, a knowledge that predates even the oldest sagas. It is rooted in the
belief that death is not an end but a part of the cyclical nature of existence, a phase in the
eternal journey of the soul. This art is both revered and feared, for it holds the power to breach
the most sacred of thresholds, offering dominion over death itself.
Necromancers, those who dare to walk this shadowed path, are often seen with a mixture of
awe and dread. They are capable of summoning the spirits of the dead, binding them to their
will to gain knowledge, power, or the sheer force of numbers in battle. These practitioners can
also invoke curses that sap the life force from their enemies, sow disease, or even reanimate
the dead, creating loyal servants or armies from the corpses of fallen warriors.
The use of Necromancy requires a profound understanding of the runes and rituals associated
with Hel, the Norse goddess of the underworld, and other darker entities. It involves complex
ceremonies, often requiring specific talismans, the casting of runes, and the utterance of
incantations that resonate with the energy of death.
Despite its power, Necromancy is a magic fraught with peril. The manipulation of death and the
undead forces the practitioner to confront the fundamental laws of nature and the wrath of the
gods who oversee the balance between life and death. Missteps can lead to dire consequences,
not just for the necromancer but for the natural order itself, as the undead, once unleashed, may
become a blight upon the land.
Moreover, the practice of Necromancy is not just about power over death; it is also a pursuit of
knowledge. Through communing with the spirits of the deceased, necromancers can uncover
lost wisdom, secrets of the past, and insights into the nature of the cosmos. However, this quest
for knowledge comes with the risk of being consumed by the darkness, losing oneself to the
very forces they seek to control.
In the great saga of the Norse realms, Necromancy occupies a shadowed niche, a reminder of
the omnipresent power of death and the allure of forbidden knowledge. It represents the darkest
aspects of magic, where the boundary between life and death is blurred, and the mysteries of
the afterlife beckon those brave or foolhardy enough to explore them. Through Necromancy, the
deepest shadows of the Norse cosmos are explored, revealing the complex interplay between
life, death, and the eternal cycle that binds all things.