Chapter Two: The Gods of Aeliode Volsung Titles: Ochesa, The Fool, The Forest of Blótskógr Portfolio: hunting, dominance over the ocean, strength over adversity Typical Worshipers: hunters; miners; travelers in forests Typical Worshiper Alignment: CG Domains: Animal, Earth, Nobility, Plant, Strength Subdomains: Fur, Growth, Resolve Favored Weapon: Longbow Minor Ritual: Sacrificing a seabird and rubbing its blood into the wood of a bow Sample Blessing: “You were molded from the bones of Aeliode, may you find its strength within.” Symbol of Volsung Volsung is a great hunter from the ages before time One can still watch him track his prey, the great stag Doutharorth, across the stars of the night sky Every so often his eternal hunt leaves his body worn and he will descend to the realm of mortals to rest Often he will take on the outer shape of a weary traveler and seek shelter and nourishment from those who live in his chosen land of the Ostmen Islands Those who grant hospitality to him and treat him according to the rites of honor will find their dwelling blessed While it is known that Volsung can change his appearance, he most often appears as a broad-shouldered and barrel-chested man with a fiery red beard and head shaved bare Tattoos on his arms, chest, and head depict other great beasts he has hunted and slain, their sacrifice indelibly honored on his flesh Prominent among them is a great twoheaded serpent tattooed in red ink coiled on his back In any form he chooses to take he carries with him his bow, Veidrsoltimm It is said that he carved this mighty bow from the pale roots of the great tree Laeradr which covers and protects all the world The bow shines bright silver when Volsung readies an arrow and it is known that the crescent moon is Volsung’s bow, ready to loose its fiery death To Volsung’s shame, not all of his hunts were noble He is responsible for the slaying of Tulhesa, an act which drives his occasional madness When he recalls the blood that is on his hands he descends into a violent blood rage and transforms into his darker aspect Balar While so enraged he often destroys all that he has strived to build Priests: Priests of Volsung not wear priestly robes or have official vestments like Avitian Priests Priests can be identified, however, by their habit of rubbing charcoal around their eyes as well as wearing a mantle of fur or feathers There are two sects of priests who give devotion to Volsung, the Spábera and the Haugrgera The Spábera see it as their responsibility to hold back Volsung’s transformation into Balar They are often gifted singers and storytellers This sect holds the history of the Ostmen and is called upon when tales of heroes past are needed or when a new leader has arisen from the people They are sowers of glory who often call upon the Ostmen to undertake dangerous trials so that Volsung may see the greatness of his people The Haugrgera sect has taken on the sacred role of raising the islands upon which the Ostmen reside from the tumult of the ocean They are often seen traveling the land calling new stone into creation through their prayers They also often reside over funerary rituals and are called upon to shepher the souls passing through the great Laeradr tree Only the most daring of priests take up this calling as it places them close to the edge of Volsung’s rage Worshipers: Worshipers of Volsung are common among the Ostmen and prayers to him are given up on an almost daily basis Many offer up portions of their hunts to Volsung when they are successful, or from their food stores in the hopes a future hunt will bring in fresh meat Miner’s often ask for Volsung’s blessing before they begin a new dig as well as those who wish to build a new building or structure As the tale of the god’s bouts with madness is well known, many songs and stories are performed in his honor in the hopes of calming the god’s griefstricken heart 39