#barnstokkr

[illustratus]

Odin in der Halle Wolsungs (Odin in the Hall of the Völsungs) by Emil Doepler

The old man (Odin) places the magic sword Gram into a mighty oak tree Barnstokkr after entering the hall of the Völsungs, saying that it could belong only to the warrior who could pull it out, and whosoever could would be assured victory in battle.

[broomsick]

Óðinn picks the sword into Barnstokkr, by artist Alan Lee

“A certain man came into the hall unknown of aspect to all men; and suchlike array he had, that over him was a spotted cloak, and he was bare-foot, and had linen-breeches knit tight even unto the bone, and he had a sword in his hand as he went up to the Branstock, and a slouched hat upon his head: huge he was, and seeming-ancient, and one-eyed.

So he drew his sword and smote it into the tree-trunk so that it sank in up to the hilts; and all held back from greeting the man. Then he took up the word, and said—

‘Whoso draweth this sword from this stock, shall have the same as a gift from me, and shall find in good sooth that never bare he better sword in hand than is this.’

Therewith out went the old man from the hall, and none knew who he was or whither he went.”

Völsunga Saga - The Saga of the Völsungs, chapter III

[shinjishazaki]

Story Update: The Last Flower of Askr

Chapter Six: Eyes Filled with Fire

The morning came brighter and softer than any Sharena could remember, and hearing Dagr speak of Barnstokkr and all they could do together in Jötunheimr was a piece of joy she’d never expected to feel again. Even starting the day was less difficult than the day before.

The arrival of allies from Múspell and Nifl, though, tempers the joy. The news they bring is unsettling, and the declaration Niðavellir sends at the same time is enough to put any cheerful thoughts aside.

When Sharena takes to the battlefield, she does what she can to put everything but the present moment out of her mind. Everything Lady Nifl tells her, every demand Niðavellir makes—she puts it aside to focus.

Above her, the sky is dark.

:)

(It’s terrible that so much happens in this chapter and I just can’t say much because it would spoil the really horrid twist I put in)

Enjoy, reblogs are appreciated, and I’m expecting the next chapter to be the last!

[drachenheld-archive]

I have stumbled upon some translations and summaries from Gotterdamerung, Lost Belt 2 and I’m sorry but I must put this master piece, even if it’s not Siegfried related at all. I feel all of you need to see this, especially @fafnirsxbane/ @drxgonharted Put under a read more because god, this is long. (personal recommendation, read all of it, with this song)

Holmes: Still, I see. By seeing your performance thus far, there are still things I can understand. A mastery of the sword that can even be called peerless, in Scandinavia. A strong and sturdy body. The reflexes and intelligence to easily evade my beams. You know it, right?    You know that I am a Heroic Spirit who employs magical attacks. Likely, we can call that wisdom.    Then, you are… Someone who defeated the evil dragon, and then devoured its knowledge. Am I mistaken?   

Masked Heroic Spirit: Hou?   

Holmes: The son born from the union between Sigmund, King of Hunaland, and the daughter of King Eylimis, Hiordis. Even amongst the brothers who are said to be mighty heroes with strength, intelligence, and all manners of techniques and abilities that surpass the common man…    You were the most excellent of them, a man praised as the noble King of Warriors. You were the wondrous swordsman who renewed further the demonic sword which King Sigmund obtained from overcoming the great god’s trial at the Barnstokkr.   

Mashu: That’s… could it be…!   

Holmes: The seasoned stalwart who defeated the army of King Hunding and took vengeance for his father, Sigmund. The hero who single-handedly defeated Fafnir, the radiant evil dragon phenomenon which became the greed of Gnitaheidr. The human who could ride anywhere in the world after becoming fast friends with Sleipnir’s son, Grani. The great hero, who devoured the dragon’s heart, and obtained invincible strength as well as divine wisdom!    Your true name is Sigurd! Equal to Siegfried, one of the strongest Heroic Spirits in Scandinavia!   

Mashu: Dragonslayer…!

[kinlochhold]

those alistair and mage mod recs for DAO

Alistair romance and gameplay

Improved Romance Scenes - Alistair by cmessez (currently hidden on the Nexus)

Rendezvous at the tavern also by cmessez

Alistair’s Visible Kiss by DahliaLynn

Alistair’s First Night Love Scene by DahliaLynn

Alistair’s Epilogues: The Royal Wedding by DahliaLynn, or

Grey Warden Weddings by nancyferg/luna1124

Sleep Until Dawn + Alistair’s Nightmare (DahliaLynn again... her mods are great!)

GateKisses by charsen

Enchanting Mementos by LadyHonor

Andrastini/Tinimaus has a slew of well done cutscene mods; while I never had a chance to use some of them personally, I’d still recommend them:

Alistair Romance Appetite

Alistair Romance Attraction

Alistair Romance Fear

Alistair Romance Eavesdropping

Alistair Romance The steamy Bits

Alistair Romance Hot Water

and by Tini’s compatriot Sarah Cousland there’s

Alistair Nights - a Sultry Bath

Alistair’s Magical Kiss

Tinimaus and SarahCousland's - the Rescue at Ishal

Alistair’s Dark Ritual by Kajana, or

Deleted Dark Ritual Scene by TheOneKnight (they aren’t compatible, from what I can recall)

Funeral Kiss or The Last Night by Kianta405 (might not be compatible with one or the other of the preceding two)

Alistair gives gate speech if King (part of ejoslin’s ZDF mod, IIRC)

Romance Mementos for Awakening by Gewitterwolke

Alistair Adore Items by rak72

Alistair’s Mother’s Amulet and Alistairs Rose by Jinxy Jo

A Warden’s Sacrifice by Kajana

And I made a couple of crappy Alistair romance-related mods that are on the Nexus:

Alistair’s Rose by theskymoves

A Ring from Alistair by theskymoves 

Mage gear

Mostly I used stuff from mods like Loincloth Fashion, Back to Ferelden, and Kirkwall Exports, along with

Ferelden Senior Enchanter Robe Standalone by theskymoves

Apostate clothing by tmp7704 (google for a download of that, it’s not on the Nexus)

Brocade Mage Robes by MsBarrows

Robes of the Four Elements by Kwait_W

Concept art Mage Robe by LevanaFay

Wing of Lilith and Shangrilla noble dress, both by Nowshin

Robes of the High Dragon by Serissia

Warden Witch Project and Robes of the Noble Mage by rak72

Wings of Velvet by Moonwing

Staff of Many colours by theskymoves

Awakening Weapon Models for Origins by Gewitterwolke

Branch of the Cursed Tree Barnstokkr  by ashtar01

And if I was bloodmagicking it, I’d install

Lifedrinker Improved by Kevin Kidder

Amulet of the Undead by Leon9214

Spells and misc

Open Lock Spells by jwvanderbeck

Spell School - Divine by Mick Hawkins

Uncapped Elemental Damage Bonus by Kevin Kidder

Drain Blood by Kevin Kidder

Super Fast Swarm by XunAmarox

Cullen romance option - Mage Origin by Cmessaz

Forbidden Love Lockets by rak72

[cargopantsman]

Catching Up On Week 1, Part 2 and Creeping into Week 2

So last we left our intrepid hero kissing his mother for the first and last time before she died having him cut out of her after 6 years. Having claimed the throne of Hunland in the stead of his dead dad Rerir, Völsung quickly moved on to manly warrior things and kingly endeavors. 

When he had reached "manhood," Hrimnir, the Jotun who had sent his daughter, the valkyrie Ljod, with the apple to Rerir, again sent his daughter to Völsung with... a marriage. A little awkward, but they apparently got on well enough to have 11 kids. Sigmund and Signy (eldest twins) and 9 (disposable) sons, even though all were said to be of superb caliber. While Ljod was popping out babies (instead of reaping the slain) Völsung went about the construction of a grand hall, with a gigantic oak tree in the center which was named Barnstokkr.

This hall and the tree become host to a politically arranged wedding between Signy and Siggeir, the king of Gautland, which is apparently a big deal, so I'm going to assume that he is king of the Geats from the mainland and not just the ruler of an island of Gutes. Signy is not pleased with this arrangement, but acquiesces to her father's and brothers' advice that this marriage will be great for the family. Big feast, lots of people, large fires lighting up the hall, it was practically an Old Norse rave.

Then (not) Oðinn enters, stabs a sword into Barnstokkr up to the hilt, declared the sword belongs to whoever can pull it out and wanders off the way Oðinn does. Everyone tries their hand at it, from the nobles downward. King Siggeir would have tried first, possibly Völsung himself, and then on down the ranks until Sigmund just... slides the sword out like it were only in a sheath.

So while this equates to our beloved Excalibur legend, @edderkopper brings up an intriguing layer of meaning to the sword in the tree. Digging into Hilda Davidson's study on this a bit more {via Wikipedia, apparently I need to make a trip to my library for this text} it also seems that Siggeir's anger for not getting the sword, let alone being snubbed by Sigmund, might be because it was tradition that the gift of a sword made at a wedding feast is not just a blatantly phallic fertility symbol, but that Barnstokkr (child-trunk') represents a family 'guardian tree' associated with the 'luck' of the family, particularly in matters of childbirth. So not only is Siggeir denied a prize sword, there is some symbolism depriving him of virility and offspring in favor of the bride's brother. [Foreshadowing! Ew...]

"You could have taken it from where it was as as I did, if it were right for you to bear it, but as it is, my hand was the first it came to, and you'll never get it, even if you offer all the gold you possess for it!" -Sigmund telling Siggeir to f*** off his sword.

But Siggeir is a conniving guy and plays it off like it is no big deal. Instead he takes his new found, reluctant wife Signy to bed. The next day he announces that while the weather is good he's just going to take his retinue home, which apparently was NOT the style at the time.

This next bit really makes me wonder about the lineage of the Völsungs. I know that not two chapters ago I read that Sigi was the son of Oðinn, but...

Völsung just married off his daughter and at the wedding feast Siggeir lost a contest to Völsung's son Sigmund. Not just any contest, but swords at weddings are apparently a THING (well, not a Thing... but a big deal). Beyond that Völsung knows his son snubbed the guest King. Now that king looks at his watch (sundial?) and goes,

"Oh! Would you look at the time?! We really must be off. So sorry, we know these things usually go for a few days, but I really just want to take my ball, I mean wife... And go home. But please do come visit!! Say, in about three months? That's just the amount of time it will take me to NOT get an army all readied up. By all means bring yourself, good king, and all your sons, ALL of them, and your best warriors! ... As befitting a king so grand as yourself."

To which Völsung replies "Sure! Sounds like not a trap all. I am excited about this." Even AFTER his daughter tells him "I have a bad feeling about this. My kynfylgju is telling me if we stick with this marriage it's going to end terribly for all of us." This really is a kind of Thor moment.

Now kynfylgju is more that just second sight, third thoughts, or any kind of intuition. This term combines the word kin/family with fylgja, which if we look at the definitions and etymology we get an interesting mix of meaning. As a verb, fylgja means to accompany, follow, come bundled with. As a noun it can mean company (as in one that is accompanying), placenta, or a spirit which follows someone (such as a guardian angel type spirit). This can echo the theme of Branstokkr as a guardian tree particularly in matters of the family and child-bearing.

Looking at Daniel McCoy's website, we see that fylgja is also one of many components of the Old Norse concept of a self. As a spirit that is bound to you and thrives as you would thrive. Sometimes this spirit would travel along a lineage for generations. The meaning of kynfylgju, family-guardian-spirit, could mean that Signy has a spirit that has been passed down from the days of Sigi, if not earlier. There's also the possibility that there is a spirit dedicated to the family as a whole, but given the meddling the gods have already done with this family, it is definitely reasonable to expect that this kynfylgu is a strong spirit.

Also, you don't write a prophecy in literature that doesn't come true. But that's a bit meta...

But in a further moment of Thor-like stubbornness and good-nature, Völsung essentially tells her "You're being silly dottir. It would be impolite to break off this marriage without good reason. If we broke this promise we couldn't trust his friendship to us."

"But daaaaaad! I'm telling you we already can't trust him!"

"Hush now and sail off with this man you've just met. Go make babies."

[lawain-dimensional-heroes]

[Drabble - A gram to find]

The dark night arrived and almost everyone from S.O.N.G was asleep. Maroon couldn't sleep due to the fact that he has been thinking about why there wasn't more symphogears, but there seemed to be more faust robe users day by day.

So he was walking outside his room, while he took a book about ancient weapons that he borrowed from the library and began researching everything about the relics's history as the ancient weapons they once were. As he was researching about them, one relic struck him as fascinating.

"...Gram. The sword that Odin struck in Barnstokkr... It got freed by Sigmund, but got broken in the battle with Odin himself...But Sigurd reforged it and slayed Fafnir the dragon with it... It later was used as a sign of chastity...Guess I'll have to find myself that sword tomorrow."

If he's going to survive the upcoming events in the future while being able to fight noises, he needs a way to protect himself against the danger while not being vulnerable to the noises' carbonizing effects. And all he knows is that a Symphogear is able to protect him from the noises and alca-noises.

He hoped that he wouldn't have to sing to use it, or even if he has to that he can learn to sing well quickly. After all that happened in his past with people hearing him sing and making of him because of that, he wasn't sure about it. Yet he felt that weird sensation that he wanted to do it.

As he took a deep breath, he wanted to sing. Untill he got disrupted by Genjuro cough, who was behind him as he waited for Maroon to notice him. Suprised by Genjuro being able to walk up behind Maroon without him noticing Genjuro, Maroon took a few steps back from Genjuro from shock.

"G-genjuro, sir!...H-how're you doing in this night..?" 

Maroon asked the man infront of him now. Genjuro gave him a calm expression, with a calm reply aswell as he looked at the direction of the book Maroon is holding.

"I am alright as of now. I've overheard you talk about Gram. You're still determined to wield a Symphogear after all that you've witnessed the experience of the other gear users?" 

With a sigh, Genjuro crossed his arms, observing what Maroon's next words will be. Genjuro noticed a bit of hesitation on Maroon's expression.

With that, Genjuro gave him one advice.

"You have a choice to back off from this, unlike the other six. They might've agreed to join S.O.N.G, Tsubasa included. However, unlike you and Tsubasa, they were forced to use it for the first time. But I won't force you to make a decision right away. Give yourself time to think. We're not in severe danger as of yet and we're unsure if there are still fragments of Gram able to be found. And even if we do find Gram, we aren't sure if we can make a Symphogear without Ryuoko's help. Like I said, you should think this through."

Though a small smile appeared when Genjuro chose to talk about the young male's abillity. 

"Besides, your strength is a big asset to our team for anything we're up against that aren't Noises. With your condition, I don't think that Gram isn't neccesary for you. If you're planning to look for it, then I advice you bringing along some of the members of the team. Understand?"

To Maroon himself, he already made his decision, but mention of bringing along some of the members has him raising an eyebrow, before he nodded towards Genjuro, when the man returned a nod aswell. After that, Maroon spoke up.

"I'll see what I can do. Who knows, maybe I'll find a way to create one...Or a Faust Robe instead. Hell, I can do alchemy already thanks to my dad's teaching me alchemy..." He looked at the time and sees it's just two hours before it's 4 O'clock. With that, Maroon's eyes widened, before looking at Genjuro again."I'll go rest again. I will see you tomorrow, sir."

With that, Maroon walked back to his room as he's still thinking..

'..Gram. I'll find it, even if it's nothing more then dust.. I don't want to risk being carbonized like any other gearless human. If I can't use the sword as it normally is, then I'll guess I'll have to make it into something that suits my style. I don't want to use HIbiki's gear, as much as I don't want to admit it to since we both use our fists to fight. I can't take someone else's gear..But I also can't deny that her gear-- the way it is, fits my fighting style.'

Once he got in his room, he took a breathe again, before exhaling and softly talking when he lays down on his bed.

"I have so many questions about Symphogears, but I know now which relic to start off with. Gram, please wait."

[attentionspangames]

Odin's God Kit, day 6: Item, Sword of Gram During the wedding feast of Signy, an old cloaked man entered the hall carrying a sword, strode up to the Barnstokkr tree growing in the middle of the hall and thrust the sword deep into the tree. Little did anyone know, the old man was Odin, cloaked in his disguise. With all attention now on him he spoke “The man to pull out this sword from the trunk shall receive it from me as a gift and he will find out for himself that he never bore in hand a better sword than this.” Everyone attending the wedding tried and failed to pull the sword, until finally Signy's brother Sigmund attempts, and draws the sword with ease. Learn more about this and other games we produce at www.attentionspangames.com In the #Seattle area and want to demo this or other games we produce, message us and we will make something happen. #asgames #odin #Odinawakened #Norse #gods #mythoi #playtest #indiegaming #bbg #pnwgamers #gamestorm #gamergeek #boardgamegeek #seattlegaming #bgg #bggcommunity #newart #earlyaccess #sneakpeek #boardgamenight #boardgame #swordofgram (at Attention Span Games & Garb)

[illustratus]

Sigmunds Schwert - Sigmund's Sword by Johannes Gehrts

A mysterious, Odin-like figure presents the sword he has stuck into the tree Barnstokkr