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God of : n/a | Hall : n/a | Mount : n/a

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King Volsung built his mighty hall in quite an unorthodox manner. It had a great Oak tree on the inside which acted as a huge support pillar, with it's branches blossoming all over the roof. This tree was known as Branstock.

His hall was an ideal settting for his daughter Signy's wedding to Siggeir, with great fires to sit around when the guests had been well and truly oiled and fed.

Later that night Odin gatecrashed the reception in one eye and wide-rimmed hat mode and rammed a dirty great sword right through the trunk of Volsungs favourite tree.

But he wasn't being rude. It was a special sword meant for a special warrior, and only the bravest would be able to pull it out. All who were there tried and failed until Volsungs son, Sigmund, stepped up and pulled it out like it was the easiest thing in the world. This made his new brother-in-law insanely jealous.

All attempts to strike a deal in exchange for gold fell on deaf ears, which made Siggeir even more irate, but he was going to get that sword by hook or by crook and a trecherous plot was cooked up.

Three months later Völsung, Sigmund, and his nine brothers were invited to visit the newlyweds in Gautland, but the Gauts welcoming party weren't particularly welcoming.

See our Sigmund entry for more details.