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The Norse Pantheons top gods. Think huge hammers, rip-roaring adventure and days of the week.

Although anyone who married into the group, the resulting offspring and even the odd giant were welcomed into Asgard, there were only twelve divine Aesir, with Odin being the big boss man.

The others were Thor, Balder, Njord, Tyr, Bragi, Heimdall, Hod, Vidar, Vali, Ullr and Forseti, and although Loki the trickster is sometimes classed as one of the Aesir, he just did what Loki does and wormed his way in through the backdoor.

They would meet a Yggdrasil to talk shop, have great feasts and banquets courtesy of Andhrimnir, Heidrun and Sahrimnir in the Great halls and go on rip roaring adventures. You may be a little suprised to learn that they were all mortal but kept the signs of old age at bay courtesy of Idunn's magical apples. They could be injured, have limbs or various other body parts removed and feel pain, just ask Loki who was charged with the task of making Skadi laugh!

Their mortal enemies were the other group of gods known as the Vanir who were more into cultivation than annihilation, still, it takes two to tango and they chipped in to make exciting tales of war, kidknapp, trickery and general tom-foolery.

The trouble began with Gullveigs trip to Asgard. The Aesir, being infatuated with Gold wanted more of it, and they knew that Gullveig knew where they could find it. They tortured and burned her but she wouldn't give up the secret. Three times she died and three times she came back for more. Brave lass is Gullveig!

But the Vanir weren't best pleased and a war broke out which lasted ten years, at the end of which a peace treaty was signed and the Gods of both sides spat into a huge bucket. They shaped the contents into Kvasir the wisest of all Gods, who travelled earth happily spreading the knowledge until he met Fjalar and Galar, and Njord, Freyr and Freyja were sent to Asgard with Hoenir and Mimir moving to Vanaheim. I think Odin got the best deal and seemingly so did the Vanir... they beheaded Mimir!