Loki
| Type | God |
|---|---|
| Religion | Wodenism |
| God of | Mischief |
| Home | Valhalla |
| Related To | Woden (father-adoptive), Frigg (mother-adoptive), Hel daughter), Jormungandr (son), Fenris (son) |
Loki is a constant nuisance and at the same time, boon to the other gods. Loki lives for mischief and only occasionally knows how his mischief will turn out. Often his mischief works to the benefit of the gods, where it has led to the creation of Woden's horse, Thor's hammer (Mjolnir) and even the walls of Asgard itself.
Depictions
Depictions of Loki are on Otan are divided by two phases of Loki's fabled life. When not shape-shifted into a bear, horse or salmon, he is depicted as a young and exceptionally tall man, clad in fur and sometimes wearing a horned helm. He is also depicted as an old disheveled man bound by entrails with a venom dripping serpent over his head. The latter depiction refers to his imprisonment which leads up to Ragnarok.
Lore
There are dozens of legends concerning Loki which generally can be rounded down to a formula. First, Loki concocts a scheme which will either benefit or possibly harm the other gods. We get a sense that Loki does not care which. Thor then steps in to announce that if Loki's scheme goes awry, that he will kill Loki with his hammer. Lastly, Loki does something unexpected and the scheme works out, everyone profits and Loki is forgiven.
One thread, however does not work out well for Loki. One of his less playful schemes resulted in the death of the god Baeldaeg, who was permanently sentenced to Helheim as a result of even more of Loki's trikery. Baeldaeg was the son of Woden and Frigg and much beloved by all gods and living creatures on Otan alike. His death was the end of Loki as for revenge, Loki was eternally bound in a cave by the entrails of his own son. The legend sees him free himself from his bonds during Ragnarok, but he does not survive. Spoiler alert: nothing survives.
Intercession
Loki is very unlikely to interfere directly with human affairs, but will grant powers to his faithful who are able to tune religious magic. Loki is much more likely to reward his followers who add a little chaos to the world. He greatly appreciates practical jokes and in his own divine augurs and answers to prayer, it would not be unlikely for a penitent to find themselves the brunt of a practical joke.
Unlike the jokes of other "trickster" gods, Loki's jokes may have fatal consequences. The penitent who survive or overcome a Divine practical joke are often greatly rewarded for their patience and faith in (and understanding of) Loki. Even the gods themselves who have survived the brunt of Loki's japes have often found themselves much richer for the wear.
Creations
Loki's greatest creations (and most ominous) are his children: Sleipnir (Woden's 8-legged horse and a long story), Hel; the goddess of Helheim, Jormungandr; the world-snake, and Fenris; a gargantuan wolf.
Commandments
Notes for 5e Spellcasters
Like Loki himself, Loki's followers are likely to teach the ways of Loki to others through practical jokes or other japes.
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