This article contains lore based on real-life sources from Norse mythology as introduced from the God of War Norse era.
| “ | Loki: Whoa... are these all Aesir gods? Heimdall: What? You think all Aesir are gods? Loki: But Skjöldr told me that only- Heimdall: Oh! Well, if Skjöldr told you. Clearly whoever that is must be the authority on Aesir gods, not the Aesir god you are currently talking to. |
” |
The Aesir are one of the two tribes of Norse Gods along with the Vanir, and are known for their war-like nature and association with knowledge. They are natives of Asgard, one of the Nine Realms of the World Tree.
Norse Mythology[]
The Æsir or Āsir (singular Óss, Áss or Ás, Old Norse for "God") were the primary group of Gods venerated by the ancient Nordic pagans (the secondary group were the Vanir).
The Æsir most likely symbolized the violent aspects of nature, in contrast with the Vanir who symbolized the peaceful aspects of nature.
In the God of War Series[]
The tribe of the Aesir are descendants of the Primordial Jötunn, Ymir, the first sentient being of the World Tree. First amongst them was Búri, who was followed by his son Borr and after that his grandsons, Odin, Vili and Vé. Despite their creation, it was not long before the Aesir believed themselves so superior that they should hold dominion over all of creation. Their king, Odin, raised arms with his brothers against their progenitor and slew Ymir, eventually leaving the Realms at the mercy of Asgard.
Because of Odin's ancient actions, the Jötnar (or Giant) race of Jötunheim and the Aesir have always held bitter resentment towards one another, with the Raven God always looking for ways to eliminate their race completely. Both envious and paranoid of their innate affinity with foresight, as well as their strange connection to his own death, Odin eventually made the decision to commit genocide against the Jötnar using his now extended Aesir tribe. Following a botched attempt at peace organised by the diplomatic God of War, (who was unwittingly used by Odin as he tried to steal secrets from Jötunheim); the Allfather utilized the strength of Thor to carry out Giant slaughter across Midgard, though several Jötnar Shrines depict that Thor was not the only God involving themselves in this brutality.
At some point after the expulsion of the Aesir from Jötunheim, Týr was imprisoned by Odin.
Besides the Giants, the Aesir had simmering tensions between their rival tribe, the Vanir. It was when the Aesir attempted to murder one of their leaders, Freyr, after the Vanir's attempts at diplomacy that the two fractions of Gods finally broke out in war. Though contests of raw power were easily won, the Vanir proved to be their equal and delivered devastating damage to the Aesir. Their battles raged on for centuries until both sides finally put an end to the senseless conflict, having no choice but to compromise in order to achieve peace.
Mimir served as the ambassador of the two tribes, proposing that Odin should marry one of the leaders of the Vanir, Freya. The proposal finally brought peace to both the Aesir and Vanir. Odin was, at the time, distraught over the death of his beloved, though Freya's presence brought him comfort. However, Odin's increasing paranoia forced Freya to leave him, thus causing the All-Father to curse Freya and block any and all travel to Vanaheim, Asgard, and Svartalfheim.
In more recent history, some members of the Aesir have come into contact with what they believe to be a surviving Jötunn guardian and his son on Midgard.
Powers and Abilities[]
The Aesir are a powerful tribe of Gods that values strength above all else, always remaining unchallenged until they met their match against the Vanir.
Mimir has noted that while they were an unstoppable force, they lacked strategy, coordination, and planning. Most of the Aesir also looked down on the practice of magic, relying solely on their skills in brute force and combat.
Some Aesir can use elemental powers; Baldur can imbue his attacks with light, later with ice and fire, while Thor, his sons and daughter can utilize the power of lightning, and Odin can use attacks of fire, ice and earth.
Known Aesir[]
Gods[]
Aesir Royal Family[]
- Búri: Son of Ymir and Auðumbla and the first Aesir God to ever exist (Deceased).
- Borr: Son of Búri, the father of Odin, Vili, and Vé and God of Life (Deceased).
- Bestla: Daughter of Bolthorn, the mother of Odin, Vili and Vé and Goddess of Motherhood (Deceased).
- Odin: Son of Borr and Bestla, King of the Aesir and God of Strategy (Deceased).
- Vili: Son of Borr and Bestla, younger brother of Odin and God of Wit (Deceased).
- Vé: Son of Borr and Bestla, younger brother of Odin and God of Countenance (Deceased).
- Thor: Son of Odin and Fjörgyn and God of Thunder (Deceased).
- Heimdall: Son of Odin and Nine Daughters of Ægir and Rán and God of Foresight and Gatekeeper and Guardian of Asgard (Deceased).
- Baldur: Son of Odin and Freya and the God of Light (Deceased).
- Sif: Wife of Thor and Goddess of Agriculture.
- Nanna: Wife of Baldur and Goddess of Peace.
- Magni: Son of Thor and Járdsaxa and God of Brutality (Deceased).
- Modi: Son of Thor and Sif and God of Courage (Deceased).
- Forseti: Son of Baldur and Nanna and God of Justice.
- Thrúd: Daughter of Thor and Sif and Goddess of Lightning.
Others[]
- Mimir: Former counselor of Odin and God of Wisdom and Knowledge (Undead).
- Hœnir: God of Silence, Indecision, Mystery and Avoidance (Deceased).
- Bragi: Husband of Idunn and God of Poetry and Music.
- Iðunn: Wife of Bragi and Goddess of Youth and Beauty.
- Týr: God of War, Order, Honor and Law.
- Hodr: God of Darkness and Winter.
- Vidar: God of Vengeance, Space, Footwear and Silence.
- Hermod: Messenger of the Gods and God of Comunication and Courage.
- Meili: Son of Odin and Fjörgyn and God of Travel.
- Ullr: God of Archery, Hunt and Skiing.
Mortals[]
- Jörgen: A resident of Gladsheim.
- Karl: A resident of Gladsheim.
- Erlend: A resident of Gladsheim.
- Others Males and Females Asgardians: A resident of Gladsheim.
Trivia[]
- Despite the fact that their King, Odin, is a master of several mystic arts, including ancient magic and Seiðr, the Aesir still look down on the practice of magic, calling it unmanly and some even mocked the Allfather for learning them. However, this somewhat contradicts what Skjöldr a Migardian claimed. He told Atreus the only way into Asgard's city is with magic. Hinting that the powers of the Aesir are magical, the Bifröst is magical and/or he meant using Huginn and Muninn the magical ravens of Odin.
- The King of the Aesir is an exception, as the Aesir tribe was very physical, with their magical totems and spells being mostly used for strengh enhancement. When Freyr taught them agricultural spells, their mishandling of the magic led to disaster. Odin's strongest son, Thor displayed innate lightning bursts but other than that was a very physical God, with Baldur's elemental abilities coming from his mothers Vanir side.
- The only good-natured Aesir gods featured in the God of War franchise are: Mimir, Hœnir, Týr, Sif, Ullr, Thrúd and possibly Bragi.
- Another mentioned Aesir is the Goddess Nanna, wife of Baldur in Norse mythology. However, she is referenced so briefly (in one of Brok's many sayings, no less) that it's unclear whether this would even be her role in God of War (2018). Nanna would later made a cameo appearance in God of War: Ragnarök.
- In the mythology, the pair has a son, the God of justice and reconciliation, Forseti, which also applied in God of War universe. Baldur and Nanna apparently conceived Forseti some time prior to the former receiving his invulnerability enchantments considering they prevent him from siring a child as stated in the novel.
- It is implied through several Lore Markers and Scrolls, as well as the odd bit of dialogue that the "traditional" role of the Aesir (or at least, the one they might have sloppily built for themselves) is that of Midgard's dependable defenders when times require action, not unlike their role in mythology. Unfortunately, at least by God of War (2018); mortal reliance upon Asgard for said duty seems to have entirely vanished.
- According to Mimir, while the Aesir are a powerful force, he considers them lacking in the strategy and thought department. This is where he functioned as Odin's adviser.
- Mimir also considers them not very perceptive, seeing as how they somehow can't tell the difference between Dwarves and Dark Elves, despite neither race looking even remotely alike.
- Mimir's curiosity and awe about the various powers and domains of Kratos native gods, seems to be a referrence to the Aesir's rather physical nature instead of ruling over the domains of the universe and elements of nature.
- Overall, the Aesir tribe was in a more precarious and vulnerable situation in relation to its ancient enemies and the world it tried to claim supreme authority over, compared to the Gods of Olympus who ruled all the domains and concepts of the cosmos except for Fate itself, were unchallenged by their older ancestors and were able to completely subdue and defeat their Titan arch-enemies. It required time-travel to assemble the defeated enemies of the Gods to launch an attack on Olympus, unlike the Battle of Ragnarok.
- The Olympians, led by Zeus were also more succesful in co-existing with their relatives and co-inhabitants of the world, such as the Primordials who work together with them in their cosmic order and a number of Titans who defected to the side of the Gods, like Helios and Prometheus.
- Apparently, the Aesir fear and despise anything they consider to be unpredictable and uncontrollable. This is among the reasons why most of them dislike magic and seek to establish total control over the Nine Realms with Odin himself actively seeking out prophecies and other irrefutable sources of knowledge, hence the conflict with the Jotnar.
- Cory Barlog compared the Aesir to the Hunter S. Thompson's depiction of the Hells Angels in his book "Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs": he described them as "hard drinking, proud-to-be-the-dirtiest-and-nastiest, down-to-fight and living every second of life".
- Matt Sophos confirmed the Norse gods are already immortal to begin with and don’t require the golden apples of eternal youth from the goddess Iðunn. However, this is an oddity as according to Mimir all in the Nine Realms except for Surtr came from Ymir the first giant. A possibility is the Aesir and Vanir evolved or ascended into gods while the Jötnar stated as they were. As the giants are called neither mortal or divine and are allured to just be long lived.