Vanir are like Midgardians, they are individuals that inhabit and are born in the realm of Vanaheim.
Description[]
"For nature lovers, the lush realm of Vanaheim is as varied as the gods and creatures that call it home. Whether canoeing down one of its many serene rivers or strolling the sun-dappled trails of its verdant rain forests, the land of the Vanir should set any true adventurer's heart aflutter. However, be prepared for high humidity and temperamental fauna. Just because a flower is beautiful, doesn't mean it won't try to kill you."
Vanaheim is consistently viewed, and described as being covered in lush jungles and inhabited by dangerous fauna and flora. Vanaheim is traditionally associated with Magic, Fertility and Wisdom. The peaceful nature of the Vanir quickly clashed with the warlike Aesir, who naturally became their most steadfast enemies. Vanaheim is introduced as a major location in God of War: Ragnarök. It's not only the biggest realm in game — seemingly packed with more side content than any other world, it also features a unique day/night cycle that opens and closes different paths depending on the position of the sun and the moon.
As previously mentioned, Vanaheim was revealed to be vast and varied with several different biomes spread across it. The vast majority of it is a strange mixture of combined forest and jungle with numerous small and large rivers and streams cutting through it, forming a complex network of waterways mirrored by a complex network of forest/jungle pathways on land. Flora and fauna are abundant and equally bizarre with plenty of both being quite dangerous and aggressive. Wild magic permeates everything in the environs, making it an ideal breeding ground for entities such as Wisps. Abandoned Vanir settlements and villages are dotted around at spots usually cut by a river while older Vanir constructs like Njord's Temple have long since been reclaimed by the forces of nature.
The realm is unique as Day and Night can change in the blink of an eye due to the presence of the Celestial Wolves Sköll and Hati, whom were rescued and brought to the realm by the Vanir resistance a long time ago. The routes that are available to travel on land are dependent on whether it is day or night due to the reactions of the Vanaheim plants. Further to the north of the Forest/Jungle, there lies a large desert-like canyon that was once a lush valley supplied with water by a large river sourced from the northern end of the Vanaheim Forest/Jungle.
Known Vanir[]
Gods[]
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Freya Goddess of Sorcery, Love, Lust, Beauty, Gold, War, Death, Fertility and Warmth. Former wife of Odin and Queen of the Valkyries. |
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Freyr † God of Fertility, Sacral, Kingship, Virility, Prosperity, Sunshine and Abundance. |
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Gná † Queen of the Valkyries. Goddess of Wind and Fullness. |
- Njörd: God of the Sea, Wind, Seafaring, Crop Fertility, Wealth and Fishing. King of the Vanir.
- Nerthus: †: Goddess of Fertility and Magic. Queen of the Vanir
- Kvasir: †: God of Peace, Mead and Wisdom.
- Skirnir: †: God of the Messengers. Freyr's personal messenger and wielder of the wand Gambanteinn. Sought refuge in the Great Gate of Alfheim, but was instead killed by the drake Gravel Belly.
Mortals & Immortals (Non Gods)[]
- Hildisvíni: Freya's Advisor and Counselor of the Vanir. Carries magical properties making him immortal.
- Astrid
- Mari
- Gunhild
- Magnus
- Runa
- Andor
- Holger
- Skarde
Trivia[]
- In Norse mythology, the ship Skíðblaðnir (Old Norse "assembled from thin pieces of wood") wasn't created by the Vanir, but rather by a group of Dwarves known as the ''Sons of Ivaldi''. It wasn't described as a flying ship either, but rather a ship that always had a favorable wind and could be folded and stored like cloth when not used.
- Apparently, the Vanir are aware of the existence of microbes, such as germs and bacteria, as Sindri recounted how he met a Vanir witch who told him about "little beasties" that live on everything and are so small, one cannot see them, and how they can make people sick. The witch also told him about the antibacterial properties of oak wood. Overall, it appears that the Vanir (barring the use of magic) are more ahead in the field of medicine in the time of the series is set in.
- To date the Vanir Gods are the only known set of gods to possess a specifically named power as with Seiðr. However, it isn't exclusive to only them as other races like the Aesir, Jötnar, dwarves, or even mortals can learn Seiðr. However, while Seiðr can be learned by others it appears they are the strongest practitioners of it. This could be a result of their more peaceful disposition and connections to nature and magic or from practicing it for so many millennia.
- Angrboda states that Vanir's magic was something that the Vanir learned from the Giants. However, it should be noted that each race can make new techniques as Odin made new spells to use against Freya. This could also imply the more powerful old magic of the Vanir were the techniques the Vanir developed after learning it.