Campaign guide plight of the tuatha (1) 40

Chapter Two: The Gods of Aeliode
Volsung
Titles: Ochesa, The Fool, The Forest of Blótskógr
Portfolio: hunting, dominance over the ocean,
strength over adversity
Typical Worshipers: hunters; miners; travelers in forests
Typical Worshiper Alignment: CG
Domains: Animal, Earth, Nobility, Plant, Strength
Subdomains: Fur, Growth, Resolve
Favored Weapon: Longbow
Minor Ritual: Sacrificing a seabird and rubbing its
blood into the wood of a bow.
Sample Blessing: “You were molded from the bones of
Aeliode, may you find its strength within.”

Symbol of Volsung
Volsung is a great hunter from the ages before time. One
can still watch him track his prey, the great stag Doutharorth, across the stars of the night sky. Every so often his
eternal hunt leaves his body worn and he will descend
to the realm of mortals to rest. Often he will take on
the outer shape of a weary traveler and seek shelter and
nourishment from those who live in his chosen land of
the Ostmen Islands. Those who grant hospitality to him
and treat him according to the rites of honor will find
their dwelling blessed.
While it is known that Volsung can change his
appearance, he most often appears as a broad-shouldered
and barrel-chested man with a fiery red beard and head

shaved bare. Tattoos on his arms, chest, and head depict other
great beasts he has hunted and slain, their sacrifice indelibly

honored on his flesh. Prominent among them is a great twoheaded serpent tattooed in red ink coiled on his back.
In any form he chooses to take he carries with him his
bow, Veidrsoltimm. It is said that he carved this mighty bow
from the pale roots of the great tree Laeradr which covers
and protects all the world. The bow shines bright silver when
Volsung readies an arrow and it is known that the crescent
moon is Volsung’s bow, ready to loose its fiery death.
To Volsung’s shame, not all of his hunts were noble.
He is responsible for the slaying of Tulhesa, an act which
drives his occasional madness. When he recalls the blood
that is on his hands he descends into a violent blood rage and
transforms into his darker aspect Balar. While so enraged he
often destroys all that he has strived to build.
Priests: Priests of Volsung do not wear priestly robes or have
official vestments like Avitian Priests. Priests can be identified, however, by their habit of rubbing charcoal around
their eyes as well as wearing a mantle of fur or feathers. There
are two sects of priests who give devotion to Volsung, the
Spábera and the Haugrgera.
The Spábera see it as their responsibility to hold back
Volsung’s transformation into Balar. They are often gifted
singers and storytellers. This sect holds the history of the
Ostmen and is called upon when tales of heroes past are
needed or when a new leader has arisen from the people.
They are sowers of glory who often call upon the Ostmen
to undertake dangerous trials so that Volsung may see the
greatness of his people.
The Haugrgera sect has taken on the sacred role of
raising the islands upon which the Ostmen reside from the
tumult of the ocean. They are often seen traveling the land
calling new stone into creation through their prayers. They

also often reside over funerary rituals and are called upon
to shepher the souls passing through the great Laeradr tree.
Only the most daring of priests take up this calling as it
places them close to the edge of Volsung’s rage.
Worshipers: Worshipers of Volsung are common among the
Ostmen and prayers to him are given up on an almost daily
basis. Many offer up portions of their hunts to Volsung when
they are successful, or from their food stores in the hopes a
future hunt will bring in fresh meat. Miner’s often ask for
Volsung’s blessing before they begin a new dig as well as
those who wish to build a new building or structure. As the
tale of the god’s bouts with madness is well known, many
songs and stories are performed in his honor in the hopes of
calming the god’s griefstricken heart.

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