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Cynerics
Listed below are the main cynerics (kingdoms/realms) mentioned in 'Germanic' sagas. They are followed by only a brief description for ease, but some will merit their own page which we will add at a later date.
The Nine Realms
Ælfheim
Realm of the Ælf's of light & ruled over by Frea and location of his Hall.
Asgard
aka Godheim
Realm of the Æsir Gods, in the middle lies Ida where they meet to make important decisions, the Gods in the hall Gladsheim & the
Goddesses in the hall Vingolf (they also meet daily at Urdarbrunnr under the Asgard root of the Cosmic Ash tree Yggdrasil).
Helheim
The realm of the unworthy dead ruled by Hel. It is situated at the roots of Yggdrasil in the area known as Niflheim, the
river Gjoll (which flows from the spring Hvergelmir) encircles it. Those who do not die in battle, or live a worhty life, are
doomed to dwell there. It is a realm where even the Gods cannot escape, the entrance is guarded by the wolves Garm & Modgud,
and the giant eagle Hræsvelg (corpse-eater) sits on it's edge, his flapping wings causing the winds, and he swoops
down upon anyone who ventures close, ripping their flesh from their bones.
Jotunheim
Realm of the Frost & Rock Þyrs ruled over by Þrym, it is a cold and desolate place.
Midgard
aka Middle world
The realm of mankind, basically a fortress built around the centre of the land alloted to men by the Gods, to protect them
from the Þyrs and other threatening creatures.
Nidavellir
The realm of the Dweorghs.
Niflheim
Realm of fogs, mists, darkness & cold, after Ragnarok a hall will stand here where murderers, oath-breakers & philanderers
will be punished.
Svartalfheim
Realm of the Svartalfar & Dockalfar, a dark and gloomy place situated deep underground.
Vanaheim
Realm of the Vanir Gods.
Other noteworthy locations
Algrœn
aka All-green
An island mentioned in Harbard's Song where Harbard (a pseudonym used by Woden) along with Fiolvar, battled and pillaged.
Andvara-falls
The waterfall in which the dweorgh Alberich (Andvari) hides in the form of a pike.
Arastein
A place mentioned in the First Poem of Helgi Hundingsbani.
Bifrost
aka Asbru, Bilrost
The 'Rainbow bridge' between Midgard & Asgard, it is guarded by Heimdall.
Barri
The grove where Gerda agrees to meet Frea.
Bilskinir
Þunor's great hall.
Breidarlik
aka The Broad-Gleaming
Bealdor's hall.
Elvidnir
aka Misery
The dreaded hall of Hel, from here there is no escape.
Fensalir
aka The Ocean Halls, Sokkvabekk, Sunken Halls
Frige's hall.
Folkvang
aka Battlefield
Freo's realm.
Gladsheim
The Hall of the Æsir Gods in Asgard, situated on the plain of Ida.
Gnipa
The cave at the entrance to Helheim where the wolves Modgud & Garm dwell.
Himinbjorg
aka Heavenly Mountains
Heimdallr's realm.
Hvergelmir
aka Roaring kettle
The source of all the rivers of the cosmos.
Ida
The plain at the centre of Asgard, site of where the halls of the Æsir Gods & Goddessess lie.
Idavoll
Vidar's hall.
Lærad
The tree standing outside Valholl, Heidrun the goat grazes upon it.
Lyfjaberg
aka Hill of healing
Home of Eir.
Mimisbrunnr
The Well of Wisdom guarded by Mimir's head.
Muspell
aka Muspellheim
The realm of fire from the begining of time, eventually populated by the Fire Þyrs and ruled by Surt.
Noatun
aka Harbour
Njorðr's realm.
Sævarstod
The island where Welund is held prisoner by Nidud.
Sessrumnir
Freo's hall where she dwells with her share of the heroic dead.
Þruþheim
aka Thruthheim, Land of Strength
Þunor's realm.
Þrymheim
aka Thrymheim
Þiazi 's realm.
Urdarbrunnr
aka Well of Urd
The well of fate & knowledge guarded by the Norns. It is situated under one of Yggdrasil's roots, it is the place where
the Gods hold their daily assembly.
Utgard
Stronghold of the Þyrs in Jotunheim, Loki has his castle here.
Valholl
aka Valhalla, Valaskjalf, Wælheall
Hall of Woden and his fallen heroes, the rafters are spears & the roof sheilds, a wolf guards the western door & an eagle
hovers over it.
Vigrid
The plain were the final battle between the Gods & Frost Þyrs will take place (Ragnarok).
Vingolf
Hall of the Æsir Godessess in Asgard, situated on the plain of Ida.
Ydal
aka Yew Dales
The realm of Wuldor.
Yggdrasil
aka Hoddmimir's Wood, Odin's horse
The Cosmic Tree, beneath it's roots are Asgard, Jotunheim & Niflheim, three wells are at it's base, Mimisbrunnr, Urdarbrunnr (well of fate guarded by the Norns), & Hvergelmir. Four deers run accross it's branches representing the four winds, a squirrel called Ratatosk (a notorious gossip), a serpent called Vidofnir, & a golden cockerall called Gullinkambi perch in it's brances. It's roots are gnawed by serpents & Surt will set it ablaze at Ragnarok.
Gelimps
Here are just a couple of the main gelimps (events).
Ginnungagap
The 'yawning emptiness' of cold and ice at the begining of time, situated by Muspell, overtime the ice of Ginnungagap melted by the heat from Muspell formed Ymir & Audhumla.
Fimbulvetr
The winter of winters that preseeds Ragnarok.
Ragnarok
aka Gotterdammerung, Doom of the Gods
After a terrible winter lasting three years, a final battle will be fought between the Gods & the Þyrs. Woden, the other Gods & the glorious dead on one side, Loki, the Þyrs, Fenris, Jormungand, and Hel with the unglorious dead on the other, after the battle a new world will emerge from the destruction.
Beahhords
This is a selection of beahhords (treasure/precious objects) mentioned in connection with the Gods or heroes, the Dweorgh's seem to be responsible for creating most of them.
Andvaranaut
aka Andvarinaut
A magic ring that can seek out gold, it is cursed and so the bearer of it will have their will manipulated to do evil deeds (as in Wagner's Ring Cycle Opera).
Balmung
aka Gram, Glam
A magical sword made by Welund, it is thurst into the oak log of the Branstock tree by Woden, eventually pulled free by Sigmund (usurped later in the legend of Arthur, where he draws the sword 'Excaliber' from a stone). Woden destroyed the sword in battle, it was remade for Sigurd by Regin for him to slay Fafnir.
Brisingamen
A neckless made by the Dweorghs and worn by Freo.
Draupnir
Woden's magic ring of power (Tolkein uses Rings of Power in his classics 'The Silmarillion, The Hobitt & The Lord of the Rings).
Eldhrimnir
The mighty cauldron in Valholl in which boar stew was prepared to feed the fallen heroes.
Gjallar
Heimdallr's horn.
Gleipnir
Magic unbreakable tether that the Gods used to restrain Fenris.
Gungnir
Woden's magic spear which never misses it's target.
Hlidskialf
Woden's throne.
Hringhorni
Bealdor's funeral ship.
Mjollnir
Þunor's mighty hammer.
Œgishjalmr
aka Ægir-Helm, Helm of Dread
Helmet that induces fear into all who behold it, worn by Fafnir, mentioned in The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson.
Sampo
A talisman from Finish legend, fashioned by Ilmarinen, it ensured it's wearer prosperity.
Skidbladnir
A wonderous longship crafted by the Dweorghs for Frea, it could sail accross the sky & was big enough to hold all the Gods, yet could be folded up to fit in Frea's pocket.
Svalin
The shield which protected the earth from the heat of the glowing orb (Sun) on Sol's chariot.
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