The Edges of Nifl

The Twin Axes

The Axes and Their Creation

Crafted in the heart of a mountain, where the veins of the earth ran cold and dark, the twin axes were a testament to the Dwarven smiths' skill. Their creation was a gift of gratitude for fated warrior who had aided them in a desperate battle against hordes of black trolls. The axes were forged from a meteorite, said to have fallen from the shattered remains of a world consumed by eternal winter. The dwarves infused them with their most potent magic, binding within them the essence of frost, shadow, and the unyielding spirit of the warrior.

A Gift From the Dwarves

In the heart of the mountains, where the earth trembled with the rhythmic pulse of creation, lived a clan of dwarves renowned for their skill in crafting weapons of unparalleled power. When Winter's Child, the son of Hodr and Hel, emerged from the underworld, his reputation as a fierce warrior preceded him. His alliance with the dwarves was forged in the crucible of battle against hordes of black trolls. In gratitude for his valour, the dwarves resolved to create a gift worthy of such a warrior.
Forged from the heart of a meteor, cooled in ice gathered from Niflheim itself, and imbued with the magic of the Dwarven smiths, two axes were born. These were no ordinary weapons. They were extensions of Winter's Child's will, a manifestation of his dark, icy fury.

The Axes' Names

Náttgangr and Blóðfrystir: These names, respectively, align with the shadow and frost themes, echoing the warrior's parentage. These names evoke the contrast between darkness and frost, mirroring the duality of Winter's Child's nature.

The Axes' Powers

Beyond their lethal edge, the axes were imbued with specific powers:
Náttgangr: Could manipulate shadows, creating illusions, striking from the unseen, and absorbing life force. Its handle was adorned with runes of the underworld, representing its connection to Hel. Where Náttgangr's edge would strike, so a second slice would occur wherever it's shadow passed through.
Blóðfrystir: Could summon blizzards, freeze water instantly, and inflict frostbite on enemies. Its handle was carved with runes of winter's grip, symbolising control over the elements. The wounds created by Blóðfrystir would ooze, freezing the very flesh and blood as it rapidly cooled, giving birth to it's name.

The Warrior and His Weapons

As Winter's Child wielded these axes, he became an unstoppable force, able to utilise his powers far easier and with greater strength than without them. His enemies trembled at the sight of the twin gleams, knowing that death awaited them in the form of frost and shadow. With each swing, he channelled the rage of his father, Hodr, and the cold, calculating nature of his mother, Hel.
The axes became synonymous with their wielder, their names whispered in fear and reverence across the realms. As Winter's Child's legend grew, so too did the legend of his twin axes, a testament to the enduring bond between a warrior and the weapons that became part of him.

Náttgangr and Blóðfrystir

Náttgangr: The Shadow-Striker

- Meaning: Night Walker
- Kennings: Shadow-cleaver, Darkness-dancer, Night's Maw
- Lore: Forged from the darkest ore of the meteor, Náttgangr is more than a weapon. It is a conduit for shadow magic. When wielded, it not only inflicts physical damage but also strikes with shadow, along it's shadow-path, leaving wounds that bleed darkness. Its impact can reach beyond the physical, into the spirit of the opponent, causing fear, confusion, and despair.

The Dwarven smiths imbued Náttgangr with the essence of the night sky, giving it the power to manipulate shadows. Its blade can extend and retract, its form shifting like an elusive phantom. It can cloak its wielder in darkness, making them invisible to the eye and can strike the enemy in multiple places with one swing, both physical and where it's shadow contacts.

Blóðfrystir: The Frost-Bringer

- Meaning: Blood Freezer
- Kennings: Ice-heart, Winter's Fang, Frost-weaver
- Lore: Blóðfrystir is a weapon of chilling power. Its blade is said to have been tempered in the heart of glacial underworld ice, its edge as sharp as a winter's wind. When swung, it unleashes a wave of frost that can freeze opponents solid or create treacherous ice fields. Its handle is carved with runes that channel the power of Niflheim, granting its wielder a measure of the absolution of the realm of the frozen dead.

Beyond its destructive capabilities, Blóðfrystir can also be used defensively. It can create a shield of ice, protecting the wielder from physical and magical attacks. Additionally, the axe can manipulate the weather, summoning blizzards and freezing rain to aid in battle.

The Axes as a Pair; The Edges of Nifl

Together, Náttgangr and Blóðfrystir form a deadly combination. The shadow of Náttgangr can be used to obscure the deadly arc of Blóðfrystir, making it difficult for enemies to defend against. Conversely, the frost magic of Blóðfrystir can create treacherous conditions that hinder the movements of opponents, making them easy targets for Náttgangr's shadow strikes.
The dwarves, in their wisdom, understood that these axes were not merely weapons but symbols of the cosmic forces that shaped the world.

The Forging of the Twin Axes

The creation of Náttgangr and Blóðfrystir was a task undertaken with great reverence and trepidation by the Dwarven smiths. They understood that to forge weapons for a being of such power and destiny required not just skill but a deep connection to the cosmic forces.

The Materials

The heart of the axes was a meteorite, a fragment of a star that had fallen from the heavens. This celestial material was imbued with the raw energy of creation and destruction. The dwarves combined this with the purest gold from the earth's core, a metal associated with both wealth and wisdom. To temper the axes, they used ice from the deepest caverns of Niflheim, where the primordial frost was born.

The Forging Process

In the heart of a mountain, within a forge bathed in the eerie glow of moonstones, the dwarves began their work. The meteorite was shaped and molded, its molten form twisted and turned into the forms of the axes. As the metal cooled, the Dwarven smiths chanted ancient incantations, calling upon the spirits of the elements to infuse the weapons with their power.
To imbue the axes with the essence of Winter's Child, the dwarves performed a ritual that involved placing the weapons on an altar and meditating upon the warrior's nature. They visualised his icy fury, his relentless determination, and his deep connection to the underworld. As they focused their minds, the axes began to hum with a strange energy, as if awakening to a new purpose.

The Birth of the Axes

When the final touches were applied, the axes were complete. Náttgangr, the shadow-striker, shimmered with an inky blackness, its surface reflecting darkness sired of the Blind God. Blóðfrystir, the frost-bringer, gleamed with an icy blue light, its handle adorned with intricate frost patterns of Hel's dominion.
As Winter's Child first grasped the axes, a surge of power coursed through him. He felt a deep connection to the weapons, as if they were extensions of his own being. In that moment, the axes became more than just tools of war; they became symbols of his identity, a testament to his lineage and his destiny.