In the distant past, before the world assumed its current form, Njord, the deity governing the seas and commerce, parented the formidable siblings Freya, the goddess of conflict, and Frey, the god representing harmony and fertility. The two would often be seen engaging in thrilling races under the warm summer nights, with Freya riding in a chariot drawn by her impressive dual felines, while Frey rode atop his enchanted boar, Gullinbursti.
Amidst these ancient times, a young man named Ottar resided in Midgard, the domain of mortals. An orphan by fate, Ottar was unaware of his lineage but had, through sheer effort, acquired a tract of land. His devotion was to the Norse goddesses, particularly Freya, who was deeply touched by his stone altar and his array of offerings. More so, she admired Ottar’s integrity; he embodied wisdom, generosity, and courage when confronted with peril.
One fateful day, at the assembly known as the thingstead, a stranger laid claim to Ottar’s property, challenging his rightful ownership. Understanding that he could only defend his land through family inheritance—which he had no knowledge of—Ottar felt desolate at the prospect of losing everything. Returning to his longhouse, he found himself in the presence of Freya.
Freya proposed a journey to Asgard, the sanctum of the Norse pantheon. Overwhelmed, Ottar could only acquiesce. In an instant, Freya wielded her powers, transforming him into a formidable boar, reminiscent of Frey’s own.
As they journeyed toward Asgard, they encountered a burrow sheltering a revered völva, a sorceress. Freya insisted that the völva recount Ottar’s lineage, a task she could not refuse due to Freya’s dominance. The sorceress detailed a lineage of illustrious ancestral figures—celebrated queens, kings, and the very gods and goddesses of the Norse mythology. It was revealed that Ottar descended from divine ancestry, his roots tracing back to Freya’s brother, Frey.
Freya then asked the sorceress to provide a memory beer that would enable Ottar to recall his distinguished lineage. However, the sorceress cautioned, “This brew is laced with venom; a grim fate awaits.” Freya, with her characteristic confidence, laughed at the warning, assuring Ottar that nothing ill would befall him under the protection of the divine.
With renewed purpose, they ventured onwards, and Ottar spent a day in Asgard. Upon returning to Midgard, equipped with his newfound knowledge of ancestry, he successfully safeguarded his land. Ottar would go on to lead a life filled with remarkable adventures, and upon his earthly departure, he joined the ranks of Freya’s champions in her esteemed hall.
Thus, in this era of primordial understanding, it was widely accepted that living a life of worthiness would yield prosperity and, significantly, a network of loyal comrades ready to defend against threats—both human and monstrous.
