Loki the Trickster

Shapeshifting God of Cunning, Mischief and Malice, Lord of Deception, Patron of Thieves, Father of Fenris, Hel, and Jörmungandr
Divine Domains: Apocalypse, Knowledge, Travel, Trickery
Alignment: Chaotic
Favored Weapon: Net
What’s known and rumored about Loki is surely only the tip of the iceberg compared to what’s hidden behind misdirection and lies. You’ll never hear the same story of his origin twice, and that’s the way he likes it. Loki is a trickster and an instigator. He brings change—often dangerous change—but also helps the gods escape the trouble he causes. In a world dominated by the strong and forthright, he embodies the talents that Northlanders overlook: cleverness, stealth, and guile.
Many liken Loki to a fire—useful, bright, and alluring but also unpredictable, uncontrollable, and potentially deadly. Like a flame he can suddenly shift from small and harmless to large and dangerous. He’s a renowned shapeshifter even among the gods and has sired numerous monsters, including the wolf Fenris, his half-dead daughter Hel, and (allegedly) the World Serpent.
Loki’s fate is a dark one. Driven by jealousy, he will kill Baldur and his monstrous children will bring about the twilight of the gods. These deeds might be in the future, but they cannot be forgiven or forgotten, even before they have come to pass. Some say the suspicion of the gods and the scorn of mortals will drive him from mischief to evil, whereas others claim that Loki was wickedness incarnate from the start. The truth—like so much more about him—will probably never be known.

Worshippers

Clever warriors and cooks, mischief-makers and the wise, all sorts worship Loki and thank him for the gift of fire and knowledge . . . but all know his dark side as well. Fisherfolk are especially fond of him, since the net is said to be Loki’s invention. Most of Loki’s followers are monsters or scoundrels of some kind. He’s worshipped by those who consort with monsters and those about to commit acts of treachery or cunning. Few dare to call upon him, since his divine “help” causes more trouble than it solves.

Symbols and Books

Loki’s symbol is twin serpents, or sometimes an open net. His priests keep no books; they pass along his faith through the spoken word.

Shrines and Priests

Loki has almost no temples, though in a sense he has thousands, since some might worship him at every fire. His greatest priest Magnate Avgustos Sigismor (CN male human cleric 11 [Loki]), a noble of Krakova, is widely believed to have been slain by Princess Hristina of the darakhul, though a few claim that he has instead become a darakhul or otherwise cheated death. Priests of Loki hide among the dwarves, gnomes, and elsewhere—currently, two of his strongest advocates are dwarven brothers in Wolfheim.

Masks

Loki is called Hermes in the Seven Cities, and Kwanzi in the Southlands, and some in the north call him Kvasir. Other stories claim he is a mask of Sarastra or Chernobog, or even Baal or Veles.

Other Faiths

Loki is blood-brother of Wotan and a common companion to Thor, and the jester of the gods. They are family, and often allies. Yet he continually provokes the Aesir and finds himself unwelcome in Valhalla—at least until his cunning is needed once more. His primary friends are often disreputable gods: Boreas, the Hunter, Chernobog, and Sarastra consort with him and sometimes aid his plots. Sif, Baldur, and Freyr and Freya all have a distinctly antagonistic view of Loki, and the feeling is mutual.

What Loki Demands

Loki has few temples and his name is more often a curse than a prayer. The trickster demands nothing from his followers: “Do what you think would amuse me” is all the guidance he gives, inspiring japes and trickery as well as fires and foolishness. His worshippers have learned to serve him while maintaining an outwardly respectable demeanor. They aim to place themselves in the same position among mortals that Loki holds among the gods—renowned for skill and cleverness rather than strength, sometimes unwanted but always indispensable.