Wotan, the Rune Father

All Father, Rune Master, God of the Tree and Raven, God of Strife, King of Asgard and Lord of Valhalla, Patron of Kings and Wizards, Shaman of the Gods

• Divine Domains: Justice, Knowledge, Prophecy, War
• Alignment: Lawful
• Favored Weapon: Spear

Thor and Baldur might be more beloved by the people, but Wotan stands head and shoulders above his kin in power. He is the creator who carved up the body of the first giant to make the world; he is the magician who stole runes and charms from the unknown Void. He rewards the heroic dead with a place at his table and is the patron of proud and ruthless kings. Ravens fly across the world to bring him news and rumors, and from his enchanted throne he can spy upon all creation. He plucked out his own eye in return for wisdom, and when that wasn’t enough he hung himself upon the Tree of Worlds, stealing secrets from the Void beyond existence. His name is a kenning for wisdom, poetry, and the kingly arts of war.
Wotan embodies the virtues of a strong king—foresighted and wise, ruthless toward his enemies but generous to followers, master of magic and lord of war. He is the god of strife, chieftains, and kings, master of runes and stealer of wisdom. He slew Aurgelmir the first giant and so earned the enmity of all giantkind. Their continuing battles have been largely one-sided; Wotan’s superior cunning and wisdom ensure he triumphs time and time again.

Worshippers

Despite such virtues, Wotan’s followers are relatively few. Wotan is dour and his gifts carry a price; he is most beloved by the few jarls, wizards, and graybeards who value wisdom. Young warriors and maidens see no value in such a grandfatherly figure.
Among dwarves, the worship of Wotan the All-Father represents a step in life, beyond callow youth and into maturity and middle age. Older men and dwarves proclaim their loyalty at his shrines and feed his ravens bread, but some women revere Wotan as well, for the swift news his ravens bring or for the power of rune magic.
In addition, Wotan has many followers among the huginn (ravenfolk). They see him as the greatest of figures, for his servants are feathered and wise, and Wotan is as wily as every huginn wishes to be.

Symbols and Books

Wotan’s symbols are many, including the world tree Yggdrasil, the single eye, and the runes. Sometimes ravens and wolves (his favored animals) are taken as his sign as well.
His holy writings are exclusively in the Northern Tongue, and include the Well of Mimir, the Tree of Knowledge, and the scroll called the Secret Runes. Writing is his his favored form of recording wisdom; he expects all his followers to be literate.

Shrines and Priests

The greatest shrine of Wotan is in the dwarven hall of Stannasgard, where the chanting of the rune chorus never ceases and the altar fires burn in his honor. The kings and captains of the dwarven reavers are Wotan’s priests or at least his devoted worshippers. The greatest of his current high priests is Brökk Kolisen, a black-bearded man who was orphaned and raised among the dwarves, loved and respected for his understanding of their ways.

Masks

Wotan is called Ellel by the horse tribes and elves of the East, Az among the angelic folk of Ishadia, and Gades the Titan among the haunted giants. Some associate him with Aten, but this is a dubious claim at best. For the most part, Wotan wears few masks and walks under his own name.

Other Faiths

Wotan is a solitary god and rarely venerated outside the Northlands and the Ironcrags, although he is popular among the Bemmean mages for his connection to lore and magic. Wotan’s priests are enemies of Sarastra, the goddess of night and magic. Wotan’s son Loki is his primary antagonist in the North, though Wotan’s priests also keep watch against the forces of dark gods such as Mammon, the Goat of the Woods, the White Goddess, and the derro goddess Addrikah, the Mother of Madness.

What Wotan Demands

Wotan demands that his mortal servants embody the qualities for which he’s famous, so most of them are jarls and kings. Warriors pray to him, hoping to earn luck and victory in battle, or if defeat is fated then to attract the attention of his valkyries and a place in Valhalla. Wotan demands his followers be canny in judgment, skilled in poetry, and quick to lead men into honorable battle. Cowards and fools find no sympathy from the Rune God.