Hodr the Blind

By Athyra Di Giovanni (demonsreiche@yahoo.com)

Totem of Honour and Loyalty

Background Cost for Hodr

9

Restrictions

All of Hodr's children are either Metis or were born crippled naturally. (Two flaws must be chosen at creation. They must be either Psychological, Physical, or Perception based). Most of the Garou do not understand how such a totem could exist, but those who follow Hodr know why he has chosen them as his own legion of warriors against the onslaught of the Wyrm. Needless to say, many of the more arrogant warriors are quite mortified when the children of Hodr show up at a battle . . . . and proceed to clean house with the demonic forces of the Wyrm (and other evils).

Description

Hodr is quite possibly one of the most ill-fated gods in the Norse mythos, born blind and crippled, and held partially responsible for the death of Baldur the Brave. Hodr was a nice and humble god; he lived within the glory of Asgard but never able to enjoy it fully. Hodr's hand in the demise of noble Baldur was purely by accident: Loki the Trickster caused Hodr to slay Baldur with a spring of mistletoe, causing Ragnarok (the end of the world) to befall the gods. Hodr (in the legends) died of a broken heart, when he heard that his was the hand that slew his half-brother Baldur.

When Hodr, still saddened by his role in the coming of the Apocalypse, viewed the plight of the Metis and the crippled werewolves, his old heart soared. Here, he thought, he could finally make a difference in the war against the evils of the world. Taking the twisted bodies of the Metis and the other cripped werewolves into his heart, he gave them new hope and a new goal: to destroy the Wyrm's twisted minions, and eradicate the scourge of the Infernalist vampires and demon-worshipping sorcerers. While Hodr may not be the most popular totem (especialy amongst those who follow very proud totems), his service to Gaia is appreciated by those who know the suffering Hodr has borne on his shoulders.

Merits and Traits Bestowed

The followers of Hodr are hunters of the evil that others refuse to see. His children are given the gifts: Sense Wyrm, Assimilation, Halt the Coward's Flight (as the Rokea gift), Coup de Grace (as the Rokea gift), Blur of the Milky Eye, The Falling Touch, Resist Pain, Preternatural Awareness (in the Get of Fenris tribebook), Razor Claws (as the Mokolé gift) at the appropriate Rank, and are able to enter the Umbra at 2 levels lower than average. Hodr, not being a god of battle or war, would not be expected to give his children combat skills. When the children of Hodr engage the agents of the Wyrm, however, Hodr's inner sorrow reveals itself. All weapons coated with the ashes of mistletoe and some of the child of Hodr's blood will do aggravated damage when being wielded by the child of Hodr. All of Hodr's followers attacks are lowered by two (from 9 to 7, for example) if the person has been identified as Wyrmspawn. The damage that his followers do gain another two dice if the victim is filled with the poisons of the Wyrm. (examples of Wyrmspawn are: vampires, Black Spiral Dancers, and Nephandi mages.)

Bans

The followers of Hodr are never allowed to gain the Gifts granted to the Ahroun or the Ragabash, as those are the property of Baldur and Loki, respectively. (Exceptions are listed above.) Children of of Hodr are always at a +2 difficulty socially when dealing with Changing Breed who do not follow Hodr. The followers of Hodr are doomed to die in the service of Gaia, almost as if in sympathy to the children of Baldur. (Flaw: Dark Fate) As Hodr himself was never bold or brash, neither are his followers. (Flaws: Phobia (mild), Low Self-Image, or Shy) The children of Hodr are always vulnerable to the persuasions of the Trickster, as they are still trusting of the silver-tongued god; when dealing with followers of the Loki (in any form), the followers of Trickster gain +2 dice on any social attribute based roll against the children of Hodr.