Loki of Asgard, the Trickster God

By Athyra Di Giovanni (demonsreiche@yahoo.com)

Totem of Cunning and Knowledge

Background Cost

9

Author's Note

I wish to thank Peloquin for the tip-off concerning Loki. I hope that my revision will match the description given to me. If anyone finds fault with this revision (or any other works I have created), please write to me at the e-mail address given above. Also, if people would be interested in seeing other totems developed or any other things created for their campaign, send word to me. Thanks for taking the time to read my works!

Restrictions

None of the Ahroun from the werewolf tribes may choose Loki as their totem. As it stands, the children of Loki must have a minimun of three in all of their social attributes at the time Loki chooses them.

Description

Loki, the Trickster God of the Norse myths, was not a true "god". He was not born one of the Aesir (the race of gods that Odin and Hodr belonged to), nor was he Vanir (like Freya was). Instead, the young Loki was a fire giant, and very talented (not to mention attractive). The God of Mischief could be charming when he chose to be, but within his heart lay jealousy and harmful rage against Thor and Baldur. A very greedy and intelligent person, Loki used his sharp mind to convince the other gods into giving him ranking and status almost equal to Thor.

He would often find himself at the heart of a new failing scheme, but would never be truly punished for his actions. Once, Loki's mouth and rash actions cost the Aesir a valuable item: the golden apples from Frigga's own garden. Loki's shapeshifting talents and natural skills were taxed to the limit, but he beat the risks and recovered from his injuries. Any normal being would quell their destructive urges after being chastied by Odin himself repeatly, but Loki would never listen. One prank he pulled almost cost him his life, as he cut the glorious locks of Sif off her head while she slept. (She snubbed Loki for Thor, an insult he couldn't bear.) Thor would have slain him for the "attack", but Loki managed to have gold chains woven so fine as to be almost weightless to replace her hair.

Finally, Loki's antics grew too much for the gods of Asgard to bear. First, he ran away with a frost giant and bore three children: Jormungandr - The Midgard Serpent, the wolf Fenris (who cost Tyr his right hand), and the goddess Hel (Hela, who rules Nifhelm/ Nifflehelm). Then he cost Hodr, the blind god, his innocence, by tricking him into slaying Baldur the Valiant by accident. That act caused the starting of Ragnarok, and cost Loki his freedom. The gods of Asgard chained Loki up in a cavern on a huge throne, binding him with magics and allowing the acids of a great and terrible asp to slowly drip on him, driving him mad.

Loki is one of the best known aspects of the Trickster, as well known in Europe as Coyote is known in North America. No Ahroun in their right mind would choose Loki as a totem, and none of the Get of Fenris nor the Shadow Lords will take the followers of Loki seriously. The Black Spiral Dancers honour Loki tremendously, as he is the father of Jormungandr.

Traits

Loki himself was an expert in the field of social espionage, and he imparts his vast wealth of knowledge onto his children. The followers of Loki of Asgard receive access to the following gifts: Cat's Feet, Heightened Senses, Assimilation, Persuasion, Blissful Ignorance, Blur of the Milky Eye, Shadow Pack, The Falling Touch, Awe, Preternatural Awareness, Eyes of the Cobra (same as Level 1 Serpentis), Doppleganger, and The 1000 Forms when they reach the appropriate Rank. The children of Loki are also able to use all gifts related to fire. It does not matter where the gifts come from (that includes Corax gifts). The children of Loki can use gifts related to deception or mimicry from any of the Changing Breed. On top of that, the children of Loki gain +2 dice in any social event. This bonus doubles when in the presence of an individual who could severly hurt, cripple, or kill them. (Note: the person must intend to severely wound the follower of Loki for the bonus to come into effect. Storyteller has final say.) Finally, the children of Loki gain the merits: Metamorph, Mixed Morph, and Dual Nature.

Bans

Loki has never been known for his valour or his infinite wisdom. In fact, Loki's followers lose 1 Honour whenever Honour is gained, and 1 Wisdom wherever Wisdom can be gained. All of Loki's followers suffer from some small form of madness (Flaw: Compulsion- choose two) and are often well-known is some circles (Flaw: Notoriety). The children of Loki are very vain (Flaw: Arrogant) and often overstep their bounds (Flaw: Over Confident). The children of Loki, because of their link to fire, tend to be hot-tempered (Flaw: Short Fuse) and are prone to accepting foolhardy challenges. Like their totem, the followers of Loki are unused to be treated as second-rate citizens in any case, and will sabotage someone else's efforts in order to further their own.

All whom follow Loki must sacrifice something of value to Loki once per month, especially if they received the object from someome else.... The children of Loki may never gain the gifts of the warrior (except for those mentioned above), and must constantly seek to undermine the leadership and/or the credibility of the Ahrouns of the local septs and packs. If doing such may undermine the efforts of another follower of the Trickster, so be it. Loki never said life was fair, it should only be fair to he who makes it fair....

Followers of Heimdall have a +4 dice bonus to any roll resisting any actions upon their person by Loki (and in fact, any aspect of the Trickster). Other totems who are reknown for their ability to "see through" mysteries gain a +2 bonus against the actions of the children of Loki.