Heimdall (pronounced: /heɪmdɑːl/ haym-dahl[2]) was an interloper deity of guardianship, loyalty, and light from the Norse pantheon.[1][2][3] There was no direct evidence that this deity was widely worshiped in the Realms proper, though more than a few on Toril either knew of him or heard of him,[9][10] such as the planeswalker and worshipper Rowan Darkwood.[11]
Description[]
Heimdall's true form was that of a strapping warrior,[7] standing 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall.[1]
Abilities[]
Heimdall was gifted with an exceptional sense of touch, sight, and hearing.[1] Some claimed that his hearing was so sensitive, that it could pick up the sound of grass growing on a Prime Material world[7] and that his eyesight was like that of the clairvoyance spell, but unlimited in its range and duration.[1] Others downplayed this, claiming that his avatar could only feel and smell things from as far as 15 miles (24 kilometers) away and see or hear things from a distance of 30 miles (48 kilometers). Some claimed he also sensed fifteen weeks in advanced any attempts to reach Asgard.[12]
He could also perceive anything within 15 mi (24 km) of his worshipers, holy sites, associated objects, or wherever his name or one of his titles had been spoken in the prior hour. He could extend his senses to ten different locations at once and block the sensing powers of intermediate or lower deities from two locations for a period of 15 hours. Befitting his exceptional senses, Heimdall was capable of creating magical armor, weapons, or items that would enhance their user's perceptions. Such items never exceeded 200,000 gold pieces in value.[12]
Heimdall had a wide variety of spell-like abilities that his avatar form could cast. These included the following:[13]
- aid, blade barrier, calm emotions, dictum, dispel chaos, dispel evil, divine power, flame strike, hold monster, holy aura, holy smite, holy word, magic circle against chaos, magic circle against evil, magic vestment, magic weapon, order's wrath, plane shift at will, power word, blind, power word, kill, power word, stun, protection from chaos', protection from evil' ,shield of law, spiritual weapon, summon monster IX, and teleport without error at will.
Possessions[]
The holy symbol of Heimdall, his legendary horn.
An enchanted sword known as Hofud was taken by Heimdall everywhere he went.[1] It was a vorpal, but also carried an enchantment that made it especially effective at fighting frost giants. He garbed himself in a shining suit of white armor that carried a +3 enchantment[1][7] and an effect similar to gems of brightness.[1] Other sources spoke of his sword being a +5 longsword with the weapon qualities bane, geared towards evil outsiders, and keen.[2]
The most notable belonging of Heimdall's was the legendary gjallarhorn, a signal horn that he was destined to one day blow to announce the long anticipated arrival of Ragnarok,[1][3][7] a prophesied final battle for the Norse pantheon against various monsters and giants.[14]
Activities[]
Heimdall stands ever vigilant in defense of the Bifrost.
The primary duty that Heimdall was bound to was guardianship of the Bifrost, the interplanar Rainbow Bridge that connected Asgard to the rest of Ysgard and worlds on the Prime Material.[1][3][7][15][16] He held a near constant vigil,[17] to the point that it seemed to some as though he didn't sleep.[15] Some claimed he wouldn't allow anybody to cross it unless they had the express permission of Odin,[7] while according to others, anyone that didn't worship the Norse pantheon couldn't physically set foot on the Bifrost to begin with due to magical defenses.[15][16] Regardless, Heimdall would sound his gjallarhorn whenever anyone approached, whether they were friend or foe.[1][3]
History[]
Heimdall was born simultaneously from nine giantess sisters,[2][7][18] known as the Wave Maidens,[18] daughters of the Norse powers Aegir[2][18] and Ran.[2] According to some, he was born from a union of the Wave Maidens and Odin.[7]
In the kingdom of Bakar, a survivor state of the Imaskar Empire,[19] deities from a wide variety of pantheons were worshiped by inhabitants of its mighty city Medinat Muskawoon.[20] This included the Norse pantheon, with the deity Balder being particularly popular.[21]
Fifty years after Medinat Muskawoon had fallen into ruin, in approximately the Year of the Hunter, 350 DR, an efreet Pasha by the name of Khalitharius arrived to Toril and settled in the ruined city. There he raised an army of undead, the Malatath, and terrorized settlements far and wide across the Raurin Desert. In response, a powerful Raurin archmage by the name of Martek departed from the city of Zindalankh in the Hordelands with a caravan and headed for the ruined city.[22] After an extended battle, Martek emerged victorious, having bound the efreet into a lead box, though their battle unleashed energies that set the desert for tens of miles around on fire for a score years, creating the Skysea. This magical fire came about from Martek invoking the cleansing flames of Heimdall, Apollo, and Ra.[9]
Over a thousand years later, in the Year of Wild Magic, 1372 DR,[note 1] a group of adventurers from the city of Ravens Bluff journeyed to the plane of Ysgard in the Great Wheel cosmology in search of the legendary Well of Mimir, having been instructed by the city's Ministry of Art to do so in order to learn how a powerful githyanki artifact known only as the Great Machine could be destroyed.[23] While on the layer of Ysgard they met one of Heimdall's proxies, Reglin.[10]
Realm[]
A map Himinborg outside the gates of Asgard.
Heimdall was notably one of the few members of the Aesir to have a divine realm outside of Asgard.[3] Known as Himinborg, his town sat on the lushly green Plain of Vigrid, directly outside the gates and solid stone walls of Asgard, where the Bifrost was permanently anchored on the Ysgard layer.[3][24][25][26][27][note 2] Anyone that wanted to enter Asgard or the Prime Material through the Rainbow Bridge first had to pass through Heimdall's town.[3][24] Because of this, the town was the hub of travel and trade in Ysgard, in addition to being the first line of defense against giants and other creatures that would attempt to attack Asgard.[24] However, due to Heimdall's commitment to guarding the Bifrost he rarely acted as his own town's ruler.[17]
Himinborg's watchtowers rose high above the land, manned by ever-vigilant einheriar that strove to emulate Heimdall's own sense of duty,[3] as well as a number of other dutiful petitioners, planar warriors,[17][24] criminals who volunteered to be sentries in place of being exiled or fined, and priests of Heimdall clad in mirrored steel plate mail. Its warriors were considered to be among the finest in Ysgard. Patrols were always active, watching for raiders and keeping track of the movements of hostiles forces close to Asgard. The town was also well known for its finely crafted drinking horns and hunting horns. These were carved from the horns of either bulls, rams, or oxen and typically decorated with imagery of either Heimdall or Odin.[24]
Relationships[]
Heimdall and the Norse trickster god Loki considered each other to be sworn enemies.[1][2][3][7] He held Loki in complete contempt,[3] catching him in various plans and often exposing his schemes.[28] Whilst the trickster god mocked him and his unswerving commitment as a sentry,[1] frustrated by his self-righteousness.[3] It was not uncommon for Heimdall to send his avatar to aid mortals that were caught up in one of Loki's schemes.[7] According to some prophecies, in the battle of Ragnarok he was destined to have his personal sword stolen from Loki, to later kill him, and then die from his own wounds.[2]
By contrast, all other members of the Norse pantheon generally felt that Heimdall was quite charming and witty.[3]
Worshipers[]
The priests of his faith typically wielded spears or swords as weapons.[7] They wore war helmets and a white plate mail as part of their priestly vestments.[8] In addition to being clerics, his clergy were often fighters, rangers,[2] paladins,[2][29] and more rarely monks.[2] They had access to spells from the spheres of all, combat, divination, guardian, protection, summoning, and sun. Higher ranking clerics notably had the power to see clearly as far as 100 yards (91 meters), without of the time of day or weather conditions, and to hear any sound within 500 yards (460 meters).[7]
Heimdall's priests typically served as guards of rulers or other powerful individuals,[7] though the faith also attracted nobility and officials that believed in strong defense.[2] The clergy taught of authority, responsibility, and self-discipline.[2] Thus guards were expected to be unswerving in their duty, never allowing someone to pass their post unless they had their master's permission.[7] To emulate Heimdall's perceptiveness, temples conducted careful examinations of visitors.[2] The clergy also held bridges to be sacred and would try to avenge the destruction of any that were destroyed.[7]
Temples[]
On the worlds where he was worshiped, temples to Heimdall were generally built as part of a community's defenses. These temples included a single watchtower at the minimum, had arrow slits for windows, all doors were designed to be easily barred, and they had a sort of "war room" filled with defensive plans and maps. Emblematic of Asgardian culture, temples of Heimdall offered patrons a great deal of feasting, drinking, and drunken revelry. However, they tended to limit such activities to certain times of the day or night, as the clergy were careful on making sure they were fit for their duties.[2]
Notable Worshipers[]
Of the planar philosophical factions, Heimdall had worshipers among some members of the Harmonium.[30]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The events of the Living City Ravens Bluff campaign took place on a timeline that advanced together with the real world's time. Even though all Living City adventures and issues of Ravens Bluff Trumpeter were dated with real-world dates, there were events that received a DR year. The Living City timeline can be derived from Myrkyssa Jelan's historic events of the late 14th century DR. Myrkyssa Jelan attacked Ravens Bluff in 1370 DR, according to The City of Ravens Bluff and Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition; these events are chronicled in an in-and-out of universe issues of Ravens Bluff Trumpeter. This places the real world year 1997 as 1370 DR, and in 1998 (1371 DR), Myrkyssa was at last arrested and tried and said to have been executed, only to reappear in 1372 DR in The City of Ravens novel. As the real world's months and the Calendar of Harptos are virtually identical, we can also date all events of the Living City Ravens Bluff as close as an in-universe month.
- ↑ With but one exception, all sources agree that Himinborg is located next to one of the two entryways of the Bifrost, though sources are in disagreement over which side it was. Dragon #90's article Plane facts on Gladsheim (1984) states that Himinborg is on the side of the Bifrost that enters into Gladsheim (Ysgard), thus situating it on the Plain of Ida. In the Manual of the Planes (1987) for 1st edition, Himinbjorg is confusingly stated to be located "where that bridge ends upon the plains of lda and Vigrid." Legends & Lore (1990) contradicts all sources, placing Himinbjorg "atop the bridge" itself. In the Planes of Chaos boxed set's Book of Chaos (1994), it is stated that Himinborg stood at the center of the Plain of Ida (p.112), but also that it was "just outside Asgard's walls" (p.115). On Hallowed Ground (1996) defers to the latter, stating it was "outside the wall of Asgard" (p.146) and depicting it as being on the Plain of Vigrid in the book's map of Asgard (p.144).
Appearances[]
Adventures
Desert of Desolation
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Three Coins in a Well
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 103. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 179. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 146. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ James A. Yates (November 1986). “Hammer of Thor, Spear of Zeus”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #115 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 38–40.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 299. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 164. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 James M. Ward and Troy Denning (August 1990). Legends & Lore (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc), p. 181. ISBN 978-0880388443.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 126. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman, Philip Meyers, Peter Rice, William John Wheeler (May 1987). Desert of Desolation. (TSR, Inc.), p. 95. ISBN 978-0880383974.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Erich Schmidt (August 1999). Three Coins in a Well. Living City (RPGA), p. 25.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (1994). Planescape Campaign Setting, Sigil and Beyond. Edited by David Wise. (TSR, Inc), pp. 72–73. ISBN 978-1560768340.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 179–180. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 112. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 140. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), pp. 114–115. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 113. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 141. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ David Cook (August 1990). “Volume I”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.), p. 28. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
- ↑ Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman, Philip Meyers, Peter Rice, William John Wheeler (May 1987). Desert of Desolation. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-0880383974.
- ↑ Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman, Philip Meyers, Peter Rice, William John Wheeler (May 1987). Desert of Desolation. (TSR, Inc.), p. 104. ISBN 978-0880383974.
- ↑ Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman, Philip Meyers, Peter Rice, William John Wheeler (May 1987). Desert of Desolation. (TSR, Inc.), p. 94. ISBN 978-0880383974.
- ↑ Erich Schmidt (August 1999). Three Coins in a Well. Living City (RPGA), p. 2.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 114. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur and Lester Smith (1994-07-01). “The Book of Chaos”. In Michele Carter ed. Planes of Chaos (TSR, Inc), p. 115. ISBN 1560768746.
- ↑ Roger E. Moore (October 1984). “Plane Facts on Gladsheim”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #90 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 36–37.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (July 1987). Manual of the Planes 1st edition. (TSR), p. 96. ISBN 0880383992.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 147. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 83. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.