Gungnir- Norse ArtifactArtifact · Weapon"Odin's Spear"

The Forging

Loki cut off Sif's golden hair as a prank, and Thor seized him by the throat. To save his neck, Loki swore to bring back treasures finer than anything the gods possessed. He traveled to Svartálfaheim and found the Sons of Ivaldi, who forged three things: new golden hair for Sif that would grow like real hair, the ship Skíðblaðnir that could fold small enough to fit in a pocket, and the spear Gungnir. Its name means "Swaying One," for the quiver of a spear shaft just before it flies. Once thrown, it would never miss its mark. Oaths sworn upon it could never be broken.

Loki, unable to leave well enough alone, wagered his own head with the dwarf Brokkr that Brokkr's brother Sindri could not produce finer work. Sindri forged Mjölnir, Draupnir, and Gullinbursti. The gods judged Mjölnir the greatest treasure for its power to defend Asgard. Gungnir went to Odin.

Odin's Self-Sacrifice

Odin hung himself from Yggdrasil for nine nights, pierced by his own spear, offering himself to himself. The Hávamál records his words: "Wounded I hung on that windswept tree, nine full nights, given to Odin, myself to myself." He took no bread. He drank no water. He stared down into the darkness below until the runes revealed themselves with a roaring cry. He seized them, screaming, and fell from the tree, reborn. Eighteen charms he brought back, giving him mastery over life, death, battle, and the minds of men.

The spear that never misses had struck its most important target.

The First War

The first war among gods began with Gungnir. The Æsir had seized the Vanir sorceress Gullveig and burned her three times in their hall. Three times she rose from the flames. When the Vanir marched on Asgard in retaliation, Odin hurled Gungnir over their host. The Völuspá records the throw: a ritual act claiming the battle and its dead for the Allfather. The war dragged on until both sides, exhausted, exchanged hostages and called a truce.

Ragnarök

At Ragnarök, Odin will ride to the field of Vígríðr with Gungnir in hand, leading the einherjar against the forces that unmake the world. He will face the wolf Fenrir. The spear that never misses cannot save him. The wolf will swallow the Allfather, and Gungnir will fall with him.