Hreidmar- Norse FigureMortal

The Killing of Ótr

Hreiðmarr was a sorcerer with three sons: Fáfnir, Regin, and Ótr. The story begins when the gods Odin, Loki, and Hœnir were traveling through Midgard. They came upon Ótr, who had the ability to take the form of an otter. In his otter shape he was fishing in a river, and Loki, seeing only an otter, killed him with a thrown stone and skinned him.

When the gods sought lodging at Hreiðmarr's house, the sorcerer recognized his son's skin. He bound the gods with magic and demanded a ransom: fill the otter skin with gold and cover it completely. The blood-price of his son's life.

Andvari's Curse

Loki traveled to a waterfall where the dwarf Andvari lived in the form of a pike. He captured the dwarf and forced him to surrender all his gold, including the ring Andvaranaut, which could generate more wealth. Andvari cursed the ring and all the gold: whoever possessed it would be destroyed by it.

Loki returned and filled the otter skin. One whisker still showed. Hreiðmarr demanded the ring to cover it. Loki warned him of the curse. Hreiðmarr took the ring anyway.

Murder by His Own Son

Fáfnir, consumed by lust for the treasure, murdered his father and seized the gold. He refused to share with Regin and drove him away. Fáfnir retreated to a desolate heath, where he transformed into a dragon and lay upon the hoard, guarding it with poisonous breath until Sigurd came to slay him.

Hreiðmarr had demanded payment for one son's death and received it. Another son killed him for it.