Gudrun is a minor Norse goddess who serves as divine proxy of Idun.
Gudrun is a young human woman and a fighter. Her duties include delivering Idun's apples of youth to the gods. She can ask a favor of the Aesir once per year, and it is usually granted. She also assists the valkyries in choosing those who fall in battle and carrying them to Asgard, and hopes to formally join the ranks of the valkyries one day.[1]
Gudrun's brother of Gunnar, is a friend of Sigurd, divine proxy of Tyr.[2]
Cultural significance[]
Gudrun is a popular name among many humans who worship the Norse pantheon. It is typically a female name,[3] but is occasionally given to male children. One example is Gudrun Goat-Shoe, fifth son of Hakon Bloodaxe.[4]
The name is also sometimes used by gnomes, such as the matriarch Old Gudrune of Osnabrölt.[5]
Creative origins[]
Gudrun or Guthrun is best known for her appearances in the Poetic Edda of Norse legend, particularly in connection to the hero Sigurd; as well as the Völsunga saga.
Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda quotes the poet Thord Siareksson, who says that "Gudrun became herself her son's slayer". In the section Skaldskaparmal he details the story of Gudrun and Sigurd. Gudrun's father is named Giuki.
References[]
- ↑ On Hallowed Ground (1996), p.147.
- ↑ Legends & Lore (2e) (1990), p.186.
- ↑ Player's Survival Kit, Character Book (1995), p.10.
- ↑ GAZ7 The Northern Reaches, DM Book (1988), p.22.
- ↑ WGA4 Vecna Lives! (1990), p.51-53.