God of the Oceans
Intermediate Deity
Symbol: Rough ocean waves
Home Plane: Midgard
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Portfolio: Sea, storms
Worshippers: Sailors, anyone travelling by sea
Cleric Alignments: CE, LE, NE
Domains: Death, Destruction, Evil, Strength, Water
Favoured Weapon: Greatclub
Aegir (ay-jeer) and his wife, Ran, hold themselves apart from the Aesir and Vanir. Rather than living on Asgard, they reside on Midgard, at the bottom of the ocean. Aegir’s realm is the deep ocean, far from land, where navigation and fishing are difficult and full of danger. He appears as a fierce man with a long, grey beard and fingers like claws. He appears on the surface of the sea to destroy ships that fail to sacrifice to him, yet is well known for the bounty of the feasts he arranges for his fellow gods. Ran, his wife and equal partner, drags drowning men down to her hall beneath the sea. She holds similar responsibilities to Freya and Hel in that regard, since the drowned do not go to Valhalla, Sessrumnir or the underworld. Aegir and Ran have nine daughters, each of whom represents a different type of ocean wave.
Cults of Aegir thrive in sea-ports. Cultists do not attempt to fit in or to make friends. They teach that those hoping for safe voyages across the sea must appease Aegir. Members of the cults tend to be crews of trading and fishing vessels that sail out of sight of shore. Their membership doesn’t reflect a shared preference for evil, but rather a healthy fear of Aegir.
Aegir’s clergy are few in number and known for their cruelty. Fortunately, they reserve that cruelty for those who fail to properly honour Aegir. Rumours suggest they have burned ships when their captains bragged of sailing the deep sea without first appeasing the stormy god.
Aegir’s temples are openly fortified against the works of mortals and against the elements of nature. Townsfolk and travellers can find shelter from tidal waves or flooding in a temple to Aegir, provided they offer the proper respect (and gold). Despite all the offerings, Aegir’s temples are rarely wealthy. Seeking to emulate the god, they host regular feasts for their communities. The temples contain kitchens, pantries, prayer rooms and the armouries typical of Asgardian temples.
Visitors to Aegir’s temples receive a chill welcome. Those planning a sea voyage who make offerings find the clergy can be jolly folks who love food, ale and jokes as much as anyone. Those who do not make offerings find the clergy menacing. Everyone is welcome on feast day, however.
Source: Deities and Demigods (Page 170)