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Showing posts from June, 2018

so as a kid I dressed in an Odin costume.

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Before NorsePlay emerged from the nothingness of Ginnungagap, I dressed as Odin in 1981 for Halloween. The strips of cardstock constructed helmet got spraypainted in silver, the white wings handdrawn & photocopied, earth-maroon jean Toughskins, socks over shoes with torn strip leg wraps, bedsheet cape, costume store beard, cardboard & broomhandle Gungnir, all lightly modeled on Jeff Dee's 1980 illustration of Odin for Dungeons & Dragons ' Deities & Demigods . I'd crafted an eyepatch too, but it came out too tight and broke when I tried it on, so this is a pre-Mímir's Well depiction. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded th

yes, the plate is staring at you.

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Heathen Hearth NorsePlays the lore of Þjazi's Eyes by making an inspired dried plum & hazelnut treat. [Check out their YouTube for more foods.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

dogs of mischief and protection.

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We would just like to take a moment to point out that if you name a dog Loki you're openly asking for I-do-what-I-want trouble , which probably merits such a heavy-duty frog clip leash & burly collar in the first place. Or you could go with a more protective dog name: [Collars by Tactipup.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

modern military runestaves.

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Taken in a dark utility closet, this Vegvísir, Valknut, & Ægishjálmr trio of morale slap patches glows with runestave & symbolic power laser cut in a modern milspec cordura . We bought them for our dog's tactical harness so we can inspire awe wherever we walk. [Made by tacticalfreaky-usa of Barcelona, Spain on ebay. Note that the photo has been brightened for illustration purposes.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

behold the rainbow bridge.

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The Rainbow Bridge manifests in Taipei, Taiwan. Given the mirage points of rainbows, touchdowns for Bifrost in Asia would be just as possible as anywhere else on Midgard . #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

a modern day Mjolnir of a different caliber.

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Damon Young's SSVI heathens up Glocks so you can lay down the hammer with mods, finishes, and other formidable custom "Modern Day Mjolnir" aesthetics. [Check out other versions at https://www.ssvi.us/ ] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

NorsePlay at Southwest Frith Moot!

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NorsePlay was proud to provide boardgames at 2018's Southwest Frith Moot! While one would think the Kubb set in the duffel would've gotten alot of play in the great outdoors campground setting, it was Jenga that got all the love from kids who both played it correctly and as just a set of simple blocks to build with. [For more on this event, go to http://southwestfrithmoot.org/ , and a post on the pictured Odin's Ravens game] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

the All-Father wants you to adventure.

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Odin from the interior art in Choose Your Own Adventure Books' reissue of Trumpet of Terror , where the Aesir pick you to help them figure out how to eject the Vanir sorceress Gullveig from Asgard. The starry cloak's a great touch while the wizard claws seem almost wolf-like. [thanks to my bestie Justin Beltran for gifting me this birthday copy.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

drip some tricks with Draupnir.

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Everytime one throws a good sleeper, a priceless ring of centrifugal force is created. Cluing into that bit of magic, there is Yoyorecreation's Draupnir , named after the priceless ring that drips duplicates of itself every ninth night. [photo by Bob Karp.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

the sleeping tricks of Sleipnir.

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The eight-legged design accents the Sleipnir Yo-Yo by Yoyorecreation. Perhaps the next paradox ingredient for dwarven chains could be the sound of eight hooves sleeping? #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

slap a valkyrie on it.

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Valkyrie Combat 's PVC morale slap patch. [available  here .] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

by Bragi, it's the fountain pen nib of Ragnarok!

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Made by Regalia Writing Labs, this 10-tine, custom feed nib's ink massive output could re-write the Völuspá itself! One can see something strake & prow-like in the front detail of this. [Design by Ralph Reyes. Sold out, but check his comparable nibbage at www.regaliawritinglabs.com .] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

the virtual nine worlds of reality.

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NorsePlay in your VR goggles along the Bifrost in RollerCoaster Legends II: Thor's Hammer . The preview shows five of the Nine Worlds:  [Coming soon from WarDucks Virtual Reality Studio for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

sporting the Norse horse.

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Sleipnir shirt design from Forbidden Planet for PlayStation 4 's God of War . #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .

Sony's take on Baldur.

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NorsePlay knows if the developers for the Norse installment of God of War had read Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum where Baldur's an antagonist instead, they could have more easily ratified their adversarial use of him. As it is, this article shows insights into how the pair of writers approached the lore and Jackson Crawford's academic perspective on the material in the game. [Article by Alice Bell, fan art by David Fernandez.]  #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .