NorsePlay.

  While reading a collected graphic of The War of the Realms , I couldn't help but notice the well designed runic symbols placed around the title, and found this larger chart to show them off. While the Yggdrasil boardgame uses a regular elder futhark rune to represent each of The Nine Worlds, this takes it a step further, and also sort of fills a shorthand Yggdrasil diagram need, which makes me wonder at why it wasn't thought of before. And sure, this is a Marvel Thor invention, especially given the Hela 's headress and Surtur 's crown gylphs (and the whole cloth creation of lost 10th realm "Heven"), but it's not like someone couldn't run with this idea and make some working bindrunes or other Norse inspired icons to correspond to The Nine Worlds. #    #    # 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 f...

  [ Voluspå fresco depiction from 1933 CE by Axel Revold & Per Krohg.] The NorsePlay inspired by this mural of the World Tree at the Nasjonalbiblioteket in Oslo, Norway, is within the angular elements of the roots & branches which create sharply divided spaces. This provokes the question that what if Yggdrasil isn't only the unifying structure that holds the Nine Worlds in place, but is also the mechanism which divides those worlds and keeps them apart in differing dimensional spaces? Odin, Vili, & Ve are definitely wise enough to come up with such a dual purpose cosmic tree. And is the formidability of this structural holder/divider such that after emplaced it keeps Odin & other Aesir from spatially seeing other locations that then requires them to travel & discover that additional knowledge?  Also, like those angled curling branches, if space is folded-in upon itself, is that division of worlds then partly a mutually shared space and inste...

A sequel to our favourite boardgame  Yggdrasil has been released as Yggdrasil Chronicles , complete with a 3-D world tree! Boasting a campaign made made of separate sagas, the Gods are now actual moving pieces, and the middle platform of the tree actually revolves! We are soooo buying this! #    #    # 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 Lore-based cartographic achievement by archaeologist Arith Härger, this map adapts the Nine Worlds' locations in terms of continents, set up by directions and descriptions in the sources. We love the detail & dedication of this NorsePlay. [get a print 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 .

U.S. historical figure Henry Wheaton's 1844 diagram of The Cosmos in the Norse Mythology  from his Histoire des Peuples du Nord, et des Danois et des Normands . #    #    # 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 .

Michele Paroli's crowdfunded project Journey to Ragnarok got funded in only 5 hours, a testament to the power of NorsePlay. This tabletop adventure role-playing module for Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition is scheduled to ship this month, and takes players through open settings for all the Nine Worlds. [game illustration by Andrea Guardino of Ranger "Ulfhednar", Wolf Pack Fighter.] #    #    # 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,  ...

Valknut word cloud infographic. [ Ever wondered where the inhabitants of the Norse Mythology lived in the nine realms? by ThereIsNothingCommonAboutSense.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Svartalfheim meme depicts a star-like subterranean & semi-luminous cavern world vaulted by stalactites, an unseen natural beauty with the raw materials & inspiration for the dwarven crafters. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Alfheim meme posits a world where nature itself's been bent into banisters, and lichen paints a well placed tone on the rocks. The incursion of Autumn leaves makes a nice contrast, but perhaps one can infer that not even the Alfar can keep the turn of seasons and inevitable doom at bay. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Helheim meme shows a lifeless rockscape with a mist flowing through its desolate peaks, a chilling & seemingly joyless setting for one of the Norse afterlives. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Vanaheim meme we suspect might've been flip-flopped with the earlier Asgard one, since a formidable wall is more associated with the Aesir, though one could counterargue that the foundation rocks harmoniously integrate with the crenelated wall and the trees within the defenses would be a Vanir design. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 h...

This modern Jotunheim meme gives us the perspective of looking from our world (otherwise that water would be soooo frozen) up to the imposing mountainous world of the giants beyond Midgard's horizon. In terms of paradox, the mountains can both be mountains and the giants themselves. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Midgard meme has our world as one of golden-lit green, the visible caress of Sunna's light pouring down in the foreground, while a darker, shadowy-leaved forest awaits us in the background. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Muspelheim meme depicts the lava-filled and molten tortured landscape as the home of Surtr and his Fire Giants. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Asgard meme has the implication of invisible walls in its architecture graced with stairs of ascension. There's something of Rivendell in the setting, which is idyllic, and with the vines, perhaps it's specifically an approach to Freya's Sessrúmnir. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

This modern Niflheim meme reminds us of a travel poster with its clean design and up-sell of location. The flowing water could possibly be one of the eleven Élivágar rivers. [From dreamers often lie (Sarah)'s Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology series.] #    #    # 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 .

Norse Cosmology colour plate by Augustus Knapp from occultist Manly P Hall's The Secret Teachings of All Ages (1928), a book totally worth owning. #    #    # 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 .

For those of you who don't play or don't have time for videogames but still appreciate stories & settings, watching a walkthrough is a nifty option to enjoy all the work and world-building involved. With such, NorsePlay points your attention to this walkthrough of Rune: Viking Warrior (now Rune Classic on Steam), the story of newly initiated warrior Ragnar in a tale that takes him across many, many brilliantly designed levels of The Nine Worlds, counseled by a giant floating apparition of Odin's head, finding increasingly awesome weaponry, and thwarting Ragnarök no matter what it takes! #    #    # 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 sp...

Ran across mention of Runic John 's Up and Down the Tree and wondered if any of us out there have actually read it and found it meritorious (or otherwise)? Some astral, or physical transdimensional, NorsePlay travel sounds intriguing to 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 .

Ran across this beautiful Norse Lore double-truck text framing illustration while browsing the Arizona Renaissance Festival's Lady Chamberlin's book stall. From My Book Of History: Volume 3 -- New Nations (1931 hardback, p 218-9), drawn by Donn P Crane (1878-1944). Think the set of three was there for $40. #    #    # 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 .