The Norse god Freyr, also spelled Frey, was a prominent deity in the Old Norse pantheon. He was associated with various aspects of fertility, prosperity, and peace. Like other Norse gods, Freyr had a number of symbols and objects associated with him, one of which was the use of runes. Runes were an ancient form of writing used by the Germanic peoples, including the Norse. Each rune had its own name and meaning, and they were often used in magical and divinatory practices. In the case of Freyr, certain runes were closely associated with him and were believed to be connected to his powers and attributes.
The exact origin of the symbol is forgotten, as is the names of those involved, and even their true natures. What is left of the legend tells of either a giant raven, an angel in the form of a raven, or an angel with raven-like wings who gifted a blessed, magical amulet to a holy knight who used it to help her purge the land of evil beings that hid from the light of the sun. It is said her campaign met a violent end, and the symbol was taken up by the church of the Morninglord in her memory.
What is left of the legend tells of either a giant raven, an angel in the form of a raven, or an angel with raven-like wings who gifted a blessed, magical amulet to a holy knight who used it to help her purge the land of evil beings that hid from the light of the sun. What is left of the legend tells of either a giant raven, an angel in the form of a raven, or an angel with raven-like wings who gifted a blessed, magical amulet to a holy knight who used it to help her purge the land of evil beings that hid from the light of the sun.
In the case of Freyr, certain runes were closely associated with him and were believed to be connected to his powers and attributes. One rune associated with Freyr is Ingwaz, also known as Inguz. It is represented by the shape of an X or an angular diamond.
Lore about Holy Symbol of Ravenkind
The history of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind in the item's description in the 5e module seems to contradict some lore for the rest of Barovia.
"The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind is a unique holy symbol sacred to the good-hearted faithful of Barovia. It predates the establishment of any church in Barovia. According to legend, it was delivered to a paladin named Lugdana by a giant raven — or an angel in the form of a giant raven. Lugdana used the holy symbol to root out and destroy nests of vampires until her death. The high priests of Ravenloft kept and wore the holy symbol after Lugdana’s passing."
- It predates any church in Barovia. Strahd renamed the valley to Barovia after conquering it, so that implies that no churches predated Strahd. Did Strahd's invading army bring the religions of Morning Lord and Mother Night, or did they already exist in the valley without any churches?
- It was used to destroy vampire nests. Did this happen before Strahd arrived in the valley? Strahd claims to be the first vampire.
- The high priests of Ravenloft used the holy symbol? Strahd built Castle Ravenloft after conquering the valley and named it after his mother, Queen Ravinia. Why would Strahd let priests in his area use a holy symbol to destroy vampires?
Maybe I am overthinking it, but the description doesn't make sense to me. Am I missing something from the lore in previous modules?
Ingwaz is often interpreted as referring to fertility, growth, and the continuation of life. This rune is linked to Freyr because he was considered a god of fertility and abundance. It was believed that invoking the rune Ingwaz could bring about increased growth, prosperity, and success in agriculture and other endeavors. Another rune connected to Freyr is Perthro. Perthro is the rune of mystery, fate, and chance. It is represented by a stylized cup or container, symbolizing a hidden treasure or a well of knowledge. This rune is associated with Freyr because he was also seen as a god of fate and fortune. He was believed to have the ability to influence the outcome of events and grant luck and prosperity to his followers. The use of the Perthro rune was thought to enhance one's chances of success and bring about positive outcomes. Overall, the runes associated with Freyr reflect his role as a deity of fertility, prosperity, and fortune. The Ingwaz rune represents growth and abundance, while the Perthro rune symbolizes fate and chance. These runes were believed to tap into the powers and attributes of Freyr, and using them in rituals and magical practices was thought to bring about the desired outcomes in various aspects of life..
Reviews for "Unleashing the Power of Frey's Runes in Your Daily Life"
1. Bob - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Runes associated with Freyx." The plot felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The pacing was slow and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, the writing style was mediocre at best. I couldn't connect with any of the characters or their motivations. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I honestly could not get through "Runes associated with Freyx." The writing was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The world-building felt underdeveloped and I struggled to visualize the setting. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the interactions between the characters. I gave up on the book after a few chapters as I couldn't find anything redeeming about it.
3. John - 2 stars
"Runes associated with Freyx" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was slow, with long periods of nothing happening. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing style was also a letdown, as it relied on telling rather than showing. I found myself growing bored and disinterested as I read, and ultimately, I felt let down by the book.
4. Emily - 3 stars
I have mixed feelings about "Runes associated with Freyx." While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell short. The pacing fluctuated between slow and rushed, making it hard to become fully invested in the story. The characters had potential, but they were overshadowed by a convoluted plot. Additionally, I found the writing style to be overly descriptive, which distracted from the overall narrative. Overall, it was an okay read, but not something I would highly recommend.
5. Mark - 2 stars
"Runes associated with Freyx" had an interesting premise, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The plot felt predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to form any emotional connection with them. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. I found myself skimming through pages, hoping for something to grab my attention, but it never came. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.