Njord

Overview

In the pantheon of Skazka, Njord, the God of Storms and Anger, reigns as a roaring tempest. He is the embodiment of raw power and unbound fury — most akin to Kaos among the Annarr. Njord is neither savior nor destroyer by intent, but rather a force that challenges mortals to seize strength, seize power, or be swept away.

Influence

Storm & Fury: Njord commands lightning, roaring winds, and crushing waves. Sailors dread and respect his presence: appease him, and he grants safe passage; defy him, and ships vanish in whirlpools.

Anger & Resolve: In his rage, Njord symbolizes both the destructive and galvanizing power of anger. He punishes those weak of conviction and empowers those who channel rage into action.

Power & Meritocracy: He embodies the survival-of-the-fittest ethos: power carved through struggle and borne by those who endure. He brooks no excuses or charity; only the strong earn his favor.

Symbols

Cracked Helm of Thunder: Forged from storm clouds and lightning, this helm echoes with thunder whenever Njord rages.

Stormcloak of Roaring Gales: A cloak woven from gale-force winds and vaporous clouds. It whips around him in battle, tearing at foes and stirring courage in allies.

Stormreaver Trident: A jagged weapon that harnesses wind, sea, and electric fury — calling hurricanes or calming catastrophic deluges at his will.

Rites

The Siege of Stormkeep: When Orcs besieged the coastal fortress of Stormkeep, Njord unleashed a week-long tempest. Waves battered the walls, lightning shattered siege towers, and only those defenders proven in battle earned spared lives. The story ends with the surviving knights swearing oaths under thunder to never yield.

The Trial of the Roaring Shore: A rite of passage for warriors and sailors. They stand on the high cliffs as storms surge around them. Those who hold steady and return victorious are said to have Njord’s grit; those who falter are cast out — literally washed away by the returning tide. Those that fail are said to rise as 'The Drowned' - an undead creature bound to some Njord for eternity.

Festival of the Wrathwind: On the equinoxes, massive bonfires are lit along the coasts. Those that build these fires test their skill at keeping the fires alight during the storm. A blessing is said to be received - the Storm Kiss - by any who keep their watchfires going until dawn.

Lore

Beneath the tempest-scorched ruins of an ancient lighthouse, sailors whisper that those struck by lightning during the “Oath of the Eye” — swearing unwavering resolve mid-storm — gain Njord’s silent favor. Their vision sharpens, able to peer through storm veils and spotting distant foes or hidden coves invisible to others. Yet, with each whisper of power, a sliver of their humanity fades, replaced by the distant roar of thunder echoing in their minds.

Classification	Annarr
Aliases	Storm lord, Wave titan
Domains	Sea, Storms, Retribution
Favoured	Sken, Sailors
Alignment	Chaotic Neutral
Holy Symbol	A circle of tubulent seawater pierced by a traident
Known forms	A merman