**Bragi: The Bard of Asgard**
**Full Name:** Bragi Boddason
**Origin/Culture:** Norse mythology
**Domain/Role:** God of poetry, music, and eloquence
**Symbol/Iconography:** The harp and the runes
**Mythology/Stories:** Bragi is often depicted as the divine singer in Asgard, the realm of the gods, where his songs entertain the Aesir and the heroes in Valhalla. One notable story involves his eloquent defense of the gods during the Lokasenna, where Loki insults the gods and goddesses, but Bragi speaks wisely and with restraint.
**Family Relationships:** Bragi is said to be the son of Odin, the chief of the gods, and the giantess Gunnlod. He is married to Idunn, the goddess who keeps the apples of youth.
**Attributes/Qualities:** Wisdom, creativity, and eloquence.
**Depictions/Representations:** Often depicted with a harp or lyre, sometimes with a beard, symbolizing his wisdom and age, despite his eternal youth.
**Worship/Temples:** Specific temples dedicated to Bragi are not well-documented, but his worship likely occurred within the broader context of Norse religious practices.
**Symbols/Animals:** The horse, associated with poetic inspiration.
**Historical Influence:** Bragi’s influence permeates Norse literature, where poetry and music were highly valued as forms of historical record and storytelling.
**Sacred Texts:** Mentioned in the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda, key sources for much of what is known about Norse mythology.
**Evolution:** Over time, Bragi’s role as a god of poetry has come to symbolize the art of skaldic poetry itself, a key aspect of Norse culture and identity.
**Modern Influence:** Bragi’s legacy lives on in modern appreciation for Norse mythology, influencing literature, music, and popular culture.
**Titles/Epithets:** “The Long-Bearded God” (referring to his wisdom), “Husband of Idunn”
**Sacred Sites:** While no specific sites are dedicated solely to Bragi, places of natural beauty and inspiration could be considered sacred in the context of his domain.
**Attributes/Artifacts:** Bragi’s most powerful artifact is his harp, which can enchant and inspire those who hear it.
**Allies/Adversaries:** As a peaceful god, Bragi has few adversaries, focusing instead on maintaining harmony among the gods and inspiring heroes.
**Cosmology:** Bragi holds a unique place in the Norse cosmos, bridging the divine and human worlds through the power of his art.
**Philosophical/Religious Significance:** Represents the importance of art, poetry, and culture in understanding the divine and the human condition.
**Power Score:** Out of a score of 200, Bragi’s power score might be 120, recognizing his significant influence over the arts and culture, which, while subtler than physical strength, holds immense sway over the hearts and minds of gods and mortals alike.
**Weapons/Tools:** Bragi’s primary tool is his harp or lyre, which, though not a weapon in the conventional sense, wields great power in its capacity to inspire and affect emotion.
**Attack Points:** Considering all the weapons and tools of the gods, Bragi’s harp would have an attack score of 20 out of 50, symbolizing its power to influence rather than to destroy.
Bragi’s role in Norse mythology exemplifies the profound influence of the arts on society and the cosmos. Through poetry and music, Bragi communicates wisdom, entertains the divine, and underscores the enduring power of eloquence and creativity.