Surtr

In Norse mythology, Surtr (Old Norse "black" or "the swarthy one") is a jötunn. Surtr is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson. In both sources, Surtr is foretold as being a major figure during the events of Ragnarök; carrying his bright sword, he will go to battle against the Æsir, he will do battle with the major god Freyr, and afterward the flames that he brings forth will engulf the Earth.

In a book from the Prose Edda additional information is given about Surtr, including that he is stationed guarding the frontier of the fiery realm Múspell, that he will lead "Múspell's sons" to Ragnarök, and that he will defeat Freyr. Surtr has been the subject of place names and artistic depictions, and scholarly theories have been proposed about elements of Surtr's descriptions and his potential origins.

Attestations

Poetic Edda

Surtr is mentioned twice in the poem Völuspá, where a völva divulges information to the god Odin. The völva says that, during Ragnarök, Surtr will come from the south with flames, carrying a very bright sword:

Surtr (Dungeons & Dragons)

In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Surtr is the lord of the fire giants. His animal is the hell hound. His symbol is a flaming sword.

Publication history

Surtr was first detailed in Deities and Demigods (1980).

Surtr was detailed in the 2nd edition AD&D book Legends & Lore (1992), including details about his priesthood. His role in the cosmology of the Planescape campaign setting was described in On Hallowed Ground (1996). His role in the giant pantheon of the Forgotten Realms setting is detailed in Giantcraft (1995).

Surtr was described briefly in Defenders of the Faith (2000). He was detailed in the third edition version of Deities and Demigods (2002). His priesthood is detailed for 3rd edition in Complete Divine (2004).

Description

Surtr looks like an immensely large fire giant with crackling flames for hair and eyebrows. He wears armor of blazingly hot iron and wields a flaming iron sword 15 feet in length.

Relationships

Surtr, a son of Annam, is part of the second generation of giantish deities, born at about the same time as Skoraeus Stonebones and Thrym. While Surtr's cult is similar to that of Thrym's, fire and ice do not mix. Other gods in the giantish pantheon include Stronmaus, Hiatea, Grolantor, Karontor, Iallanis, Memnor, Vaprak, and Diancastra.