From publisher blurb:
For eons, the Grand Code remained empty. But then, the Gunningap Equation was created, a cosmic computer chip set to explain the universe. Out of it came the Ymyryn Directive, which began to see to the creation and establishment of numerous test worlds. These test worlds in time evolve and replicate, until the galaxy becomes filled with worlds. Here, the Ymyryn Directive creates two subprograms: the Vanian and Aesin Protocols. Produced from these protocols come the first Great Beings of immense power, setting to manage their worlds. Beasts and magic and peoples begin to populate the galaxy, worlds filled to brimming. Some Great Beings treated their peoples under their eye as test subjects, some as fodder for conquest, and others as children.
However, this imbalance began to grow and set sparks throughout the Gunningap Equation, cracking it, allowing an interloper: the Ragnarok Virus. This virus began to corrupt once-might Great Beings and their worlds, transforming docile Spirits into horrific monsters, and set about a galaxy-wide war that devoured thousands upon thousands of worlds, and seeing the death of numerous gods. That was until the Trimultive - a collective of powerful goddess-level entities - discovered the existence of the Frigg, an energy source capable of destroying the Ragnarok Virus, and, in spreading its teachings, were able to end the Virus.
Today, only a few worlds remain after the Virus destroyed so much, but life is growing and returning.
Yndurvaetra at a Glance
Yndurvaetra came out of two key design choices: remove the mythology that has been co-opted by fascist and white supremacist groups WHILE bringing to life new multicultural takes on Norse mythology. With an incredibly diverse team, we set to building this - say it with me - cosmic cyber space fantasy setting inspired by Nordic tales and sagas. It is a lot, BUT, we think it came together pretty well. There are three core facets to understand the world of Yndurvaetra as a whole.
Ragnarok came, happened, destroyed, and now the universe is healing. The Ragnarok Virus decimated the Program, the name given to all living things. Some learned to cope with its affects, while others have had to keep fighting to keep it at bay. Many gods were killed in this conflict, along with many worlds, and the galaxy feels a little emptier, but it is slowly on the mend.
Gods are more than gods. Deities in this universe are more than Great Beings, they are programs from either the Vanian or Aesin Protocols, created by the Ymyryn Directive in order to establish balance and organization to the universe. Some gods have had to step in and take on more roles due to the depths of others, while others are slowly succumbing to old corruption thought wiped.
Alliances are frayed and trust sparse. Once completely unified together, many of the gods and goddesses of creation now rarely work together, or completely ignore the others. Some have been entirely reborn due to dying in Ragnarok and gaining new bodies, or others must work to rebuild what is lost. Most simply look out for themselves.
A Discussion on Norse Imagry in Media
Over the last few decades - and one could argue and prove that stemming from the rise of Nazi Germany - Norse religious and cultural symbols have become co-opted by fascist and bigoted groups across the planet. Gods like Thor and Odin and Tyr are often used as symbols or characters in neo-Nazi and white supremacism rhetoric and dress and iconography, the idea of a “Viking” often being forced to align with Aryan messaging and propaganda. This is incredibly frustrating and disingenuous to Nordic culture and history, given that the Vikings were some of the most well-traveled, multi-lingual, and ethnically diverse groups of people in the early trade world. Records have proved they had settlements in the Middle East and Africa and North America and even Asia, combining their culture with others to create wholly unique subcultures and all new ethnic groups.
So to all those out there who have taken something beautiful and tarnished it with your bigotry: this book is not for you. We have specifically created Yndurvaetra to display a new multicultural reimagining of Norse mythology through a cosmic cyber space-fantasy lens, uplift marginalized voices, and remove those elements of Nordic culture that have been assimilated into hate groups. You aren’t patriots, you aren’t protectors, you aren’t guardians. You are scared, sad little people who are terrified of things you do not want to take the time to learn more about with a simple internet search, and so you pile your hate and racism and bigotry on those who do not deserve it.
To those who have come to explore Yndurvaetra and explore one of our newest worlds - welcome, and we hope you enjoy it!
What's In Store?
There is a ton of content in this packed 40 pages:
21 new Great Beings
8 planets to explore
11 relics
6 entities
7 lineages
5 careers