Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology (北欧神話) is the mythology of the North Germanic people around the time of the Viking Age (at its height covering most of northern Europe, much of modern Germany and Austria, and parts of the British Isles), continuing through into modern-day Scandinavian folklore, and following the lives of the Norse gods — the Æsir and the Vanir — and the men whose lives they directly affected.

In Toaru Majutsu no Index, Norse mythology is often used as a base for Magic. Its prevalence in its usage as a basis for magic is second only to Christianity.

Etymology
It is important to note that the correct appellation is Norse Mythology, not Viking Mythology. Originally, the word "viking" meant the act of faring overseas and the sailor participating, while in English it denotes a profession meaning something like "pirate". Only a minority of Norsemen were Vikings.

Principles
Like most traditional polytheistic systems, it has no set canon and in some ways resembles a body of customary beliefs more than a set religion. It has been speculated that only chieftains and other wealthy people held faith in the Æsir, while the common farmers believed in land-spirits such as dwarves, trolls and giants.

It is a branch of the Proto-Indo-European mythological tradition, which also spawned the Celtic, Greek, and Vedic pantheons; it's distinguished from those myths, however, by the fact that its gods are not only fallible, but also all mortal. They could, and did, die, as exemplified during Ragnarok, the Norse version of the apocalypse, which ends with most of the gods dead.

Many texts describing Norse beliefs have come down to us, but, aside from a few runic inscriptions and similar fragments, all were written hundreds of years after the turn to Christianity. Consequently it's nearly impossible to tell which stories are "christianized", or how much they are, although academic theories abound. Even ignoring this, another problem arises: since Norse myth has no definitive canon, the myths differ considerably from place to place, according to the time they were written and the purpose they were written for.

Toaru Majutsu no Index: Stiyl SS
The conflict in this sidestory was over several artifacts which were believed to have held the secrets of the Dvergr's skills. The main antagonist, Richard Brave used Magic based on the flaming sword Lævateinn.

Toaru Majutsu no Index: Kanzaki SS
During the events of this sidestory, Kanzaki Kaori fought a variety of adversaries who made use of Magic based on Norse mythology, culminating in a battle with the Valkyrie Brunhild Eiktobel who sought to complete Gungnir.

English Civil War Arc
The group New Light, which made use of Norse-based magic, was involved in transporting the Curtana Original in the lead up to Carissa's coup d’etat. A defensive spiritual item based on Mokkerkalfe at Buckingham Palace also appeared.

Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index
A large part of Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index consists of the protagonists' struggles against the Norse-based cabal GREMLIN.

Figures & Individual Beings

 * Odin: The chief god of Norse mythology and ruler of Asgard.
 * Othinus, a Majin and leader of GREMLIN, bears the Latinized name of Odin and possesses many of his traits, her power and actions linked to the legends.
 * Thor: The hammer-wielding god of lightning and strength, the most famous son of Odin.
 * A former member of GREMLIN, once their combat representative, bears the name Thor.
 * Loki: A trickster god who initially aids the other gods but eventually grows malevolent and turns against them, leading to Ragnarok.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Loki.
 * Ymir: A primordial being, the ancestor of the frost giants, who was slain by Odin and his brothers, who used his remains to create the world.
 * The girl encountered by Kanzaki Kaori on Uphill Island uses a spell based on the flood of blood which came from Ymir when he was slain.
 * Sigyn: A Norse goddess and wife of Loki.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Sigyn.
 * Freyja: The Norse goddess of fertility.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Freyja.
 * Iðunn: A Norse goddess associated with youth, the keeper of the apples which keep the gods young.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Iðunn.
 * Sif: A Norse goddess associated with the earth and wife of Thor.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Sif.
 * Freyr: The Norse god of fertility and farming.
 * Index's John's Pen Mode makes use of Freyr's Sword at one point.
 * Ullr: A major god whose role is unclear due to a lack of information.
 * The Majin candidate Ollerus bears the Latinized version of Ullr's name, referred to in the Gesta Danorum where Ollerus took Odin's place while he was exiled until Odin's return.
 * Kanzaki Kaori makes use of Ullr's classification by some as a god of hunting and skiing, as well as being one of the Aesir who weren't swallowed up by the flood of Ymir’s blood, to avoid being swallowed up by Ymir's Ocean by using skiis.
 * Jörmungandr: Son of Loki and the frost giant Angrboða. A giant sea serpent, also known as the World Serpent, which encircles Midgard.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Jörmungandr.
 * Hel: Daughter of Loki and the frost giant Angrboða. Ruler of a realm of the same name, home to the dishonorable dead.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Hel.
 * The Valkyrie-Saint Brunhild Eiktobel was called Hel by the five Norse cabals who united to attack her, out of hatred for her mixed nature.
 * Fenrir: Son of Loki and the frost giant Angrboða. A giant wolf destined to devour Odin at Ragnarok.
 * A member of GREMLIN bears the name Fenrir.
 * Útgarða-Loki: A giant, user of magical illusions and ruler of the castle Útgarðr, who subjected Thor and his companions to a series of challenges.
 * A member of GREMLIN bore the name Útgarða-Loki.
 * Skírnir: Freyr's messenger and vassal.
 * Theodosia Electra uses a staff based off a gambantein (or magic wand) wielded by Skírnir.
 * Víðarr: A Norse god and a son of Odin who will avenge his father by killing Fenrir at Ragnarok.
 * A member of Necessarius uses Magic based on the specific shoes worn by Víðarr.
 * Hildisvíni: A boar rode by Freyja when she isn't using her cat-drawn chariot.
 * Hildisvíni is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Hræsvelgr: A giant who takes the form of an eagle whose flapping creates wind across the world.
 * Hræsvelgr is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Sleipnir: An eight-legged horse, Odin's stead and a son of Loki.
 * The Russian Orthodox Church uses large horse-drawn carriages called Sleipnirs to transport magical items and people.
 * Mokkerkalfe: A clay giant created to assist the giant Hrungnir in his duel with Thor.
 * A spiritual item based on Mokkerkalfe was guarding a barrier on the tunnels below Buckingham Palace.
 * GREMLIN also made use of a Mokkerkalfe to protect against enemies who would interrupt the creation of Gungnir at the Sargasso in Tokyo Bay.
 * Níðhöggr: A dragon which gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil.
 * Níðhöggr is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Bersi: A character appearing in an Icelandic saga who fought and won a duel with Kormak.
 * Kihara Kagun, a member of GREMLIN bore the name Bersi.
 * Svaðilfari: A stallion which fathered Sleipnir with Loki (in the form of a mare).
 * Svaðilfari is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Muninn: One of a pair of ravens who fly over Midgard and bring Odin information.
 * Muninn is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Huginn: One of a pair of ravens who fly over Midgard and bring Odin information.
 * Huginn is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Ratatoskr: A squirrel who carries messenges between the eagle perched atop Yggdrasil to the dragon Níðhöggr gnawing at the roots.
 * Ratatoskr is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Hrungnir: A giant who once raced Odin and came back with him to Valhalla afterwards. After Hrungnir grew drunk and abusive, Thor challenged the giant to a duel in which Hrungnir was slain.
 * Hrungnir is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * It is also a spiritual item in the form of a stone club used to break down doors and barriers and found in Necessarius' Sword Sanctuary.
 * Hymir: A giant whom Thor went fishing with while attempting to gain his mile-wide cauldron for the Aesir. During this trip, Thor uses Hymir's ox's head as bait and catches Jörmungandr.
 * Hymir is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Þrymr/Thrymr: The king of the giants who once stole Thor's hammer.
 * Þrymr is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.
 * Hrímfaxi: The horse of Nótt, the personification of night.
 * Hrímfaxi is one of the creatures summoned by Freyja using Brísingamen.

Weapons & Artifacts

 * Gungnir: The spear/lance of Odin.
 * Brunhild Eiktobel attempted to create Gungnir in order to save Ceillier Flatley and take revenge upon the five Norse cabals that tormented her. She wielded an incomplete version against Kanzaki Kaori, however it was destroyed before the Final Rune could be carved.
 * Othinus required Gungnir in order to unite her infinite possibilities as a Majin. GREMLIN carried out a series of incidents to acquire the means to forge Gungnir and attempted to do so but were thwarted by Ollerus. However, having had her possibilities united another way, Othinus created it by herself before ending the world. She continued to use it until it's destruction by Imagine Breaker.
 * Mjölnir: The hammer of Thor.
 * A member of GREMLIN, whose body was modified, bears the name Mjölnir.
 * Járngreipr: Iron gloves worn by Thor.
 * The Steel Gloves used by New Light are based on Járngreipr, with the power of Thor's weapons in the form of one spiritual item for convenient use.
 * Gjallarhorn: A horn blown at the coming of Ragnarok.
 * Bayloupe wears devices based on the Gjallarhorn behind her ears, allowing to use to thunder element of the Steel Gloves.
 * Dáinsleif: The sword of the Danish king Högni, which must cause a death whenever it is drawn.
 * Marian Slingeneyer makes use of the dangerous sword Dáinsleif after the death of Kihara Kagun during the battle in Baggage City, though she never draws it completely for fear of what it would bring.
 * Lævateinn: A weapon speculated to be a sword, speculated to be the sword given away by Freyr or the flaming sword wielded by Surtr.
 * The former Necessarius member Richard Brave uses a sword based on Lævateinn, with flames enhanced by runes sprayed on his enemies using Vitamin B2. He considers it his life's work and his anger at it being deemed illegal caused his defection.
 * The Sword of Freyr: A magical sword wielded by Freyr which could fight on its own if its wielder was wise and whose wielder would never suffer defeat. Freyr gave it away to gain the giant Gerðr as his wife and without it, he was slain by Surtr at Ragnarok.
 * Index's John's Pen Mode makes use of the Sword of Freyr against Stiyl Magnus during World War III.
 * Skíðblaðnir: A boat said to be the finest of all ships with the ability to fold itself up to fit in one's pocket.
 * New Light uses a set of five shapeshifting cases based on the Skíðblaðnir when transporting the Curtana Original.
 * Víðarr's Shoes: The leather shoes worn by Víðarr, made of leather pieces cast aside while making others' shoes.
 * A member of Necessarius makes use of the scattered leather pieces representing Víðarr's shoes for her Magic.
 * Gleipnir: A dwarven-forged chain which binds Fenrir until Ragnarok.
 * Ellasone makes use of a spiritual item based on Gleipnir.
 * Tarnkappe: A cloak or helm which makes the wearer invisible.
 * Alfar briefly makes use of a Tarnkappe to conceal her presence.
 * Naglfar: A boat made from the fingernails and toenails of the dead, which will ferry hordes to battle against the gods at Ragnarok.
 * An experiment regarding the Naglfar was carried out in Tynemouth which allowed a wooden ship 50cm long to be controlled remotely.
 * Prisoners onboard a Necessarius marine prison, placed fingernails and toenails from sacrificed prisoners in points around the vessel to turn the ship into Naglfar and seize control of it.
 * Hliðskjálf: The throne of Odin which allows him to see into any realm.
 * Ollerus makes use of Hliðskjálf as one of his spells and does so in an unexplainable way, leaving little way to defend against it.
 * Brísingamen: A necklace worn by the fertility goddess Freyja.
 * Brísingamen is a spiritual item used by the GREMLIN magician Freyja to 'give birth' to a variety of creatures based on beings from Norse mythology.
 * Loki's Net: A net fashioned by Loki and used to catch him following his escape after engineering the death of Baldr.
 * Marian Slingeneyer makes use of an artifact based on Loki's Net.
 * Whitting: A sword wielded by Bersi.
 * Kihara Kagun who bore the name Bersi, wields a sword based on Whitting.

Races & Creatures

 * Valkyrie: Female warrior-maidens who choose warriors who die in battle and bring them to Valhalla.
 * Various individuals possess the traits of a Valkyrie, including Brunhild Eiktobel and the Jeans Slasher.
 * Einherjar: The spirits of warriors who have fallen in battle and are brought to Valhalla by the Valkyries where they battle in preparation for Ragnarok where they will fight for Odin.
 * Othinus has resurrected a large number of dead people as Einherjars, Kihara Kagun being one of them.
 * Dvergr: A small being dwelling in the earth or mountains, gifted in crafting and manufacturing techniques, often referred to as a dwarf.
 * Dvergrs appear as a rare and different race of human beings, Marian Slingeneyer being one of them.
 * Alfar: Also known as elves, a race of beings with supernatural powers.
 * The magician Slappar created an Alfar from a fossil in order to overcome a condition which was restricting his use of Magic.
 * Muspell: A term used to refer to an element of the end of the world, the realm Muspellheim being home the fire giants (the sons of Muspell) who, led by Surtr, will break Bifrost at the beginning of Ragnarok and fight in the battle.
 * Muspell is a spell used by GREMLIN during their operation in Tokyo, which summons flaming figures to attack people.

Other

 * Asgard: One of the Nine Worlds supported by Yggdrasil and the home of the Aesir.
 * Asgard is mentioned by Othinus as one of the Phases which have been applied to the world due to various religions, Norse mythology included.
 * Bifröst: The rainbow bridge which connects Midgard (the human realm) and Asgard (the realm of the gods).
 * Orlentz Trice named his base after Bifrost.
 * Runes: A set of letters forming an alphabet, believed to have been given by Odin. Odin acquired them by being hanged from Yggdrasil for nine days and nights.
 * Many magicians use Runes, created through various means, for their Magic.
 * The significance of the number Nine: The number Nine is a significant number in Norse mythology. For example, there are nine worlds supported by Yggdrasil and in order to obtain wisdom, Odin was hanged from Yggdrasil for nine days and nine nights by his own spear.
 * The Jeans Slasher makes use of the significance of the number Nine in her Nine Support spell.
 * Yggdrasil: A giant sacred ash tree, also known as the World Tree, which supports the Nine Worlds of the Norse cosmos.
 * Yggdrasil is referenced in the name of the magic cabal Those Who Prevent the Extermination of the World Tree.

Norse-based Organizations

 * GREMLIN (magic cabal)
 * Those Who Prevent the Extermination of the World Tree (magic cabal, destroyed)
 * Iron Stake that Carves Knowledge (magic cabal, destroyed)
 * Champions from the Sea (magic cabal, destroyed)
 * Those who Know the Rune of the God’s Sword (magic cabal, destroyed)
 * Hammer that Tempers Gold within the Earth (magic cabal, destroyed)
 * New Light (cabal reserve army)