God of fertility, sunshine, and peace
The most revered fertility god among the Vanir, son of Njörðr and brother of Freyja. He governs sunshine, rain, and the harvest, and was among the gods most diligently worshipped by the farmers of the Viking Age. To win the giantess Gerðr he gave away his ever-victorious magic sword as a bride-price — a choice he paid for at Ragnarök: swordless, he fell to the flame of the fire giant Surtr.
From Odin’s high seat Freyr glimpsed the giantess Gerðr and was struck with lovesickness. He sent his servant to woo her, and the price was that sword that swings of itself and never loses. He agreed. Years later, at Ragnarök, Freyr faced Surtr’s sword of flame empty-handed — the bride-price of love became the cause of his doom.
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