Tyr is the Norse and Germanic god of war and justice, who is featured as a side character within the Prose and Poetic Eddas.
Myths[]
Binding of Fenrir[]
Tyr played an important role during the binding of Fenrir, one of the children of Loki and Angrboða. Unlike his brethren, he formed a more amicable bond with the wolf-like beast Jötunn yet at the same time understood the potential calamity the latter could possibly brought to them and entire Nine Realms. In fact, he and his fellow Gods of Asgard saw how their best restraints got destroyed by Fenrir every single time — a testament of Fenrir's concerning growing might.
Following the completion of Gleipnir, Tyr volunteers to carry out the endeavor of restraining Fenrir with it as his cautious brethren watched. In the ensuing uneasy exchange between them, Tyr bargains with the wolf-like beast Jötunn that he offers his hand to him as a pledge should the new enchanted chain doesn't fail under his might before putting it over the latter. To the Gods of Asgard's relief, Gleipnir proved more than strong enough to keep Fenrir restrained, much to the wolf-like beast Jötunn's anger and frustration that he bit Tyr's hand off. As saddened as he was by the loss of his hand, the War God doesn't regret it since he obliged to fulfill his part of the bargain.
Ragnarök[]
During the fateful Ragnarök, Tyr faces off against Garm, Hel's supernatural pet hound who guards the gates Helheim. It is said that Garm would leave his post, a nearby cave known as Gnipahellir, breaking the chains that originally placed to ensure he won't stray too far, and engages a fierce duel against the War God culminating to them killed one another.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Supernatural Strength: Tyr is able to physically exert himself far better than mere mortals thanks to his Æsir heritage.
- Supernatural Durability: Tyr can take considerable punishments far better than mere mortals thanks to his Æsir heritage. Only beings around his caliber such as Fenrir and Garm that can significantly hurt him.
- Superhuman Mobility: Tyr's speed and agility are no doubt better than mere mortals thanks to his Æsir heritage, which he further honed in order to become a formidable warrior deity.
- Supernatural Reflexes: Considering war being among things associated with Æsir, it's no surprise that Tyr honed his already remarkable reaction time which greatly helps him in combat.
- Immortality: Like other Æsir, Tyr can live forever where this was backed by mystical apples supplied by Iðunn. Only beings with sufficient power like Garm can kill him, however.
- Justice Embodiment: Owing to his association with justice, Tyr always knows how to properly mediate dispute and ensure the outcome to be fair for both sides. This best demonstrated when he allowed Fenrir to devour his arm in a wager with Fenrir which actually his fellow Gods of Asgard's ruse to bind the wolf-jötunn with Gleipnir.
- Master Combatant: True to his association with the war, Tyr is one of formidable warriors among Gods of Asgard. Even the loss of his hand as part of the bargain with wolf-jötunn Fenrir barely diminished his overall combat abilities with his destined bane Garm being the only one who able to match his strength.
- Sword Mastery: Tyr is a formidable swordsman among Æsir warriors.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Tyr and Fenrir by John Bauer (1911).jpg (89 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The Roman historian and politician Tacitus compared Tyr to their god Mars: Among the gods Mercury is the one they principally worship. They regard it as a religious duty to sacrifice to him, on fixed days, human as well as other sacrificial victims. Hercules and Mars they appease by animal offerings of the permitted kind. Part of the Suebi sacrifice to Isis as well.
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