D&D 5E (2014) MCU's Asgardians in 5E D&D terms

[TheCosmicKid]

Ha! The real Sherlock Holmes' are Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett!

Actually, of course, it's Michael Caine.

Out of curiosity, how does Thor not count as cultural appropriation?

Ahhh! No! Don't go there!

 

[Viking Bastard]

Out of curiosity, how does Thor not count as cultural appropriation?

It's a dead religion, for one. While there are neo-pagans who revere the Æsir etc, their interpretations aren't any more accurate than Marvel's, as such. And while I know there are sects around the world who take the whole worship thing more seriously, locally at least they don't actually claim the gods to be real, as much as it's a form of celebration of our heritage.

 

[Minigiant]

Here's what I'd do.

Before tangling with the forces of Midgard, Thor mostly tangled with giants. Fire and Ice giants, and he beat them up a lot. So he's rocking at least 15 HD.

After that you could use epic boons (DMG 230-232) and supernatural gifts (DMG 227-228).

For example MCU Odin could have the Blessing of Understanding and Boon of Skill Proficiency.
MCU Loki could have Boon of High Magic and Boon of Spell Recall
MCU Thor could have the Boon of the Stormborn and Blessing of Protection

 

[Morrus]

It's a dead religion, for one. While there are neo-pagans who revere the Æsir etc, their interpretations aren't any more accurate than Marvel's, as such. And while I know there are sects around the world who take the whole worship thing more seriously, locally at least they don't actually claim the gods to be real, as much as it's a form of celebration of our heritage.

I was being silly. It wasn't a genuine question.

 

[Viking Bastard]

Here's what I'd do.

Before tangling with the forces of Midgard, Thor mostly tangled with giants. Fire and Ice giants, and he beat them up a lot. So he's rocking at least 15 HD.

After that you could use epic boons (DMG 230-232) and supernatural gifts (DMG 227-228).

For example MCU Odin could have the Blessing of Understanding and Boon of Skill Proficiency.
MCU Loki could have Boon of High Magic and Boon of Spell Recall
MCU Thor could have the Boon of the Stormborn and Blessing of Protection

Something like this is what I've been considering doing for my current setting, although it hasn't come into play in any way (and as of yet there are no plans for it, so I haven't bothered digging into it), but the 'gods' are just NPC-like characters of a higher power level (of levels 21+).

So I would construct them according to the DMG guidelines for post-20th level PCs.

 

[Viking Bastard]

I was being silly. It wasn't a genuine question.

I specialize in rhetorical questions.

 

[aramis erak]

For doing the norse gods, I'd take my cues from the old Avalanche Press treatment for 3.x...

Improved Attributes: lesser deities +3 to all attributes, greater +5; increase maximums to 24 and 26 respectively.
Increased proficiency bonus: +1.
Daily casting of Planar Travel, limited to those planes connected by Yggdrasil.
Inspire: mortals in view who believe in the gods gain +1 proficiency bonus
Spell resistance: change to a Epic saves x3 for lesser, x5 for greater
Ignore Damage Reduction: any weapon they wield counts as magic.
Fast Healing: hit dice and healing magics count double; recover all spend hit dice on long rest.
Immune to Fear.

 

[Yaarel]

In Marvel Universe, the ‘Asgardians’ are an advanced alien species from an other planet. Historically, some humans worshiped them out of awe when encountering them, but the humans did so out of ignorance. The superhero Thor doesnt seek worship.



In reallife Norse animism (as opposed to Teutonic polytheism), humans have the same kinds of magic that the Aesir do (resembling psychic powers). Humans might study magic with Aesir or Jotnar, but dont dependent on them as sources for magic.

It is instructive to remember, the Aesir are about as powerful as the Jotnar and the Dvergar. The Aesir depend on the Dvergar for the best magic items, and depend on a Jotunn for the ‘golden apples’ that keep them youthful and long-living. None of the Aesir are ‘immortal’. In ‘Ragnarok’, when the Jotnar attack the Aesir, the Aesir lose.

The Aesir simply arent ‘gods’, in the sense that other cultures might have. They are nature spirits, of a remote animistic indigenous people.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

In reallife Norse animism (as opposed to Teutonic polytheism)...

Wait, what?

...humans have the same kinds of magic that the Aesir do (resembling psychic powers).

Wait, what?

...and depend on a Jotunn for the ‘golden apples’ that keep them youthful and long-living.

Huh? Since when is she a jötunn?

The Aesir simply arent ‘gods’, in the sense that other cultures might have. They are nature spirits, of a remote animistic indigenous people.

...are you sure you're not thinking of something else?

 

[Yaarel]

Norwegian textual critics of the Norse Eddas and Sagas, in light of archeology and similar beliefs among the neighboring Sami, tend to disregard the assumption by German folklorists that indigenous Scandinavians regarded the Aesir as ‘gods’. The indigenous Scandinavians were animists, especially in remote regions.

Regarding Idunn who grows the ‘golden apples’, I meant she is of the Dvergar. But when writing it, I had in mind a scholarly speculation relating her to the Jotnar. What is clear is she isnt of the Aesir. The Hrafnagaldr Odins, a late text, describes her as of ‘Alfar kind’ and the ‘youngest of the elder children of Ivaldi’. The simplest interpretation is, her mother is of the Alfar and her father Ivaldi is of the Dvergar, and Idunn herself is a mix of Alfar and Dvergar. But some scholars interpret this more complexly, identifying the father Ivaldi as one of the Jotnar from an earlier text. The point is, the Aesir are mortals who depend on the magic of Non-Aesir to prolong their youthfulness.

Regarding magic, according to the Eddas and Sagas, magic is an ability that humans have, sometimes identified as ‘minds’ (irregular plural), in the sense of the forces of the mind. A specific kind of magic, Seidr, is explained as ‘playing with minds’, falsifying emotions and sensations. Later Scandinavian folklore continues this animistic worldview, albeit with Celtic influences.