Tyr

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In NetHack, Tyr is the lawful god of the Valkyrie pantheon.

Origin

Týr is a god in Germanic mythology and Norse mythology, which provides most of the surviving narratives about gods among the Germanic peoples. He is a valorous and powerful member of the Æsir, and patron of warriors and mythological heroes. In Old Norse sources, Týr is alternately described as the son of the jötunn Hymir or the god Odin. The modern English weekday of Tuesday derives its name from *Tīwaz, which is also the root etymology of Tyr's name; his name also serves as the eponym of the Tiwaz rune (ᛏ). Due to the etymology of his name and his relative lack of presence in the extant Germanic mythos, some scholars propose that Týr may have once held a more central place among early Germanic deities.

Among his most notable roles in folklore, Týr assists in the binding of the monstrous wolf Fenrir, who requests that Týr place his hand in the wolf's mouth as a show of good faith that his binding would not be permanent. This allows the gods to restrain him with Gleipnir, but in the process Fenrir bites off Týr's right hand. Another tale, the poem Hymiskviða, features Týr and Thor setting out to retrieve his father Hymir's cauldron, which is capable of brewing fathoms of ale. Týr is also fated to be consumed by the similarly monstrous dog Garmr during the events of Ragnarök, though not without slaying Garmr in turn.

Variants

dNetHack

In dNetHack, notdNetHack and notnotdNetHack, Tyr is a lawful god of holiness, and his minions consist of arcadian avengers, Shield Archons, lawful Angels, Warden Archons, and Throne Archons. He does not have a crowning gift of his own, but will give a crowned Valkyrie The Bow of Skadi.

Encyclopedia entry

Yet remains that one of the Aesir who is called Tyr: he is most daring, and best in stoutness of heart, and he has much authority over victory in battle; it is good for men of valor to invoke him. It is a proverb, that he is Tyr-valiant, who surpasses other men and does not waver. He is wise, so that it is also said, that he that is wisest is Tyr-prudent. This is one token of his daring: when the Aesir enticed Fenris-Wolf to take upon him the fetter Gleipnir, the wolf did not believe them, that they would loose him, until they laid Tyr's hand into his mouth as a pledge. But when the Aesir would not loose him, then he bit off the hand at the place now called 'the wolf's joint;' and Tyr is one-handed, and is not called a reconciler of men.

[ The Prose Edda, by Snorri Sturluson ]