Odin
Odin (son of Bor), with his two brothers Vili and Ve, slayed Ymir (an old giant, and all but one of the frost giants. They created Midgard (the world of men) from Ymir's blood and bones. They made man and woman from two trees and then set about creating night, day sun and moon and Asgard, where Odin's hall 'Valhalla' was built.
Valhalla is the feast hall of dead heroes. They fight there all day and then the dead are revived in the evening to sit down to a feast of pork and mead. There is also a hall in Asgard for the righteous men. It is called Gimli.
Odin has a raven sitting on each of his shoulders, Hugin (thought) and Munin (memory). These ravens flew to the ends of creation to bring him knowledge.
Odin is the god of poetry and inspiration but his primary concern was battle. He taught horse handling, tactics and aspects of fire power.
Odin was not known as a fair god however, he was often seen to be deceitful, untrue and unsafe. He would often abandon his worshippers for no good reason other than his own fickleness.
Adapted from 'A guide to the gods' by Richard Carlyon
