Yggdrasil: An Origin Story

Draft Script V.1

Anthony Duke

Glossary Asgard [as-guard ] Aurgelmir [ aw-gill-mear ] Bestla [best-la ] Bor [ boar ] Ginnungagap [ gi-nun-ga-gap ] Muspellheim [ mus-spell-heim ] Script v.1 Niflheim [ niffel-heim ] Ragnarok [ rag-na-rock ] Ve [ vee ] Vili [ villy ] Yggdrasil [ igg-dra-zill ] Ymir [ i-mear]

In the beginning, there was Ginnungagap, the great void before all things. Within Ginnungagap, two realms were born, Muspellheim, the realm of fire, and Niflheim, the realm of Ice. As these two realms spread across the space of Ginnungagap, they collided with each other, causing a great explosion sending millions of tons of water flying into the air. As the water fell, it mixed with the ash and clay from Muspellheim to form the body of the giant, Aurgelmir, also known as Ymir. From under his left armpit a man and women were born, and his right foot mated with his left, and he gave birth to a six headed giant son. These beings would go on to found the races of the Ice and mountain Giants. From the Ice of Niflheim a man was uncovered, Buri, the first of the Gods. Buri gave birth to Bor, who married Bestla, and in time they had 3 children, Vili, Ve and Odin. All other Gods, men and Giants would descend from these primal beings, all created in Ginnungagap. Those who were forged from the pure Ice and flames were good, but those who were corrupted became evil, and as such neither could live together in peace. There was a mighty clash between good and evil, and it was in this battle that Odin, Vili and Ve slayed Ymir. The Gods used the remains of Ymir to create the world; from his body they created the earth, forging tall mountains and flattening it to create the planes and sea beds. The blood from his body was used to fill all the oceans, seas and rivers. They took his teeth and bones and created the individual rocks and cliffs, and they ground his bone to powder to form the sands and deserts. His hair was used to create the trees and bushes, and his flesh, torn and corrupt, created the races of dwarfs and trolls. The skull of Ymir was lifted high above the earth to form the sky, and was held in place by four of the recently born dwarfs, which Odin named North, South, East and West. From Ymirs remains grew Yggdrasil, the life tree. Yggdrasil, invisible to man, supported the universe. The great ash grew through all of the nine worlds, its roots reached deep into the depths of Niflheim

and its tallest branches rested in Asgard, the realm of the Gods; where Odin sits and watches over his creation, until Ragnarok, the end of days.