The Hunger of the Gods

John Gwynne

The Hunger of the Gods

John Gwynne
70 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2022

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Orka is a fierce warrior and former chief of the Bloodsworn who lives in the harsh world of Vigrið. She is an Úlfhéðnar, a mortal carrying the blood of the wolf-god Ulfrir, who previously suppressed her violent past to raise a family. Following the abduction of her son, she resurrects her old identity as the "Skullsplitter" and sets out on a relentless, bloody quest to rescue him.

Key Relationships

Fiercely protected son of Breca

Murdered husband of Thorkel

Sister-in-law of Glornir Shield-Breaker

Combat mentor to Lif Virksson

Sworn enemy of Lik-Rifa

Distant descendant of Ulfrir

Varg is an escaped thrall who recently secured his own freedom by killing his captor. He joins the Bloodsworn mercenary band to utilize their magic in finding his sister's murderer. He soon learns he carries the Tainted blood of the wolf-god, forcing him to balance his human consciousness against his primal combat instincts.

Key Relationships

Grieving brother of Frøya

Combat student of Røkia

Friend of Svik Tangle-Hair

Subordinate to Glornir Shield-Breaker

Elvar is a young noblewoman who commands the Battle-Grim mercenaries following the death of their previous chief. She is physically bound by a magical blood oath to rescue a captive child, punishing her with pain if she considers abandoning the mission. She is a pragmatic leader willing to use dangerous magic and forbidden relics to secure a tactical advantage.

Key Relationships

Estranged daughter of Jarl Störr

Employer of Uspa

Captor of Skuld

Former romantic partner of Biórr

Successor to Agnar

Biórr is a warrior who infiltrated the Battle-Grim mercenaries to orchestrate the liberation of a captive god. He belongs to the Raven-Feeders, a group dedicated to freeing all god-blooded people from enslavement. He carries the bloodline of the rat-god Rotta and frequently struggles with severe guilt over his past betrayals.

Key Relationships

Former romantic partner of Elvar Fire-Fist

Romantic interest of Myrk Sharp-Claw

Subordinate to Ilska

Descendant of Rotta

Lik-Rifa is an ancient dragon-god recently liberated from a subterranean prison. She commands a massive following of corrupted warriors and magical creatures known as vaesen. She intends to overthrow the mortal rulers of Vigrið and establish a new society placing her god-blooded descendants in power.

Key Relationships

Sister of Ulfrir

Sister of Rotta

Worshipped leader of Ilska

Glornir is the stoic and physically imposing chief of the Bloodsworn mercenaries. He normally operates with grim professionalism, but the kidnapping of his wife causes him to abandon his mercenary contracts. He leads his warband on a desperate chase across the country to rescue her from rival magic-users.

Key Relationships

Husband of Vol

Brother-in-law of Orka Skullsplitter

Commander of Varg No-Sense

Ulfrir is the ancient wolf-god who died centuries ago during a cataclysmic divine war. He is magically brought back to life by the Battle-Grim mercenaries, returning as a severely weakened entity. The mercenaries immediately bind him with an iron collar, forcing him to act as a captive weapon in their upcoming battles.

Key Relationships

Brother of Lik-Rifa

Father of Skuld

Enslaved by Elvar Fire-Fist

Ancestor of Orka Skullsplitter

Supporting Characters

Guðvarr is an ambitious oathsworn warrior motivated entirely by vanity and self-preservation. He seeks political advancement in the city of Darl but lacks the courage to earn it in open combat. He aligns himself with dangerous spellcasters to secure protection, often resorting to deception and murder to maintain his public reputation.

Key Relationships

Nephew of Jarl Sigrún

Subordinate to Skalk

Servant of Queen Helka

Enemy of Lif Virksson

Myrk is a highly confident and brutal warrior serving in the Raven-Feeders warband. She is a dragon-born fighter who views human enslavement of the god-blooded as an atrocity. She relentlessly hunts the Bloodsworn mercenaries to exact revenge for the death of her family members.

Key Relationships

Sister of Ilska

Sister of Drekr

Romantic interest of Biórr

Rotta is the rat-god, a divine being long believed to have perished in an apocalyptic war. He is a charismatic survivor who prefers manipulation and psychological tactics over direct physical confrontation. He quickly forms an alliance with his newly freed sister to guarantee his own safety.

Key Relationships

Brother of Lik-Rifa

Brother of Ulfrir

Ancestor of Biórr

Uspa is a powerful Seiðr-witch traveling alongside the Battle-Grim mercenaries. She utilizes blood magic, runic healing, and ancient spells to assist the warband in battle. She participates in the conflict entirely to secure the safe return of her kidnapped child.

Key Relationships

Mother of Bjarn

Sister of Vol

Employee of Elvar Fire-Fist

Skalk is a Galdurman, a magic-user who channels power through runes and spells. He works as an agent for Queen Helka in the city of Darl. He utilizes biological torture and psychological manipulation to ensure his subordinates follow his commands.

Key Relationships

Master of Guðvarr

Subordinate to Queen Helka

Captor of Vol

Svik is a veteran warrior and the designated skáld, or storyteller, for the Bloodsworn mercenaries. He survived enslavement during his childhood and was subsequently raised by Orka. He provides tactical guidance and moral support to the newer members of the crew.

Key Relationships

Lif is a young fisherman who joins a mercenary band to track down the man who killed his brother. He completely lacks formal combat training but willingly subjects himself to brutal instruction to achieve his goal. He views his quest for revenge as a matter of honor.

Key Relationships

Combat student of Orka Skullsplitter

Enemy of Guðvarr