THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
also called the Law of the Aesir
	as set down by
Kano Runstafr Odinsdottir


	Herein is the Law of the Aesir, called by some
the Way of the Warrior, the law by which those of the
North may conduct themselves in time of peace or war. 
It is a law that thralls and kings alike may follow,
so long as they bring no dishonor to the the Gods of
the Aesir thereby.

	Hear then the words of the Lawspeaker, and
remember.

	The chiefest of all the laws is the law of
Loyalty.  From Loyalty do all the laws come, for
loyalty is the most fundamental of all things.
	First there is the loyalty to the gods, those
to whom you have made your vows of devotion.  If you
choose a geas as sacred duty, or if the gods require
it of you, then keep to that geas for as long as you
can.  Only if the geas threatens your life or sanity
should you break it.  By so keeping the geas, you
prove your faith in the gods and their faith in you.
 	The second is the loyalty to your leader in
war.  When war comes, be not afraid, but do as your
leaders tell you with a peaceful heart.  Think before
you strike, but if you must strike, make the blow so
decisive that the fight is won. 
	The third is the loyalty to your tribe.  The
welfare of the tribe as a whole comes before all other
considerations.  In all things consider the well-being
of the tribe before you act, for what you do does not
act upon you alone.  In time of war, the protection
and defense of the others in the tribe is the greatest
of all concerns.  If there are children, friends,
mates who are not of the Way but are dear to you, 
then they too must be protected as one of the tribe.  
	In time of peace, as in time of war, no
request for aid from a fellow tribe member should be
denied, whether magical or mundane, unless there is
real and legitimate reason why you cannot provide aid.
 

	In all your journeyings, strive to do all
things with fairness and lawfulness in word and deed. 
Do all things with honor:  keep your promises always,
speak not against another member of the tribe without
sufficient cause or provable evidence, be courageous
and clever in battle and show no cowardice.  Keep
yourself fit for battle, and let not your mind or body
become dulled.  Likewise, three things always do after
battle before caring for yourself:  care for your
horse, your ship, your weapons and armor.  


	Learn your particular craft well and share
your knowledge with those of the tribe.  But be on
guard lest outsiders read of the knowing, for without
the call of the gods they will not understand what
they see, and they will be afraid and call you evil. 
But do not deny who and what you are, be proud and
declare your faith in the Gods of Asgard, even if so
declaring should cost you your life.  No god is
stronger or higher than another, so why should we
cower when asked of our faith?  There is honor in
following the way of the gods who speak to you in your
heart, and an offense to the gods to deny them.


	The young must be taught of our ways so that
the learning is not lost.  Those who can must teach
and share their knowledge. 
	First teach the young to listen to their
innermost hearts, and to ask the gods to come and
teach him of the Way.  When he has found the Lord and
Lady who have answered his call, then shall he make
his vows to them and keep those vows for as long as
life remains to him.  Then he shall be taught the
rituals of our way and taught to make and bond with
his first tools and weapons.  If he wishes to be a
warrior, then let him study swordcraft, likewise the
scholar to study magecraft and the healer to study
herbcraft.  If he turns to the teachings of another
way, let him do so, for who is to say one way is
better than another?  Do not hinder him in his
questing, but help him if he asks, and do not deny
your knowledge.  A road is a road no matter which way
it runs.  
	As to the tools of his learning, let him two
books keep in his own writing.  One is to contain that
which he learns from his teachers, and the other to
contain that which he discovers for himself.  These
and his weapons are all he requires to learn.  
	When he has learned enough that he has begun
to walk the Way of his choosing alone, then let him be
initiated.  But never should he cease to learn, or
fail to hear the words of the gods.  


	If another person of the Way should attack you
without provocation then you are allowed to attack in
kind.  If another person of the Way whould attack one
who is beloved of a member of the tribe but is not of
the Way, then you are allowed to return the attack. 
This to include children, mates, soul-friends, and
family.  You may also attack to prevent an enemy from
attacking one who is defenseless or one who is 
undeserving of such an attack.  You may also attack
in response to proven wrong-doing to an innocent or
betrayal of sacred trust.  
	If the enemy is a tribe member, then you may
banish him.  And the reasons for banishment are these:
 betrayal of another member of the tribe in such a way
that the damage is long-term, life-threatening or
irrepairable or if the damage of this sort is
threatening to the children, mates, friends or family
of a tribe member.  Also you may banish a tribe member
for damage of a mental or emotional nature that
threatens the life or sanity of a tribe member or
their children, mates, friends or family.  The
banishings or attacks are to be voted upon by the
members of the tribe save the one who is to be
banished.  In cases of extreme turmoil involving the
entire tribe, it is best to seek an outside person of
wisdom to arbitrate, and the tribe to abide by his
decision.  


	The Way is a way of tradition, and in loyalty
to the Gods of the Aesir we keep the eight festivals
of the year.  The first and greatest of these is
Samhain, for at this time do we honor those who have
gone on to Asgard and the battles of Ragnarok to
follow.  The second is Yule; the third is MidWinter;
the fourth is Beltain, the feast of spring and the
goddesses of life, and this to be kept to balance the
powers of death, as all rituals of the summer are
kept.  The fifth is MidSummer; the sixth is Lunasa;
the seventh is Mabon.  And then the year turns again
at Samhain.  These festivals keep in some form, even
if only to spare a thought and prayer to the gods on
these days, to mark the turning of the year.  If you
wish you may keep the full moons and new moons as you
see fit or as your geas requires.  Know also that the
gods will welcome you no matter when or how you honor
them, so long as the intent is truly praise and honor.


	This then is the Law of the Aesir, the Way of
the Warrior.  Keep them in faith and love of the
AllFather and prepare always for Ragnarok.


	Set down this day August 16, 1992, by my hand,
Kano Runstafr Odisdottir.