Death Watch Ruminations 2: The Havamal

[Jor Kvall]

Hello Death Watchers. Jor back here again with more real-life stuff that might perhaps inspire you in your writings! Mandalorians love battle, so what better source to turn to than the Norse sagas, where dying in battle was considered the highest honor? This time we'll look at some select passages from the Havamal, to gain a little insight onto what the Vikings thought about war and battle, which you might hopefully find inspiring to your own character.

The Havamal, or "Sayings of the High One", is a collection of proverbs, said to have been handed down directly by Odin himself. It contains wisdom for not just war, but everyday life as well, including proper manners and conduct. I've chosen the ones that I think are the coolest, which mostly have to do with war and battle.

Enjoy, honor and glory to Mandalore, and hail Odin!

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1. All door ways​

before going forward​

should be looked to;​

for it is difficult to know​

where foes may sit​

within a dwelling.​

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15. Taciturn and prudent​

and in war daring​

should a king's children be;​

joyous and liberal​

every one should be​

until the hour of his death.​

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16. A cowardly man​

thinks he will ever live​

if warfare he avoids;​

but old age will​

give him no peace,​

though spears may spare him.​

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19. Let a man hold the cup,​

yet of the mead drink moderately,​

speak sensibly or be silent.​

As of a fault​

no man will admonish thee,​

if thou goest betimes to sleep.​

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38. Leaving in the field his arms​

let no man go​

a foot's length forward;​

for it is hard to know​

when on the way​

a man may need his weapon.​

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48. Liberal and brave men live best​

they seldom cherish sorrow;​

but a base-minded man​

dreads everything;​

the niggardly is uneasy even at gifts.​

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52. Something great​

is not always to be given,​

praise is often for a trifle bought.​

With half a loaf​

and a tilted vessel​

I got myself a comrade.​

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64. His power should​

every sagacious man​

use with discretion;​

for he will find​

when among the bold he comes,​

that no one alone is the doughtiest.​

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76. Cattle die​

kindred die,​

we ourselves also die;​

but the fair fame​

never dies​

of one who has earned it.​