Óres Spell

Ever and always there was Allfather, who in the oldest lays is called Tíw, the Shining One. From his thought sprang the Ése, greatest of beings, second only to Allfather himself. To each of them he unveiled in part his design. And they hearkened in awe and followed in mirth, for them was shown great beauty and truth.

Thus Allfather made be the heavens and therein the realm that is known as Middle-Earth, which many of the Ése entered unto and took part in. To them was unfolded once more the design of Allfather, for he conceived to dwell there with them many living things. Brightest were the Elves, beings with minds like unto his own, each of whom were destined to remain in Middle-Earth until its end. Fair and wise, they ever sought to learn and create in the manner and honour of Allfather. Most industrious were the Dwarves, master craftsmen, secretive and wont to keep to themselves in deep places. And then Allfather brought into Middle-Earth the race of Men, who sembled the Elves, yet for whom he had laid a destiny unlike that of Elves or Dwarves or indeed any beast.

The Ése, who were manifold, took unto themselves shapes of living things, as if bearing raiments, to be known to all those dwelling in Middle-Earth. And they were honoured duly. Mighty among them were Wéden, Þuner and Frí, and also Fréa and Éostre. But one among them was mightier still, and he conceived himself to be even greater than Allfather had intended, and defied Allfather, and led away many of the lesser Ése to strive for a design of his own. Allfather yet forbade it and banished them from his hall, had them bound to Middle-Earth. And there this mightiest of creatures, who in later days became known as Loca, made it his cause to lure the hearts of Men and bend their wills for his own glory and might. With promise of power he deceived them; cast his shadow over their minds to turn away from Allfather. As his fellow Ése he guised himself, Wéden the most, to have them honour aught and all save Allfather. And so the race of Men fell into ruin.

Yet in different places some of them remained true to Allfather. And along the Great Bight in the North of Middle-Earth the House of Fréawine the Golden would not fall for the trickery of Loca. Allfather they called Tíw as they were wont to, but also Fyrna, the Ancient One. And they themselves became known as the Fyrningas, the people of Fyrna, their name extending to those they governed. Peace and justice they kept, as they ruled in accordance with the design of Allfather. Yet the might and cunning of Loca proved great and thus that prosperous age ended, and the Fyrningas dwindled among their own, true though they remained to Allfather.