First Wolves

First Wolves
Character­istics	Sentient, quadrupedal
Status	Extant
Appearances	"Heretic Spear" "The Scapegoat God" "Song of Sigrid"

The First Wolves were a sentient race of large wolves said to have lived since before the old gods. They were a notable part of the story in the fifth episode of Twilight of the Gods, "The Scapegoat God." The unnamed leader of the First Wolves was voiced by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, who also voiced King Tiwaz.

Physiology

First Wolves had a similar appearance to other wolves, though they could grow to be much larger. They were typically white or gray and formed packs like other wolves, which would act as a singular unit under a leader. They were very powerful and capable combatants, able to fight against Aesir gods. They were much smarter than typical wolves and could speak the tongue of man. When they did, they voiced their thoughts in the style of Eddic poetry.

Wearing their skin seemed to curse the wearer with an insatiable hunger that would cause them to turn on their allies, as was the case with Ulfr after he killed and wore the skin of a First Wolf.

History

The First Wolves fight the Aesir alongside the Vanir.

The First Wolves were some of the oldest beings in existence, having lived since before the births of the old gods. They lived in Vanaheim and joined the Vanir in defending it from the Aesir gods during the first war.

The first wolves encounter Sigrid and Ulfr.

One of the First Wolves came upon a child, which it threatened, but Ulfr killed it, skinned it, and wore its skin for the rest of his life. When the rest of this First Wolf's pack happened upon Ulfr and smelled their kin, they granted him one request in honor of his conquest, as was their ancient custom. He had them lead him and the rest of Sigrid's group. Though the custom required them to grant his request, it did not prohibit them from warning their allies, the Vanir gods, which they did, allowing the Vanir to cut Sigrid off.

Ulfr unleashes his power and calls the First Wolves.

When the Vanir again went to war with the Aesir, the First Wolves joined in once more, this time taking the fight to Asgard. When Ulfr unleashed his power, he took the form of a First Wolf and howled, calling the other First Wolves to him. Together, they took on the einherjar and easily ripped through their flesh.

Norse origins

"First Wolves" were not part of Norse mythology, but the leader of the pack states that the First Wolves have lived since before the gods. In Norse mythology, animals originated before even the gods. They emerged from the sweat of Ymir, the first living creature to awaken, thawed from the primordial ice of the magical void. Ymir was fed by the milk of a cow, who similarly awakened from the ice. The cow, in turn, fed on the ice, eventually licking free Búri, the grandfather of Odin. As such, animals lived long before Odin was born and the First Wolves of Twilight of the Gods likely represent this portion of mythology.