Magni

Magni.

Magni is a gargoyle originally from a clan in Norway.

History

Magni hatched in 1078. [1] No details of his youth are know, but by the winter of 1108 he, alongside Modi and Skade had entered the service of Sigurd Magnusson. While traveling with Sigurd's fleet, the Norse gargoyles encountered Demona and Angelika in Galicia. Demona was reluctant to accompany them, but Magni told her that she won't be serving the Norwegian king, merely joining in their expedition. Demona, still unwilling to trust that the humans would not destroy them in their stone sleep, remained reluctant, but Magni tells her of their solution to that: Upon one of Sigurd's ships, they show Demona and Angelika a solid iron room that locks from the inside. They have dubbed it the Box. Angelika is concerned about what would happen to them should the ship sink during the day with them inside. Magni explained that they'll be fine underwater as stone and once they wake up, they can unlock the Box and swim to the surface. Demona and Angelika agree to join them and they set forth in the spring of 1109. They make battle in Lisbon, sail through the gates of Gibraltar and enter the Mediterranean Sea, carry torches above the island of Formentera, and battle foes throughout their journeys. During the days the gargoyles slept in The Box while the humans outside continue the journey and assess their loot. In the summer of 1110, the gargoyles assisted in a battle at Jerusalem. By October of 1110, the gargoyles find themselves engaged in a battle off the coast of Sidon. During the battle, Magni and Angelika agreed that they are both having great fun. The two young gargoyles worked together to chop down a mast and then throw it at the humans who fall overboard. They looked down on their handiwork and both took delight in watching the humans splash into the water. Their hands gently touched as they placed them upon the gunwale.

By December of 1110, Sigurd and his human and gargoyle warriors had secured a victory in Sidon. The siege had ended and the enemies had surrendered the fortress and city.

In January of 1111, the gargoyles took in the sights as they sailed into the hardbor at Constantinople and Magni and Angelika were very excited. Later, Sigurd and the five gargoyles found themselves in the hall of Emperor Alexios Komnenos.

March of 1111 found the gargoyles still enjoying their nights in Constantinople. In a city tower, Magni announced to Angelika that he and Modi have been asked by the Emperor to join the Varangian Guard. They are to be the Emperor's personal bodyguards. Magni told the female gargoyle that the offer was extended to her as well if she choose to stay. He sweetly added that he wanted her to stay with him and she understood. Unseen by the young gargoyles, Demona was eavesdropping from the balcony. Ultimately, Angelika decided to depart with Demona. While she cared for Magni, Demona was her clan and she will not lose her.

As Skade departs with Sigurd for Norway and Demona and Angelika depart for their own adventures, Magni and Modi remained in Constantinople and stood guard upon the city's towers. ("Fortune Favors the Brave...")

Characteristics

Magni has white skin, bluish-black wings, and black hair. he had a long tail and two huge ram-like horns upon his brow. Early in his adventures, he wore no shirt and sported armor on his legs. By the time he began his role in the Varangian Guard, he was more fully armored.

Appearances

• "Fortune Favors the Brave..." (First Appearance)

Real World Background

Magni was named after one of Thor's sons, begotten upon the jotun Jarnsaxa. Magni clearly took after his father in strength; when he was only three, he came to his father's aid after Thor had slain the jotun Hrungnir in single combat, only to be pinned beneath Hrungnir's body; the rest of the Aesir had been unable to pull Hrungnir's body off Thor, but Magni managed it easily, wishing aloud afterwards that he could have taken part in the duel itself and slain Hrungnir with his bare fists. Thor, amused and delighted by his son's performance, gave him Hrungnir's great horse Gold-mane (to Odin's disappointment; he had been hoping to obtain Gold-mane himself).

Magni and his brother Modi were among the few Aesir who survived Ragnarok; they took up their father's hammer Mjolnir following that event.