Gerðr, the Goddess of Fertility and Agriculture

Gerðr is a goddess in Norse mythology who is known for her beauty and is the wife of the god Freyr.

• Pantheon: Norse
• Deity Title: Gerðr, the Goddess of Fertility and Agriculture
• Deity Symbol: Sheaf of wheat, sickle
• Home Plane: Jötunheimr
• Deity Level: Intermediate
• Alignment: Neutral Good
• Aliases: Gerda, Gerd, Gerthr, Gerdhr
• Superior: None
• Traditional Allies: Freyr, Njord, Thor, Odin, Frigg, Skadi
• Traditional Foes: Loki, Jotunns, Frost Giants
• Divine Artifact: The Plow of Gerðr, a magical plow that when used to till the earth, guarantees a bountiful harvest for the season.
• Servants: Elves, dwarves, farmers, gardeners
• Servitor Creatures: Earth elementals, Ents, Alfar, also known as Elves, Huldra
• Sacred Animal: Cow
• Manifestations: Fields of wheat and crops growing, flowers blooming, gentle rain, warm sun, fecundity of livestock and wildlife
• Signs of Favor: Abundant harvests, healthy livestock, successful childbirth, good weather, fertility
• Worshipers: Farmers, gardeners, herbalists, midwives, pregnant women, bakers, brewers, vintners, chefs
• Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, CG, LN, N
• Specialty Priests: Farmers, gardeners, midwives, herbalists
• Holy Days: Spring and fall equinoxes, summer solstice, harvest festival
• Portfolio: Fertility, agriculture, abundance, growth, harvest
• Domains: Earth, Good, Plant, Sun
• Favored Weapon: Sickle
• Favored Class: Druid
• Favored Race: Humans, elves
• Duties of the Priesthood: To tend to the land, bless crops and livestock, oversee childbirth, perform fertility rituals, bless marriages, teach agricultural techniques, and provide food for the needy.
• Major Cult/Temple Sites: Temple of Gerðr in Jötunheimr, Temple of the Cornucopia in Midgard
• Benefits: Priests of Gerðr gain proficiency in agriculture tools, such as scythes and plows. They also gain the ability to cast spells that enhance fertility and growth, as well as the ability to communicate with and command earth elementals. Additionally, they receive a bonus to their herbalism and midwifery skills.

Gerðr is a stunningly beautiful goddess, with long flowing hair that shimmers like gold in the sunlight. Her skin is flawless, with a subtle glow that seems to emanate from within. Her eyes are a deep shade of green, like the leaves of a forest in the height of summer. Gerðr’s figure is slender, yet curvaceous, and her movements are graceful and fluid.

Despite her ethereal appearance, Gerðr exudes strength and confidence. She wears a simple, yet elegant dress that accentuates her natural beauty. A wreath of flowers adorns her hair, further emphasizing her connection to nature and fertility.

Gerðr is a goddess in Norse mythology, known as the wife of the god Freyr. She is often associated with fertility and the growth of crops, and her name is derived from the Old Norse word for “enclosure” or “encircled field.” Gerðr is believed to reside in a lush and fertile land called Jötunheimr, which is also home to the giant race of beings known as the Jötunn.

In mythology, Gerðr is best known for her encounter with the god Freyr, who fell in love with her at first sight. However, Gerðr initially refused his advances, and it was only through the intervention of the god Skírnir that Freyr was able to win her heart. This story is often interpreted as a metaphor for the growth and fertility of the earth, which must be wooed and won in order to yield bountiful harvests.

As a goddess of fertility and agriculture, Gerðr was often invoked by farmers and those who relied on the land for their livelihood. She was also associated with love and marriage, as well as the cycle of life and death. Gerðr’s role in Norse mythology reflects the importance of agriculture and the natural world to the Norse people, and her presence was believed to bring blessings and abundance to those who honored her.

Gerðr, Goddess of Fertility and Agriculture

Armor Class: 28

Hit Points: 980 (63d20+315)

Speed: 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
30 (+10)	26 (+8)	30 (+10)	28 (+9)	30 (+10)	30 (+10)

Skills: Insight +24, Nature +24, Perception +24
Senses: Truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 34
Languages: All, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge Rating: 33 (155,000 XP)

Divine Weapons. She wields a magical sickle and a plow that can each deal 4d12+10 slashing damage, and have a +25 to hit.

Divine Traits. Gerðr is immune to all conditions, can’t be charmed, frightened or stunned, and can cast spells while silenced.

Divine Magic. Gerðr can cast spells from the Life and Nature domains as a 20th-level cleric. She has 24 spell slots, and her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 34, +24 to hit with spell attacks).

Actions:

• Multiattack: Gerðr makes three melee attacks: two with her sickle and one with her plow.
• Sickle: Melee Weapon Attack: +32 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 56 (8d10 + 13) slashing damage.
• Plow: Melee Weapon Attack: +30 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 48 (8d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage and the target must make a DC 30 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Fertile Blessing (1/day): Gerðr blesses a target within 60 feet, causing them to gain advantage on all ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws for 1 hour.
• Call of the Harvest (3/day): Gerðr calls forth a wave of fertile energy that radiates outwards from her in a 60-foot radius. All plants within the area grow to maturity instantly, and all creatures within the area that rely on the land for sustenance regain 100 hit points or regain one expended spell slot of their choice. This effect lasts for 1 hour.
• Blessing of the Fields (1/day): Gerðr blesses a 1-mile radius area of farmland for 24 hours. All crops grown in the area during this time have their yield increased by 300%, and all creatures who rely on the land for sustenance have their maximum hit points increased by 50%.

Legendary Actions. Gerðr can take 3 legendary actions per turn, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Gerðr regains all legendary actions at the start of her turn.

• Divine Intervention. She calls upon her divine power, casting a spell of her choice without using a spell slot.
• Divine Strike. She makes a single attack with her sickle or plow.
• Bountiful Harvest. Gerðr causes the ground to erupt in a shower of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, restoring 20d10 hit points to all plants within a 100-foot radius.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), She can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

1. Blessing of the Harvest: Gerðr blesses the area with a bountiful harvest. All plants in the area grow at an accelerated rate, and any edible plants that were already growing in the area are now ripe and ready for harvest. Additionally, all creatures in the area regain 10 hit points.
2. Fertility’s Embrace: Gerðr calls upon her powers of fertility to imbue one creature in her lair with enhanced fertility. The creature gains advantage on ability checks and saving throws related to procreation, and any offspring it produces are born healthy and strong.
3. Rooted to the Earth: Gerðr causes the ground to erupt with roots and vines, creating difficult terrain in a 30-foot radius around her. Any creature that enters or starts its turn in the area must make a DC 28 Strength saving throw or become restrained by the roots until the end of its turn.

Regional Effects.

• Fertile Land: Within a 5-mile radius of Gerðr’s presence, crops and plants grow at an accelerated rate, yielding twice the normal amount of harvest.
• Abundant Wildlife: The area surrounding Gerðr is home to a variety of animals, including deer, rabbits, and birds. The animals are friendly towards those who respect nature and will not attack unless provoked.
• Favorable Weather: The weather within a 10-mile radius of Gerðr is always mild and comfortable, with warm sunny days and cool nights. Heavy rains and thunderstorms are rare and only occur during the night when they will not damage crops.
• Healing Springs: Springs and rivers within 5 miles of Gerðr’s presence have healing properties, granting those who drink from them the effects of a lesser restoration spell.

The Plow of Gerðr

Artifact, Legendary

The Plow of Gerðr is a magical plow made of gleaming silver with ornate designs etched into its surface. When used to till the earth, it guarantees a bountiful harvest for the season.

Properties:

• The Plow of Gerðr can only be used by someone who has been blessed by Gerðr herself.
• When the Plow is used to till the earth, the soil becomes incredibly fertile, ensuring a bountiful harvest for the season. Any crops planted in this soil will grow at an exceptional rate and produce a yield that is at least double what would normally be expected.
• The Plow of Gerðr can also be used as a weapon, dealing 2d6 bludgeoning damage plus the wielder’s Strength modifier. It counts as a magical weapon for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks and damage.

Curse:

• If the Plow of Gerðr is used to till soil that is already fertile or has been tainted by blight or corruption, the curse of Gerðr will befall the wielder. The wielder’s next crop yield will be reduced by half and any livestock will produce stillborn young for the next year.

Destroying the Plow:

• The Plow of Gerðr can only be destroyed by using it to till soil that has been cursed by the goddess Hel. Once destroyed, the Plow will release a shockwave of energy, dealing 10d10 force damage to everything within a 60-foot radius.

Currently in the World

Gerðr, the Norse goddess of fertility and agriculture, has existed since the beginning of time, a constant presence in the ever-changing world. From her home in Jötunheimr, she has watched as empires rise and fall, civilizations crumble, and new ones emerge in their place. Through it all, she has remained steadfast in her role as a provider and protector of the natural world.

In the 1450s, Gerðr finds herself increasingly concerned about the state of the world. The Black Death has swept across Europe, leaving death and destruction in its wake. The people are fearful and desperate, and the crops are failing. Gerðr knows that something must be done to restore balance to the world.

She reaches out to the other gods, seeking their help and guidance. Together, they devise a plan to bring healing to the world. Gerðr uses her powers of fertility and growth to create a new strain of wheat that is resistant to disease and pests. With the help of the god of healing, she creates a powerful potion that can cure the sick and bring life back to the land.

Gerðr’s goal is to restore the balance of nature, to bring hope and healing to the people. Her desire is to see the world flourish once again, to see the crops grow and the people thrive. She is motivated by her love for the natural world and her desire to see it protected and preserved.

However, Gerðr is not without her weaknesses. Her deep connection to the natural world can sometimes make her hesitant to take action, as she is loath to disrupt the delicate balance of nature. She can also be fiercely protective of those she loves, and has been known to act rashly when they are threatened.

Despite these weaknesses, Gerðr is a powerful force for good in the world. Her strength and resilience are unmatched, and her love for the natural world is unshakeable. She is a goddess to be respected and revered, and her presence in the world is a constant reminder of the power and beauty of nature.