Feast of Ysgard

The entrance to the great feast hall of Ysgard is carved into a steep, rocky mountain face, next to a clear blue-green lake. The mountain is so rich with veins of gold and silver ore that the metals are visible from the surface. The door itself is golden, flanked with two vast, feathered wings that only open for those who have died in righteous battle.   Inside is a hall with walls of gold and silver, and a raucous, celebratory feast filled with the spirits of warriors. Fallen comrades are always reunited, with seats at the table for all. Jeweled goblets fill with mead and nectar, and buffet tables serve feasts that defy mortal comprehension: roast geese the size of a man, hot bread as light as air, gleaming ruby-like grapes that taste like the finest port wine. Valkyries and solari walk among the fallen heroes, and gods of war and justice, such as Athena and Tywr, visit often to sit in an exquisite throne at the head table and meet with their faithful. One can eat forever without feeling bloated, drink forever without getting sick, and spend an eternity singing songs and swapping tales of glory with warriors across time who share a common cause.  

In some tellings, one need not have actively died in battle to enter Ysgard and partake of the feast. Veteran warriors dedicated to the cause of justice are often believed to have the option of ascending to Ysgard at the end of their natural lives. Other tellings use the Feast of Ysgard as a parable, representing the fighters of the past as metaphorical sustenance for those going into battle today. Still others believe that the warriors of Ysgard eat to fuel their work as an eternal host of warriors who can be called upon in battle by the faithful in their hour of need.   A spell known as Heroes' Feast is said to bring a portion of the Feast of Ysgard into the mortal realm. Those who eat the Heroes' Feast temporarily gain additional strength, stamina, and courage in battle, and cannot be felled by poison or affected by supernatural fear.