Runic Bearded Axe

The myth

The bearded axe, skeggöx, had a blade extending downward, the beard, which let a fighter hook shields and grip the haft close to the iron. It was a common Viking Age weapon, and some examples were works of art, like the silver-inlaid Mammen axe from Denmark. In the poems, runes also protected weapons: in Sigrdrífumál the valkyrie teaches Sigurd to carve victory runes on his sword hilt and to call twice on Týr. A runic bearded axe is a MYTHENOR creation joining the two.

Why it has this power

A Common equipment that grants 500 ATK and DEF to a Warrior or Beast-Warrior. The edge is for the enemy, the runes are for fate, the card says. In a fjord full of warriors and beast-men, it is a cheap boost that turns commons into threats.

Did you know

The Mammen axe gave its name to a whole style of Viking art, the tenth-century Mammen style.

Connections

• In Björn Greenshield's deck
• In Ingrid Icehunter's deck
• In Thorvald Blackkeel's deck
• In Halvard the Grey Raven's deck

Where to get it

• Comes in every duelist's starter deck.
• Daily Offering: 0% per pack (Common 64% per card)
• Welcome Pack: 0.97% per pack (Common 70% per card)
• Traveler's Pack: 0.88% per pack · 5.2% in the themed pack (Common 64% per card)
• Bronze Reliquary: 0.86% per pack · 5.1% in the themed pack (Common 62% per card)
• Silver Reliquary: 0.67% per pack · 4% in the themed pack (Common 49% per card)
• Golden Reliquary: 0.46% per pack · 2.7% in the themed pack (Common 33% per card)
• Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.69% of days · 150 gold
• Craft with card dust: 40 dust
• Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

1. The Poetic Edda: Sigrdrifumol — Henry Adams Bellows (trad./trans.)
2. Viking — Encyclopaedia Britannica