Sigurd and Fafnir
Guided by Regin, Sigurd reforges the sword Gram and slays the dragon Fafnir for cursed gold. Tasting dragon blood, he hears birds warn of Regin’s treachery—setting off a chain of fate, oaths, and doom.
Story beats
- 1) Regin mentors Sigurd, seeking revenge on his dragon-brother Fafnir who guards stolen gold.
- 2) Sigurd forges Gram from shattered shards; digs a pit and drives the sword up into Fafnir’s belly.
- 3) Dragon blood grants rune-hearing; birds tell him Regin plans to kill him for the gold, so he strikes first.
- 4) The hoard’s curse ensnares Sigurd’s later life with Brynhild, Gunnar, and tragic betrayal.
Context & symbolism
The tale warns that dragon treasure brings doom. Sigurd’s heroism is undercut by fate and greed surrounding the gold, echoing themes in the Völsunga saga and Nibelungenlied.
Tasting wisdom from dragon blood ties understanding to hard-won, violent insight; runes and birds’ speech foreshadow prophetic burdens.
Motifs
- Sword reforged from shards
- Dragon-slaying from a hidden pit
- Rune wisdom from blood
- Cursed hoard shaping fate
Use it in play
- Reforge a broken blade to face a dragon; the forge tests resolve.
- Ambush a monster from below; deal with its poisonous breath and blood.
- Gold hoard comes with a geas; taking it triggers prophecies.
- Hearing animals’ warnings changes choices—heed or ignore them.