General/Non-Specific: Norse paganism: questions to be asked for a short story.

[poptarts1]

How's it going everyone? I'm currently working on a short story that will have a main character that grew up Around Norway, Iceland, and Greenland around 1000 common era. Seeing as though the main religion was Norse Paganism I'm needing some specifics filled it concerning certain beliefs of that faith. Any insight you have would be most welcomed. My questions are as follow:

1. Do the current beliefs of norse paganism differ from that of the beliefs held as far back as 500 to 1000 common era? If so, how?

2. Is the "All-Father" the same as the god "Oden"? In what ways?

3. There are certain star constellations that are supposed to represent certain gods. How are they regarded/viewed by the faith? What significance do they hold?

4. How did the world begin?

5. Describe the process of dying/ reaching Valhalla. What is Valhalla like?

6. Does your faith have an equivalent to purgatory?

7. The conversion to Christianity that started to overtake the areas previously mentioned was brought about around this time by Lief Erikson. How was/is this viewed by your community? Note: His father, "Eric the Red" refused to be converted. "Red's wife however, did convert.

Thanks for the help!

[Darkhawk]

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