The eight-legged horse, who is one of Odin’s most trusted companions, accompanies Odin on so many adventures. Language specialist Anatoly Liberman argues that name of the tree Yggdrasil may have originally referred to Odin's horse.Most known for being Odin’s powerful stallion, Sleipnir in Norse mythology is the offspring of the Norse trickster god Loki. In the Saga of the Volsungs, Sigurd's horse Grani is descended from Sleipnir, guaranteeing that it will be more excellent than any ordinary horse.ĭMGR6 The Complete Book of Villains (1994), p.60 argues that the eight-legged Sleipnir is symbolic of the wind, which blows over land and sea from eight principle points. Odin also lends Sleipnir to Hermod to visit Hel and offer a ransom for Balder. In the Prose Edda, Snorri notes that Sleipnir has eight legs, and tells the story of Loki transforming into a mare to distract the stallion Svadilfari, and would later give birth to Sleipnir.

In Sigrdrifumal, it is said that runes are carved on Sleipnir's reins and sled. In Baldrs draumar, Odin rides Sleipnir to visit Hel. In Grimnismal, a disguised Odin claims that Odin is the best god, and Sleipnir the best horse. In the Poetic Edda, the poem Voluspa en skamma attests to Sleipnir's parents Svadilfari and Loki. Sleipnir appears in Norse mythology as Odin's eight-legged horse. The Norse pantheon does not appear in D&D 4th edition. The D&D 3.5 errata booklet gives him the equivalent stats of a legendary horse. Sleipnir is given the most detail in Deities and Demigods (3e) (2002), p.169. 'Sleipner' is mentioned in Legends & Lore (2e) (1990), p.175 and On Hallowed Ground (1996), p.141

'Sleipner' appears in Legends & Lore (1e) (1985), p.99 and Deities & Demigods (1e) (1980). 'Sleipner' appears in Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes (1976), p.26. Odin, having hung himself upon the tree of Yggdrasil for nine nights to gain the knowledge of life and death, is himself in a sense 'dead'. Planar philosphers say that Odin's horse has eight legs because that's the number of legs of a coffin when it is carried by four pallbearers.

Sleipnir's offspring include the foal Lonn, golden winged steed of the valkyrie Fria. By this relation, Sleipnir is half-sibling to the world serpent Jormungandr, the goddess Hel and the wolf Fenrir. Its mother is Loki, who transformed into a mare to distract the stallion and prevent his giant master from completing the construction of the wall of Asgard in time to claim his payment.

Sleipnir's father is the stallion Svadilfari, known for his great strength. It can pull almost any weight, and is exceptionally strong in combat. It usually allows none other than Odin to ride it, although at Odin's order it may carry a worthy hero on its back in order to teleport them from danger. It can transport itself and its rider even between planes, and can be ridden through any medium, even water or solid earth. It can also teleport with its rider on command. It can run even across water at great speed, and fly through the air. Sleipnir is capable of running at great speed. Its gender is unknown to the people of Midgard. It is very intelligent, and can often be seen running at great speed. It stands twelve feet all at the shoulder. Sleipnir is an eight-legged gray horse, with white lower legs.

Sleipnir parents