As befits the God of Trickery there are many contradictory tales concerning Loki.
Some say he is the natural son of
Odin, others that he was adopted by Odin as a baby,
when the Skyfather killed his parents who were giants (or demons). Whatever the truth
of his origins all agree that he was once part of the Asgardian pantheon as God of
Trickery. When his deception led to the death of Odin's son Balder, however, he was
expelled from Asgard and became a god of thievery and murder.
All temples of Odin were purged of representions of Loki at that time and in many
Skandik communities his worship was banned on pain of death. In
Ossary, however, about two hundred years ago Odin's priests were tricked into
allowing an alcove for Loki to be set up in their temple. By the time they realised their
mistake Loki had influential supporters in the ruling elite. When supporters of Thor smashed
Loki's idol during a riot within a few years a separate temple for Loki had been built. Today in Ossary
Loki has a temple that is larger than Odin's and the high priest of that temple is chief
advisor to King Alkazed. Many now see the hand of Loki's supporters in the mysterious deaths
of some of Alkazed's rivals for the kingship.