Kvasir

Kvasir was the wisest of the Vanir. Kvasir was born from the saliva of the two groups of gods, Aesir and Vanir. It was how the two warring deities made peace by spitting in a vessel. Kvasir wandered around the world, teaching people about his knowledge and sharing his wisdom.

Kvasir was killed by two dwarves, Fjalar and Galar, who were tired of his lecturing. They mixed his blood with honey in a cauldron (Odhrorir), making the mead of poetry. Anyone who drank the magical mead would be inspired with poetry and wisdom.

The giant Suttung forced the dwarves to give him the mead, and had his daughter Gunnlod guard the mead in a cave at Jotunheim. However, Odin heard of the mead and was determined to have the mead for himself. He worked one year for Baugi, Suttung's brother, disguised as a farmhand. He persuaded Baugi to give him a drink of the mead by entering the cave and seducing Gunnlod to give him three drinks.

See Mead of Poetry.