>(there's some evidence that this was not taken to be literal
>historically, let alone among modern-day heathens).

Even among those parts of Scandinavian culture that did take it more seriously, there's a fair amount of evidence of gaming the system. Like, if you were a warrior who it looked like was gonna die in bed surrounded by his family, said family would arrange an honorable "battle" situation where you could hobble out and be cut down, thus assuring your place amongst the honored fallen.

-Merc
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