The Vanir are the gods that descend from Vili and Ve. They are the gods of peace, fertility, magic, and benevolence. They were the lords and ladies of the earth and water. Famous Vanir included Njord (god of the seas, fishing, and seafaring) and his children, Freyja (goddess of love, beauty, and magic) and Freyr (god of peace and fertility). More oft as not, Nordic tribes that lived close to the water would dedicate their worship to the Vanir gods.
The power of the Vanir abecomes clear when they start waging war with the Aesir. They are able to fend off powerful gods as Odin and Thor, turning the war into a stalemate.
The Vanir took residence in Vanaheim.