Norn

Most Norn can use the Bear Form skill, and will typically do so whenever challenged to a fight.

Jora, a female Norn.

The Norn are a race of shape-shifting half-giants who dwell in the Far Shiverpeaks.

Concept art depicts the Norn as stocky, muscular humanoids with thick red or blonde hair and tattoos or body paint resembling Celtic knot designs.

In the Eye of the North expansion pack, Norn appear as NPCs through much of the Far Shiverpeaks, where they guard resurrection shrines and portals. Typically, the Norn will challenge the player's party to a fight, and the Norn will only talk to them after he or she is defeated, earning the party a number of Norn reputation points. A typical Norn NPC will be defeated automatically when their health has decreased to a certain percentage. Norn guarding resurrection shrines will typically give the Norn hunting party blessing.

Prominent Norns

• Jora, the Norn hero who appears on the Eye of the North box art
• Magni the Bison
• Sif Shadowhunter
• Olaf Olafson
• Gunnar Poundfist

Norn in GW2

This article or section is related to the sequel to the original Guild Wars and is based on pre-release information. Since the game is not yet available, this information is subject to change. Please respect these policies: Add only information that has been officially confirmed by ArenaNet or NCSoft. Refrain from copying/pasting material from other sites unless specifically permitted by their licensing.

The Norn are planned as a playable race in Guild Wars 2.

According to the May 2007 issue of PC Gamer the Norn will get a race-specific skill which allows them to transform into a half-bear form, increasing melee damage and Health.

Trivia

• Much of the Norn culture seem to be inspired by the Norse (this is maybe linked with the fact that they are living in the north.)
• Norn are likely based on the Berserkers, Norse warriors that wore bear skins into battle. During battle, these warriors were reported to have flown into a rage (go "Berserk"), believing that they were being possessed by the animal's spirit, berserkir meaning bear-skin.
• Norn is also now-extinct Germanic language once spoken on the Orkney and Shetland islands off the shores of mainland Scotland.
• Many Norn names are based off of Nordic names and words: Olafsson = son of Olaf, Olafsdottir = daughter of Olaf [1].
• The Norn are the sisters of fate in Norse mythology, numerous female beings who controlled the fate of various races.

See Also

• Norn title track

External links

• Eye of the North press release, which includes Norn concept art in the background