Guild Wars 2

My Norn has ended up in Lion’s Arch, and belongs to a “nautical” themed guild. His backstory is that he grew in a family of fishermen on one of the inland lakes before migrating to the coast after the Sons of Svanir burned him out.

However, none of the animal totems fit this story, as they are all land (or air) based. Can we get an aquatic spirit added in a later expansion?

There are couple of possible choices. Historically, Spirit of Pike would probably be the best, as it figures prominently in Nordic epic poems like the Kalevala. However, I don’t think I’ve seen any pike in the game.

There is the barracuda, which is present in Norn-area lakes. However, the barracuda is actually a tropical fish, and wouldn’t actually be found in northern waters. That leaves us with Salmon, unless I’ve missed a fish. Spirit of Salmon would be fine; but Spirit of Pike would be much cooler, in my opinion.

No offense, but something tells me people would probably prefer “Spirit of Shark” to “Spirit of Salmon”. And if people think “Spirit of Pike” they may start thinking they’re a pole weapon.

……a norn turning into a giant pole weapon. That would actually be amusing. I’d post a comment regarding what he’d say but it’s pretty much blatant innuendo and I don’t want to risk getting an infraction.

i would personally go for a spirit that is not a fish. This is due to the fact it should be usable in land and water.. So maybe... look at amphibous reptiles... crocodile? maybe turtle?? maybe errr komodo dragons... that sort of thing..

However syaing that reptiles shouldent be living in colder climates so... maybe polar bear would be a good one.. or Seal

Chessrook.8643:

No offense, but something tells me people would probably prefer “Spirit of Shark” to “Spirit of Salmon”. And if people think “Spirit of Pike” they may start thinking they’re a pole weapon.

……a norn turning into a giant pole weapon. That would actually be amusing. I’d post a comment regarding what he’d say but it’s pretty much blatant innuendo and I don’t want to risk getting an infraction.

Well, anyone who thinks that is ignorant then. And why would you want to design your game to cater to the ignorant? That’s lowest common denominator stuff.

I really hope GW2 doesn’t go the WoW route, with the broadest and dumbest content. So far, it has been intelligent, especially in their creations of entire cultures. There is a reality lacking in other games.

Plus, ArenaNet is based in Seattle, I’m sure they know about the importance and majesty of the Salmon. And anyone who has ever owned a fishing rod certainly has respect for the capabilities of the Pike. The last thing they should do is cater to peoples’ uniformed preconceptions.

There is only a limited number of animal spirits according to lore, and based on the land the Norn are native to I’m not at all surprised there are no aquatic based spirits.

There are four spirits the overwhelming majority of norn reveres: Bear, Wolf, Raven and Snow Leopard. In the past there were also spirits of Ox, Wolverine and Owl, who gave norn time to escape south, latter being outright consumed by Jormag and former two thought to be missing.

There are other spirits of the wild, for example the spirit of hare. These spirits are untamed and generaly do not care about worshippers. Those who choose to worship them are often ridiculed by norn population.

My point is: revere whatever spirit you want, as long as you are okay with other norns not taking you seriously.

SPIRIT OF ARCTIC JELLYFISH

I suppose in theory there are as many spirits as their are different animals out there, but the Norn as a whole only “worship” the 4 currently listed. I don’t see any problem with individual norn taking another animal spirit as a totem (like Hare as shown in the questing area).

I’m also in a piratical-themed guild though I’ve decided to go more an Air route for blowing sails and all that (being an primarily air attuned elementalist and all). Hell I would have gone for Owl if, you know…

I would pick the spirit of the Narwhal or the Orca, the spirit of Sea Lion, and the spirit of the Albatross.

Albatross would be the easiest to assimilate.

Red Jay.2516:

My point is: revere whatever spirit you want, as long as you are okay with other norns not taking you seriously.

I actually saw a Norn character running around the other day named “Wurm Shaman XXX”. I thought that was totally awesome.

Spirit of Salmon also seems reasonable for a Norn spirit. Many cultures have always admired the salmon’s determination in heading back up river to its ancestral spawning grounds every year, and it could be a spirit that exemplifies determination and family. Failing that, there could also be the Spirit of Drake (Ice Drakes), which exemplify hardiness and raw ferocity.

Spirit of the Orca we can have an underwater form that looks like Moby Lick from street sharks.

Marlafox.8715:

Spirit of the Orca we can have an underwater form that looks like Moby Lick from street sharks.

Dang you beat me to it. I was gong to say Killer Whale also

Named Willy.

12charrs

Krosslite.1950:

Marlafox.8715:

Spirit of the Orca we can have an underwater form that looks like Moby Lick from street sharks.

Dang you beat me to it. I was gong to say Killer Whale also

Except he wasn’t the first to mention it, and Orcas ARE killer whales.

A drake spirit coulda been cool.
Imagine turning into a bipedal dragon/lizard thing

….godzilla more or less

Sons of Svanir worship Jormag, so anything else serpent related might not get the same reaction from some folks.

Orca seems the most logical.
But I vote for the Spirit of Thundershrimp!

Whatever, as a Norn lover-to-death, whatever that seems logical “lore-wise” will be okay. At least, If I get a logical answer to that addition.

Anyway, is it just me or people just can’t stop asking for things they don’t have all the time? I mean, I’m sure there is a suggestions forums somewhere else and at the same time, I’m trying not to offend anyone… but most post on this “Norn-themed” forum seems like the people are not happy at all with the race…( And I like ’em as they are.

Everyone likes the Norn for a variety of reasons, and they need not necessarily be yours.

Seems to me the Spirit of Bear would love to consume the Spirit of Salmon…..

Working with what we are given, spirit of bear isn’t necessarily a bad choice. Bears swim and fish, I could totally see them working into the nautical theme.

Spirit of Orca or the Spirit of Shark

Spirit of Otter
Spirit of Eel
Spirit of Walrus

Thrumdi.9216:

My Norn has ended up in Lion’s Arch, and belongs to a “nautical” themed guild. His backstory is that he grew in a family of fishermen on one of the inland lakes before migrating to the coast after the Sons of Svanir burned him out.

Perhaps it’s just me, but given a Bear’s preference of “fishing” near water…….would that not mean Bear still fits?