Sons of Svanir
“This all-male cult of norn have rejected their race's reverence for the Spirits of the Wild. Instead, they're obsessed with emulating what they see as the greatest predator in Tyria: the Elder Dragon Jormag, who drove the norn from the northern Shiverpeaks over a century ago.
The Sons of Svanir, also known more simply as the Svanir, are a cult of male norn who have turned to seek the power of the Elder Dragon Jormag, whom they call Dragon, believing the Elder Ice Dragon to be the ultimate Spirit of the Wild and so in turn worship primarily the Ice Dragon, believing other Spirits of the Wild, especially those considered of lesser amounts of importance within the norn pantheon, to be weak.
According to the individualistic norn culture, the Sons of Svanir as a group are not evil, nor are they viewed as such. Though many of them commit evil acts such as murder and stealing as well as corrupting nature by other norn, individual members of the cult are allowed to co-exist within norn society in Hoelbrak so long as they do not prove themselves as a threat.[1] Unlike most norn, the Sons of Svanir do not remain independent for their strength, but rather barter for it.
After the death of Jormag, the Sons of Svanir either disbanded or were wiped out alongside their Elder Dragon.[2] The most heavily rimebound Svanir had a high rate of fatality.[3] |
Culture[edit]
Unlike the Spirits of the Wild, the Sons of Svanir have no true havroun for Jormag. The "shamans" of Dragon only preach corruption and feed lies.[1] The cult views Jormag as encompassing all the dragons in the world and being a fierce force of destruction like a forest fire and a tornado.[4][5]
The Sons view many norn men—as well as men and women of other races—too weak in mind, heart and body to be worthy to join Jormag's cause.[6] Norn women are not allowed to join the cult because of Jora's "crimes" against Dragon and Svanir.[7] The cultists do not view their actions as evil; to them, there only exist predators and prey in nature, and they have taken the role of predators who promote strength and will over weakness and numbers.[8][9] They revere raw power and the cycle of growth and destruction in the world.[5]
History[edit]
Early history[edit]
The cult began with Svanir in 1078 AE, a norn hunter who led a hunting party with his sister, Jora, over Drakkar Lake when he heard Jormag's voice via the dragon champion Drakkar which was resting under the ice.[10] The voice promised power and prey, and Svanir began to communicate with it. Eventually he became corrupted into insanity, becoming the champion of Jormag known as the Nornbear—a half-norn half-bear creature covered in ice. The voice attempted to reach out to Jora too, but she rejected its temptations and was stripped of her ability to Become the Bear as a result.[11][12] The Nornbear was eventually slain by Jora who would regain her honor and transformation ability by honoring the Great Spirit of Bear with her deeds.
Over the next 150 years after Svanir's death, Jormag seduced and corrupted more norn with the same promises. These norn sought the power of the voice and believed that they were drawing upon it, but in truth it was the other way around—Jormag gained power from the norn it corrupted and hastened its awakening.[13] Since Jormag's awakening in 1165 AE, it attracted more norn to it and transformed them all into icebrood over time. For centuries, the norn hunters of Torstvedt Homestead had focused on acquiring power and made offerings to Bear, seeking to gain her strength while ignoring her guidance. When Jormag's influence began spreading, many hunters saw the Ice Dragon as a direct path to power, so they abandoned Bear and left in waves to join the Sons of Svanir.[14]
Personal story[edit]
Living World Season 2[edit]
Living World Season 3[edit]
The Icebrood Saga[edit]
During the Dragon Bash held in Hoelbrak in celebration of the Elder Dragon Kralkatorrik's death in 1332 AE, several Sons of Svanir were seen observing the festivities from the sidelines while an Icebrood Claymore appeared in the Sons' local base in Dragon Hallow to preach about Jormag's virtues. Some Sons argued with female norn who claimed that they, too, had heard Jormag's call and were just as worthy to join the Ice Dragon's ranks as men were.[7]
Sometime after Dragon Bash, the Fraenir of Jormag sent a message to a group of invading charr led by rogue imperator Bangar Ruinbringer of the Blood Legion consisting of charr of all legions, telling them that he had been upset by the invading charr encroaching on the Svanir's domain.[15]
The Svanir, soon after, were imbued the Spirit of the Wild Eagle's Essence of Vigilance, empowering them. They soon attacked Jora's Keep, tricking the male norn into opening the gates and killing everybody inside, alongside taking in Olar and Torrin, two of Braham Eirsson's guildmates. The Svanir captured General Almorra Soulkeeper and Warmaster Jhavi Jorasdottir and took Almorra to Darkrime Delves where she escaped and was killed by Imperator Bangar while Jhavi was taken to the Boneskinner Den where Jormag could speak to her.
Known bases[edit]
- Talecrafting Steading
- Unnamed cave in Steelbrachen
- Claw Watch
- Coiled Watch
- The Barrowstead
- Unnamed cave in the Leopard's Tail Valley
- The Svanir Hive (Icebrood Svanir)
- Cavern of Lost Sons
- Claw's Perch
- Northeast Svanir Camp
- Northwest Svanir Camp
- Southeast Svanir Camp
- Southwest Svanir Camp
Types[edit]
- See also: Category:Sons of Svanir
- Aldus Stormbringer
- Andal the Thug
- Bjord Crew
- Blane the Insane
- Bors of the Ice Gavel
- Champion Icebrood Berserker
- Champion Icebrood Claymore
- Champion Icebrood Hunter
- Champion Icebrood Norn
- Champion Icebrood Seer
- Champion Son of Svanir
- Champion Sons of Svanir Bowman
- Champion Sons of Svanir Summoner
- Champion Svanir Brute
- Champion Svanir Guard
- Champion Svanir Marauder
- Champion Svanir Mauler
- Champion Svanir Oppressor
- Champion Svanir Shaman Chief
- Champion Svanir Tyrant
- Corrupted Seer
- Corrupted Wolfmaster
- Corrupted Wolfmaster
- Eilif
- Elite Icebrood Berserker
- Elite Icebrood Claymore
- Elite Icebrood Hunter
- Elite Icebrood Mauler
- Elite Icebrood Seer
- Elite Son of Svanir
- Elite Svanir Berserker
- Elite Svanir Brute
- Elite Svanir Hunter
- Elite Svanir Mauler
- Elite Svanir Oppressor
- Elite Svanir Seer
- Fimbul
- Fraenir of Jormag
- Ginva the Butcher
- Hafdan the Black
- Havram Girthbinder
- Herjarr
- Hirvela the Lost
- Hrut
- Icebrood Berserker
- Icebrood Claymore
- Icebrood Hunter
- Icebrood Mauler
- Icebrood Norn
- Icebrood Seer
- Icebrood Warrior
- Ironfrost Champion
- Jarngrimm
- Joarr the Fierce
- Kodan's Bane, Huntsman of Jormag
- Kulag the Fallen
- Lani Winterfist
- Legendary
- Legendary Balgren Creedbreaker
- Legendary Jaddeor Icefist
- Legendary Shaman Lornarr Dragonseeker
- Niilo Wolfskinner
- Nollarr
- Olar
- Rani Ravenbane
- Shaman of Frost
- Shaman of Hail
- Shaman of Ice
- Sjorn Morheim
- Son of Svanir
- Son of Svanir
- Son of Svanir Berserker
- Son of Svanir Huntsman
- Son of Svanir Trapper
- Son of Svanir Zealot
- Sons of Svanir Acolyte
- Sons of Svanir Engineer
- Sorge the Zealot
- Steag Frostbeard
- Styrr Frostblade
- Svanir Ballista Operator
- Svanir Berserker
- Svanir Bomb Runner
- Svanir Brute
- Svanir Convert
- Svanir Dragon Shaman
- Svanir Elder
- Svanir Guard
- Svanir Hunter
- Svanir Huntmaster
- Svanir Initiate
- Svanir Mauler
- Svanir Oppressor
- Svanir Reinforcement
- Svanir Seer
- Svanir Seer
- Svanir Shaman
- Svanir Trapper
- Svanir Woodsman
- Torrin
- Tumi Ravenbane
- Varg
- Veteran Bjord Frossenson
- Veteran Captive Herder
- Veteran Corrupted Hunter
- Veteran Dragon Shaman
- Veteran Enraged Cook
- Veteran Icebrood Berserker
- Veteran Icebrood Captain
- Veteran Icebrood Claymore
- Veteran Icebrood Hunter
- Veteran Icebrood Mauler
- Veteran Icebrood Norn
- Veteran Icebrood Seer
- Veteran Icebrood Svanir
- Veteran Potential Mate
- Veteran Son of Svanir
- Veteran Sons of Svanir Berserker
- Veteran Sons of Svanir Necromancer
- Veteran Sons of Svanir Warden
- Veteran Sons of Svanir Zealot
- Veteran Svanir Berserker
- Veteran Svanir Bomber
- Veteran Svanir Brute
- Veteran Svanir Champion
- Veteran Svanir Drill Sergeant
- Veteran Svanir Engineer
- Veteran Svanir Guard Leader
- Veteran Svanir Hunter
- Veteran Svanir Mauler
- Veteran Svanir Oppressor
- Veteran Svanir Reinforcement
- Veteran Svanir Ritualist
- Veteran Svanir Seer
- Veteran Svanir Shaman
- Vidkun
- Wandering Norn
- Wollam the Plunderer
Mechanics[edit]
Sons of Svanir encountered in the Icebrood Saga maps (such as Bjora Marches) have a blue hue, and defeating them drops blue essence orbs of Vigilance. The orbs bear the likeness of Eagle, one of the lost Spirits of the Wild. Acquiring 30 stacks of the essence provides a powerful special action key skill.
Gallery[edit]
- Concept art
Male Svanir concept art by Hyojin Ahn.
Concept art by Kekai Kotaki.
Icebrood Son of Svanir concept art by David Bolton.
Related achievements[edit]
- Slayer: Sons of Svanir's Bane — Kill 1000 members of the Sons of Svanir. (16 )
- Daily Icebrood Saga: Daily Sons of Svanir Hunter — Kill 25 Sons of Svanir. (0)
- Marshaling the Kodan: Daily: Kodan Enemies — Defeat 20 Sons of Svanir. (0) (Historical)
- Jormag Rising: Special Mission: The Old Guard — Defeat 100 Sons of Svanir in Northern Drizzlewood Coast. (0)
See also[edit]
- Associated items
References[edit]
- ^ a b A Spirit of Legend
- ^ Dragon Bash ambient dialogue
- Local: Jormag, and the Sons, are gone, and that's a good thing.
- ^ Dialogue with Gorrik in Eye of the North
- <Character name>:Did Jormag's armies survive?
- Gorrik: Readings vary among the Icebrood and Frost Legion—the most heavily "ice-infused" were extremely debilitated. A high percentage of outright fatality in that sample group.
- ^ Nikolas Haraldsson
- ^ a b Sjorn Morheim
- ^ Hrut
- ^ a b Dragon Bash ambient dialogue
- ^ Blane the Insane
- ^ Eilif
- ^ Stéphane Lo Presti and Jeff Grubb, Guild Wars 2 Guru; links broke - image of posts: [1] [2] [3] [4]
- ^ Erika
- ^ Veteran Relief Crew Scout
- ^ "Chapter 18: The Calm Before", Edge of Destiny by J. Robert King:
- "Two hundred fifty years ago, a hunter named Svanir and his sister Jora led a band of norn to slay the wolves that ruled Drakkar Lake. They were crossing the frozen waters when a strange presence grasped Svanir's mind. It whispered seductions to him, promised power and prey. It was a voice of infinite hunger and hate, and Svanir listened to it.
- "Jora heard the voice, too, but it terrified her. She refused its dark gifts and tried to drag her brother away, but he struck her and told her she was weak, told her he had discovered the well of power. She fled.
- "Svanir remained to commune with his newfound lord. In time, the voice began to change him. It taught him to hate all living things. It stripped him of his human form and made him a champion—half bear, half norn, encrusted with ice. Svanir wandered the wastes in madness, attacking any who came near. He became a monster that his own sister had to destroy.
- "Over the next hundred fifty years, the voice seduced more norn, and they joined the cult, becoming the Sons of Svanir. They believed they were drawing upon the ancient voice, but in fact it was drawing upon them, gaining the power to rise.
- "And it did rise. One of the Elder Dragons. Jormag was its name.
- "We fought Jormag—gladly we fought it, for norn are made for battle. But never had we fought a beast like this. It was a living blizzard. It and its minions froze us where we fought and buried our lands in snow and ice and tore apart Gunnar's Hold with a massive glacier. It took our lands. It drove us south.
- "And despite the destruction, there are still foolish norn who hear the call of Svanir and seek the power of Jormag. In the end they are reduced to icebrood themselves, flesh wrapped in ice, fed by malevolence and hatred."
- ^ Bjalfi Lonestead
- ^ Forging Steel
- <Character name>: What are we up against?
- Cinder Steeltemper: Svanir meatheads trying to take potshots at us. We upset their leader's "feelings" by "encroaching on their domain." Let's see him use those fancy words with an axe in his skull...