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RP'ing a Norn Engineer

Ban Finsceal de na Iolair
Morigana
Ban Finsceal de na Iolair
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Posted On: 08/22/2012 at 07:34 PM

I keep hitting my head against the wall with this.... 

 

I mean a Norn Guardian, Warrior, Ranger, and Thief seem obviously just fine.

 

A Norn Warlock and a Norn Elementalist work for me as "nature based/ spirit based" along the lines of shamans....

 

But a Norn Engineer - someone shooting guns, working with guns and gadgets - wearing a toolkit, analyzing and  repairing just doesn't seen very "Nornish".  I am really having trouble wrapping my head around this and I know for many - probably most - this isn't an issue.   If there were dwarves - but somehow they were all killed off - I'd be a dwarf engineer.  I don't like the little Azura and the only race I specifically like for "me" in GW2 at this moment are the Norn.

 

I know - I am being obstinate - but I really need to relate to my character and I relate to Norn.

 

Now, if I can't really wrap my head around the Norn Engineer - then I am o.k. without playing one at the moment.  I can do alts with Necro and Ranger.

 

Anyone have any thoughts???   Thanks.



» Edited on: 2012-08-22 19:35:26

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Response:

Caomhnoir de na Ulchabhan Gorm
Vodkanight
Caomhnoir de na Ulchabhan Gorm
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Replied On: 08/22/2012 at 08:15 PM PDT
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I sort of have a similar problem because I want to play a Charr Mesmer. But after consideration I am planning to just make the character and let his story of how he came to be unfold as I play him. I'm sure once you get to know your character he/she can explain to you why they are an engineer. Personally I wouldn't let something like not understanding who your character is before they are created stop you from creating what you really enjoy playing them and learning their story as your progress. I know you were probably looking for a lore explanation of your combination so sorry I couldn't help there. But I hope my thoughts can give you some encouragement to make the toon you really want to play. Can't wait to join you all on the field of battle. =)

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Seaimpin de na Aracos
Gordon
Seaimpin de na Aracos
Replied On: 08/22/2012 at 08:42 PM PDT
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There's always the orphaned/raised by parent(s) of another race shtick. But look at real world societies: it's the (r)evolutionary oddballs that are often the agents of Change. Who's to say a Norn didn't see an engineer in action and have an epiphany that this is just what his/her race needs to evolve, despite the fact that it goes against cultural norms. Your character can be an evangelist of sorts, trying to make converts to the wonders of engineering. Others might think of her/him as a bit (or a lot, depending on how far you want to take it) crazy because of it. Just a thought off the top of my head I'm throwing out there. Do with it as you see fit. :-)

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Fine
Redhawk
Fine
Replied On: 08/22/2012 at 09:08 PM PDT
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Who's to say that the engineer Norn doesn't see it as more of a challenge? He uses a loud weapon, showing who he is to the enemy, nothing sneaky like a bow or daggers from the dark, he charges head on making as much noise as he can, showing he fears nothing. I see a Norn engineer as more of a a symbol of fear to his enemies, sure a Norn can run at you with a sword, but they expect that, but a Norn with a huge gun and a turret at his side? It's the modern form of a Ranger, while the ranger has his pet, you have your machines. (Or she if female)Ether Way your welcome by my side in battle.

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Ban Finsceal de na Iolair
Morigana
Ban Finsceal de na Iolair
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Replied On: 08/23/2012 at 01:53 AM PDT

Well - thanks - I will dream on it for the next two nights. One of the reasons I picked Morigana Na Mire (Morigana the Mad) was because she was a bit of an outcast with her new fangled ideas of gears and gadgets - not following the path of the Hunter that her father had laid out for her. It as a travelling tinker - a human - that got her mind spinning - that grenades and mines were actually fun and exciting. I think you all may have helped me flesh out the background a little more. I might just be o.k. Thanks!

» Edited on: 2012-08-23 01:55:12

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Ridire de na Aracos
Llyren
Ridire de na Aracos
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Replied On: 08/23/2012 at 03:46 AM PDT

What would an action hero be without things blowing up, or on fire in the background.

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Curadh de na Capall
Alyindar
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Replied On: 08/23/2012 at 07:17 AM PDT
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I recently read Edge of Destiny, and the early part of the book emphasized Eir as a sculptor, although she identified herself as a Norn Warrior to others. Instead she channeled her warrior skills through her sculpting, using axes and mallets in her carving, invoking the spirits of bear and wolf in her work, even going so far as to transform her arms into a bear form for carving, and then attacking the dragonspawn's minions in much the same manner. Perhaps an engineer could follow a similar manner. The gadgets are extensions of the spirits, tricky snow leopard providing traps to entangle and disable the enemy, while knowing raven provides the long sight needed to properly aim a rifle. The mighty bear breaths down the flamethrower, and cunning wolf creates turrets to ensure you do not stand alone against the enemy. Yeah the "why" of the gadget angle may not flow as smoothly, but I would think tying the various gadgets and abilities into the norn culture could be channeled through the spirits.

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Saighdiuir de na Aracos
Talaeryn
Saighdiuir de na Aracos
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Replied On: 08/23/2012 at 08:19 AM PDT
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This is probably not much help but the first thing that popped into my mind was that scene from Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Head Elf: Why weren't you at elf practice? Hermey: Just fixing these dolls' teeth. Head Elf: Just fixing...? Now listen: we have dolls that cry, talk, walk, blink and run a temperature. We don't need any chewing dolls! Hermey: But I just thought I'd find a way to - to fit in. Head Elf: You'll never fit in! Now you come to elf practice, learn how to wiggle your ears, chuckle warmly, go "Hee-Hee" and "Ho-Ho", and important stuff like that. A dentist! Good grief! [slams door]

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Ban Lorgaire de na Capall
Teaghan
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Replied On: 08/23/2012 at 08:28 AM PDT
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I'll be playing a Norn Engineer as well. I'm approaching it as her using a rifle/ranged weapons much like a ranger would, but also adding in potions & healing kits (which are easy enough to blend with the Norn's focus on nature - think Alchemy). The only hard thing to work in are the gadgets. Nets are easy enough - Norn would use those for fishing & such. Turrets, Grenades, & Flamethrowers are more difficult, but I'll figure those out as I go. :)

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Ban Finsceal de na Iolair
Morigana
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Replied On: 08/23/2012 at 01:19 PM PDT

You guys are awesome.... guess I shouldn't fret so much. It was said once before that with the proper story, you can make anything work - and I am now really thinking that is possible. Vherek - I love Hermey - and it makes perfect sense... I doubt that I find an abominable snowman that will be my friend (as I would probably blow him up - not fix his teeth) but we do need to find our own path. ... and Alyindar, One of the reasons I so associate with the Norn is their spirit animals - and just maybe there are spirits in everything - even turrets - they just take a different form. The same with "Turrets, Grenades, & Flamethrowers" ... spirits of earth (the minerals that create gun powder), air (the expanding gasses), and fire combining to aid my cause - and that of all Norns. Maybe we Norn Engineers have just found a different way of communing with these spirits and channelling their powers. Thanks again - you all are really helping.

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Curadh de na Capall
Niri
Curadh de na Capall
Replied On: 08/24/2012 at 06:58 AM PDT

I thought the same thing when I was choosing a race for my engineer. I was beta testing on Tarnished Coast, the unofficial RP server, and I saw a character in the borderlands that sort of made it all fit me form. I cannot remember his name, so I'll call him Bob and yes, he was a Norn. The was running around, blasting enemies in the face with black powder weaponry and building all manner of siege equipment. His name? Bob of the Forge. For some reason.. that little bit.. Of The Forge.. made me nod and see a Norn as an engineer for the first time. It just felt right. Sadly Niri of the Forge felt too tall and so I reconsidered. ;-P

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Saighdiuir de na Sailetheach Donn
Ernathe
Saighdiuir de na Sailetheach Donn
Replied On: 09/25/2012 at 02:06 PM PDT

Appease the Gremlins, or they will make your machines act strange. Do not leave your tools and gadgets where they can get wet, and never ever leave food offerings after midnight!

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Lorgaire de na Faolchu
Ixliam
Lorgaire de na Faolchu
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Replied On: 09/30/2012 at 04:07 AM PDT
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I'm not as much of an RP'er as others, but to me my characters have to make sense, at least to me. Being able to RP as a particular race/class is always personal with me. For example, I've never done well playing shorter races, save for dwarves. Asura for me fall into this category. I tried an Asura engineer, which makes perfect sense, but I just couldn't get into it. When I rolled up a Sylvari engineer, for me it worked. I can see a Sylvari being fascinated with gadgets and technology. Perhaps your Norn could be the odd member of the family, or wants to try to bring some modernization to the Norn overall. I really love the Norn overall. I picture them in my mind as a mix between the vikings and dwarves, far as how I play them. After rolling one of each class, I ended up with two humans, one charr and sylvari, and the rest are all norn. @Ernathe - Love the Gremlins reference!

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