Norns

### Other Names

The Nornir, Three Norns, Norn Sisters, Norn Witches, Witches of Destiny, Nordic Fates, Daughters of Mögþrasir, Three Mistresses of Urðarbrunnr, Caretakers of Yggdrasil

## Details

### Affiliation

Diegesis (Governing System)
Urðarbrunnr
Yggdrasil (Guardians)
Nine Realms (Midgard)
Norse Deities
Norse Pantheon

### Allies

Norse Deities (Aesir, Vanir, Jötnar)
Nornir Witches (Servants)

## Origins

### Summary

Three Goddesses of Fate from Norse Mythology who take care of the World Tree Yggdrasil. They consist of Urd (Past), Verdandi (Present), and Skuld (Future).

### Origins

Norse Mythology

The **Norns**, also known as the **Norn Sisters** or the **Nordic Fates**, are Goddesses of Fate from Norse Mythology. They reside in Urðarbrunnr and used the holy water from the sacred well to take care of the World Tree Yggdrasil. Their servants and acolytes are the Nornir Witches.

The primary Norns consist of Urd (Past), Verdandi (Present), and Skuld (Future).

## Overview: **Norns**

The **Norns** are deities in Norse mythology responsible for shaping the course of human destinies.

In the *Völuspá* attested by Snorri Sturluson, the three primary Norns Urðr (Wyrd), Verðandi, and Skuld draw water from their sacred well to nourish the tree at the center of the cosmos and prevent it from rot. These three Norns are described as powerful maiden giantesses whose arrival from Jötunheimr ended the golden age of the gods. The Norns are also described as maidens of Mögþrasir in the *Vafþrúðnismál*.

Beside the three Norns tending Yggdrasill, pre-Christian Scandinavians attested to Norns who visit a newborn child in order to determine the person's future. These Norns could be malevolent or benevolent: the former causing tragic events in the world while the latter were kind and protective.

## Summary

The Norns are daughters of Mögþrasir, a First Man Lord of the Sigtuna Freehold, while their mother was a Primordial Jötnar believed to be a daughter of Ymir. Because of their lineage, the sisters were born with immense power and a natural talent for controlling Wyrd, the cosmic energy that influences all probabilities in existence. As such, they became known and revered as Goddesses of Fate in Norse mythology.

Following the destruction of the Sigtuna Freehold, they took up residence in Urðarbrunnr, one of the three natural springs located at the roots of Yggdrasil. They also linked their life-force to the World Tree, granting them nigh-omniscience and nigh-omnipresence within the Nine Realms. In return, the Norns used holy water prepared with their Wyrd to take care of the World Tree Yggdrasil.

Because of their authority, the Norns hold an immensely important role within Norse Mythology, being the deliverers of the Prophecy of Ragnarök. They are Odin's old teachers, having taught him about Runic Magic. They deliver prophecies for the gods, including the one about Baldr's doomed fate.

During the Nordic apocalypse, they themselves are destined to die alongside Yggdrasil, being the World Tree's last line of defense against Surtr's forces. After their death, there would no longer be any Norse god in-charge of fate, allowing free will to exist among the survivors.

## Servants

### The Fylgjur

The **Fylgja**, plural form being **Fylgjur**, is a type of familiars created from a placenta that is imbued with the Norns' divine blessing. They are shapeshifters whose common form is based on their companion's true nature. Their main duty is to protect their companion from deadly threats, serving as their agents in the esoteric planes, and guiding them toward the best possible paths.

#### The Hamingja

The **Hamingja** are ancient and powerful Fylgjur that exclusively serve a particular family, passing down from one generation to another. They take the form of beautiful female spirits who bring good fortune, wealth, success, and happiness to their chosen family and companion.

### Nornir Witches

The **Nornir Witches**, also called the **Witches of Destiny**, are female witches who make contracts with the Norns to gain their magical powers. In exchange, they become the Norns' servants, with their duties ranging from the Norns' personal handmaidens, to working as maids and guards in Urðarbrunnr, or as assassins who deal with those who have escaped their destined paths.

## Members

* Verdandi - Norn of the Present
* Skuld - Norn of the Future
* Sybil Galles
* Svanhild Siggirsdottir
* Hilda Ragnarsdottir - Hamingja
* Amora - Formerly, Defected
* Lorelei - Formerly, Defected

## Trivia

* The Norns' arrival ended the golden age of the gods.
* Some myths claim that each individual had their own dedicated Norn assigned to them.
* Some claimed that the Norns are all Divine Avatars that served the Embodiment of Destiny itself.
* Witches, both modern and ancient, often gather in groups to pray to the Norns when they seek aid in obtaining hidden knowledge.
* While the primary Norns are half-Jötnar, they are not considered to be the same as other Jötnar deities due to their First Man blood.
* The artisan elves of Alfheim claimed that they learned their skills of weaving from the primary Norns.
* The Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth has an album titled "Fate of Norns". The band itself has many songs involving Norse mythology.