Two New NPC Races In Guild Wars: Eye Of The North

Guild Wars 2 will feature new playable races, and the Eye of the North expansion introduces two of these races as NPCs - the Asura and the Norn. Players who bought the pre-release pack were able to play Eye of the North over the Sneak Peek weekend, as a final test before the expansion went live.

Guild Wars 2 will feature new playable races, and the Eye of the North expansion introduces two of these races as NPCs - the Asura and the Norn. Players who bought the pre-release pack were able to play Eye of the North over the Sneak Peek weekend, as a final test before the expansion went live. The only Primary Quests you could undertake during the Sneak Peek weekend were those of the Norn.

The Far Shiverpeaks mountains are home to the hardy and fierce Norn. Skilled hunters, the Norn can transform into fearsome bears during battle. Keep a lookout for Resurrection Shrines on your map when travelling. While exploring, if you party are all killed, they will be resurrected at the nearest discovered Resurrection Shrine.

Norn NPCs by each Resurrection Shrine will give out the Norn Hunting Party blessing. Reputation Points advance you on the Norn Title Track, which opens up special skills and missions.

Until you reach Rank 1, you will not be able to talk to any Norn NPCs in any outposts. Once you have reached Rank 3 you will be able to use the Norn NPCs to craft consumables. Special Norn weapons can be crafted for you once you reach Rank 4. Norn Armourers will offer you their services when you reach Rank 5.

The suspicious Norn will challenge you to a test of strength before you can speak to them. Only once you have defeated them (a relatively easy task with an 8 person party) will they talk to you.Giving you a Reputation Point per kill, the Norn Hunting Party blessing is a good way to advance on the Norn Title Track while exploring. You can get more Reputation Points for each kill by gaining an extra level in the Norn Hunting Party.

Each NPC will only give out Reputation Points and bonuses once. Keep an eye on the map to keep track of where you have travelled - Resurrection Shrines appear on your Eye of the North map, and you can travel back to them to pick up NPC bonuses.

Strength of the Norn is a random enchantment bonus you can gain, which will last for 60 seconds. It grants +100 health, and when it runs out, you are healed for 100 health.

Increasing your Rank in the Norn Title Track opens up new NPC quests. As you progress, it's worth revisiting outposts to see if any NPCs have new dialogues available.

About the author: Tom Kranz is a an avid player of Eye of the North, the expansion to the award winning Guild Wars. Follow the links for more information on Eye of the North maps and Guild Wars gold.