Norn Yosk
Norn Yosk is the oldest son of Hanoyar and Henya Yosk. Hanoyar is a soldier and general, having served originally in Ahkas and participating in every major Nerathi military action since. Henya is a warden who met her husband during the Northern Campaign; she is Hanoyar’s second wife and significantly younger than her husband. Norn has two older half-sisters from his father’s first marriage, as well as a younger sister. Lior is the eldest, married to one of her father’s retainers. Miryam is a member of the Green Men and married a non-noble; she and her father have little contact these days. Enwa is his younger sibling, twelve years old and a page at the court in Vanilorra.
Norn was groomed from an early age to follow his father’s path as a warrior. Thanks to his size, Norn performed admirably in his training, though he preferred his less-combative lessons. When the Fomorians attacked Nerath, Norn became his father’s page and aide. The horrors of the war had a significant impact upon Norn, and he began to question his presumed vocation.
After the Fomorian War, Norn began focusing more on training with his mother as a warden. He discovered he had a natural talent for primal magic and an affinity with animals and plants that opened up further opportunities in Vanilorran society. The manifestation of his dragonmark, which further enhances his connection with nature, only further cemented his dedication to this pursuit.
Norn met Jesseryn and Jeremyn Callais in 1018 when accompanying his father to court in Vanilorra, on one of the Callais’ rare trips back to the elven homeland. Recognizing the boy’s talent, Jeremyn and his father suggested to Hanoyar that he allow Norn to train as a druid. It was only after significant pleading on Norn’s behalf, and the intervention of his mother, that Hanoyar acquiesced.
Norn spent the next several years training with some of the foremost druids in Vanilorra, quickly showing his talent and becoming known as something of a prodigy. Unfortunately, this drew the ire of some his fellow initiates, who didn’t relish the idea of “some shifter brute” outshining the pride of the elven Houses. When he was eighteen, Norn found himself challenged by another student, a scion of a patrician house who had been egged on by his better-born peers. The pair were sent deep into the Changing Wilds and meant to survive, alone and without supplies, for a month. Such trials were not uncommon among Vanilorran druids, though both the duration and environmental danger were greater than usual for their level of training. Unfortunately for both of them, only Norn returned alive.
While his teachers knew Norn was not to blame for the other boy’s passing, it was deemed necessary to remove him from training, if for no other reason than to spare him further danger. While Hanoyar hoped perhaps his son would now take up his warrior training once more, Norn wrote to Jeremyn Callais for advice. Hearing of his predicament, Jeremyn wrote to Hanoyar on Norn’s behalf, offering to bring him to Highmark for further training. Again, the old warrior acceded, sending his son off for training in the ‘foreign’ city.
Norn has been in Highmark for almost two years, though this year will mark the first social season in which he will participate. (It was deemed unwise to have him debut so soon after his ordeal.) While Norn has appreciated his patrons’ hospitality and guidance, he is dreading the upcoming season and hopes he can manage it with as little actual socializing as possible.
Appearance: Norn is a greatpaw shifter with a warm brown complexion. He is 6’4” and broadly built. His eyes are a rich dark brown, with an unfortunate tendency towards resting scowling face. He typically wears his shoulder-length black hair in a traditional Vanilorran high ponytail, with a short, well-kept beard. His dragonmark spreads across his chest, vaguely resembling a tree in shape. It changes with the seasons, broadest and brightest in summer. While he prefers more traditional Vanilorran clothing, he has been encouraged to adopt more fashionable Highmarker clothing since moving to the city.
