NORA



NORA is a resistance group to the Sanctum in Final Fantasy XIII, originally a neighborhood watch group in Bodhum. The whole group makes a reappearance in Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Final Fantasy XIII
The paramilitary organization known as NORA is a group composed of like-minded youths, assembled by Snow and self-funded by the operation of a seaside café in Bodhum.

''Functioning as a neighborhood watch of sorts, NORA members patrol the vicinity of Bodhum for trouble. Most often, "trouble" consists of encroachment by dangerous forms of wildlife.''

NORA had never openly acted out against the Sanctum prior to the Purge, and because of this, the military had been content to turn a blind eye to the group's activities.

Final Fantasy XIII-2
''NORA is a vigilante group of young do-gooders from the Cocoon town of Bodhum. No strangers to fending for themselves, the group went on to found the settlement of New Bodhum in the harsh environment of Pulse.''

NORA consists of four core members: the intimidating Gadot, Snow's right-hand man; the amiable mood maker, Yuj; the mechanical genius, Maqui; and the NORA House resident chef, Lebreau.

Snow, NORA's founding member, is presently away from New Bodhum.

Final Fantasy XIII
The team was originally founded by a group of youths from Bodhum, a port city at the outskirts of Cocoon, under Snow Villiers. The other members are Gadot, Lebreau, Maqui, and Yuj. They managed operations from a beach bar on the coast, initially working to battle the monsters around the city.

However, the Sanctum deemed the population of the village contaminated by Pulse and attempted a mass-Purging, provoking NORA to fight back. The group is not seen again until near the end of the game, providing cover for the l'Cie as they handle the monsters attacking Eden.

Final Fantasy XIII-2
By the events of Final Fantasy XIII-2, NORA's membership expanded while resuming their original activities in the village of New Bodhum.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
As the story takes place 1000 years in total, NORA members are not seen or mentioned as they were last seen back in New Bodhum 3AF, while (during the ending of Final Fantasy XIII-2) Serah and Noel skipped 497 years into Academia 500 AF to start a new life there with the rise of the new cocoon Bhunivelze. Although they assumed that all of their friends were going to be there when they thought they fixed the timelines, but because NORA members were the only ones that did not do any time traveling or were the victims of any kind of paradox, it's implyed that they are all deceased by the time of 500 AF.

Musical Themes
The music that accompany NORA in their appearances are called "The Warpath Home" played prominently at the Hanging Edge, and "Snow's Theme" that plays whenever Snow leads the party members.

Etymology
The term "Nora" is said to be a play on the Japanese word, meaning "stray cat". This theme is evident in some of the jewelry sported by the cast, including Snow's necklace and Serah's earrings (which both have cats pictured on them). In the English version, NORA stands for "No Obligation, Rules, or Authority".

Team NORA