The Shaving of Shagpat · Character

Noorna bin Noorka

A sorceress who jeers, guides, and betroths herself to Shibli, keeping enchantments alive while he climbs toward the impossible.

major

Also known as Noorna, Noorka

First appearance: The Thwackings

As a major figure in The Shaving of Shagpat, Noorna bin Noorka is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Appears first as an old crone who prophesies to Shibli, then later as the Vizier's daughter, sumptuously arrayed and appearing younger, resembling Bhanavar the Beautiful.

In the storyThe ThwackingsOpen this moment free

Noorna bin Noorka rides beside Shibli on an enchanted ass, her magic so precise that a single sunrise could thaw her spells and lose them their mount. She teases the beast, mocks its sullenness, and keeps Shibli's spirits merry even as she sends him alone into caverns and wells. Her betrothal to him is both tender and tactical: she reads his fresh, healthy radiance as proof that the children of Aklis will not resist him, and she waits by the mountain with a phial, counting on his return.

See Noorna bin Noorka in The Thwackings Book page

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Character Web

25 connections

A slice of how Noorna bin Noorka sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Family
Rivalry
Friendship

Character groups

Quest Allies and Antagonists
Protagonist
Bhanavar's Circle
Magical and Supernatural Entities

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of tension for the ant…

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Relationships

Shibli Bagarag
romantic · positive
Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with… How this plays out →
Feshnavat
family · positive
Shagpat
rivalry · negative
Genie Karaz
rivalry · negative
Koorookh
friendship · positive
Kadza
rivalry · negative
Shagpat
rivalry · negative
Shibli Bagarag
romantic · positive
Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with… How this plays out →
Shibli Bagarag
romantic · positive
Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with… How this plays out →
Feshnavat
family · positive
Genie Karaz
rivalry · negative
Koorookh
friendship · positive

Shibli Bagarag
Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom.
Feshnavat
Feshnavat is Noorna's father, and they share a close familial bond with mutual respect and magical collaboration.
Shagpat
Noorna actively works against Shagpat, using her magic to undermine his power and protect her husband.
Genie Karaz
Genie Karaz is a malevolent spirit who opposes Noorna and her family, often clashing with her magic.
Koorookh
Koorookh is a magical bird and loyal companion to Noorna, assisting her with wisdom and flight.
Kadza
Kadza is a jealous rival who schemes against Noorna, often using petty magic and deceit.
Shagpat
Noorna actively works against Shagpat, using her magic to undermine his power and protect her husband.
Shibli Bagarag
Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom.
Shibli Bagarag
Noorna is Shibli's devoted wife and magical mentor, guiding him through his quest with love and wisdom.
Feshnavat
Feshnavat is Noorna's father, and they share a close familial bond with mutual respect and magical collaboration.
Genie Karaz
Genie Karaz is a malevolent spirit who opposes Noorna and her family, often clashing with her magic.
Koorookh
Koorookh is a magical bird and loyal companion to Noorna, assisting her with wisdom and flight.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Noorna bin Noorka in The Thwackings

In the story

Noorna bin Noorka appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Thwackings
Appears first as an old crone who prophesies to Shibli, then later as the Vizier's daughter, sumptuously arrayed and appearing younger, resembling Bhanavar the Beautiful.
The Betrothal
The wise daughter of Vizier Feshnavat, enchanted into an old form; she orchestrates the betrothal and reveals Shagpat's enchantment over the city.
The Genie Karaz
Explains the three bonds of the enterprise and the need for the Sword of Events; demonstrates her power by summoning and subduing the genie Karaz.
The Well of Paravid
Guides Shibli through the desert and mountain, uses enchantments to control the ass Karaz, and waits at the cavern while Shibli performs the task.
The Horse Garraveen
Guides Shibli, warns him against riding Garraveen a second time, summons Karaz to discipline him, and ties the three hairs of Garraveen to his wrist before parting.
The Talking Hawk
Mentioned as the one who foresaw Shibli's greatness and gave him the phial of Paravid.
The Lily of the Enchanted Sea
Noorna appears first as the hawk that intervenes to save Shibli, then as the transformed Lily damsel. She reveals herself to Shibli and sails with him toward Aklis, promising to tell her story.
And This Is the Story of Noorna Bin Noorka, the Genie Karaz, and the Princess of Oolb
Narrates her own backstory, from infancy to her current role as Shibli's betrothed and guide.
The Wiles of Rabesqurat
Noorna is captured by Abarak with a weighted net after warning Shibli to be true and remember the seventh pillar.
The Palace of Aklis
Shibli's betrothed; her safety on a solitary pillar in the sea motivates Shibli to resist temptation and continue his quest.
The Sons of Aklis
Shibli recalls Noorna in a dream, and she is the motivation for his quest to obtain the Sword.
The Sword of Aklis
Referenced as the faithful betrothed awaiting rescue on the pillar, motivating Shibli's actions.
Koorookh
Rescued from the pillar and the kite by Shibli and Koorookh; runs up the blade of the Sword.
The Bosom of Noorna
Waits on the mountain with Koorookh, divines Shibli's fate, rescues him from the torrent, and revives him in her bosom.
The Revival
Revives Shibli through a kiss and a plunge into the lake; warns her father Feshnavat of their coming.
The Plot
Discusses the plot with Shibli, agrees to appear as Shagpat's bride to rescue her father, and is transported to the city by the genii.
The Dish of Pomegranate Grain
Discusses the impending shaving with her father Feshnavat; she reassures him and prepares to witness the event.
The Burning of the Identical
Kneels beside Kadza and shrieks loudest during the abasement; later prompts Kadza to speak to the King, but disappears before Kadza can find her.
The Flashes of the Blade
Enters the hall veiled as a bride, delays execution, releases a white dove, and shrieks when Shibli is endangered.
Conclusion
Healed by Gulrevaz in Aklis, returned to Shibli, and married him.

Chapter companion notes

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See Noorna bin Noorka in The Thwackings