[Agema]

Norna are generally okay - they aren't too troubled by afflictions, especially if you took Growth. You don't need that many either: N2 is critical to get nature going properly, and S3/D3 are best collected as well, but Seithkona can provide much of your necessary spellpower, particularly as they can commune where necessary.

Certainly, as Utgard doesn't have earth (an imprisoned God arrives long after you've needed to kit out thugs) and if you can't get Dwarven Hammers, thug equipment will be a massive drain on your gem stockpiles, so minimal equipment on plentiful Skratti is good.