GW2 Wiki English Mirror - User contributions [en]

The Al'Seen

2022-10-05T23:38:53Z

201.103.182.16:

{{NPC infobox
| image = Wild-Eye Miller.jpg
| location = Gladium Canton
| race = Human
| coordinates = [57137,31122]
}}
'''Alain''',<ref>[[Donal Regland]]</ref> or as he calls himself, [[The Al'Seen]], is a self-proclaimed prophet in the [[Gladium Canton]]. Before his imprisonment, he was a soldier of the [[Ebon Vanguard]] who was sent along with his patrol behind the [[charr]] lines during the Siege of [[Stronghold of Ebonhawke|Ebonhawke]]. He was later caught by them, but all except for him were dead.

== Location ==
;[[Ascalon]]
* [[Black Citadel]]
** [[Gladium Canton]]

== Dialogue ==
:Stop. Approach no further. You're in the presence of the Al'Seen. Show him your respect.
:{{dialogue icon|more}} ''What's wrong with you?''
::The Al'Seen is perfect in every facet. He needs nothing and is nothing, and yet, he is everything!
::{{dialogue icon|more}} ''Enlighten me, deluded one. What's an Al'Seen?''
:::It was prophecied{{sic|should be prophesied}} over three hundred years ago: an [[Elona|Elonian]], long from home, living beneath steel, would rise and lead his people back to the [[Crystal Desert]].
:::{{dialogue icon|more}} ''So, I'm guessing you think you're this great hero?''
::::Perhaps there's hope for the heathens who plague this metal monstrosity. When the moment arrives for me to lead my people home, I may allow you to travel with us.
::::{{dialogue icon|more}} ''You're aware the Crystal Desert is barren, right?''
:::::The Al'Seen will make it fruitful again. All will bow to me, be it that pretender [[Palawa Joko]] or the [[Elder Dragon]]s. The Al'Seen will be loved. The Al'Seen will become the ultimate.
:::::{{dialogue icon|end}} ''Well, it's good to have goals. Good-bye.''
::::{{dialogue icon|end}} ''I'm afraid you'll have to go without me. So long.''
:::{{dialogue icon|end}} ''My going was prophecied{{sic|should be prophesied}} just now. Bye.''
::{{dialogue icon|end}} ''Then you don't need me. Bye.''
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''I prefer to show him my backside. So long.''

== References ==
<references/>

[[de:Der Al'Seen]]
[[es:El Tostavisto]]
[[fr:L'Al'cine]]

Statue of Lyssa

2022-10-01T17:46:02Z

201.103.182.16:

{{otheruses|the normal statues|the hero challenge|Statue of Lyssa (hero challenge)}}
{{Object infobox
| type = statue
| location = Plaza of Lyssa
}}
[[Statue of Lyssa|Statues of Lyssa]] can be found throughout [[Tyria]] dedicated to the [[human]] goddess, [[Lyssa]].

== Locations ==
;[[Kryta]]
* [[Divinity's Reach]]
** [[Plaza of Lyssa]]
;[[Crystal Desert]]
* [[The Desolation]]
** [[The Spillway]]

== Text ==
:''"Lyssa, when gazing upon you, I see beauty, but it is ephemeral. The illusions fade upon your passing, and leave me to wonder if I ever knew you at all. And yet, I knew I could not look away." —Malchor''
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''Leave.''

== Notes ==
* Non-interactive statues can be found in the [[Ascalon Settlement]] and throughout [[Ruins of Orr]].
* The statues in Orr can become contested and have harmful [[area of effect]]s based on the progress of the [[Cathedral of Eternal Radiance (meta event)|Cathedral of Eternal Radiance]] [[meta event]].

[[de:Lyssa-Statue]]
[[es:Estatua de Lyssa]]
[[fr:Statue de Lyssa]]

List of charr racial skills

2022-09-30T17:09:45Z

201.103.182.16:

This is a list of [[charr]] [[racial skill]]s.

== [[Utility skill|Utility]] ==
{| id="utility-skills" class="charr skills table"
{{slot skill table header}}
{{slot skill table row|Battle Roar}}
{{slot skill table row|Hidden Pistol}}
{{slot skill table row|Shrapnel Mine}}
|}

== [[Elite skill|Elite]] ==
{| id="elite-skills" class="charr skills table"
{{slot skill table header}}
{{slot skill table row|Artillery Barrage}}
{{slot skill table row|Charrzooka}}
{{slot skill table row|Warband Support}}
|}

== Tool belt skills (engineers only) ==
Charr [[engineer]]s additionally receive the following skills in their [[tool belt]] skill slots if they have the respective racial skills equipped.
{{tool belt table header|class=charr|showSlot=false|showType=false}}
|-
! colspan="5" | <h4>[[Utility skill|Utility]]</h4>
|-
{{tool belt table row|Invigorating Roar}}
{{tool belt table row|Booby Trap (charr skill)}}
{{tool belt table row|Hidden Pistols}}
|}

== Auxiliary skillbars ==
These skills replace the main skillbar after activating the specified primary skills.

=== {{borderless|Charrzooka.png|32}} [[Charrzooka]] ===
{| id="charrzooka-skills" class="charr skills table"
{{weapon skill table header}}
{{weapon skill table row|Fire Rocket}}
{{weapon skill table row|Rocket Spray}}
{{weapon skill table row|Heat Seeker}}
{{weapon skill table row|Rocket Jump}}
{{weapon skill table row|Fire Rocket Barrage}}
|}

{{Racial skills nav}}

[[Category:Charr skills|*]]
[[de:Liste der Charrfertigkeiten]]
[[es:Lista de habilidades raciales de charr]]
[[fr:Liste des compétences raciales de charr]]

Ackle-Denth

2022-09-30T16:57:29Z

201.103.182.16:

{{quotation|[[Macha]]|No, you have a half ackle. It's only worth six. See how two of your cards are red, and all of mine are black? That's the difference between a full ackle and a half. Still, it's not a bad play for a beginner. Six points for you.}}
[[Ackle-Denth]] ([[Asuran script|Asuran]]: {{asuran|Ackle-Denth}}) is an old and established [[asura]]n card game, that is over 800 years old.

[[Category:Asura culture]]
[[es:Ackle-Denth]]

Great Golem Uprising of 1284

2022-09-30T16:55:43Z

201.103.182.16:

{{quotation|Rata Sum Protector|Halt. Desist. You—will—be—termina—(bzzzt) Reset. Good—day, citizen. Carry—on.}}
The [[Great Golem Uprising of 1284]] <small>[[Mouvelian calendar|AE]]</small> is an event occasionally mentioned by the older citizens of [[Rata Sum]].<ref name ="Accessium">[[Interdisciplinary Accessium#Ambient dialogue|Interdisciplinary Accessium ambient dialogue]]</ref> [[Peacemakers|Peacemaker]] golems thereafter have been fitted with a sedition inhibitor that prevents any insurgent behavior.<ref name="Accessium" /> If the sedition inhibitor could be somehow suppressed, there would be trouble.

[[Peacemaker Officer]]s have expressed concern that the current [[Peacemakers|Peacemaker]]-to-golem ratio (1:10) is intimidatingly low.<ref>[[Council Level#Ambient dialogue|Council Level ambient dialogue]]</ref> Recently, the golems have been acting up again, but when pressed the [[Inquest]] refuse to divulge any involvement.<ref name="Accessium" />

==See also==
* [[The Great Golem Uprising of 1284: A Commentary]]

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Asura culture]]
[[Category:Major events]]
[[es:Gran levantamiento de los gólems de 1284]]

List of asura racial skills

2022-09-30T16:40:05Z

201.103.182.16:

This is a list of [[asura]] [[racial skill]]s.

== [[Utility skill|Utility]] ==
{| id="utility-skills" class="asura skills table"
{{slot skill table header}}
{{slot skill table row|Pain Inverter}}
{{slot skill table row|Radiation Field}}
{{slot skill table row|Technobabble}}
|}

== [[Elite skill|Elite]] ==
{| id="elite-skills" class="asura skills table"
{{slot skill table header}}
{{slot skill table row|Summon 7-Series Golem}}
{{slot skill table row|Summon D-Series Golem}}
{{slot skill table row|Summon Power Suit}}
|}

== Tool belt skills (engineers only) ==
Asura [[engineer]]s additionally receive the following skills in their [[tool belt]] skill slots if they have the respective racial skills equipped.
{{tool belt table header|class=asura|showSlot=false|showType=false}}
|-
! colspan="5" | <h4>[[Utility skill|Utility]]</h4>
|-
{{tool belt table row|Pain Transference}}
{{tool belt table row|Vent Radiation}}
{{tool belt table row|Confusing Speech}}
|}

== Auxiliary skillbars ==
These skills replace the main skillbar after activating the specified primary skills.

=== {{borderless|Summon Power Suit.png|32}} [[Summon Power Suit]] ===
{| id="Summon Power Suit-skills" class="asura skills table"
{{weapon skill table header}}
{{weapon skill table row|Punch (Hazmat Suit skill)}}
{{weapon skill table row|Launch Fist}}
{{weapon skill table row|Gatling Fists}}
{{weapon skill table row|Whirling Assault}}
{{weapon skill table row|Self-Repair}}
{{weapon skill table row|Leave Suit}}
|}

== Trivia ==
*The utility skills share names and functionalities to the asura skills introduced in Guild Wars: Eye of the North.

{{Racial skills nav}}

[[Category:Asura skills|*]]
[[de:Liste der Asurafertigkeiten]]
[[es:Lista de habilidades raciales de asura]]
[[fr:Liste des compétences raciales d'asura]]

Joko Loyalists

2022-09-29T16:54:30Z

201.103.182.16:

{{spoiler|[[Living World Season 4]]}}
{{Quotation|[[Joko Loyalist]] in [[Tactical Triage]]|King Joko trusts us to carry out his will. Even if we did die... It'd be worth it.}}
[[Joko Loyalists]] are a group of individuals, most of which are nobles, that have willingly pledged their allegiance to [[Palawa Joko]]. They are presently led by [[Grand Vizier Utumishi|Former Grand Vizier Utumishi]].

== History ==
Following [[Palawa Joko]]'s conquest of [[Elona]] in 1175 <small>[[Mouvelian calendar|AE]]</small>, several nobles and commoners gradually pledged themselves to the lich king and were rewarded for their service, while those who opposed Joko were silenced. The Loyalists helped the [[Mordant Crescent]] hunt down the [[Order of the Sunspears]], securing Joko's grip over Elona in the following decades.<ref>[[Unknown (Yahnur Plateau)#The Writings of the Last Spearmarshal|The Writings of the Last Spearmarshal]]</ref>

When [[Balthazar]]'s [[Forged]] army invaded the Elonian mainland in 1330 <small>AE</small>, the [[Domain of Istan]]'s loyalists began hoarding food shipments from the mainland in [[Palawadan, Jewel of Istan]], while denying those outside Palawadan's walls the food on the grounds of them ostensibly being disloyal. The loyalists sent brute squads to claim more food from the homesteads as well as forcibly imprison villagers and recruit them to bolster the ranks of Joko's army.<ref>[[Priest Sazeer]]</ref>

Although the initial reason was for the nobility to feel virtuous watching half the island starve, the outcry grew into a rebellion by 1331 <small>AE</small> when the protesting people in the countryside were recruited into the ranks of [[Spearmarshal Zaeim]]'s branch of Istani Sunspears.<ref>[[First Spear Hakima]]</ref> The growing hostilities escalated into open warfare culminating in the Sunspears' [[Palawadan, Jewel of Istan (meta event)|raid]] on Palawadan during which many notable Istani Loyalists were [[Kill the Loyalist Leaders|killed]].

Two weeks prior to the [[Battle of Gandara]], Palawa Joko's Loyalists discovered that the Sunspears had been using the village of [[Palawa's Benevolence]] in the [[Domain of Kourna]] as a waypoint for their messengers. The Loyalist [[Sabil]] was ordered to plant eggs containing the second generation of the [[Scarab Plague]] in the local crops in preparation for Joko's plan to grow the third and deadliest scarab generation. Loyalists raided the village and killed several villagers while searching for Sunspear sympathizers, including Sabil's wife whom [[Doctor Tasin]] was unable to save, which prompted Sabil to have his revenge by infecting Tasin with scarab eggs which later hatched and killed her from within. Upon learning of Sabil's failure to plant more scarab eggs, Joko ordered a group of local Loyalists to continue infecting the crops in greater numbers, but the Loyalists' plans were thwarted by the [[Pact Commander]].<ref>[[Tactical Triage]]
:'''<Character name>:''' Scarab larvae don't just appear overnight. Someone must have planted those eggs here.
:'''Scout Anisa:''' The Sunspears have been using the village as a waypoint for our messengers. Joko's people must have found out. [...]
:'''Doctor Tasin:''' Sabil. Bet he thought I'd be dead by now. Tried to make sure of it. Thinks he's avenging his wife.
:'''<Character name>:''' His wife? The one who's ill?
:'''Doctor Tasin:''' Ill? She's dead. Loyalist raid, two weeks ago. She was run through twice. I couldn't save her.
:'''Palawa Joko:''' You had one job: bedeck your wretched little burg with scarab eggs. One. Job.
:'''Sabil:''' Majesty...I deserve whatever punishment you see fit for failing your brilliant plan.
:'''Palawa Joko:''' Suppose I'll just have to turn to some of your loyalist neighbors. Perhaps they won't waste my time. Unlike SOME people.</ref>

Following Joko's demise in the Battle of Gandara, the surviving Joko Loyalists regrouped under [[Grand Vizier Utumishi|Former Grand Vizier Utumishi]] in the interregnum period and attended a [[A Shattered Nation|summit]] between Elona's political factions in the [[Fortress of Jahai]] where they disagreed with the claims of the Sunspears and the [[Free Awakened]] and threatened to walked out to create an autonomous nation separate from the rest of Elona.

The loyalists began collaborating with their rival factions, however, when they were forced to flee into [[Sun's Refuge]] from the invasion of the [[Elder Dragon]] [[Kralkatorrik]]'s [[Branded]]. They came to realize that Palawa Joko would not be returning from the dead once a [[Stop "Joko" from recruiting the Awakened!|ruse]] by an [[Definitely Not Joko|Awakened mesmer]] posing as Joko had been exposed.<ref>[[Sun's Refuge#Ambient dialogue|Sun's Refuge ambient dialogue]]</ref>

== Members ==
{{member list}}

== References ==
<references />

{{Living World Season 4 content}}
[[Category:Human culture]]
[[Category:Joko Loyalists|*]]

[[de:Getreuer Jokos]]
[[es:Leales a Joko]]

Short Story: Twilight Preparations

2022-09-27T22:59:27Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Short Story: Twilight Preparations|Twilight Preparations]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] written by [[Scott McGough]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|[[Sheriff Turma|Deputy Turma]] recognized the gang of toughs as trouble waiting to happen. The [[norn]] half-drew her [[sword]] to make sure it wouldn't stick, then slid it back in the scabbard and marched forward.

As Turma approached the gang's corner, the one-eyed [[human]] woman among them jerked her head and muttered, "Heads up. [[Lionguard]]."

The rest, all male, followed the woman's gaze.

"Who you let you out of [[Hoelbrak]], little girl?" the dark-haired norn said.

"Indeed," said the second. He was blonde and beautiful, but his eyes were cold and glassy. "I usually like 'em a little smaller, but I would have stayed behind to make an exception for you, darlin'."

"She's a big one, all right" the [[charr]] said, swishing his tail. "Nice war paint, officer." He licked his lips as he stared up and down Turma's body, but she knew it was not lust that drove him, but tactics: he was checking her for weapons and gauging if he could draw his first.

"It's 'deputy,'" Turma said. Then she yanked her sword out and rammed the pommel into his throat in one smooth motion. The charr gurgled as he collapsed.

Turma spun and slapped the human woman down with the flat of her blade. She stiff-armed the dark-haired norn, knocking him down beside the charr, and then twisted behind the blonde and pressed the edge of her weapon to his throat.

"Still willing to make an exception?" she hissed. "Darlin'?"

The blonde raised his hands in surrender. The rest of the gang quickly followed suit.

"We didn't do nothing," the woman said.

"Around here, it's not what you do, but what I let you do. Now empty your pockets."

"What?"

"You heard. Cough it up, all of you. Crime doesn't pay in [[Lion's Arch]], but criminals do. Make a pile. I won't tell you again."

Grumbling, the toughs made a small heap of coins at Turma's feet. She bent and scooped up the booty with practiced hands.

As she drew her drawstring purse closed, Turma said, "This is a big city. Find another part of it to haunt. If I see any of you on my beat again, I won't be as gentle. Now get out of my sight."

Turma watched them go, pained and muttering, as the sound of Lionguard boots approached from the opposite direction.

"Hey, Turma! [[Captain Magnus the Bloody-Handed|Captain Magnus]] wants to see you."

[[File:Lionguard Turma 1.jpg|590px]]

She recognized one of Magnus' toadies but couldn't place the man's name. She nodded and, with her purloined treasure clinking in her purse, marched toward the [[Main Haven Headquarters|Lionguard HQ]].

As soon as she entered the room, Magnus shouted, "Good! You're here. We've got a line on the [[Aetherblades]], and I want someone with a big ol' mean streak to give them my regards."

Turma's jaw clenched at the mention of the sky pirates. "With pleasure, sir."

"I like that answer. How many friends and colleagues did you lose when they stormed [[Dragon Bash 2013|Dragon Bash]] and zapped [[Captain Theo Ashford|Theo Ashford]]?"

"Friends, sir? Seven. Colleagues? A lot more."

"Then you're properly motivated," Magnus said. "[[Warden Idon]] tells us they're setting up in [[Caledon Forest]]. I want you to shut 'em down. Shut 'em down, round 'em up, and break whatever they're trying to build. I want them hit hard. And I want it to hurt."

"You and me both."

"It'll take some improvisation. The site is still being established, but the security system is up and running. You'll have to think outside the straight and narrow." Magnus smiled sharply. "Think you can handle that? I know how much you like to stick to the rules."

Turma smiled back just as sharply. "I know I can handle it, sir. I just hope they're home when we come calling."

[[File:Caithe and Turma.jpg|590px]]

----

[[Foreman Spur]] strode through the Aetherblade shipyard in Caledon Forest. Any sky pirates that weren't engrossed in their duties gave the massive charr a wide berth. Normally, that would have been enough to make Spur's day a little brighter, but today there was no time.

He found [[Slick]] and [[Sparki]] just outside the main assembly room. As always, they were both fully armored in their specialized rigs, the norn with his oil-spreading apparatus and the [[asura]] with her built-in flamethrowers.

[[File:Foreman Spur.jpg|590px]]

"But they don't run," Slick was saying. "They see what we can do, and they still stand there like we're going to explain things to them."

"They're plants," Sparki said. "Not noted for their rapid response time."

"We've got trouble," Spur said. "[[Scarlet Briar|Scarlet]] trouble."

"'We?'" Sparki said. "Slick and I don't have Scarlet trouble. We, my toothy friend, are reliable."

"Reliable's not good enough anymore. We need to be exceptional. Scarlet wants a fleet of [[airship]]s and an army of holographic pirates to fight alongside the meat variety."

"We know that," Slick muttered. "It's why we're all here."

"Though I can't say why the [[Nightmare Court]] is," Sparki added. "I'll never comprehend how she got those poisonous peonies to let her have her way with this place."

"Belay that talk," Spur growled. "Scarlet's got some sort of arrangement with the Court. They give her this space for her facility and she helps them...I don't know, make people cry, or whatever it is they do.

"The important thing is we need more ships in the air. If we don't triple our output, she'll be back. And she won't be tossing around insults and orders. She'll be tossing around body parts from the crews who didn't meet quota."

Slick shrugged, clearly unconcerned. "Then crack your whip and get your axes spinning. We're holding up our end. It's your flunkies that are the problem."

[[File:Sparki and Slick.jpg|590px]]

"Indubitably. Slick and I are right on schedule. We've cleared half the new space already. If our mercurial skipper throws a tantrum, it won't be at us."

Spur's whiskers twitched angrily. "Typical. Cover your own tails and leave the rest of us to fend for ourselves."

Sparki made a dismissive sound that sounded even ruder as it echoed inside her helmet. "I'm sorry, is the concept of 'pirate' unclear to you?"

Slick nodded. "Yeah. We didn't earn these suits by caring and sharing."

Sparki rose to her full height and glared defiantly up at Spur. "Anything else?"

"Yeah," Spur said. "My 'flunkies' need [[Ferndog Backwoods]] cleared before sunup. They can't work if they don't have the space. Creating space is your job."

"Which we do very well," Sparki said breezily. "And on schedule."

"The schedule's been shortened," Spur said. "And I need to hear you two acknowledge that."

"Acknowledged," Sparki said. "Now go back to yelling at peons and let the elite unit get on with its work."

Spur considered kicking the asura's snotty head right off her shoulders, but that would only create further delays. "We'll finish this discussion later," he said, imagining the very sharp axes that would feature prominently in that conversation. "Send word when the Backwoods section is clear."

He turned and stomped off. Scarlet had left him in charge of the assembly line, and burn him if he wasn't going to deliver.

And the next person who delayed him would find themselves a few limbs lighter before they'd finished their first sentence.
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/short-story-twilight-preparations/ Short Story:Twilight Preparations], GuildWars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]

[[de:Kurzgeschichte: Vorbereitungen im Zwielicht]]
[[es:Historia corta: Preparativos para el crepúsculo]]
[[fr:Avant le crépuscule]]

Short Story: Shadowbox

2022-09-27T22:14:08Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Short Story: Shadowbox|Shadowbox]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] written by [[John Ryan]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|The energy beams over the door solidified, separating [[Moto]] from his lab once and for all. He stood in the streets of [[Rata Sum]] in the driving rain. The container holding his meager belongings sagged from the downpour. All he had left after two years of collaboration was reduced to his box of possessions. He felt himself shrink and fade in the rain, as if he would slide into a storm drain and vanish forever.

A patrolling [[Peacemakers|Peacemaker]] [[Golem]] broke through his shock. "LOITERING-IS-PROHIBITED-IN-THIS-AREA. MOVE-ALONG."

Moto's shoulders slumped. "I don't have anywhere to go." He wandered Rata Sum, which was as dormant as a dead power crystal at night. His only companions were the thoughts that he had no lab, no money, no invention. All he had were his belongings and the dream of building an invention that was grand and heroic, showy and [[magic]]al.

It was something his [[krewe]] had never been able to join him on.

Despair settled over him, multiplied by his empty stomach. He found [[Ekko (asura)|Ekko]]'s fish stand by the [[College of Dynamics]] dorm. The glass tank displayed Ekko's trademark: fish made luminescent by the phosphorescent agent he fed them. Moto ordered a fish skewer, only to find he didn't have enough copper to pay for it.

[[File:Sad Moto.jpg|590px]]

Moto sighed and pulled off a gold bracelet that [[Yavvi|she]]—now an ex-krewemate—had given him for his birthday. He presented it to Ekko, who picked it up, tossed it into the trash, and handed Moto a used empty skewer.

Moto departed, trying not to hear Ekko's laughter.

-----

Moto banged on the door between lengthy doorbell buzzing.

A voice, as friendly as a fist, came through the speaker. "What?"

"[[Lortt]], it's Moto. We conversed at last month's [[Arcane Council]] 'Brandy and Benefactors' party. You funded our prototype edutainment device, the Adventure Box."

"I also funded a state-of-the-art security system that I'm about to activate. It will send a plasma beam through your cranium."

"I need funding."

[[File:Lab (Shadowbox).jpg|590px]]

A sigh. "I'll humor you. What's your project?"

"Uh..." Moto floundered. He was used to pitching to investors in comfortable locations where it wasn't raining and where the alcohol was flowing.

"I get it. You don't want to say where others can hear. I'll come to your lab, right?"

"I'm...in between labs at the moment."

"So, you don't have a prototype or a lab, but you came to me inquiring about funding anyway?"

"Yes."

"Interrupt my sleep again, I'll introduce you to my large, hungry [[drake]]."

The speaker clicked off.

-----

Weeks later, Moto hunkered down in the makeshift lab he'd built in the [[College of Dynamics|Dynamics]] dormitory showers. The dormitory had cleared out after students had discovered their skin glowing after showering. Dynamics technicians had been stumped ... until an anonymous tip had fingered Ekko's fish stand. As peacemakers had carried Ekko away, he'd claimed someone had stolen his phosphorescent agents.

''Such rotten luck'', Moto thought as he consumed another energy tonic. Hours remained, and Moto felt time slipping from him. He'd promised Lortt a working prototype in a month, which had sounded like a distant milestone at the time, but more recently stalked him as a predator would.

[[File:Lab (Shadowbox) 1.jpg|590px]]

Energy drinks wouldn't sustain him anymore, so Moto channeled raw emotions to keep working. Fear assembled the casing. Pride laced the power crystals through the architecture. He pictured his old krewe, and how—after he got famous—they would cry in his shadow for kicking him out. That anger let Moto finish programming the characters.

Before he knew it, the prototype clicked into one seamless unit. Moto gazed upon his creation and smiled, but that was absorbed by exhaustion. ''Just a nap'', he mused. ''Then I'll test it''.

----

Moto awoke to shouts. "Moto! Don't tell me you're making me wait for my own appointment."

"Oh, spark. Lortt!" Moto scrambled to his feet. His only thought: the prototype wasn't tested. Lortt would see Moto's prototype sputter and fail, walk out, and take his gold with him.

But he couldn't keep Lortt waiting. Resigned, Moto opened the door.

Looking like a wrinkled fruit in a robe, Lortt held a leash tethered to a massive red drake.

"This is Buttercup." Lortt walked into the shower-lab. "You got one shot. Impress me. So, is that it?"

Lortt studied the cube sitting on a table. "What does it do?" Lortt activated the cube's power crystal as Moto prepared an apology.

"Well, I—" Moto started, only to be cut off.

In every direction, the room—made of tile and metal—was transformed. Stylized blocky green grass sprung out of the floor while the ceiling was painted a rich blue dotted with smiling white clouds. Along the floor, flowers perked up in the grass, and rows of trees emerged in silent splendor.

[[File:Moto smug 1.jpg|590px]]

It was flawless. The graphics were smooth and charming, the quirky sounds played at the proper volume and at the right moments, and the creatures roamed the simulated grasslands in their proper patterns.

In the distance, [[Princess Miya|a beautiful blond girl]] appeared. She gave Moto an energetic wave. He didn't think he had polished the characters, but the princess model was done and more she reminded Moto of her.

"It's completely immersive," Lortt said, straining to take it all in. "How did you..."

Moto felt the words tumble out. "A little six-dimensional mathematics, a little advanced magiscoping."

"You have my attention," Lortt whispered. "What else?"

Moto gazed at the princess. "You travel through distant lands, fight monsters, and rescue the princess from the [[Lord Vanquish|evil lord]]."

"Selling [[human]] fairy tales to the bookahs? Clever. What about the [[norn]] and [[charr]]?"

"I'll just say it's too difficult for them. They'll see it as an insult; then, of course, they'll want to play."

Lorrt let loose a raucous laugh. "What's your name for this moneymaker, my young genius?"

Moto shrugged. "[[Super Adventure Box|''Super'' Adventure Box]].'"

The princess smiled and waved to Moto.

Moto lifted his hand to wave back, but froze when he spotted an ominous shadow in the shape of himself behind her. Moto blinked, and the shadow was gone.}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/short-story-shadowbox/ Short Story: Shadowbox], Guildwars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]
[[Category:Super Adventure Box]]

[[de:Kurzgeschichte: Schattenkiste]]
[[es:Historia corta: Caja de sombras]]
[[fr:La boîte noire]]

Short Story: Delegation

2022-09-27T21:21:28Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Short Story: Delegation|Delegation]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] by [[Scott McGough]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|[[Frostbite]] always walked a little sassier in the [[Black Citadel]]. [[Rox]] wasn't sure if her albino [[devourer]] felt invigorated by the wave of strength and confidence [[High Legion]] soldiers projected, or if he was intimidated and faking it in order to blend in.

Either way, she was glad at least one of them appeared bold. [[Tribune]] Brimstone had personally summoned her to [[Blood Tribune Quarters|his office]], again, and it had sent her into an extended bout of quiet panic, again. In a city full of fearsome authority figures, [[Rytlock Brimstone]] was in a class by himself: notoriously short-tempered, hard to please...and everything Rox wanted depended on her ability to impress him.

She had taken all the precautions she could: when she woke up, she made a circle with thumb and forefinger and spat through it three times. She put on her newest pair of boots and walked backwards out of the barracks to confound any bad luck that might be following her. She wore her two luckiest keepsakes (the first chunk of iron ore she ever mined and the simple steel soldier's band [[Primus Drillbit]] had given her upon graduating the fahrar) on a chain around her neck. She hoped these efforts would be enough to satisfy fortune's fickle favor and allow her to stand or fall on her own merits.

[[File:Citadel 2.jpg|590px]]

"Come on, boy," she said to Frostbite. "The tribune's waiting."

The devourer chittered enthusiastically and fell in beside Rox as they entered the [[Imperator's Core|Core]] and climbed the circular gangplank to the great metal sphere's third floor. [[Laria Sharpeye|Laria]], Rytlock's aide-de-camp, was just leaving Rytlock's office.

"Is he in?" Rox said.

Laria nodded. "But he's not happy. Watch yourself." She glanced down at Frostbite. "And watch him, too. I'm not cleaning up any more devourer mess."

Laria scurried off, and Frostbite growled slightly as she went, his twin stingers quivering.

"Don't blame her," Rox said. "You're the one who peed on her boots."

"Rox!" Rytlock's voice came echoing out of his office. "Get in here."

Rox's hands flashed from the ore to the ring, touching each in turn to verify they were still in place. "Heel, Frostbite," she said. "And behave. I mean it."

Rytlock stood behind his desk. Laria has been right: the tribune's eyes were hungry, his teeth clenched, and his hackles up. As Rox approached, he drew a sheet of paper from the stack before him and angrily rolled it into a tube.

[[File:Rox and Rytlock 1.jpg|590px]]

"Tribune."

"At ease." Rytlock gestured at Frostbite with the now-crumpled tube. "And that thing better be housetrained by now."

"He is, sir. And again, my apologies. He thought Laria was challenging me, so he—"

"Don't care," Rytlock said. "What do you know about the [[human]] [[Queen Jennah|queen]]?"

"Not much. She supports the [[Ebonhawke Treaty|peace treaty]], but she's having trouble getting the rest of of [[Kryta]] on board."

"She's having a party," Rytlock said. He extended the crumpled paper to Rox. "For the tenth anniversary of her coronation. They're billing it as a [[Queen's Jubilee|'celebration of human resilience,']] or some such slag."

Rox kept her voice neutral. "That sounds...fun."

"Glad you think so. I've been invited, but I've got real work to do. And I'd rather pull out my own teeth than attend another state function." Rytlock smiled sharply. "Congratulations. I'm naming you as my replacement. You are now the Citadel's official envoy to this important event."

Rox numbly took the paper. "I...uh...thank you?"

Rytlock laughed. "It's not a promotion, it's an errand. But an important one. Whatever the queen is trying to accomplish, we need a presence there to protect our interests. Smile politely, don't antagonize the other dignitaries, and steer the conversation away from the treaty whenever you can. The last thing we need is for this nonsense to impact the peace talks."

Rox decided to be bold. "Will do, tribune. But if I may ask—"

"This has nothing to do with you getting into the [[Stone Warband|warband]]." Rox's face fell and Rytlock snarled. "Burn me, your mind only has one track, doesn't it?"

[[File:Rox and Rytlock 3.jpg|590px]]

"Sorry, tribune."

"I bet you spent all morning spitting through your fingers and loading up your kit with good luck charms, didn't you?"

"Yes, tribune."

"Some things never change." Rytlock's stern tone became more businesslike. "There's another reason I want you to go in my place," he said. "[[Logan Thackeray]] will be there. And any time you put Logan and the queen in the same place, things get...irritating. I don't have the patience for that right now."

''Or ever'', Rox thought, but all she said was, "Yes, tribune."

"Here's the invitation. See Laria for the travel details. She'll explain things to Jennah's people and make sure you're expected."

Rox hesitated. "Can I bring Frostbite?"

"As long as you keep your head down and don't start any wars or set any palaces on fire, you can bring anybody you like. Bring a devourer queen, for all I care."

A thought occurred to Rox. "So [[norn]] are allowed?"

Rytlock snarled suspiciously. "Who did you have in mind? That goofball cub you've been running with?"

"His name is [[Braham]], tribune."

Rytlock snorted. "I said, 'bring anybody you like,' soldier. Are you unclear on that concept?"

"No, tribune."

"Good. You have your orders. Handle this like it needs to be handled, and maybe then we'll discuss your potential future with the Stone warband."

Rox failed to hide a smile, but she did manage not to reflexively touch any of her lucky totems. "Thank you, tribune." Frostbite purred in support.

[[File:Rox and Frostbite.jpg|590px]]

"Keep your ears up. This may seem trivial, but if the Black Citadel comes out looking worse than it did going in, you'll be stirring the [[Great Imperial Smelter|Imperial Smelter]] with a teaspoon."

"Understood. Don't worry, sir: I'll make you proud."

"And stop smiling when I'm threatening you. Smile when the job's done. Dismissed."

"Sir." Rox saluted, and then turned, eager to get out before Rytlock changed his mind.

Frostbite was still fixed on the tribune, however, and she saw the devourer's legs tense, as if preparing to leap playfully onto Rytlock's desk. She nudged her pet with a booted toe and said, "Come ''on'', boy."

Together, Rox and Frostbite double-timed it out of the office. She had a lot to do: speak to Laria, prepare for the trip to [[Divinity's Reach]], and send a bird to Braham so he'd be ready to go.

She glanced down at Frostbite. "Want to go to a party, boy? We get to be dignitaries. And we take one step closer to the Stone warband."

Frostbite chittered happily.

Rox touch-checked her good luck charms once more, and then smiled. Her totems had definitely helped the meeting with Rytlock go smoothly. Compared to that, the queen's party would be a stroll in the park. All she had to do was collect Braham, make it to the Krytan capital on time, and not embarrass the Black Citadel.

What could possibly go wrong?
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/delegation/ Short Story: Delegation], Guildwars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]

[[de:Kurzgeschichte: Die Delegation]]
[[es:Historia corta: La delegación]]
[[fr:Délégation]]

A Shipwreck: How Ellen Met Magnus

2022-09-27T21:03:54Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source|www.guildwars2.com/en/news/a-shipwreck-how-ellen-met-magnus/}}
''[[A Shipwreck: How Ellen Met Magnus]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] by [[Angel McCoy]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|
The ship was sinking. Little [[Captain Ellen Kiel|Ellen Kiel]] huddled in her parents' berth, waiting for them to come back for her.

The water was rising, churning, and black. A dirty, oily gleam rippled upon the surface. It was cold, freezing cold, where it lapped at her toes.

Ellen squeezed herself into the corner as tightly as she could.

The cupboard doors tilted open and spilled out their belongings: clothes, toiletries, and books. It all splashed down in the water and slowly sank out of sight.

"Mama?" Ellen called. "Mama, where are you?"

A monstrous groan that rose up from far below, and the ship creaked.

"Mama!"

The water was unrelenting. In no hurry, it filled the cabin from bottom to top as the walls shifted askew.

Body shivering beyond control, Ellen trod water with difficulty. Her tears blended with the salty sea, as lost as she in its vastness.

When the water overcame her, Ellen promised the gods that she would be a good girl, forever and ever, if they would only send her parents to get her. ''Please'', she silently pleaded. ''I'll be good!''

Suddenly, something large and strong wrapped around her ankle and dragged her down.

She nearly cried out in fear or in hope, but she was moving so quickly through the water that it was going up her nose. She began to cough and choke—letting the all-consuming sea inside.

The next thing she knew, her head emerged into the open air, and she inhaled. Her lungs and belly rejected the water in them with painful determination.

A thick band wrapped around her middle kept her head above the surface, and a gruff voice growled in her ear, "That's it. Cough it all up. You're gonna be okay."

[[File:Ellen and Magnus.jpg|590px]]

Ellen clung to the norn who had her in his arms. Her fingers closed around his hair, and she would not let go, not even after he'd set her on the deck of the rescue ship and wrapped her in a blanket.

"It's all right, kid," he said. "What's your name?"

"Ellen."

"I'm [[Captain Magnus the Bloody-Handed|Magnus]]. Are your parents on that ship?"

Ellen nodded. "Mama and Daddy."

"We've got people looking for them. It's going to be okay. You can let go of me now." Magnus gently pried at her small hand with his large one.

"No!" Ellen insisted and clung harder.

"Okay, okay." Magnus wrapped her in his arms. "Today's a good day to be afraid. You have tomorrow and the rest of your life to be brave."

[[File:Team Kiel.jpg|590px]]
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/a-shipwreck-how-ellen-met-magnus/ A Shipwreck: How Ellen Met Magnus], Guildwars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]
[[es:El naufragio: cómo Ellen conoció a Magnus]]
[[fr:Histoire d’un naufrage : la rencontre d’Ellen et Magnus]]

Short Story: Evon Gnashblade Disembarks

2022-09-27T20:56:54Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source|www.guildwars2.com/en/news/short-story-gnashblade-disembarks/}}
''[[Short Story: Evon Gnashblade Disembarks|Evon Gnashblade Disembarks]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] by [[Angel McCoy]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|[[Evon Gnashblade]] stood at attention before [[Legionnaire]] [[Aria Gnashfang]] along with the other members of his [[warband]]. An uneasy silence hung in the air between him and his superior.

"Why haven't you done what I asked, soldier?" Gnashfang growled. "You understood my orders, didn't you?" She moved in close to Evon, snout to snout, until they were breathing the same air.

It was suffocating. Evon lifted his muzzle higher. "Permission to speak freely, sir."

"Oh, this ought to be good. By all means, speak your mind."

Evon sensed the shifting of the others in his warband, moving away. He experienced a feeling of superiority; their withdrawal was cowardice. It further solidified the conviction he'd been pondering for days, ever since he'd first heard his legionnaire's orders.

Evon had been a good soldier during all twenty of his years since birth. He'd excelled in the [[fahrar]], drawn the attention of the most prestigious officers in the [[Ash Legion]], and had never once questioned orders—until that very moment. He chose his words carefully.

"I'm not sure this approach will have the outcome you wish, legionnaire."

Gnashfang snarled. "You're not sure? Well, let me assure you. If it doesn't, my blade's coming to look for you. You understand what I'm saying?"

"Sir," Evon tried again, speaking quickly before Gnashfang could smack him down, "the people of [[Lion's Arch]] won't respond to threats. They have to feel they're getting something in return for their investment. These aren't stupid farmers. They come from [[pirate]]s, but they're a community now. They value trade and cunning. Your intimidation strategy is unsound. It's not the Ash way." His air ran out, and he had to take a deep breath.

One corner of Gnashfang's lip twitched upward, revealing a long, white canine tooth. "Oh, they'll pay for protection all right, or we'll make them wish they had. Get out of my sight before I change my mind about letting you leave alive."

Options coursed through and collided in Evon's thoughts. He had several available to him, but the one thing that never entered his mind was doubt. He made his decision about how to proceed.

[[File:Aria 2.jpg|590px]]

Evon snorted through his nose. "I can't allow you to pursue this path. I won't help you extort the people of Lion's Arch. It's not the way to establish a foothold here." As he spoke, the vein in his neck began to pound. His arms relaxed at his sides, hand touching the hilt of his dagger. His awareness expanded; his peripheral vision broadened.

Gnashfang couldn't let the insult go without a comment. Through gritted teeth, she said, "I don't care what you think, wurm-nugget. You just resigned the warband—permanently."

With an impressive sweep of her arm, Gnashfang pulled her sword from her scabbard and swung it toward Evon's head.

Evon was faster.

With a quick double-step, he put his body inside his legionnaire's reach and blocked the sword swipe. With his free hand, he latched onto one of Gnashfang's horns, pulled downward and stepped back, putting his own weight into the move. Then, he drove his dagger deep into Gnashfang's neck and jerked it out along the spine.

The sound of the sword clattering to the stone floor freed the Gnash warband from their shock, and they rushed to pull Evon off their legionnaire.

Evon stepped back and watched as they lowered Gnashfang to the ground, knowing full well that it was too late to save her. He waited, blood dripping down the blade of his dagger onto his hand.

When the others finally turned to look at him, he stood his ground.

"I'm legionnaire now," he said. "You'll do as I say, or join Gnashfang in [[the Mists]]. Any arguments?"

Not all members of the warband shook their heads, but none expressed an objection either.

"Good. Give her an honorable pyre tonight. Tomorrow, we establish the [[Black Lion Trading Company]]—properly."

The warband hefted Gnashfang's body and carried it out. Evon didn't move until they were gone and unable to witness his slow slump down the wall to sit on the floor. He focused on breathing. He would have been dead if Gnashfang hadn't underestimated him. But, his risk had paid off. The Black Lion Trading Company was his.

[[File:Team Gnashblade.jpg|590px]]
}}

== External links==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/short-story-evon-gnashblade-disembarks/ Short Story: Evon Gnashblade Disembarks], Guildwars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]

[[de:Kurzgeschichte: Evon Schlitzklinge geht von Bord]]
[[es:Historia corta: El desembarco de Evon Filorrechina]]
[[fr:Evon Grincelame prend les devants]]

Canach's Story: An After-Hours Meeting

2022-09-27T20:45:43Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Canach's Story: An After-Hours Meeting|An After-Hours Meeting]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] written by [[Scott McGough]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|Provisional Junior Executive [[Blingg]] scowled as he stomped up the path to his front door. To call his company living quarters "modest" was far too generous. "Hovel-rific" was how he thought of it. The [[Consortium]] provided accommodations for its employees based on their previous year's performance, and by all accounts Blingg's previous year warranted not so much a house as a [[skritt]] hole.

"PJE Blingg, returning home," he called. He discovered the hard way that if he didn't announce himself before opening the door, the Consortium-provided home security [[Subdirector NULL|golem]] would knock him down and stand on his ears until it verified his identity. Some Consortium executives considered such golems perks of the job. Blingg's was more of a punishment/spy/bullying overseer put over him for the abysmal year he'd had.

The interior of Blingg's hovel was silent and still. "Didn't you hear me? I'm ho—" he started, but a hard-soled boot slammed into the middle of the asura's back and sent him skidding across the rough wood floor. The door slammed shut, leaving Blingg gasping in the darkness with a face full of abrasions and a throat full of fear.

"Subdirector Blingg." The voice was soft, cultured, and disturbingly calm. Blingg recognized the speaker and choked back his rising panic.

"[[Canach]]?" Blingg squeaked.

The intruder struck a match, revealing his cold, expressionless face. It was indeed Canach, and the [[sylvari]] mercenary was every bit as grim as Blingg remembered.

[[File:Blingg (Canach's Story).jpg|590px]]

As soon as he saw recognition in Blingg's face, Canach extinguished the match with a flick of his wrist and the room went dark once more.

"[[Subdirector Noll|Noll]]." Blingg hadn't heard the sylvari move, but Canach's voice now came from behind, directly in Blingg's left ear. "Where is he?"

Blingg struggled to sound formidable. "I, uh—I'm not telling you anything. That's how I got demoted in the first place."

"Noll," Canach said again, punctuating the word with the metallic sound of a dagger sliding from its sheath. "Where? Another freelance decommission team ambushed me last week. Two [[human]]s and a [[charr]] came for my head, saying, 'Noll sends his regards.'"

"That has nothing to do with me." Blingg hoped he sounded braver to Canach than he did to himself. "And where's my golem? I'm responsible for it, you know."

"Never mind the golem." From behind Blingg, Canach struck another match and tossed it over the asura's head to the floor. It landed next to a coarsely woven sack sitting between Blingg and the door, large enough that Blingg would have needed to sling it over his shoulder to carry it. The sack held three irregular shapes inside and had a small, dark stain seeping through the bottom to form a puddle beneath.

"Noll won't get the head he was expecting. But I have these for him instead."

The match sputtered and began to burn out as Blingg continued to stare at the grisly bundle, fixing on the pair of horns that had punched out through one side. He tried to come up with something to say that wouldn't get his own throat cut. "Oh," he said finally.

[[File:Consortium logo.jpg|right|200px]]

"They underestimated me. And now I'm going to settle things with our old colleague. If you don't give me something I can use, I'll take part of you with me when I go."

"[[Southsun Cove]]." Blingg licked his lips anxiously. "Noll's establishing refugee settlements to give the unfortunate victims of the [[Molten Alliance]] a fresh start."

"Which means they haven't been able to sell enough vacation packages to the island." Canach was close enough for Blingg to hear leafy hair rustling and smell the scent of freshly cut grass. "Or that they need a fresh influx of cheap labor."

"Both, actually." Blingg decided coming clean was his best chance of surviving the night. "And it's not going well. Most of the settlers would have left already if not for the contracts they signed."

Canach was silent in the darkness for a painfully long time, and then he said, "These contracts. Are they on Southsun Cove?"

"The originals are. Copies, too, if I know Noll. He'll have filed them at HQ and with the Archives department."

Blingg heard Canach's dagger slide back into its sheath. Hope began to gnaw at the edges of his fear. "Does this mean I get to live?"

"For now."

The door to Blingg's hovel opened and waning daylight streamed in. The bloody bundle was gone from the floor, but the puddle remained.

Emboldened, Blingg snapped, "Wait. What about me? They're going to scramble me like one of [[Owain]]'s omelets for talking to you."

Canach paused in the doorway, the gruesome sack hanging heavily from his hand. "I don't plan on telling anyone I was here. Neither should you."

[[File:Canach (Canach's Story).jpg|590px]]

Blingg's annoyance overrode his self-preservation and he made a dismissive, obscene noise. "Great plan. Let's just say nothing and hope for the best." He paused, and when Canach didn't kill him or threaten to, he continued. "And what about my golem? I have to pay for it if anything—"

"Start saving your coins, then. I have something in mind for your tenacious metal friend. Rest assured, I'll put it to better use than you ever could."

The door slammed and the room went dark once more. After a few moments, Blingg exhaled loudly and dropped rump-first to the floor. He could report the golem missing, with no idea of where it went or why, and it would be 100% true. As a loyal Consortium employee, it was also his duty to find a higher-ranking executive immediately and warn his former colleague Noll what was coming his way. He should have leapt up right then, run straight to the home office, and told them everything.

Instead, Blingg eschewed the oil lamp by his night stand and fumbled around in the dark until he found the bottle of rotgut grog he kept under his bed.

"Good luck, Noll," he said aloud. He uncorked the bottle, toasted to the dark and empty room, and took a long pull. Blingg shuddered as the fiery liquid burned all the way down to his gut. "You're going to need it."
}}

==External links==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/canachs-story-an-after-hours-meeting/ Canach's Story: An After-Hours Meeting], GuildWars2.com

{{lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]
[[de:Eine Begegnung mit Canach]]
[[es:La historia de Canach: Una reunión fuera de horario]]
[[fr:L'histoire de Canach : Un tête-à-tête imprévu]]

Welcome to Paradise

2022-09-27T20:10:37Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Welcome to Paradise]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] written by [[Scott McGough]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|[[File:Welcome to Paradise.jpg|590px]]

The ship's gangplank descended and Inspector [[Captain Ellen Kiel|Ellen Kiel]] girded herself to greet the new arrivals. The word from on high was to keep all visitors to [[Southsun Cove]] as alive and intact as possible, and [[Captain Magnus the Bloody-Handed|Captain Magnus]] was counting on her to deliver. Magnus navigated the dangerous waters of [[Captain's Council]] politics on behalf of the entire [[Lionguard]]. The least Kiel could do to support him was play hostess to the clueless rich folk bamboozled by [[Consortium]] promises of fun in the sun.

Letting new arrivals on the island without proper warning had proven disastrous in the past. Injured tourists impacted the Consortium's development plans, which impacted the Councilors who took Consortium money, which impacted Magnus, which impacted the entire Lionguard. So Kiel stood with a tight half-smile and a look of optimism she didn't feel.

At least it was a small group. A few [[charr]] and a handful of [[norn]], each probably bound for careers as "facilitators" or "troubleshooters" or whatever the Consortium was calling its hired goons these days.

"New to Southsun Cove?" Kiel called.

One of the charr showed her the Consortium insignia on his armor and grinned. "We work here," he said.

Kiel swore to herself. She should have recognized at least some of the group, but between the refugees and the Consortium hires (who were sometimes one and the same), there were too many new faces to track. Kiel prepared to slip away just as one last passenger emerged to disembark.

She was a striking blonde woman in a gold ensemble that struck Kiel as somehow indecent and elegant at the same time. The woman was clearly cultured, maybe even nobility: perfect poise, a graceful lilt to her step, her expression composed and serene. Her eyes were anxious, however, and Kiel recognized the look of someone preoccupied with a serious problem.

[[File:Kasmeer Kiel.jpg|590px]]

Intrigued, Kiel stepped forward and said, "Welcome to Southsun Cove, my lady. Have you been to our island before?"

The blonde noble's eyes widened, and then lost all traces of nervousness. "Thank you so much," she said, and her voice was every bit as refined and engaging as the rest of her. "This is actually my first visit." She extended her hand. "Lady [[Kasmeer Meade]]. Please, call me Kasmeer."

"Inspector Kiel of the Lionguard." Kiel took the elegant hand and shook it. Lady Kasmeer's grip was firm. Her nails were perfectly manicured and her skin well cared for, but it was not the hand of someone who had never done a hard day's work.

One of the ship's portholes opened near the bow and a wiry man in fine clothes clumsily forced himself through. Stowaway, Kiel thought. Kiel released Kasmeer's hand and watched the man's awkward progress through the tiny opening. When his hips cleared the porthole, he let out a soft yelp, and then made a large splash in the ocean below.

Eventually, the stowaway's hand clamped onto the dock edge and he hauled himself up. His brown hair was plastered to his skull and his expensive suit was soaked clean through. Dripping and shivering, he rolled over onto his back and wheezed, sucking in air and coughing out misty clouds of sea water.

Lady Kasmeer glanced over toward the dock. Mild annoyance wrinkled her perfect features.

"Excuse me, my lady." Kiel nodded toward the man and cracked her knuckles eagerly. "I have to go toss someone into the brig."

"There's no need for that," Kasmeer said. "He's an old friend. I'm trying to avoid old friends on this trip, but believe me: he's no threat."

"But he is a stowaway. And he's on my island, which makes him my problem."

"I'll vouch for him. Not happily, but...if he creates any trouble while he's here, I'll answer for it."

[[File:Closeup (Welcome to Paradise).jpg|590px]]

Kiel paused, noting Kasmeer's gentle determination. The noble woman wasn't scared of the man, but she wasn't exactly happy to see him. "Want me to delay him?" Kiel said. "That would at least give you a chance to get clear."

"No, thank you," Kasmeer said. "But if you could steer me toward the resort on [[Pearl Islet]], I'd be extremely grateful."

"I'll do better than that," Kiel said. "I'm scheduled to patrol of the island anyway. I'd be happy to serve as your tour guide and bodyguard until you reach the resort. Though that would mean leaving your friend to fend for himself."

"He made it this far alone." Kasmeer's tone was light and unconcerned, but her eyes were sharp. "But you said 'bodyguard.' Is the island that dangerous?"

"I'm afraid so. The local wildlife tends to lash out. The local residents aren't much better."

"Even at the resort?"

"Let's just say you should be safe inside the walls, my lady. Just don't go out on the beach alone."

"Please: Kasmeer. And thanks for the advice. I work for a [[Marjory Delaqua|private investigator]] in [[Divinity's Reach]], and I'm meeting a few potential clients for dinner on Pearl Islet. I don't imagine they'll serve us outdoors." She smiled a warm, dazzling smile. "Not at the prices they quoted me, anyway."

The stowaway grunted as he forced himself to sit up on the dock. He squeezed the sleeve of his silk jacket and returned sea water to its home.

"Seriously," Kiel's eyes darted over to the man. "If he's is part of any problems you have, tell me. I'm the chief problem-solver around here."

[[File:In the distance (Welcome to Paradise).jpg|590px]]

"You're very kind," Kasmeer said. "But [[Lord Faren]] is one of the few nobles in DR who isn't a problem. He comes with his own set of challenges, but at least he doesn't—" Kasmeer caught herself, and then briefly smiled again. "He doesn't judge people for circumstances beyond their control."

"A rare bird, then," Kiel said. "The [[Tyria (world)|world]] needs more people like that."

"I quite agree. But right now, if you please: I'm eager to see this island of yours."

"I will get you to the resort. After that, if you need help at any time, for any reason, call the nearest Lionguard and ask for me."

"I shall, rest assured," Kasmeer said, smiling her brilliant smile. "Southsun Cove may be more troubled than advertised, but I feel quite safe with its chief problem-solver on my side."

In the distance, Kiel heard the shriek of a [[karka]] and the roar of a [[Reef Drake|reef drake]]. She imagined them tearing into one another, and anyone else within striking distance. She pictured Consortium troubleshooters squaring off against unruly residents. She considered the [[shark]]s in the water, the [[Reef Rider|reef riders]] in the hills, and the treacherous riptides that had pulled careless bathers deep out to sea. She wondered if people like Kasmeer would ever be safe here, no matter who was on their side.

"This way, my—" Kiel stopped herself in time and said, "Kasmeer. I know you'll have a memorable stay. Now let's get you safely to your accommodations, and then safely home again."

People like Kasmeer would be safe here, Kiel told herself. They had to be. It was her job to make them safe, and Captain Magnus was counting on her.
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/welcome-to-paradise/ Welcome to Paradise], GuildWars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]
[[de:Willkommen im Paradies]]
[[es:Bienvenidos al paraíso]]
[[fr:Bienvenue au paradis]]

Braham's Story

2022-09-27T18:03:51Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Braham's Story]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] written by [[Angel McCoy]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|
[[File:Braham's Story header.jpg||700px]]

Seven-year-old [[Braham]] stood with his back to the corner, heart hammering. Hands behind his back, he clenched them, nails digging into his palms. His eyes burned with unshed tears.

The shaman had arrived and was bending over the sickbed, preparing [[Borje the Sun Chaser]], Braham's father, for his final journey. The shaman's quiet song-of-sending rose and fell in time with, then counterpoint to, the shifting firelight. He smelled of evergreen, and the bone beads in his beard clicked together as he moved his thin-lipped mouth.

"Braham," croaked Borje from his bed, and taking his cue, the shaman receded to a far corner as smoothly as fog on a gray morning.

Braham stood taller, but hesitated. He didn't want to go any closer, didn't want to see his father in this state, and was afraid of what it all meant.

Borje turned his palm up and spread his thick, worn fingers. "Come here."

[[File:Norn Interior Back concept art.jpg||590px]]

Bare feet silent on the pine floor, Braham crossed the distance to stand beside the fur-covered bed. He made every effort to sound strong as he said, "I'm here." He put his small hand on his father's arm.

His skin stood out starkly against his father's darker tone. He'd been told he was a mix of light and dark, his mother having had snowy skin and his father with his brown bear coloring. It had never bothered Braham, until that moment, when he wished more than anything that he could blend more smoothly with his father, be more like him, the great warrior, the legendary hero—Braham's hero—who lay broken and failing upon his deathbed. That may have been the first time Braham ever felt anger at the stranger who was his mother, for she had made him less like his father.

[[File:Wolf concept art.jpg|left]]
"[[Wolf (Spirit of the Wild)|Wolf]] is coming for me," said Borje. "And I must go with him to [[the Mists]]. You understand what this means?"

Braham's throat tightened painfully, so that he could only nod.

"You..." A fit of coughing shook Borje.

Braham tightened his hold on his father's arm as if he could share his seven-year-old strength.

"You will stay here in [[Cragstead]]," continued Borje when his body had calmed. "You will shelter at [[Rugnar's Steading]] with [[Yngvi Rugnar|Yngvi]] and [[Brynhildr the Mother Bear|Brynhildr]]. Your strong back and sharp teeth will protect them. They are your pack now."

Braham's legs grew weak, and he leaned heavily on the bed.

Borje extended an arm and coaxed Braham onto the bed beside him. Braham lay as he had when he was an infant, curled against the fiery warmth of his father's bulk. The tears he had fought so hard, spilled into the furs where he buried his face, and Borje's arm pulled him close.

"Your mother's name is [[Eir Stegalkin]]. Remember that, but I will tell you what I told Yngvi and Brynhildr. No one must send word to your mother that I am gone. I forbid it. She is capable of great things, as are you. She must not be tempted to stray from her path. Wolf walks beside her. But you mustn't worry. He walks beside you as well, my son. Never forget that."

The ensuing silence was broken only by the crackling of the fire and the occasional rattle of the shaman's beads. Braham fell asleep against his father and awakened when someone lifted him from the bed and carried him away.

His father had gone with Wolf.
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/brahams-story/ Braham's Story], GuildWars2.com

{{lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]
[[de:Brahams Geschichte]]
[[es:Historia de Braham]]
[[fr:L'histoire de Braham]]

Pick Warband

2022-09-27T17:53:40Z

201.103.182.16:

{{quotation|[[Rox]] in [[The Dead End: Advanced Warning]]|We were the Pick warband, best miners in the region. We could turn out more ore in a day than any other warband.}}
The [[Pick Warband]] was the original [[warband]] of [[Rox|Rox Pickheart]], lead by [[Legionnaire]] [[Rufinus Pickiron]]. All of its members except for Rox died during a cave-in.

==Members==
{{member list}}

==See also==
* [[Rox's Tale]]

[[Category:Blood Legion]]
[[Category:Pick Warband|*]]
[[Category:Warbands]]
[[de:Hacken-Trupp]]
[[es:Escuadra Pico]]

Rox's Tale

2022-09-27T17:47:28Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Rox's Tale]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|short story]] by [[Angel McCoy]].

== Text ==
<blockquote style="width: 600px; text-align: justify;">
<hr style="display:none;" />
[[File:Rox the Charr concept art.jpg|590px]]

[[Rox]] heard the rumble at the same time the shockwave hit her spine and traveled up it to the nape of her neck. She stumbled and turned to see a gout of dust bursting from the mine entrance.

On the next beat, her heart stopped.

A memory flashed to the fore. The teasing in [[Tullia Pickright|Tullia]]'s voice echoed through Rox's mind.

<div style="margin: 30px 28px 0; font-style: italic;">"[[Nonus Pickaxe|Nonus]], you ninny! What are you talking about?" Tullia had cocked one hip and given Nonus a toss of her head. "You've never seen a [[norn]] naked."

"Everyone's seen a norn naked." With a throaty chuckle, Nonus had winked, first at Tullia, then at Rox. His pick came down with a sharp clang as if to punctuate the statement.

The [[warband]]'s laughter rippled outward.

"What about [[human]]s?" [[Rufinus Pickiron|Rufinus]], their [[legionnaire]], grunted as he hefted a bucket full of iron ore. "They'd rather die than be separated from their clothing."

"It's true," called [[Horatia]] from the other side of the tunnel. "I heard they even sleep in a different set from their day garb."

"Ridiculous!" cried Rox. "That's probably just their armor."

Nonus shook his heavy-horned head. "Nope. I've heard it's [[silk]] they sleep in."

"Maybe their poor hairless skin chafes," suggested Tullia with an exaggerated pout.

"I suspect," said [[Vitus Silverpick|Vitus]], "that it's their modesty that chafes. Kind of like yours, Rox. You ever take off that tattered old undershirt of yours?"

"Yeah," said [[Rufinus Pickiron|Rufinus]], cuffing Rox hard enough on the shoulder to make her take a step. "You been wearing that [[fahrar]] undershirt since we graduated."

"At least mine still fits," Rox replied, giving him an answering shove and a grin.</div>

[[File:Rox screenshot.jpg|590px]]

<div style="margin: 30px 28px 0; font-style: italic;">For a while, the warband continued its work, striking the rock and creating a cacophony in the mine, a musical chaos that was as familiar to Rox as her own heartbeat. She paused, leaning on her pick, and watched her warband—the [[Pick Warband|Pick warband]]. Memories surfaced of the fun they'd had as cubs, studying together in the fahrar, such as when they'd finally been assigned their vocation and had chosen their warband's name.

Nonus had insisted that Tullia be Tullia Picknose, and Tullia had retorted that he should be Nonus Pickflea. Horatia had offered up Pickscab as an alternative. Not surprisingly, it had gone downhill from there and ended in enough giggles that it drew the attention of the barracks monitor.

Ultimately, they'd all chosen respectable names that expressed their personalities: Nonus got Pickaxe because he claimed it first, Tullia took Pickright, and Rufinus chose Pickiron. Vitus wanted Silverpick, because he always had to be different, and Rox was unanimously dubbed Pickheart for her ability to, as Tullia had said, "break through the armor surrounding anyone's heart."

"Rox!" Rufinus hit Rox with a pebble aimed at her head. "If you're going to daydream, at least go get us some water. The bucket's gone dry."

Rox grabbed the large wooden vessel used to pull water from the quarry's well and hefted the pick to her shoulder. Her paws kicked up minute dust clouds with each step, and she dug her claws in, walking slowly, relishing the sensation of cleaving the dirt with them.

Her [[pet]] [[devourer]] had half buried itself in a warm spot where sunshine streamed in through the mine entrance. It squirmed and looked up at her as she approached.

"Shhh," Rox said. "Go back to sleep, [[Skewer (devourer)|Skewer]]. I'll be right back."

She stepped out into the open air and crossed the quarry to the well, scanning the tunnel openings where other mining warbands were stationed. Alert for raiders, she kept her pick at the ready, at her side, always at her side—always since forever.</div>

Rox's heartbeat restarted and accelerated to a panicked pace.

"Cave-in!" she screamed.

She ran toward the mine and threw herself at the rubble, moving stones and swinging her pick, desperate to get through. Dust filled her nostrils and coated the inside of her mouth.

"Tullia!" she called. "Nonus!" Terror overcame all reason as a lonely future stretched menacingly ahead of her.

"Hang on!" she commanded them with her gruffest voice. "I'm coming!" She could not accept what was happening. Would not.

She called their names over and over, listening in the space between for any response, for any sign of life. "Horatia! Vitus! Rufinus, make some noise if you can hear me!" She worked until her paws bled—until the quarry boss finally pulled her away. "No!"

"The tunnel, the whole thing, is collapsed," said the boss as gently as he could. "They're gone."

"No, they're my warband. I need them. I'm nobody without them. I'm...nothing." All the fight went out of Rox on that final word.

The boss eased the pick from Rox's grasp and tossed it aside so he could support her as she collapsed. Its iron head landed upon a rock, pealing with one final sonorous ring that echoed off the walls of the quarry in harmony with Rox's wail of anguish.
</blockquote>

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/roxs-tale/ Rox's Tale], GuildWars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]
[[de:Rox' Geschichte]]
[[es:Historia de Rox]]
[[fr:L'histoire de Rox]]

An Interview with Queen Jennah

2022-09-27T17:40:20Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source|www.guildwars2.com/en/news/an-interview-with-queen-jennah/}}
{{spoiler|[[Living World Season 3]]}}
''[[An Interview with Queen Jennah]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] written by [[Aaron Linde]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|
[[File:Jennah 3.jpg|center|600px]]
'''The [[White Mantle]]'s activities of late are putting the populace on edge. What does the Crown plan to do about them?'''

First, let me be clear: denizens of [[Divinity's Reach]] have nothing to fear. We are taking steps to bolster security in and around Divinity's Reach to ensure the safety of our citizens. The [[Shining Blade]] is keeping a close eye on the Mantle's movements and activities, most of which are localized to mere [[raid]]s in [[Forsaken Thicket|northern Maguuma]]. These aren't the calculated motions of an organized group—these are the isolated activities of a handful of conflicted and deeply disturbed people. Nothing more.

'''What sort of security steps are you taking?'''

The [[Seraph]] are stepping up their patrols in [[Village of Shaemoor|Shaemoor]]. What's more, we've tapped the best engineering teams in the Reach to bolster the city walls and shore up any weaknesses in our defenses. In the event of a crisis, my advisors have developed plans to evacuate the townships surrounding Divinity's Reach and house civilians within the safety of the city walls. But I must stress that these preparations are focused toward true crises—natural disasters, [[Elder Dragon|dragon]] sightings, and the like.

'''[[Commander of the Seraph|Seraph Captain]] [[Logan Thackeray]] has not been seen in some time. Can you speak to his status?'''

Captain Thackeray suffered heavy injuries in the fight against the jungle dragon [[Mordremoth]] and is currently recuperating. One of my aides checks in on him regularly and says that he's coming along well. Knowing the captain, I imagine he'll resume his duties as soon as he's physically able and cleared to do so, and not a moment longer—there's not a force in [[Tyria]] that can stand between Logan and his charge.

'''Have you gone to see the captain yourself?'''

I have not. Sadly, ruling a kingdom has a way of occupying one's time, particularly with the troubles we've seen of late. But my aides are keeping me well apprised of his progress, and I have the highest hopes for his quick recovery. He is ever in my thoughts and prayers. May [[Dwayna]] watch over him.

'''What news of the [[Pact]]? What measures are the Crown taking to support it?'''

Regrettably, the Pact's campaign in the [[Heart of Maguuma|Maguuma Jungle]] cost many lives, and allied forces are still regrouping following the assault on the jungle dragon. [[General Almorra Soulkeeper]] is working tirelessly to support these efforts, and in turn, we will give whatever support we can to the general. I'm confident that the Pact will persevere under her leadership and guidance.

'''Beyond the Pact's casualties, many [[Kryta]]ns perished in the assault on Mordremoth. Do you have any words to share with your people regarding the fallen?'''

This conflict was by all accounts one of the truest tests of resilience and resolve that Kryta has ever faced, and though we claimed victory in the end, that victory came at a heavy price. I've heard the cries of anguish of our people in the wake of these losses; we extend our deepest condolences and our unending gratitude to the families of the fallen, for all that they've sacrificed in the name of our brave nation. It is now incumbent upon all of us to never forget the courage and valor of those we've lost and to ensure that their great sacrifice was not in vain.

'''And what of the Seraph's casualties? How depleted are their ranks?'''

A small detachment of elite Seraph forces was dispatched to join the Pact fleet on their ill-fated incursion into the Maguuma Jungle, where they were set upon by [[Mordrem]]. While we have yet to receive a full report on the casualties, several Seraph have been recovered from the jungle—and we hope to find more as our search parties continue to scour the region for survivors. I ask that all citizens of Divinity's Reach keep our brave soldiers in their thoughts and prayers to [[Melandru]].
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/an-interview-with-queen-jennah/ An Interview with Queen Jennah], Guildwars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]
[[es:Entrevista a la reina Jennah]]

The Mordrem Guard

2022-09-27T17:29:35Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{otheruses|the blog post|the organization|Mordrem Guard}}
{{Official source}}
{{spoiler|''[[Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns]]''}}
''[[The Mordrem Guard]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] by [[Leah Hoyer]]. '''The Mordrem Guard on Points of Interest: A Summary''' is a follow-up article by [[Anatoli Ingram]].

== Text ==
=== The Mordrem Guard ===
{{Verbatim|
[[File:Mordrem Guard (The Mordrem Guard).jpg|590px]]

Yes, it’s true—[[sylvari]] were created to be dragon minions. And now [[Mordremoth]] has called them home.

As we ended season two of our [[Living World]] episodes, we saw that some sylvari heeded Mordremoth’s call and then turned against their Pact comrades. All the sylvari in the area have heard the call, but so far only some have succumbed to the dragon’s influence. These sylvari are known as [[Mordrem Guard]].

The Mordrem Guard are one of Mordremoth’s most dangerous weapons. Because they include former [[Pact]] officers and [[Pale Reavers]], they are quite skilled at combat and they know the Pact’s standard tactics. And unlike other minions of Mordremoth, the Mordrem Guard are smart and their efforts are well coordinated. While their minds are not entirely their own, they retain all their previous intelligence and can talk and organize themselves to fulfill the dragon’s wishes. This makes them very hard to track and even harder to defeat.

When a sylvari becomes a Mordrem Guard, they also transform physically. This was by Mordremoth’s design. When they turn, their bodies grow in height and girth. They are roughly 20 percent larger than other sylvari and noticeably more muscular. They also develop a sort of natural armor. Their outer layer transforms from softer plant material to a hardened, bark-like coating that provides extra protection in battle.

The most dangerous Mordrem Guard are the commanders, specially created to be the jungle dragon’s elite fighters. There are three unique commanders active in [[Heart of Maguuma|Maguuma]], each with its own individual look, weaponry, and set of terrifying magical attacks. Worst of all for Pact forces, Mordremoth has an inexhaustible supply of all three Mordrem Guard commanders; when one falls in battle, the jungle dragon simply creates a new one with the same look, same name, and same deadly abilities as the one it replaced.

[[File:Mordrem Sniper (The Mordrem Guard).jpg|590px]]

At [[ArenaNet]], narrative designers worked with the Creatures Team, Art, Audio, and gameplay designers to create a variety of Mordrem Guard enemies. Their appearances, fighting styles, and behaviors are all in line with their stories and Mordremoth’s purposes for them. And because these minions talk, they often provide insight into what their master is up to. They’ll taunt and threaten you often, and occasionally you can eavesdrop on a private conversation that they wouldn’t want you to overhear.

Mordrem Guard are entirely devoted to Mordremoth. They regard the dragon as their destiny and reject their former lives and all the teachings of the Pale Tree. In fact, some express disdain for her presence and the fact that she kept them from this fate for so long; they feel that all those [[Wyld Hunt]]s in their past were just distractions, pulling their focus away from their true purpose.

The Mordrem Guard are unique among minions in that one of their major roles is to spearhead the creation of even more minions for the jungle dragon. They will try to convince their former sylvari brethren to join them. They will capture prisoners and bring them to their master. And they are expert at using Mordremoth’s blighting plants to create Mordrem versions of all creatures. They do not care if their subject is living or dead. Mordrem Guard know how to turn any body into multiple slaves to add to the dragon’s army.

So, which sylvari have become Mordrem Guard? You’ll have to play ''[[Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns]]™'' to find out. But know that Mordremoth’s call is not a onetime occurrence. Some sylvari may have stayed strong through the first call, but all sylvari are vulnerable and could still succumb to Mordremoth’s influence. The jungle dragon will keep drawing its minions closer and will use any opportunity to grow its army of servants.
}}

=== The Mordrem Guard on Points of Interest: A Summary ===
{{verbatim|
On the latest episode of Points of interest, Narrative Director Leah Hoyer joined host [[Rubi Bayer]] to talk about the design and lore of the Mordrem Guard. These dragon minions present a personal threat to the remnants of the Pact by the very nature of what they are—or rather, who they used to be.

Every Mordrem Guard was once a sylvari. As Pact members and Pale Reavers who fell under Mordremoth’s influence, they have access to the same tactics and information they had before their corruption, and they still possess the intelligence and autonomy to put that to use despite their total devotion to the dragon. Although they’ve undergone physical changes to make themselves hardier and larger, Mordrem Guard maintain some aspects of their previous identity; members of the Pact may experience the horror of recognizing their former comrades among Mordremoth’s forces.

Mordremoth’s commandersare especially dangerous, and possess an array of elite skills. They and other Mordrem Guard are also tasked with the creation of new Mordrem. They collect corpses and take prisoners, using them as templates for cloning. While [[Zhaitan]]’s corruption forced the Pact to burn many of their dead to prevent them from rising, they must resort to burning the fallen in the jungle to avoid giving Mordremoth a replicable source of intelligent, knowledgeable troops.

Because sylvari are susceptible to becoming Mordrem Guard, Leah said that they encounter heightened prejudice and mistrust, and playing through the'' Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns™'' story as a [[Pact Commander|sylvari character]] will have an impact on the overall experience. Sylvari characters can hear the voice of Mordremoth, which may prove both a blessing and a curse ; they have the chance to gain greater insight into the dragon’s behavior, but it serves as a reminder that they are at constant risk of corruption. Leah mentioned that players will encounter a sylvari character who struggles with resisting the dragon’s call, and whether or not the Pact commander is a sylvari will affect the outcome of their story.

Leah also said that the Mordrem Guard and the [[Nightmare Court]] are separate factions, and joining up with Mordremoth isn’t necessarily in line with the court’s ideals. She hinted that players can look forward to seeing this explored in the ''Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns'' storyline.

While the story has been finished at a high level for some time, the narrative team is working hard on execution. Details are often fine-tuned, so Leah likes to be in the recording booth during voice-over work to catch any discrepancies. She said that the cinematics and dialogue are only a small part of the game’s narrative and that many elements created by several different teams come together in the final product to provide an immersive experience.
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/the-mordrem-guard/ The Mordrem Guard], Guildwars2.com
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/the-mordrem-guard-on-points-of-interest-a-summary/ The Mordrem Guard on Points of Interest: A Summary], Guildwars2.com

[[Category:Tales]]
[[es:La Guardia Mordrem]]

A Message from Queen Jennah

2022-09-27T17:04:53Z

201.103.182.16:

{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source|www.guildwars2.com/en/news/a-message-from-queen-jennah/}}
''[[A Message from Queen Jennah]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|
Citizens and Friends of [[Kryta]],

Though my closing ceremonies speech was interrupted by [[Scarlet Briar]], I feel I said all that needed to be said. Our collective response to that unprovoked attack demonstrates [[human]]ity's resilience far better than any words I might have used. The time for speeches is past: it's time for action.

For driving Scarlet and her minions out of [[Divinity's Reach]], I am proud of my people and grateful to our visitors from other nations. We still don't know the motives behind Scarlet's actions, but the [[watchknight]]s have been deactivated pending a full investigation. As soon as we can guarantee they are free from outside influences, they will once again stand tall in the defense of our city and our society.

[[File:Jennah 3.jpg|590px]]

I must also caution that though Scarlet was defeated, she was not apprehended. Her hostility to civilized societies is painfully clear. She is still a grave threat, and not just to Divinity's Reach. Both the [[Shining Blade]] and the [[Seraph]] are devoting major resources to finding Scarlet and neutralizing the danger she poses, but doing so will take time. Until then, as her devastating assault on our city came without warning, preamble, or just cause, all cities and all people across the globe must prepare themselves for her return.

On behalf of Kryta, and the entire human race, I extend warm thanks to everyone who helped defend Divinity's Reach. Humanity's strength will never fade, but we are always stronger with good and true allies to stand and fight beside us.

May the [[Six Human Gods|Six Gods]] smile on you all,

[[Queen Jennah]]
}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/a-message-from-queen-jennah/ A Message from Queen Jennah], Guildwars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]

[[de:Eine Botschaft von Königin Jennah]]
[[es:Mensaje de la reina Jennah]]

Aetherblade Pirates: Look up!

2022-09-27T16:54:37Z

201.103.182.16:

{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
{{spoiler|[[Living World Season 1]]}}
''[[Aetherblade Pirates: Look up!]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] by [[Angel McCoy]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|A new [[pirate]] armada has appeared in [[Tyria]] with nary a warning and not from the sea—their ships fly! The citizens of [[Lion's Arch]] have taken to watching the skies, rather than the water, for signs of trouble.

The [[Lionguard]], in an investigation led by [[Captain Ellen Kiel|Ellen Kiel]], is trying to understand what these pirates want and where they came from. An excerpt from the official report filed following the initial [[Aetherblades|Aetherblade]] raids on the city is printed below for your edification.

[[File:Aetherblades 1.jpg|600px]]

===LIONGUARD CRIMINAL ACTIVITY REPORT 06.18.b.1325-44===
'''Investigating Officer:''' Ellen Kiel, Inspector Rank 3

'''Badge Number:''' 6843257Z/665

'''Name of Offending <strike>Individual</strike> or Group:''' the "Aetherblades"

'''Description of Known Criminal Activity Upon Citizens of Lion's Arch:'''
* Theft
* Assault
* Murder

====Facts:====
The Aetherblades appeared for the first time in Lion's Arch during the 1326 [[Dragon Bash 2013|Dragon Bash]] celebration. They attacked [[Captain's Council|Ship's Council]] members already injured by the strange power surge experienced at the ceremonial effigy burning. To date, it remains unclear whether they had a hand in the power surge or simply took advantage of the opportunity.

The Lion's Arch records have no information on these pirates, though we were able to capture some of their low-ranking members. From this interrogation, we learned they call themselves Aetherblades and that they have multiple ships. We were unable, however, to ascertain how many ships or the name of their leader. The captured Aetherblades exhibited unusual loyalty to their leader(s) and tended to laugh maniacally whenever we put the question to them. Whoever this leader is, they fear him/her more than they fear incarceration.

The Aetherblades are multi-racial and use magic. They also carry a weapon heretofore unseen in Tyria: a long and narrow blade that they call a [[rapier]]. It has proven quite effective as a weapon, according to those who survived the Aetherblade raids.

[[File:Steam pirate 1.jpg|600px]]

====Witness Reports:====
Witness reports have been varied and even contradictory at times, but I've listed the corroborated reports below, and added my own comments in parentheses:

* The Aetherblades arrived in an [[airship]] unlike anything ever seen before. It's been described most often as a flying ship that glows blue and trails "doom" behind it (accuracy questionable).
* The Aetherblades have fancy armor decorated with cogs. Although the colors seem to vary, they look nothing like any other pirate faction we've documented. (See attached drawings done by official Lionguard artists.)
* They're organized and well-disciplined, attacking with coordination and fighting as a unit.
* They kill without mercy or discrimination.
* They flew into the Lion's Arch airspace from the southwest.
* They roamed among the citizens of Lion's Arch for several days prior to taking criminal action against the city.

====Conclusion:====
It's difficult at this point to do more than speculate about the Aetherblades, but I believe certain information from witnesses is enough for us to make educated guesses. First, they must be extremely well-funded. Their airships must cost a great deal to maintain and their armor has been custom-designed for them. This indicates a wealthy benefactor or perhaps lucrative business practices.

The Aetherblades we've captured do not show much mechamagical knowledge. I believe it's safe to assume they have allied with an individual or group that maintains their airships but does not descend with the others for raids.

The Aetherblades have only recently appeared. Queries sent to Lionguard contacts in other cities have confirmed that they haven't been reported anywhere prior to their assault on Lion's Arch. This indicates that either they have kept themselves hidden and haven't been raiding prior to now, or they are newly formed. Both cases indicate to me that they have a wealthy backer with a specific—and undoubtedly diabolical—plan in mind.

====Ongoing Response:====
* We will continue our efforts to gain more information from captured Aetherblades.
* We will continue our investigation into the attack on Dragon Bash.
* We will post extra spotters at look-out points around the city to provide an early warning should we come under a more concentrated assault.
* We will spread the word among the citizens of Lion's Arch so that they may be better armed to defend themselves and our city.

Signed: ''Inspector Ellen Kiel''
}}

==External links==
* [http://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/aetherblade-pirates-look-up/ Aetherblade Pirates: Look up!], Guildwars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]

[[fr:Pirates étherlames : scrutez le ciel !]]
[[es:Piratas Filoetéreos: ¡mirad al cielo!]]

Marjory's Story: The Last Straw

2022-09-27T15:35:14Z

201.103.182.16:

__NOEDITSECTION__{{ArenaNet article}}
{{Official source}}
''[[Marjory's Story: The Last Straw|The Last Straw]]'' is a [[:Category:Tales|tale]] by [[Angel McCoy]].

== Text ==
{{Verbatim|
=== Part 1 ===
The boy couldn't have been older than eighteen. A pool of blood reflected the lights of Divinity's Reach, and his death rattle still echoed back and forth between my ears.

I stated the obvious, "You killed him."

[[File:Divinity's Reach (Marjory's Story).jpg|590px]]

"I did my job." [[Ministry Guard]] [[Henrick Baker]] had moved in so close I could smell the smugness on his breath. His uniform matched my own, the scarlet and silver I'd worn since joining the Ministry Guard. He'd taken the same oath I had—to protect and serve the [[Kryta]]n [[The Ministry|Ministry]] and [[Divinity's Reach]]. And yet, he'd murdered this citizen without trial or hesitation.

With one quick movement, unexpected by either of us, I slammed him against the stone wall, my forearm pressed hard up under his chin, my feet braced against retaliation. I ignited a gleam of necromantic fury at my fingertips—near his eye, where he couldn't miss it.

He shied away, turning his face from the threat.

My voice didn't sound like my own. "We were just supposed to take him in for questioning."

"Those might've been your orders, but they weren't mine." Baker had the nerve to sound pleased with himself, as if he'd one-upped me. "It was a need-to-know mission."

The Ministry had heard rumors that the boy had witnessed a gruesome crime. My immediate superior had dispatched Baker and me to bring him in. Bring. Him. In. Not kill him.

"You won't get away with this," I said, lacking anything wittier.

"What can you do? Turn me over to the Seraph? This was sanctioned by brass up in the nosebleed offices, way above our ranks. I'd be out of the holding cell before the Seraph had even finished grilling you. Then, you'd be the one in trouble, not me."

[[File:Marjory portrait.jpg|590px]]

My gut told me he was right. The stink on the Ministry Guard had been turning my stomach for far too long. I gave one last shove at his chin, banging his head against the stone, then released him. I did not, however, turn my back on him.

"Good call," he said. "Listen, don't be naive. What's one dead stranger out of thousands in this city? The Ministry keeps us safe, and that's all that matters. You keep your head down and do what you're told. Maybe you'll earn that need-to-know status. I'm heading back to the offices before some nosy citizen comes along."

I was shaking so badly I couldn't even answer him. I just watched him walk away, listened to the steady tap of his wooden heels on the cobblestones, and chewed on this last straw, this final, irrefutable stick of evidence that I was in with the wrong people.

"Hello?" someone said in a voice as quiet as the grave.

I turned on my heel and found myself face to face with a ghost, the boy's ghost. My necromancy surged in me, responding to the presence of the recent dead. I let the power swell and flow through me.

=== Part 2 ===
"Hello?" the ghost boy repeated, starting to panic. "Is someone there?" He had his back to me.

I kept my voice soft, as if speaking to a cornered animal or frightened child; both applied. "[[Mendel]]. It's okay. You're not alone."

I could ease his passage, if nothing else, send him to the Mists, where...well, who knew if it was any better there than here. Probably wasn't.

"Who...who are you?" The aether warped his words.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Tell me one thing, and then I'll send you to [[Six Human Gods|the gods]]. What crime did you witness yesterday?"

The boy's translucence rippled, and I saw the fear in his face. "I...I..."

I directed my magic at him, guided it over him like a mother's touch, and saw him relax. "You can tell me."

[[File:DR screenshot (Marjory's Story).jpg|590px]]

He buried his face in his hands. "They took a...woman...into a cellar. They used dark magic on her. She screamed, but it was silent. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Her eyes..."

"Okay. Who did this?"

For the first time, the ghost boy looked straight at me, and he said, "Minister—"

Energy crackled behind me a fraction of a second prior to the blast. It shot past my left ear, and instinct sent me rolling to the side. But the spell hadn't been intended for me. It hit the ghost boy square in the chest and threw him back, off his feet, into mid-air.

The ghost boy screamed as his chest imploded, then was sucked into [[the Mists]] through a hole torn in the fabric of [[Tyria (world)|the world]].

I landed on my feet in the next moment, but it was too late for the ghost boy. I shifted into hunter mode. The other [[necromancer]] had already turned tail and run, leaving an energy trail I could follow if I hurried. I sprinted.

At the end of the alley, I flew out into a wide street and stopped, scanning for my prey.

A cloud of dead air burst up around me, latched on, and would not let go. Putrid, the air contained particles that clung to my skin and clothes, lingered inside my mouth and nose, and made my eyes water. I steeled myself against it. You'd think a necromancer would be used to it, but not that smell. Your body reacts automatically. I fought back the urge to gag and searched my surroundings.

There! A black-cloaked figure slid through the shadows on the far side of the street.

I ran after the figure and was catching up when it turned another corner. I'd learned my lesson, so I slowed to a stop, crouched, and peered around the edge.

No nasty spell hit me in the face. No target was waiting for a fight. ''No one''.

[[File:Marjory screenshot.jpg|590px]]

I stood slowly, and as I reached my full height, a body came up gently behind me. Arms wrapped so intimately around me that my fight or flight instincts never kicked in. Then, a knife appeared at my throat.

I froze. When you've been had, there's not much you can do but listen.

A deep voice whispered next to my ear, "Calm." I sensed no necromantic power radiating from my captor. This was someone different. "The man you're chasing is [[Kraig the Bleak]]. [[Magic]] for hire. You'll probably never see him again."

I asked, "Who are you?"

"Listen closely," the deep voice said. "There are forces at work in this city, in this world, that will take us all down if we let them. Together, you and I can make a difference."

My body was relaxing, senses expanding, and I'd finally caught my breath. "And what a positive start to our relationship." My sense of humor was even returning.

"One you won't forget. I'll be in touch. You can call me [[E]]."

Before I knew it, I was released, throat intact. I spun around, but no one was there. My captor—E—had left me standing, alone, on a moonless night, at the edge of a cobblestone street that smelled of rotting vegetables and dog droppings, and all I could think was, ''I need a new job''.

The next day, I turned in my badge. The day after that, I took my first case as [[Marjory Delaqua]], private investigator: I hired myself to unravel the conspiracy behind the ghost boy's murder. I haven't succeeded yet, but I will. If nothing else, everyone ends up in the Mists eventually, and we necromancers come with a large dose of patience.
}}

==External links==
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/marjorys-story-the-last-straw-part-1/ Marjory's Story: The Last Straw, part 1], GuildWars2.com
* [https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/marjorys-story-the-last-straw-part-2/ Marjory's Story: The Last Straw, part 2], GuildWars2.com

{{Lore nav}}

[[Category:Tales]]

[[de:Marjorys Geschichte: Das Maß ist voll, Teil 1]]
[[es:La historia de Marjory: la gota que colma el vaso]]
[[fr:L’histoire de Marjory : Jusqu’à la lie]]

Fawcett's Revenge

2022-09-25T22:00:50Z

201.103.182.16:

[[File: Fawcett's Revenge Pit.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The bottom of the pit.]]
[[Fawcett's Revenge]] is an [[achievement]] categorized with other [[jumping puzzle]]s, even though it is not technically a puzzle. To acquire it, get to the point of [[Fawcett's Bounty]] in '''Harathi Hinterlands''' where there are collapsing rocks and allow yourself to fall into the pit. You must use a waypoint to get out of the pit.

== Related achievements ==
* {{achievement|Fawcett's Revenge}}

{{Jumping puzzle nav}}

[[Category:Jumping puzzles]]
[[de:Fawcetts Rache]]
[[es:La venganza de Fawcett]]

Asura Gate (Salvation Pass)

2022-09-22T23:57:48Z

201.103.182.16:

{{otheruses|the raid object|other uses|Asura Gate}}
{{Object infobox
| name = Asura Gate
| type = Asura gate
| location = Salvation Pass
| requires = hot
}}
This broken [[Asura gate]] can be found near the [[Temple of Salvation]] in [[Salvation Pass]].

== Location ==
;[[Heart of Maguuma]]
* [[Forsaken Thicket]]
** [[Salvation Pass]]
*** [[Temple of Salvation]]

== Dialogue ==
;If [[asura]]
:This [[Asura gate]] appears to have been damaged by a power surge. It'll take many repairs to restore its functionality. It was last attuned to a location in [[Brisban Wildlands]].
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''Leave.''

;If not asura
:This Asura gate lacks power and is inoperable. Perhaps someone with more technical knowledge could examine it more closely.
:{{dialogue icon|end}} ''Leave.''

[[es:Puerta Asura (Paso de la Salvación)]]

Asura Gate (Sorrow's Gate)

2022-09-22T23:34:43Z

201.103.182.16:

{{otheruses|the dungeon [[object]]|other uses|Asura Gate}}
{{Object infobox
| name = Asura Gate
| image = Asura Gate.jpg
| location = Sorrow's Gate
}}

An [[Asura Gate (Sorrow's Gate)|Asura Gate]] is used by [[Fergg]] when helping him stop the [[Inquest]] remnants. When used, it leads to [[Geothermal Access]].

== Locations ==
;[[Shiverpeak Mountains]]
* [[Sorrow's Embrace (explorable)]]
** [[Sorrow's Gate]]

== Notes ==
* Oddly enough, the asura gate doesn't seem to be connected to another one.

[[es:Puerta Asura (Puerta del Pesar)]]