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Notable characters

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[[Gender and sexuality in Tyria|Gender and sexuality]] plays a significant role in most advanced species' presence on [[Tyria (world)|Tyria]].

Heterosexual relationships with others of the same [[Playable races|race]] are the predominant relationships seen within most Tyrian societies. However, while it is less commonly seen outside of the [[sylvari]], same-sex relationships do occur and are generally accepted by most Tyrians.<ref name="tumblr">[https://guildwars2.tumblr.com/post/178893399578/hi-everybody-normally-im-not-able-to-deliver Guild Wars 2 Dev comment], Tumblr.com</ref><ref name="GayGamer">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160313120928/http://gaygamer.net/2011/10/interview_guild_war_2s_ree_soe.html Interview with Ree Soesbee], GayGamer.net (Archived)</ref> Interspecies relationships are also formed occasionally, though it is unclear how acceptable these are considered to be; for example, [[Snargle Goldclaw]] claims that such relationships are controversial, yet his [[Snargle Goldclaw#Works|books]]—which heavily feature them—seem to be quite popular.<ref>[[The Ebonlocke Covenant by Snargle Goldclaw]]</ref><ref>[[Vloxen Mine#Ambient dialogue|Vloxen Mine ambient dialogue]]</ref>

Although gender variance appears to be rare, transgender and non-binary individuals do exist in Tyria, and while there is little evidence on how widely accepted this is, it does not appear to be particularly controversial.<ref>[[Fort Marriner#Ambient dialogue|Fort Marriner ambient dialogue with Aid Worker Sya]]</ref><ref>[[Kaineng Blackout]]
:'''Yao:''' Mizuki. I guess I jumped the gun on my last introduction... I'm Yao—your local, mostly friendly agender engineer.</ref> Transgender and non-binary individuals that are currently present are referred to with the correct pronouns, and their identities are not questioned or scrutinized by others—giving the impression that these differences are not condemned within Tyrian society but instead considered unremarkable.<ref name="tumblr" /><ref>[[Jade Brotherhood Console#Communique|Encrypted Jade Brotherhood Communique]]
:"Boss, You'll never guess who we saw the other day walking around Kaineng: our good friend Yao. Seems the kid has gotten themselves a job at Xunlai."</ref><ref>[[The Future in Jade]]
:'''<Character name>:''' Mai Trin, you have some kind of history with that engineer?
:'''Captain Mai Trin:''' {{flavor|Yao? (sigh) No clue what their problem is.}}
:'''Marjory Delaqua:''' {{flavor|Must be your agreeable personality.}}
:'''Captain Mai Trin:''' {{flavor|When we worked together, they always came across as a bit...possessive of Joon's attention.}}</ref>

Most races appear to view men and women as equals, though there are some exceptions to this.
{{TOCright}}

== Playable races ==
=== [[Asura]] ===
{{section-stub|lore|Expand lore about asura.}}
Asura typically practice serial monogamy, entering romantic relationships with only one other asura at a time. Most of these relationships are equal partnerships that often (but not always) have a pre-determined end date. Often these relationships are the result of two asura who fall in love with the same beautiful concept. These marriages of the mind produce rapid development of ideas, increased conceptual paradigms as well as children. Relationships that break up tend to feature more fights about who gets the inventions than who gets custody over the [[progeny]].<ref name="Dolyak Express 2014">[https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/Dolyak-Express-Jan-10-2014/page/3#post3545340 Comment by Mark Katzbach quoting Scott McGough] in "Dolyak Express Jan 10, 2014", Old Guild Wars 2 Forums (Archived)</ref>

=== [[Charr]] ===
Early [[warband]]s included both male and female charr in their ranks. However, views on the roles females should take in charr society changed when [[Bathea Havocbringer]] questioned the teachings of the [[High Legion]]s' [[shaman caste]] who, guided by the [[Flame Legion]]'s shamans, had begun converting charr to worship the [[titan]]s in order to have an advantage over the magically powerful [[human]]s in the [[human-charr conflict]]. Bathea was sacrificed to the titans for her disobedience to the new order, and the shamans decreed that all female charr of her [[Blood Legion|legion]]—and by extension all female charr—were removed from warbands and armies and reduced to performing utility tasks at home in the cities, now seen as seducing male charr and distracting them from the purity of faith.<ref>Chapter 10, ''[[Ghosts of Ascalon]]'' by [[Jeff Grubb]] and [[Matt Forbeck]]:
:"One famous charr stood against them: Bathea Havocbringer of the Blood Legion. She sniffed out the foul plans of the Flame Legion and their new shamans, who directed the worship of their gods in ways that brought themselves power and profit. She said, 'I will bow before no one and nothing, be it mortal or god,' and she persuaded many other charr to follow her lead."
:"Because of this, the shamans gathered in the night to plot against her. They captured her and made a blood sacrifice of her to their new gods. They declared her a traitor and accused her of using her sexuality to tempt the males from the true path of the gods. To prevent any more such treachery, they marked all females with the same brand of deceit and banned them from serving in the legions, where they would mix with the males."
:"Many females objected to this, as did some males. Several shared Havocbringer's fate, and eventually the others saw no choice but to submit themselves to their new gods' will. We lived like this for centuries, long enough that most of us could not remember there ever having been another way."</ref>

Centuries passed until another female charr, [[Kalla Scorchrazor]], questioned the old beliefs during the [[charr rebellion|rebellion]] against the Flame Legion. After earning the support of the Blood Legion and besting the [[Iron Legion]]'s [[Imperator]] [[Forge Ironstrike]] in a duel to prove that female charr were just as capable warriors as male ones, she convinced Forge as well as the [[Ash Legion]] to allow their female charr to fight alongside male charr on the [[Plains of Golghein]]. Because the Flame Legion had left their female charr home, they were outnumbered by the combined force of male and female charr from the rest of the legions. Since the victory on Golghein, Ash, Blood and Iron Legions have treated both male and female charr equally.<ref>[[Marghel Talekeeper]]</ref><ref>[[The Ecology of the Charr]]</ref>

The Flame Legion has continued oppressing female charr up to the present day. At least some shamans are known to send disobeying ones to breeding farms.<ref>[[Defeat the fire shaman and his minions]]</ref> One of the rescued slaves has reportedly suffered from traumatic abuse involving drugs that lasted for years and stripped her of her memories and identity, turning her feral until she was rehabilitated and given a new identity among her liberators.<ref>[[Arrana Scorchpowder]]</ref><ref>[[Legionnaire Vesta Scorchpath]]</ref><ref>[[Salina Scorchstep]]</ref> Despite the Flame Legion's oppression of female charr, a more benevolent splinter group led by [[Efram Greetsglory]] has risen and allowed them to become soldiers since Flame Imperator [[Gaheron Baelfire]]'s demise in 1325 <small>[[Mouvelian calendar|AE]]</small>. The other legions' female charr view the Flame Legion's liberated ones with disdain and pity.<ref>[[Flame Legion Camp#Ambient dialogue|Flame Legion Camp ambient dialogue]]</ref>

Due to the tradition of leaving cubs to be raised in the communal [[fahrar]] after weaning, female charr of the High Legions are free to pursue other duties. In contrast, the remote [[Olmakhan]] tribe of charr in [[Elona]] has abolished the fahrar system and instead raises cubs as tight family units within their community where both male and female charr have equal roles as leaders, warriors and scholars.

=== [[Human]] ===
{{section-stub|lore|Expand lore about humans. Maybe mention [[Queen Jennah]] and [[Empress Ihn]]?}}
Men and women in the Tyrian and Elonian nations have generally held equal roles in their respective societies with many known rulers, warriors and magic users of both genders throughout the centuries, for example the [[Primeval Dynasty]] and the [[Ruins of Orr|Orrian Dynasty]]. During King [[Palawa Joko]]'s latest reign, several humans of both sexes were offered as betrothal gifts to Joko's [[Forbidden Vault|harem]]. The betrothed were either given willingly to please the king and earn his favor, were forced to the harem as tribute from communities that were so poor that they had nothing else to give, or were captives who were sold to the harem for gems.<ref name="Joko harem">[[Help Buuran investigate the mysterious gate]]</ref><ref>[[Betrothed Noble]]</ref><ref>[[Betrothed Villager]]</ref>

In contrast, [[Cantha]] practiced [[w:Agnatic primogeniture|agnatic primogeniture]] as its [[w:Law of succession|succession law]], and the [[emperor]]s historically had several concubines. Only [[gww:Tahmu|one known empress consort]] had ever been mentioned as a strong leader figure in the empire's history until the reign of the first empress regnant [[Empress Haebaragi|Haebaragi]].<ref>[[Celestial Plaque]]</ref> In modern day Cantha [[Empress Ihn|Ihn]] is the second empress regnant. The [[Kurzicks]] and the [[Luxons]] had both men and women in positions of power. During [[Shiro Tagachi]]'s return, the captains of the three Luxon armadas were all women, which was unprecedented in Luxon history up to that point.<ref name="An Empire Divided">[[gww:An Empire Divided|An Empire Divided]]</ref>

=== [[Norn]] ===
Historically, the norn have only considered marriages between equals to be valid. They have allowed for [[gw1:Prenuptial Disagreement|interspecies relationships]], though these are uncommon due to them not considering anyone from another race to be their equal.

The [[Sons of Svanir]] view many norn men—as well as men and women of other species—too weak in mind, heart and body to be worthy to join the [[Elder Dragon]] [[Jormag]]'s cause.<ref name="Blane">[[Blane the Insane]]</ref><ref>[[Hrut]]</ref>. Norn women are not allowed to join the cult because of [[Jora]]'s "crimes" against her brother [[Svanir]] and Jormag.<ref name="Blane" /><ref name="Dragon Bash">[[Dragon Bash/Festival content#Ambient dialogue|Dragon Bash ambient dialogue]]</ref> Despite this, an increasing number of norn women have argued for being included in the cult after hearing the Elder Dragon's call, and Jormag has shown no preference towards converting men over women despite the Sons' claims. The Sons of Svanir will go to extreme lengths to deny women what they view as Jormag's gift, and kill any female [[icebrood]] they can find, which explains why so few female icebrood are ever seen south of the [[Far Shiverpeaks]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170914104904/https://www.guildmag.com/magazine/issue9/interview.htm Lore Interview with Jeff Grubb, Ree Soesbee and Scott McGough in GuildMag Issue 9], GuildMag.com (archived)</ref>{{verify|There is also ambient dialogue about this lore. Cite the source(s) for this article.}}

Unlike the Sons of Svanir, the rest of the norn view both men and women as equals. Both sexes can rise to prominent positions within their communities as they are judged by their respective heroic feats, strength, cunning, spiritualism, and their potential legendary bloodline. Norn fathers and mothers decide which of them raises their children while the other norn leaves the homestead to build their legend. Some individuals have been known to dislike this tradition such as when the [[Pact Commander]] criticized [[Eir Stegalkin]] for leaving her son [[Braham Eirsson]] rather than supporting him through his childhood.<ref>[[Reunion with the Pact]]
:'''Eir Stegalkin:''' I know. I'm proud of him. At his age, his legend is already great. I can only imagine what he'll do as he matures.
:'''<Character name>:''' Yeah, and he did it without your help.
:'''Eir Stegalkin:''' You're angry. I understand. It wasn't an easy decision. I hadn't planned to be gone long—certainly not forever. I left to fight Svanir. Then, it was one thing after another. Kralkatorrik. Zhaitan.
:'''<Character name>:''' Did you know Borje died?
:'''Eir Stegalkin:''' I heard, though Borje forbade the homestead from notifying me. I also knew that Yngvi and Brynhildr took Braham in. They'd been part of his life from birth. He was safe and among those who loved him.
:'''<Character name>:''' You should tell Braham this. I'm not the one who suffered for your choice.</ref>

Some norn seem to view homosexual relationships as atypical, or at least have not considered that certain traditions like the [[Moot]] Father and Moot Mother Mirthfest could result in same-sex pairings instead of heterosexual pairings.<ref>[[Erli Ravenfeather]]</ref>

=== [[Sylvari]] ===
Sylvari superficially resemble humans, being granted a gender by the [[Pale Tree]] while still in their pods,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102149/http://www.guildwars2guru.com/topic/17272-interview-gw2-interview-with-martin-kerstein-eric-flannum-cd-action/page__st__60#entry820780 Comment by Martin Kerstein], GuildWars2Guru.com (Archived)</ref> but cannot reproduce. However, they can still mate and have sex<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180218013636/https://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/25iqrv/i_attended_the_gw2_china_beta_festival_heres_some/ I attended the GW2 China Beta Festival! Here's some pics I took of the event, as well as some lore/update info I asked from the Devs!] by deviantbias, Reddit.com (Archived)</ref><ref name="cdaction">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120818084130/http://www.cdaction.pl/news-20880-4/guild-wars-2---wywiad-z-martinem-kersteinem-i-erikiem-flannumem.html Guild Wars 2 - wywiad z Martinem Kersteinem i Erikiem Flannumem (Interview with Martin Kerstein)] (Archived)</ref> and there are records of sylvari, such as [[Cydwenn]], who feel a parental instinct and decide to adopt children of other races. To the sylvari, sex and gender are as inconsequential as hair color, and they find other races' adherence to gender roles somewhat bemusing.<ref name="GayGamer" /> Sylvari are by nature attracted to people who inspire them, regardless of gender.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180217232814/https://www.wartower.de/artikel/artikel.php?id=651 Interview with Ree Soesbee], Wartower.de (Archived)</ref>

== Other races ==
While not all species display [[w:sexual dimorphism|sexual dimorphism]], nearly all species at present have two sexes, male and female. It is unclear if there are exceptions to this, such as among the "genderless" [[Seer]]s,<ref>[[gww:User_talk:Bobby_Stein/Temp#Ancient_Seer|Comment by Bobby Stein]], Guild Wars Wiki</ref> or [[Elder Dragon]]s, whose physiology and psychology is a subject of [[Elder Dragons: Notes from the Field#Notes written by Gorrik|ongoing research]] among [[asura]]n scholars. Elder Dragons are able to reproduce, but it is unknown whether a partner is required.<ref>[https://en-forum.guildwars2.com/discussion/comment/494650/#Comment_494650 Comment by Jessica Price], Guild Wars 2 Forums</ref> There are indications that Elder Dragons have gender identities—[[Aurene]] telepathically communicated a pronoun to the [[Pact Commander]] shortly after [[Dragon Vigil|her birth]]—but the extent to which this actually reflects Elder Dragon gender, as opposed to being an attempt to translate their alien nature into language the mortal races can understand, is also unknown; [[Jormag]] in particular is known not to identify with any gender, preferring to be perceived in whatever manner best seduces their victims to their side.<ref name="Tom Abernathy on Jormag">[https://web.archive.org/web/20190923092412/https://twitter.com/tomabernathy/status/1176063546855055360 Tweet by Tom Abernathy (Archived)], Twitter.com</ref>

Gender roles among the races of Tyria are wide and varied. Some races, such as the [[jotun]] and war-mongering [[centaur]] tribes, traditionally regard men as protectors and women as childrearers<ref>[[The Savage Pride of the Jotun]]</ref>—though in recent years centaur society has begun to shift, recruiting female soldiers as the [[Centaur War|war]] drains their resources.<ref name="Dolyak Express 2014" /> [[Harpy|Harpies]] have a matriarchal society, with male harpies rarely being seen outside their nests, and are known to occasionally abduct males of other species.<ref>[[Book Of Knowledge: Harpies]]</ref><ref>[[Drive off the harpies who have infatuated the grawl shaman]]</ref><ref>[[Rescue Wark from the infatuated harpy matriarch]]</ref> However, one Elonian flock offered a [[Betrothed Harpy|female harpy]] as a betrothal gift to [[Palawa Joko]]'s harem in exchange for permission to live in [[the Desolation|his territory]]—an odd choice, given Joko's lack of pickiness.<ref name="Joko harem" /> The [[dredge]]'s [[Molten Alliance|alliance]] with [[Flame Legion]] has alarmed some female dredge, who have [[Hastily Written Letter (object)|warned]] against the adoption of Flame's antifemale policies.

Most other races regard men and women as equals in their society, with either gender being capable of taking on any role.{{citation needed|Plenty of sources for this, but I'm not sure how we should go about linking them here.}} Among the [[mursaat]], both sexes had high positions in their society with women holding positions such as Arch Steward.<ref>[[Celsa]]</ref> Among the [[Lowland Kodan|lowland]] [[kodan]], both male and female kodan have historically served as [[Claw of Koda|leaders]] of their community, and at least in the present day lowland culture there are non-binary kodan.<ref name="Missing Scout">[[Missing Scout#Dialogue|Missing Scout]]
:'''Ocean Bloom:''' Marl hasn't checked in, have they?
:'''Blinding Sunrise:''' Weren't they with Quiet Lagoon's scouting party? None of them have checked in yet.</ref>

== Notable characters ==
;Major characters
* [[Caithe]] & [[Faolain]] — formerly in a same-sex relationship
* [[Jormag]] — does not identify with any gender and prefers to allow their victims to perceive them in whatever manner will seduce them to Jormag's side<ref name="Tom Abernathy on Jormag" />
* [[Kasmeer Meade]] & [[Marjory Delaqua]] — same-sex relationship
* [[Palawa Joko]] — keeps [[Forbidden Vault|concubines]] of several species and genders

;Others
* [[Aid Worker Sya]] — is transgender
* [[Ailean]] — same-sex marriage
* [[Akeem]] — consistently referred to with gender-neutral language<ref>[[Bastion of the Obscure#Ambient dialogue|Bastion of the Obscure ambient dialogue]]</ref>
* [[Aristocrat]] in [[The Scenic Route#The Premium Tour|The Scenic Route]] — same-sex marriage, tells the [[Pact Commander]] about his husband's interests in current events
* [[Astral Ward Protector (NPC)|Astral Ward Protector]] in [[Harvest Den]] — female sylvari trying to flirt with a flustered male [[Lowland Kodan]] [[Villager]]
* [[Aysha]] — in a same-sex relationship
* [[Letter Home (Battle for Lion's Arch)|Bothain & Orla]] — cross-species relationship prior to Orla's death
* [[Cadell]] & [[Nerys]] — in a same-sex relationship
* [[Cillian]] — is non-binary
* [[Cymbel]] & [[Nia]] — probable same-sex relationship
* [[Dagdar]] & [[Eladus]] — in a same-sex relationship
* [[Dalnim]] & [[Yuhwa]] — in a same-sex relationship
* [[Eladaar]] & [[Ysri]] — same-sex marriage prior to Ysri's death; had a son
* [[Exiffa]] — in a same-sex relationship
* [[Sad Freebooter|Freebooter Ajdin]] — a male norn who confides with the commander that he is in love with his friend [[Castaway Bradley]] and asks for advice on confessing those feelings
* [[Fronis Darkstone]] — formerly in a same-sex relationship before her partner was killed by the [[Flame Legion]]
* [[Haeldra Longstride]] & [[Sera Longstride]] — same-sex, cross-species relationship
* [[Kestrel Ariana]] — shows interest in the Pact Commander regardless of race or gender
* [[Diary (The Scenic Route)|Mako & Aya]] — an unsent letter in Mako's [[Diary (The Scenic Route)|diary]] is addressed to Aya; an engaged woman from different circumstances who she is in love with, and who she believes returns those feelings
* [[Myrun Skialkin]] — is non-binary
* [[Nadim]] — male [[Order of the Sunspears|Sunspear]] attracted to [[Awakened Koss Dejarin|Koss]]
* [[Nicholas (ghost)|Nicholas]] & [[Yngvild]] — cross-species relationship
* [[Noble]]s at the [[Be the life of the party|Garden of Seborhin]] — the gender of the partner they are looking for is randomized
* [[Norn Savage]] — refers to "Roy" as his partner, though it's unclear if this is meant in a romantic sense
* [[Novice Bengtsson]] — is in love with Beg, another male norn that he has [[Poetry of Tyria, Vol. XXVI|written poetry about]]
* [[Olmakhan Villager]]s in [[Atholma]] — two villagers express attraction to charr Pact Commander regardless of gender
* [[Priory Scholar]] in [[Pact Vanguard]] — in a same-sex relationship
* [[Professor Smoll]] — is non-binary<ref>[[Heights of Glory|Fear Not This Height]] achievement refers to Smoll as they/them.</ref>
* [[Razah]] — consistently referred to with gender-neutral language<ref>[https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/the-final-three-elite-specializations-elementalist-engineer-revenant/ The Final Three Elite Specializations: Elementalist, Engineer, Revenant], GuildWars2.com</ref>
* [[Repair Chief Mozu]] — consistently referred to with gender-neutral language
* [[Riven Marl]] — referred to with gender-neutral language<ref name="Missing Scout" />
* [[Snargle Goldclaw]] — most of his books feature same-sex and/or interspecies relationships, and he expresses attraction to the Pact Commander regardless of gender or species
* [[Tateo]] — consistently referred to with gender-neutral language
* [[Theo Ashford]] & [[Quinn Ashford]] — same-sex marriage prior to Theo's death; have [[Finnian Ashford|a son]]
* [[Thoorne]] — expresses attraction to the Pact Commander regardless of gender or species
* [[Vanak Faithwalker]] — consistently referred to with gender-neutral language<ref>[[Unknown Territory]] in the [[Story Journal]]</ref>
* [[Veteran Sergei]] — formerly in a same-sex relationship before his partner, Oleg, was [[Branded]]
* [[Wjerd Bladeborn]] — is affectionate towards [[Fibharr Ygosson]]
* [[Yao]] — is non-binary<ref>[https://twitter.com/kperng/status/1423047937102209028?s=20 Tweet by Kwan Perng], Twitter.com</ref> and thinks the Commander is "cute" and a "keeper"<ref>[[Nozomi]]:
:'''Nozomi:''' Yao wasn't kidding, you ARE cute! It's nice to finally put a face to all the good gossip. [...]
:'''Nozomi:''' Yao was right about you. You're a keeper.</ref> regardless of species or gender
* [[Zohaqan]] — a [[djinn]] that fled to [[Sandswept Isles]] to live with his same-sex human partner Nakis

== Notes ==
* [[ArenaNet]]'s stance on the canonicity of LGBT player characters is: {{quote|It is totally cool to roleplay an LGBTQA character, regardless of their species. [...] You're free to create the character you want, and you're not obligated to incorporate prejudice into their backstory if that's not something you want to explore.}}<ref name="tumblr" />
* No interspecies pairing is known to have ever resulted in biological children.<ref>[http://archive.ph/9r1NG Interview with Jeff Grubb], Ashenfold Cartel (Archived)</ref>
* The [[Kestrels]] organization within [[Cantha]] allows a choice of feminine, masculine and non-binary disguises when helping them infiltrate the [[Jade Brotherhood]] and [[Speakers]] camps.<ref>[[Kestrel Michiko]]
:'''Kestrel Michiko:''' Just let me know how you want to look, and I'll set you up with a mesmer glamour. Then we'll talk about what you do inside. Ready?
::{{dialogue icon|ready}} ''Give me a feminine appearance.''
::{{dialogue icon|ready}} ''Give me a masculine appearance.''
::{{dialogue icon|ready}} ''Neither one of those.''</ref> A few members of this organization are referred to consistently with exclusively gender-neutral language.

{{Lore nav}}

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Cultures]]
[[Category:Queer characters|*]]
[[es:Género y sexualidad en Tyria]]

Gender and sexuality in Tyria - Revision history

imported>Tery3065: /* Notable characters */