Everyone dislikes the poor guy, saying he stepped in and took the limelight. I can see how that is unless you’ve played from a Sylvari’s point of view, when you meet him as early as the second part of your personal story.
But…what if it’s not Trahearne’s fault that he is such an unlikable character? I had my second Sylvari go through the personal story, and found some interesting dialogue.
The Sylvari storyline with the Orders of Tyria involves the task of retrieving the sword Caladbolg. It’s considered to be a living weapon, where it enhances the qualities of its wielder – strength, honor, wisdom, bravery, etc. This goes true for negative qualities as well. The second owner of the sword, Waine, was considered a coward, and that quality was only enhanced by wielding the sword. He was arrogant and selfish. He also gets very intimidated when put in a situation the sword couldn’t fight him out of.
After Caladbolg was retrieved, the Pale Tree eventually gave it to Trahearne.
But does this mean Trahearne was just a glory-stealing, overly prideful shrub the whole time? Nope, I don’t think so.
Trahearne is a meek scholar. Before he got the sword, he doesn’t want to fight. Quoted directly from the story dialogue: “My knowledge of the undead will be useful, but I’m no general. I’ll follow behind, and revive those who fall.”
Follow behind. The main character. And remain out of sight. He’s just there to assist. My Sylvari gets to run into the army of undead, swinging Caladbolg with a fearsome battle cry, and lead an army of Vigil Soldiers to victory.
Trahearne was always there to assist. He never liked fighting undead. When he goes to Orr, he observes them from a distance. And he definitely doesn’t like taking a lead role in battle. Before he got the sword, whenever the subject of ‘taking charge’ came up, he tries to come up with explanations that he’s just a scholar, not a fighter.
So, by that logic, it doesn’t make sense, does it? He shouldn’t have turned into what many people see as an overbearing general. But consider this:
His Wyld Hunt was considered impossible. He was supposed to cleanse the land of Orr, and make it livable again. But at that time it was believed that there was no cure. Even if the dragons were defeated, he’d never accomplish his destiny. He was quiet and meek by nature, but he had one overriding quality: he was stubborn and headstrong. Despite an impossible hunt, he kept up his research on Orr. Despite his dislike of fighting undead, he assists when needed. And he has a heckuva strong sense of honor. He’ll go out of his comfort zone just to do what is morally right.
His nature of soliditary makes him unable to connect to the main player. He joins you out of a mix of guilt and sorrow after you lost your mentor, and does his best to assist you. This is all before receiving the sword, and before the Pale Tree tells Trahearne that he must accompany the player to help stop the Dragon’s Corruption (to which he again insists he’s just a simple scholar).
And now he receives the sword that enhances his qualities. Just like before, he moves out of his comfort zone to do what’s needed, and take the position of general. Giving out orders comes from the undenied fact that he knew what was the strongest blow against the undead. But he still needed to ask a seasoned adventurer on the proper course of action, when it came to delivering that blow. He’s not after the glory at all, he’s only trying to do what is asked of him – be a hero.
Yes, he was asked to be a hero. He was asked by the Pale Tree. He was asked by every Sylvari that look up to a Firstborn. He was asked by his Wyld Hunt. He was asked by destiny. And when you have a prophesy dangling over your head, that adds a lotta pressure.
There is a prophetess in Rata Sum who said that the return of Caladbolg would be the Dragon’s downfall.
He never intended to steal glory. He just needed all the good rep he could scrape together to appear like a competent general. He had to show he was capable. If he did not, the Pact would have fallen apart, and the Elder Dragons would never have been defeated.
Caladbolg helped him find the inner strength to overstep his boundaries, increase his sense of honor, and increase his tenacity to continue an impossible Wyld Hunt. But it also increased his solitary nature. It increased his ‘Firstborn-mentor’ quality (which to a non-sylvari, would be overbearing).
It’s just a shame he’ll never be able to open up and tell you all this, because you’ll just see him as a needy plant that can’t take the pressure to lead the Pact. He’s probably eager for an understanding friend, when he’s so far away from his kin in an unforsaken land.
(edited by Arikyali.5804)