When I encountered Trahearne’s proposition „go to the Pale Tree”, I instantly begin to hope they gave me some basic choice. But no, they didn’t. Hence my TL;DR text-wall about this quest and its point – partially because I just don’t thing it was necessary in plot and partially because I just don’t understanding the meaning of Trahearne’s WH.
First thing, it’s great asspul. This world have races like Asura who lived in the Central Transport Chamber for centuries – and if you’re gonna convince me they never studied their primary energy source I’m gonna laugh at you. And then, Destroyers pushed them from home and they should have like a century’s worth of research on Elder Dragons matter. This world has also heroes like Ogden Stonehealer – who: 1) was there since the first sightings of Elder Dragon’s minions, 2) he’s Durnand Priory – so he prolly studied them since loooong time, 3) is dwarf & monk – and should have entire Tome of the Rubicon (which Orders – I don’t know why – felt was necessary to excavate). Finally, there are Mists – and Mists (though ever somewhat undefined) are the one of the realms of afterlife as well as proto-reality between worlds. And I believe it’s somewhat good place to look for „directions”. Each of those strikes me as better choice than Pale Tree – sylvari’s been around (IIRC) only twenty five years, and they had unfortunate first contacts etc., had to grab the some basics knowledge… And to make long story short – I doubt anyone (except sylvaris) could think of Pale Tree as expert on this matter.
And don’t get me wrong – while I have my doubts about sylvari’s knowledge, I’m perfectly fine with the idea of Pale Tree knowing something other don’t – however it hurts my heart. Moreover, I understand why Trahearne would turn to Tree for guidance. The real problem here is: my character wasn’t sylvari. Trahearne’s assumptions that „If anyone knows how to defeat Zhaitan, it is the Mother” should make no sense for Asura or Norn – and just why they feel more compelled to follow Trahaerne’s insight instead of e.g. asking their own researchers or havrouns for help is not entirely clear for me. Aside of the idea that beginning with Claw Island there’s nothing like personal story – it’s only Trahearne’s story…
Second thing, the vision in itself is nearly useless. Pale Tree’s rants about e.g. how courage is necessary to defeat Zhaitan doesn’t really help anyone – I think all of us figured this ourselves by that point. We also learnt of few miles of Orrian geography ([sarcasm mode]I assure you, no map older than 200 years prevailed[/sarcasm mode])… and of Eye but as it’s name – along with Mouth’s – was known to others, it wasn’t exactly anything new.
We also learnt that reunion of Destiny’s Edge is necessary. While ‘unity is necessary’ is commendable idea:
- Logan’s part in victory was essentially cutting the line holding „Victorious” to the ground. Have he really REALLY had to be reunited with Rytlock & rest just for it? Noone else in whole Pact could do it?
- Caithe, Eir, Rytlock showed just for final dungeon. And I’d be happy to tell that their part in victory wasn’t lying on the ground and waiting to be ressed but sadly I can’t.
- and Zojja is basically the only one that couldn’t be replaced – she made some operations on grand cannon, which I’m sure couldn’t be substituted by just anybody.
So, the facts up until now are IMHO nearly useless. Now, the useful part… First, we learnt of Trahearne’s destiny to lead the pact. But you can argue if this knowledge helped anyone. During the Orders’ meeting it was PC who proposed Trahearne’s as the leader of Pact – and no because of the vision but because there was noone else acceptable & available at the same time. We also learned of Zhaitan’s impending attack on Order’s HQ which was useful but just doesn’t strike me as kind of answer we were looking. And while we need answers ’cause of Claw Island, we found none.
Third thing: the desire to cleanse the Orr, streaming from this vision. It’s folly. While Trahearne’s Wyld Hunt & desire to cleanse Orr commendable per se, I don’t see it as pivotal. I’d even risk thesis that it was thoughtless – IIRC the lines nearly broke during both attempts to cleanse Orr, so Trahearne’s life was in danger. And while cleansed Orr is something to remember, the game falls to explain exactly how it’s supposed to give Pact upper hand with Zhaitan. I, for one, don’t remember Risen attacking me any less energically than before. Aaaand Source of Orr is set after the arrival of Pact troops to Arah – so it’s basically:
- halting the offensive of Arah in crucial point.
- seperating the main commanders (Efut, Wynnet & Velazques were present in Source too) from the troops while Elder Dragon’s main forces were just ahead.
- (ultimately) excluding the commander-in-chief from coordinating the troops in main battle of this war.
