Guild Wars 2

Sylentmana.1387:

I bet doing the deed with a Sylvari would be like making love to a salad.

FlamingFoxx.1305:

Loki.4871:

Focksbot.6798:

A more interesting question is: why are Sylvari sexually dimorphic? Plants, of course, have both male and female parts. Is there any chance the Sylvari are similarly hermaphroditic? What’s nature’s plan for a race that don’t reproduce through any kind of sex but are still outfitted with sexual organs?

The seed of the Pale Tree was planted on a mass grave of humans. There’s a lot about the sylvari’s origins that raise questions, and it’s never outright stated that being planted on a mass grave is the reason the sylvari look human, but most people think it’s the reason.

Except that we now know that there are Sylvari who come from OTHER Pale Trees and still look distinctly Sylvari. Considering their pale trees were not planted on human graves (or at least it’s unlikely to be so) I don’t think thats the reason for Sylvari looking the way they do at all :P

Unconfirmed possibilities aside, I’d say you’re right. If the pale tree was planted on the grave of humans and that’s why the sylvari look the way they do then the sylvari would be built like humans. But the Pale tree only knew what a human looked like from the outside.

However, because the race tightly relates to the essence of human due to the Pale Tree’s influences from Ronan, the overall form has a human silhouette. But if you look more closely, you’ll see the forms are really quite alien. They are a collection of abstract notions the Pale Tree had about what made up the human, as she really only saw the surface. They are a tree’s interpretation of humans.

http://www.talktyria.net/2011/08/11/sylvari-lore-interview-with-ree-soesbee-kristen-perry/

So, whether the Pale tree intentionally created them in her version of a human image of if it was just the by product of experiencing humans may be up in the air but we know she only experienced the outside of physical humans, not the inner working like you might find in a graveyard.

Dear Lord if I see one more ignorant post regarding gender and sexuality I’m going to scream-gender is a social construct, SEX is biological. Homosexuality refers to those who look at the lock and key design and say yeah…I prefer two keys crossing or forcing the key into somewhere it has no business being inserted (limiting to one sex in relation to the events in the game). I personally feel it’s forced-you play the other stories, races, listen to idle chatter and all is as it should be (before you jump and say no one ‘should be’ hetero just ask yourself what if the numbers were reversed…we probably wouldn’t be having this discussion-and for comparison apply that premise to every minority group:hint: in the latter the ‘worst’ outcome would be the countries would be renamed -__-)…then you hear a male plant saying someone attacked his beloved and we should save ‘him’ (you know that moment in shows where the record scratches and you hear crickets chirping…yeah that happened). I would have stopped playing at that point if I hadn’t already seen what the other races/story paths were-it would have given a very different image as to what the rest of the game is like.

Oh and quit with the rationalization as to why it’s not homosexuality. You can say they aren’t humans until you turn blue the fact is they have mammal-like features (go to character creation, remove armor then tell me if you can’t see them) including genitals or at the very least something that looks very much like genitals (if they didn’t, they wouldn’t need to wear underwear now would they?) Which means that they can-and undoubtedly will (mimicking humans and all) engage in sexual activity, the potency of the act is irrelevant (by that logic sterile men and barren women can’t have sex then can they?) Let’s not forget the various perversions of sex where reproduction is not a possibility…matter of fact one could almost call one type cannibalistic.

I think it is forced, kitten odd and a clear attempt to please those types of people as its relevance to the lore and story goes very little beyond ‘see I know you types buy the game and we’re including you!‘-not that I want it to go beyond that point mind you. Another interesting point is if it wasn’t included just to please some customers why then is it only displayed in ONE (again, not that I want more) story line in ONE race-a sentient salad at that, not even human where it would be most…hmm, somehow appropriate doesn’t seem the right word…you get my meaning though

Melchior.2135:

Sylentmana.1387:

I bet doing the deed with a Sylvari would be like making love to a salad.

If I get infracted for this, it's still worth it.

hide spoiler

Bloodninja: Wanna cyber?
MommyMelissa: Sure, you into vegetables?
Bloodninja: What like gardening an s**t?
MommyMelissa: Yeah, something like that.
Bloodninja: Nuthin turns me on more, check this out
Bloodninja: You bend over to harvest your radishes.
(pause)
MommyMelissa: is that it?
Bloodninja: You water your tomato patch.
Bloodninja: Are you ready for my fresh produce?
MommyMelissa: I was thinking of like, sexual acts INVOLVING vegetables… Can you make it a little more sexy for me?
(pause)
Bloodninja: I touch you on your lettuce, you massage my spinach… Sexily.
Bloodninja: I ride your buttocks, like they were amber waves of grains.
MommyMelissa: Grain doesn’t really turn me on… I was thinking more along the lines of carrots and zucchinis.
Bloodninja: my zucchinis carresses your carrots.
Bloodninja: kitten baby your right, this s**t is HOT.
MommyMelissa: …
Bloodninja: My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love. My insides turn to celery as I unleash my warm and sticky cauliflower of love.
MommyMelissa: What the kitten is this madlibs? I’m outta here.
Bloodninja: Yah, well I already unleashed my cauliflower, all over your olives, and up in your eyes. Now you can’t see. B**ch.
MommyMelissa: whatever.

Lol Epic.
Now let’s see…last time I simply applauded and agreed with a post I got infracted for not contributing to the topic um… Yes I agree homosexuality in the sylvari storyline is forced. There. Wait…maybe I should give some props as well, however it raises some interesting questions in that one can put forth a premise that sylvari have no outside influence and yet this behaviour still develops and as such forces us to contemplate the origin and nature of the bahviour …something something something

Imbune.5497:

(whole bunch of snipping)
… those types of people as its relevance to the lore and story goes very little beyond ‘see I know you types buy the game and we’re including you!‘-not that I want it to go beyond that point mind you. Another interesting point is if it wasn’t included just to please some customers why then is it only displayed in ONE (again, not that I want more) story line in ONE race-a sentient salad at that, not even human where it would be most…hmm, somehow appropriate doesn’t seem the right word…you get my meaning though

Wow, this whole post sounded intelligent.

The Sylvari are pretty obviously plants that are trying to be like humans, or at least the Pale Tree is intending to be so. But while they are emulating the dominant race of Kryta (perhaps Rhonin’s fault?), they’re still plants. I wouldn’t be surprised if each and every one of them had both a carpel and a stamen.

What I want to know is why they have belly buttons. >_>;

LegoTechnic.5910:

What I want to know is why they have belly buttons. >_>;

maybe it served a similar purpose, like that might have been how they were attached to the tree gaining nourishment before they ‘ripened’. Like a navel orange

LegoTechnic.5910:

The Sylvari are pretty obviously plants that are trying to be like humans, or at least the Pale Tree is intending to be so. But while they are emulating the dominant race of Kryta (perhaps Rhonin’s fault?), they’re still plants. I wouldn’t be surprised if each and every one of them had both a carpel and a stamen.

What I want to know is why they have belly buttons. >_>;

Because belly buttons are fun to play with :O
Haha seriously, I’d have to say because Ronin
Lol Navel orange

keywords; forced, thrown in the face, shoved down my throat

beginning sentence; I’m not against gays but….

ah…. classics.

Btw, although I’m playing a human, I’ve got to say Sylvari is the most beautiful race in GW2. Maybe because it’s the new race and the devs got something fresh to put in.

I don’t see the Sylvari as having “sexuality” so much as finding someone they pair well with on a more mental/emotional level regardless of sex.

Devs have stated that the Sylvari do have genitalia but also that they lack all human/mammal organs. They also stated that Sylvari don’t have jaws for instance, but rather plant matter imitating a jaw. Basically all of their bodies are plant matter imitating human lifeforms but without the organs and bio functions.

I’d imagine they lack the organs needed for sexual intercourse while having plant matter that resembles what human genitalia looks like…but without any of the functionality.

Since Sylvari son’t breed, they have no need for sex. Their relationships are probably just strong emotional bonds they form with others of their species and since sexual intercourse is a non factor, they likely wouldn’t care what “sex” their partner was.

Since Sylvari are just plants imitating the look of humans, I’d bet that they really don’t even have two distinct sexes, rather one lifeform that can take on a feminine or masculine appearance.

I could say that, in the other storylines, heterosexuality is a bit forced and back it up with the same reasons. Bisexuality is one of the features of the Sylvari race, just as heterosexuality is more common in Humans. If you don’t want to have it ‘forced’ on you, don’t play as a Sylvari.

ChampionChains.9780:

I don’t see the Sylvari as having “sexuality” so much as finding someone they pair well with on a more mental/emotional level regardless of sex.

Devs have stated that the Sylvari do have genitalia but also that they lack all human/mammal organs. They also stated that Sylvari don’t have jaws for instance, but rather plant matter imitating a jaw. Basically all of their bodies are plant matter imitating human lifeforms but without the organs and bio functions.

I’d imagine they lack the organs needed for sexual intercourse while having plant matter that resembles what human genitalia looks like…but without any of the functionality.

Since Sylvari son’t breed, they have no need for sex. Their relationships are probably just strong emotional bonds they form with others of their species and since sexual intercourse is a non factor, they likely wouldn’t care what “sex” their partner was.

Since Sylvari are just plants imitating the look of humans, I’d bet that they really don’t even have two distinct sexes, rather one lifeform that can take on a feminine or masculine appearance.

it’s been confirmed that they do have sex but as you say, they cannot sexually reproduce since their imitation sexual organs are functional for sex but not for reproduction. And as you said, becasue of this, what “sex” their partner is is a non-factor.

Imbune.5497:

I think it is forced, kitten odd and a clear attempt to please those types of people as its relevance to the lore and story goes very little beyond ‘see I know you types buy the game and we’re including you!’-

Then you do not understand the Sylvari well. The relevance to the lore is kinda obvious, as it shows how young and innocent the Sylvari are. They are open to experiences and haven’t been influenced much by the ‘human norms’.

If you feel it is forced in this game, then I’d hate for you to play other games (Zevran in Dragon Age anyone?).

Sylvari are just naturally bisexual pretty much and there’s no reason for them not to be since reproduction has nothing to do with it. There’s no weird religion, biology or anything giving them a reason to think it’s wrong.

Those Who Remain.1987:

Imbune.5497:

I think it is forced, kitten odd and a clear attempt to please those types of people as its relevance to the lore and story goes very little beyond ‘see I know you types buy the game and we’re including you!’-

Then you do not understand the Sylvari well. The relevance to the lore is kinda obvious, as it shows how young and innocent the Sylvari are. They are open to experiences and haven’t been influenced much by the ‘human norms’.

If you feel it is forced in this game, then I’d hate for you to play other games (Zevran in Dragon Age anyone?).

Or the tons of references and situations in Fallout: New Vegas. :o

ChampionChains.9780:

Since Sylvari son’t breed, they have no need for sex.

The devs have stated that they do have sex and do because it feels nice.

People and animals in RL have non-reproductive sex all the time.

So say it WAS indeed homosexuality/bisexuality (even though it clearly isn’t if you even know the lore of the Sylvari). What would the problem be? Would it hurt you in any way? Would it really disrupt your gameplay in any way? You homophobic people have an absolutely astounding lack of intelligence. It goes to show the human race is less than the Sylvari race. Such a shame.

I feel as if there was an unusual amount of “lesbian” and “homosexual” relationships I don’t feel as if we were over loaded.

Technically speaking the male and female sylvari don’t have the same gender roles as humans nor are there “sex drives” limited to the opposite sex. While they mimic humans in appearance they are very different. Being sylvari are plant based and what you remember from highschool biology it shouldn’t be a stretch that they wouldn’t have firm gender roles.

Overall while i feel as if there were too many same “gender” relationships brought to our attention I feel its a symptom of humanity’s ability to over compensate. For instance someone living on there own/college may act irresponsibly in an effort to explore there new freedoms its the same here. Same “gender” relationships are new and unique and because of that as time goes on we will continue to see more over compensation in all media forms. I think as time goes on ( and assuming same gender relationships become accepted and common place ) the sylvari will still have same gender relationships but it won’t feel as if its so “token same gender relationships”.

I think this type of fantasy race is perfectly feasible and not based solely on “supporting” same gender relationships. I think there culture is fascinating and was a very interesting idea. I think its safe to assume there are some forum readers who hate the fact the sylvari have same “gender” relationships. I think its common place for humans to over compensate in there hate as well. While you dislike the same “gender” practice of the sylvari can you not also respect the idea that there love is more emotional and not physical. You can not only appreciate this just because they don’t do a physical act/behavior ( as much as humans ) that you find offense but also there love/attraction is more personality based. It is a common theme for people to make mistakes based off of lust not just one night stands but feelings of false feelings of love/attachment and not considering them for who they are as a person.

Alright. I’ll play devil’s advocate here. I’m an androgyne, and I do have a problem with the attitude of “of course all sylvari are bisexual/pansexual because they have no gender.” Why? Because it assumes sexuality is tied to gender (or lack thereof.) That assumption, as this thread demonstrates, is widespread, but it’s false. It’s quite common for an androgynous or transgendered individual to be attracted only to men or only to women.

Sure, you could make the argument that “Oh, this is an alien species, not humans, so different psychological rules apply.” However, the game doesn’t do that. In terms of behavior, the Sylvari characters we see more or less always conform to human gender roles and otherwise act in very human ways (indeed, sharing the same dialogue after level 30 or so.) I have played through all three Sylvari racial storylines and all three Order storylines, and I can’t recall a single hint that these characters are anything but naive humans that happen to be made of plants. And you know what? That’s fine. Most people wouldn’t want to play a character that felt extremely alien to them, and making all characters human at heart means less dialogue to write. It’s the resulting implication of “human sexuality works this way” that bothers me.

I obviously have no qualms with homosexuality or bisexuality being portrayed in the game. I applaud the attempt to do so in a positive manner. However, the way they went about it is ultimately propagating and reinforcing misinformation. Not liking the implementation does not automatically make you homophobic.

Personally i think that Silvary show of the necessarily to form bonds for all the living beanings. Even for Silvary that are actually plants. There are no male or female Silvary its just the appearance.

Ramethzero.3785:

Uh, those were completely optional scenes. No Bioware game has ever forced anyone to deal with homosexual scenes without giving the player chances to get out.

Most of that rage came from people who were curious about that part of the storyline and either played it through (or youtubed it) and then were horrified by the results. These people never accepted responsibility for their own part in it.

I’ve played DA2 twice and Anders does not force himself on you, nor does he go on about being bisexual. It’s like I played a totally different game from all the people crying about getting gay cooties. If you ask him about his former lover he tells you he doesn’t see bodies but is motivated by love. Note that you have to ask him about it. If you flirt with him he flirts back and is sad if you don’t want him after all. Weirdly I think most people don’t like to get rejected. And that’s it. The flirt options even have a different icon so it’s not like you can’t pick something else if you don’t want the romance.

So yes, I agree and every time I see someone whinge about it I rage.

HumaCarrionEater.8254:

Ramethzero.3785:

Uh, those were completely optional scenes. No Bioware game has ever forced anyone to deal with homosexual scenes without giving the player chances to get out.

Most of that rage came from people who were curious about that part of the storyline and either played it through (or youtubed it) and then were horrified by the results. These people never accepted responsibility for their own part in it.

I’ve played DA2 twice and Anders does not force himself on you, nor does he go on about being bisexual. It’s like I played a totally different game from all the people crying about getting gay cooties. If you ask him about his former lover he tells you he doesn’t see bodies but is motivated by love. Note that you have to ask him about it. If you flirt with him he flirts back and is sad if you don’t want him after all. Weirdly I think most people don’t like to get rejected. And that’s it. The flirt options even have a different icon so it’s not like you can’t pick something else if you don’t want the romance.

So yes, I agree and every time I see someone whinge about it I rage.

Agreed. I’m a pretty big Bioware fan and I’ve played through all of their recent games (with the exception of TOR), and at no point is a homosexual relationship “forced” on you. Maaaybe you happened to pick some conversation options that gave Zevran/Anders/Cortez the impression you were interested in them, but there’s always a conversation where you can flat-out reject them, and that’s the end of it. (If anything, my complaint is that there’s usually no way to let them down gently. It’s either “Take me now, sub-creature!” or “You thought I was interested in you? Bwaahahaha! Get out of my feline cub face!”)

….(If anything, my complaint is that there’s usually no way to let them down gently. It’s either “Take me now, sub-creature!” or “You thought I was interested in you? Bwaahahaha! Get out of my feline cub face!”)

I had to turn Liara down in the first Mass Effect and it still bothered me two games later. I wish there was a no sorry, I’m flattered but I’m gay/straight option.

Oh c’mon they’re freaking plants, no gender, no homosexuality nor heterosexuality.

They just happen to love one’s personality, not the gender (when it’s another Sylvari). You’re just deceived by their appearance, so if two Sylvari (two plants) love each other but they both happened to physically shape themselves under the form of a human(oid) female they’re then suddenly homosexual? Makes no sense.

And besides trying to picture their sexual “activity” is kinda creepy, to be honest. What do they do, physically shape “properly formed” or deformed reproductive organ on the fly as the intercourse occurs? Ugh…

Anyway, to “fit” and be distinguishable in the game the devs went good ol’ anthropomorphism on them with visually-apparent “gender” so you perceive them as being of a specific gender. Especially with female and male voices for the Sylvari with or without breast and more (or less, for males) “feminine” body curvatures and proportions.

Devildoc.6721:

Now first off, I don’t have a problem with homosexual people or even characters in the game being homosexual. I have a suspicion that Lord Faren in the Human storyline is gay, I’ve never seen it confirmed, but the gaydar is off the charts. You know what I think of that? I think he’s fabulous and that’s okay. Heterosexual couples in the game in general are mostly hinted at, Logan having unrequited feelings for his Queen, 2 Asura pact members hint that they like each other but it takes awhile for it to be openly stated, etc. They’re not thrown at you.

Meanwhile in Sylvari story I can’t point out a single heterosexual couple I’ve encountered among Sylvari, but they sure do make sure that the first romantic couple you encounter in your personal story is gay, and your destiny’s edge member is a lesbian, and another lesbian Nightmare Court member is vying for Faolain’s attention and there was at least 1 other homosexual couple I remember encountering in the Grove. It wasn’t hinted at, it was overtly thrown at you. This makes it seem forced to me. It particularly stands out as I haven’t encountered any openly gay characters in any other race, only Lord Faren MIGHT be gay but is unconfirmed (he’s just fabulous), and no straight sylvari that I know of.

It’d just be better if they weren’t so blatant about it, made it come into things more naturally, and if there were a proportional amount of subtle heterosexual sylvari as well.

Key word is subtle, all these sexual orientation things need to be subtle.

From what I understand of the lore, Sylvari don’t have the concept of “sexual orientation” and they don’t need to have sex to reproduce (they are ‘born’ from the pale tree)

I think it fits in with the feel of slyvaris. I mean, they are innocent, naive, trusting and very honest, so why would loving another of the same gender feel wrong to them?

Just thought I should say this, you all are saying plants have both male and female parts. That’s true, for the most part. Dioecious plants ,like willows, are plants that have members that are either male or female, not both. I would think that the Sylvari are more like this, if they could even reproduce. Which must be why several articles say they technically are genderless.

This is… getting a bit silly. Okay, so, here’s the facts derived from lore:

Sylvari DO have genitals, which is determined by either being male or female.

Sylvari do NOT have the ability to reproduce.

Sylvari DO feel the same sensations the other races would feel during intercourse.

Sylvari do NOT look at physical appearances for the purpose of attraction, but instead search for those who “inspire” them to claim as their “lover”.

Sylvari DO express themselves in very flowery wordings and phrases because of how they are naturally wired to be open about how they feel.

Hope that clears some things up for you all. Also, I’ll state again; what I just posted up above is derived from lore and therefore canon. I found this guide extremely useful when wanting to learn more about the sylvari race:

http://guildwars2roleplay.wikispaces.com/A+Comprehensive+Guide+to+All+Things+Sylvari

EDIT: Forgot to contribute to the main questions, my bad :P . No, I do not feel like it’s forced.

As I progressed through my storyline as a sylvari, I thought Caithes romance with Faolin was very sweet—-lesbian or not. I felt like I just got to know Caithe on a personal level AFTER adventuring with her through countless missions.

I think its wonderful character development and it was definetly not thrown in my face. She is now my favorite member of Destinys Edge. I bought the book to lear. More about thier group.

Amiron.1067:

Sylvari do NOT look at physical appearances for the purpose of attraction, but instead search for those who “inspire” them to claim as their “lover”.

There are two sylvari females in LA that say (when a norn female and male pass by):
citizen1: did you see what she was wearing? (scandalously)
citizen2: no, I was too busy looking at him.

I find this very unnerving, they shouldn’t have been sylvari -_-

Very very very very silly.

If it had been a male and a female Sylvari in the exact same scenario and the same exact dialog, no one would post a “Does heterosexuality in Sylvari feel rather forced?”

When a thread starts off with "Now first off, I don’t have a problem with homosexual people or even characters in the game being homosexual. " Then you know you’re in for laughs.

No, it doesn’t feel forced, and no, it shouldn’t be subtle. If heterosexuals can talk about how they love their partners, then why can’t homosexuals?

I play Sylvari, and actually hadn’t noticed at all. Evreyone looks so glowy elfy planty and lovely, I hadn’t been examining the the story for gender preference. I just… hadn’t noticed. Which to me, is the mark of a good game. Or, perhaps a mark of my own personal oblivousness.

You guys are bored. And to the OP, stop kidding yourself. You clearly have a problem with same sex relationships.

@up Yeah, you’re totally right, they HAVE a problem. Hey, guys, WHO CARES? If they are gay, if they’re lesbian, if they’re straight, trans or EVEN in love with a pig, who cares? They’re not human so don’t try to judge them in human rules.

I have a cactus in my window that may be a little bi, should I be concerned that GW2’s influence is the cause? :P