Guild Wars 2

We know all the sylvari look at the pale tree as a mother figure. She’s there to give advice and wisdom to any of her children. But doesn’t she seem to play favorites?

The firstborn are dear to her because they were the only kids she had for a long time. And she talks proudly about the heroic deeds of some of the offspring – especially you, the main character. But she seems more distant to other sylvari.

spoiler alert in The Heart of Nightmare, if you choose to dream about the shield of the moon, I recall the dialogue between the Pale Tree, Malomedies and Tiachren – the one grieving for his love.

Avatar of the Tree: Ah, Tiachren. I have seen your memories in the Dream, and I know how much you and Ysvelta loved one another.
Avatar of the Tree: I know you are in pain. Remember that the heart is also a garden. Tough burned, it may still bloom again on day.
Tiachren: Thank you. It gives me peace to know that Ysvelta’s spirit will live on within the Dream.
Avatar of the Tree: Rest now, gentle Tiachren. Valiant… I wish to speak with you.
—
Malomedies: The tale of the Knight of the Moon and his beloved will be told in the Grove, to inspire others. Your victory will be remembered.
Avatar of the Tree: An excellent suggestion. Let the lesson be that love itself is not evil, even if others try to make it so.

This guy was grieving his heart out because he lost his beloved! And all that can be done for his experience is use it as a deterrence from the nightmare? The pale tree just gave what comfort she could say then totally turned her attention to you. Poor Tiachren just kept weeping at the pale tree’s feet.

“I know she meant a lot to you, but one day you’ll find another love. You can take all the time you need to cry. And don’t worry, your horrible experience will be used as a lesson to the other sylvari that love isn’t a bad thing. Now, I got more important things to discuss…oh dear valiant, you were wonderful and brave! I wish to grace you the honor of meeting my firstborn children. You dreamed about the dragon so it’s your destiny to face it – this makes you so very special.

And there’s always the story of the second born guy who never felt like he got enough attention from the Pale Tree either…(the guy that started the nightmare court, whatever his name is again)

Cadeyrn is his name. Yes, the Pale Tree does play favorites. It kind of sucks to know that she loves the firstborns more than she does anyone else, including us. She won’t even call us anything but “Valiant.” (hehe) Though as far as Tiachren is concerned, I don’t think it would have been possible for the Pale Tree to comfort him much longer than she did. Short gamer attention spans. :P

LOL well from an MMO standpoint Its much easier to refer to all Sylvari players as Valiant since story mode/pve is mainly a single player experience and therefore 1 person ie. the Sylvari that awoke and shared the same dream as Caithe is the only one who will defeat the dragon. So instead of calling each and every player by the name they chose in character creation its easier for programers to jus have her refer to us by one name since from a story standpoint we are all the same because Zhaitan is only going to be defeated by the Valiant, Caithe + Destiny’s Edge once.

Also the Pale Tree loves all her “children” but she nurtures those with Wlyd hunts more than the others because they have special tasks they need to complete to protect Tyria and therefore are more worthy of her constant attention, ie. the first borns and us the Valiant who helps Caithe(a firstborn) complete her Wyld Hunt when we kill Zhaitan.

Don’t the sylvari consider any job, wyld hunt or not, to be of great importance?

No a Wyld Hunt is a special task given to a specific newborn in the Dream prior to their awakening. Not all Sylvari have Wyld Hunts which is what makes those(ie. Valiants – Sylvari who have Wyld Hunts) Sylvari that do special in the Pale Tree’s eyes.

I think there were one or two instances where a sylvari discovered their wyld hunt after they awoken.

Perhaps I’m mistaken. But I did get the vibe that no matter how small, every task was just as important as a wyld hunt.

There are instances where a wyld hunt comes after they awake. Upon character creation the NPC’s remarks about how rare it is for one so young to recieve a wyld hunt. So recieving a wyld hunt before you wake is actually in the minority. But I haven’t seen anything that indicates everything is just as important as a wyldhunt. Otherwise, why make such a big deal about it?

She must play favorites. You can tell, by the fact that she gives the sylvari’s greatest sword, Caladbolg. To a Necromancing scholar, instead of the one who slayed a dragon in her dream, and has killed just about everything she told them to.

Awww, mommy not loving you enough? Maybe she’ll give you a sword too if you are extra good :P

Advent.1387:

No a Wyld Hunt is a special task given to a specific newborn in the Dream prior to their awakening. Not all Sylvari have Wyld Hunts which is what makes those(ie. Valiants – Sylvari who have Wyld Hunts) Sylvari that do special in the Pale Tree’s eyes.

I forget where in the grove, but I remember overhearing two sylvari talking about their destinies. One had a wyld hunt, and the other was still undecided. The undecided one was a bit ‘jealous’ at the wyld hunter, to which she replied, “having a wyld hunt doesn’t make me any more special than those without. It just means my destiny is more defined than others.” -Or something like that.