Guild Wars 2

Humanity is a storytelling culture. I personally like to think that we’ve all got an inner writer just waiting to be let out.

So, I thought I’d bring forward a question.

What’s your story? – A Forum Game

Let’s not stick to the Personal Story set forth by the game. Who is your character really?

What is their name?
What does your character look like? (Include a picture)
Do you imagine a particular song to be related to them (a character themesong)?
How did they grow up, or do they lack childhood memories entirely?
How and why did they start fighting?
What do they do in the world of Tyria?
What are their goals and aspirations?
What is their claim to fame, if any?
What are their personal beliefs?
What relationships do they hold?
What do they struggle with?
And more. The sky is the limit.

Or, you could just write a little excerpt that shows who they are.

Just share something. Anything. And have fun with it.

I woke on the battlefield. My head hurt something fierce and my soul was seeping out of my body. Gods, I think I died. I couldn’t concentrate. Couldn’t remember a thing. All I could see were seraph and centaurs hacking each other to pieces. The air smelled of blood, smoke, and musket fire. I had to get out of there. And so I picked up a simple oaken staff, supporting myself on it as I limped away. Some officers tried to stop me. Called me a deserter. They shot at me, but my spirit leapt out of my body and blocked the shots, much to their amazement. It then reshaped itself into a bird and passed through each of them, sending their souls to the mists. I looked down at the badge on my belt. “Falconer of the 72nd Battalion.” Guess they were right. But, Hell, I never even had the chance to object. Oh, well. It couldn’t be helped.

I inched my way west, towards the Brisban Wildlands. It was difficult at first, as every muscle in my body betrayed me. Whatever it was that knocked me out must have broken my whole body. My money’s on a trebuchet shot. Regardless, I was already starting to heal at an alarming rate. That silvery soul of mine orbited my body, patching up open flesh and knitting my muscles back together one by one. I still don’t really understand how it works, but I’m not complaining.

This new place wasn’t much safer. Before long, I stumbled across plant-people trying to harvest each other, or something like that. One group wore twisted vines and fought alongside feral hounds. The other, smaller, faction was garbed in flowing black-and-silver coats and shining plate.

To be honest, I didn’t use any particular logic in deciding which side was “right.” I just saw a particularly pretty flower and decided to help her out. Not that she really needed it. The woman weaved in and out of the fray, swapping places with other-hers as she cut down foe after foe. Dogs leapt at her and died before they even hit the ground – hewn in two by her sword. Frankly, I’m not even sure what I thought I was doing, but I did it all the same. Turns out my staff wasn’t just good as a walking stick; it was also an exceptional tool for bruising unruly vegetables. I swung it overhead, bashing one of the vine-wearers with the second rotation of my windmill. The force knocked him to the ground and I capitalized, bashing his brains in. Someone who I could only describe as a walking tree stepped up to me next. Wood met wood as I broke the stick – and him.

Now I was unarmed in yet another battle, surrounded by angry salads. A third one came at me and, though I blocked the blow on my scaled-leather gauntlet, the blade cleaved through my arm, slicing halfway through the bone. I screamed and, as if in response, my soul came out again, passing through the woman and killing her. Bleeding and in mind-numbing pain, I could only grit my teeth as the rest converged on me.

The purple-haired … err, petaled beauty returned, however, and cut the rest down. Three of my nightmares down in an instant. I collapsed, but she caught me. Concern faded into surprise as the soul visibly came out again and started patching up my forearm. I found myself thinking that those eyes of her – purple amaranths – were stunning against her leafy gray skin and curious face.

“What are you?”

Thinking back on the name on my badge, I gave her the only answer I could.

“I’m Etheus Rook.”

-From one of the more vaguely recollected journal entries of the famous Soulbound Man.

I think this topic is going to be moved over to a different forum, though it’s an interesting idea. I don’t know if I should . . . yet again . . . dredge up what I have.

Edit: Here you go, I found what I assumed to be unfindable in the bowels of my post history. It’s the short form but here is a small taste.

This reminds me of the Lore section for the races.
There were threads for Human, Charr, and Norn stories for characters if I remember right.

I really enjoy this post! Hope more participate can’t wait to read all the different stories. (might even build the courage to make one of my own!)

Lightbringer,

You requested the full file on one Tobias Trueflight as well as the background we could dig up about his family. Order operatives therefore were dispatched to Divinity’s Reach and Ebonhawke to begin investigation. What was uncovered was interesting, but in and of itself not terribly unique or compelling. We have, as usual, done the tasks assigned to us with prompt timing and attention to details. As there are no particularly kitten ing secrets of the Order present in this file, sealing this is not necessary and left to your discretion.

I shall start at the earliest bit of records we could recover. Tobias Trueflight is the second person bearing that name in the family records we could find, The first person to bear that name was an active member of the Ascalon Vanguard, which as you know ceased to be after the Searing and the exile of Prince Rurik. As few Ascalonian records from before the Searing (1070 AE) remain available we must rely on what we know afterwards.

It is known from consulting records kept at the Ascalonian Settlement in Kryta that Tobias Trueflight (the first) did survive the travel over the Shiverpeaks and was instrumental in several events in what we know are “the Flameseeker Prophecies”. Without firsthand accounts, it is not known what Tobias’ place was within those events but it is known he had at least a small role to play in how they became resolved. He received a citation from Captain Greywind for bravery in the face of a Titan incursion but after that the next mention has to deal with an evacuation during the Battle of Lion’s Arch in 1079 AE.

After that there are records from Ebonhawke telling very little about the older Tobias Trueflight. He was traveling with his wife Cersei Jubari as one of the armed members of the Ebon Vanguard. (She is a native of Istan, but records for her are currently quite difficult to obtain; until a request for further study on her, we have limited our scope of investigation to how she plays a part in all of this.) There were at least three children accounted for, one of whom was Alpheus Trueflight. He took up the practice of being a ranger is his father’s footsteps and served as one of the few dedicated guards for Ebonhawke’s early history. He passed away in 1099 AE during a charr probing attack (aged approximately 39), survived by his widow who died in 1113 AE (age listed as 47).

(Lightbringer’s Notes: This inaccuracy reflects badly on the Order. I will need to weigh this matter and look into matters. Cersei Jubari’s name is known within the records kept during Nightfall and the Kormir Ascension, but it’s not been worth pursuing. I will have to review those files sometime in the future.)

Alpheus Trueflight married an elementalist named Persephone (last name not available in the records) who bore him two children. The youngest son Colin Trueflight (born 1116 AE) proceded to put effort into training as a warrior who specialized in anti-charr activities and gathered his own squad from members of the Ebon Vanguard for an expedition to scout out possible locations for new expansions later. He married a priestess of Lyssa named Tristesse Laron and had one son – Joshua Trueflight (Born 1139 AE). After being lost on patrol in 1145 AE, a warrior named Gerard Harand helped raise Joshua.

After this, there are several generations of descendents and precious little information on what they were up to. However, the residents of Ebonhawke keep decent enough census records. The generations following Joshua Trueflight have very little remarkable to them, and there is ample evidence of plenty of familial offshoots which could be long-distant relations. After the asuran gate was constructed to reach Divinity’s Reach, tracing the genealogy of the family became considerably more difficult. It’s sufficient to say there are two other families who are entwined with the Trueflight family: the Kereminde family which entwined with the Trueflight name with Lorelie Kereminde (born Erica Trueflight, 1112 AE) who married Ezra Kereminde (born pre-Searing and thus lacking a firm birthdate) and thus the family has blood relation to the Trueflight family. There are later instances of intermarrying, and there is evidence they remain closely tied. The second family to show some connections are some Istani expatriates who bear the Therin name. There is only one instance of marriage inside this relationship (Tara Therin, born 1234 AE in Lion’s Arch and married to Tristan Trueflight in 1254 AE).

(1/3)

Derreck Trueflight (1275 AE – 1320 AE) carried the family name, bearing three children. None of them survived the events of the Ogre Revolt, though that skips ahead considerably in the timeline. There is little of interest here other than he was a squad leader until he retired to a posting within the city as a liaison between the Ebon Vanguard and the Fallen Angels. It is unknown currently if there exist any descendants from the other children. It is known he later perished protecting part of Ebonhawke during the Ogre Revolt.

(Lightbringer’s Notes: It’s not worth pursuing at this time. Tobias Trueflight is more than adequate for what we require him for, there is no pressing need to bring his extended family into this.)

The lady Evelyn Trueflight was born in 1298 AE and is known for being the first female heir in the family to carry on the name and legacy. While her father did not ascribe to the way of the ranger there were ample opportunities for her to train in the arts and do her duty within the Ebon Vanguard. During some point in a mission in the place known currently as “Sniper’s Woods” she conceived her firstborn to an unknown father and later in the year 1316 AE gave birth to Tobias Trueflight, second of his name, before marrying Lieutenant Patrick Khybin. His daughter Deborah was older than Tobias and seemed to be something of a positive influence until she left for Divinity’s Reach to enroll with the Seraph. We are not sure the circumstances of this event and would need to pry into it should it interest the Order.

(Lightbringer’s Note: Do not intrude on that poor girl until it becomes entirely necessary. She’s been through enough.)

The man familiar to us, Tobias Trueflight, is a likewise interesting case. In 1320 AE, the events of the Ogre Revolt tangled records only slightly. Evelyn Trueflight was called to the fronts and entrusted her children to a friend of the family who fled through the asura gate to Divinity’s Reach with the younger Tobias Trueflight and fell into the limited protection of his older sister Deborah. They remained close together until she was recruited into the highly decorated Falcon Company. After a mission went awry and the unit was all but wiped out, Tobias Trueflight took his legacy more seriously and pushed to study the ranger’s ways in Shaemoor. As of recent events, he is known to the locals of Divinity’s Reach as a Hero of Shaemoor for having stood with some of the locals against a Tamini attack.

(Lightbringer’s Note: Indeed, and Tybalt’s reports have been full of glowing praise thus far. I have no reason to believe there is a significant danger posed by Tobias Trueflight to the Order, but neither do I believe he is essential to the continuation of the Order. It’s my judgement he be treated no differently than any other of our Agents.)

(Master’s Note: Lightbringer, due to the skills Tobias possesses, it is remarkably short-sighted to relegate him to a position anyone else could do. He has connections within Divinity’s Reach, Hoelbrak, and even a grudging respect which has built up around his exploits on the Plains of Ashford fighting both the Foefire specters and Flame Legion. Not to mention former members of Destiny’s Edge seem to hold an interest in him as well. As such, he is far more valuable than “any other Agent” and it would be prudent not to assign him as such.)

(Lightbringer’s Note: By your will, Master, though I find it perplexing you are taking a personal interest in this matter.)

(Master’s Note: Every member of the Order receives my personal interest when they join and rise within the ranks. If we must discuss this in private, Lightbringer, I shall have to expose several things I know about you and events surrounding a stretch of the shattered Wall. I believe the information would be of interest not only to you but certain Iron Legion Legionnaires who might appreciate details in that matter. If I have to discuss this matter with you anymore then thinly veiled threats will not be my first course of action. This is your only warning on the matter. Observe Tobias Trueflight, but his sentencing is left for people other than yourself, ultimately within my hands.)

(2/3)

Lightbringer,

While I understand the investigation into the Trueflight family has been closed for some time now, recent events have stirred to light some interesting fragmented information from the Brisban Wildlands in the west. I will continue assuming you are unaware of a privately funded expedition which left Claypool in late 1256 AE. The purpose of this expedition was to attempt some study of ancient Shining Blade campsites which were known to exist within the Maguuma Jungle during the war against the White Mantle. The expedition as led by Rhys Kodatha, a mesmer of whom we have limited quality information. The roster includes Salome Kereminde (an elementalist specializing in air magic), Liam Girante (a young Sergeant of a Seraph group known as the “Grey Stalkers”), Priestess Kendra of Melandru, and one Thomas Trueflight. Investigation brings to light that Thomas is one of the less notable members of the Trueflight family who enlisted with the Seraph and promptly took part in this expedition.

(Lightbringer’s Note: I find it interesting we do not have quality information on this Rhys Kodatha. Especially if they were in charge of an expedition into the eastern Maguuma reaches.)

The expedition traveled along the roads to Fort Salma, where the Seraph were tasked with dealing with a centaur situation. It’s known that Sergeant Girante was injured in the combat, but his injuries were not severe enough to delay the expedition for long. Once entering the region known today as the Brisban Wildlands, the trail becomes murky due to a lack of acceptable information. However, fragments of travel journals have turned up through various channels and paint a grim picture.

Along the trip to the Shattered Henge, the group was plagued by bandit attacks which seemed more intent on turning them back than actually stealing anything. Two of the Seraph were killed before the expedition group attempted to fortify the old Koga Ruins. Eleven days of constant skirmishing wore the group down to only half with Rhys having been lost during one of the skirmishes early on. The journal entries of those days is chaotic, and nothing after was found despite prying with the bandit groups in the area. None of them are old enough to have been around then, and they don’t seem keen on talking much.

Of interest is a passage within the journal notes which suggests that the expedition survivors planned to make for the Henge or any other viable harbor past it to the west. It is unknown of the final fate of the expedition, but personally I would bet gold they never made it out of the ruins.

(Lightbringer’s Note: It is unlikely any of the expedition survived that attempt, and yet it is intriguing to note the serious bandit presence in the region at that time. It meshes well with other material we have been investigating in the area, suggesting the bandits have specific interests in the area.)

(3/3)

The Song of the Black Orchid ~ Short Version

It was a sunny day at the year 1319 AE in the Season of the Zephyr in a Private College Preparatory Military Academy near Destiny’s Reach…
The 10th class under Military Instructor Seargent Major Vincent R. Gallagher of the 7th Special Tactical Forces Commando Infiltration Division had successfully finished at that day their instruction and everybody was celebrating this day, because from this day on it meant for all of them that are part of the tenth class, that they will be from today on part Destiny’s Reach’s twelfth Special Tactical Forces Commando Infiltration Division.
Seargent Major Gallagher was very happy and proud about his tenth class mastering together so bravously their education. None of them failed at the tests.
This class showed real team spirit and they helped out each other, whenever possible and needed at the right time, never loosing also out of sight their missions goals to fulfill, even in very dangerous situations, which they have been tested and drilled for for around eight years.
The Seargent Major remembered hisself again on how this class started eight years ago when they were all just teenagers at the age of ten years and became very proud again to see, how his class matured over this time and what a kind of professionals they became.
The Drill Instructor went back into his quite bureau, after the celebrations were over, where he saw some documents laying on his bureau table which he couldn’t remember of, that he forgot them to put back to where they belong.
So he went over to them and took them into his hands to see, what for documents it were exactly.
As Seargent Major Gallagher opened those documents, he realized that they were a gift from his tenth class, full of pictures, memoires, wish sayings and signings from everybody plus especially a letter including a piano note sheet attached to it with the title “Black Orchid” on it.
He knew instantly from whom this letter was, as only one person from his class knew, that he likes to play piano and he couldn’t do anything else at that moment, than to relax to take hisself the time to open and read that letter directly, as it came from a person, about which he was especially proud of having successfully finished this military instraction. That person was like a daughter to him, which remembered him alot on his real passed away daughter, which would have been today basically at her same age, if she would still live.
The first thing that popped out of the letter was a little portait picture.
He smiled as he saw it, because he wished to get a portrait from her, because she always remembered him so much on his passed away daughter with her shining purple eyes. Then he took the letter and began to read it:

Dear Mister Gallagher,

I hope you won’t be too sad about it, that the time of our instruction with you being our most awesome and respected teacher, is over now. I will always remember You and this acadamy, as both were for now eight years a very large part of my life.
Now where I’ve finished my education on this Military Acadamy, it is time for me to spread my wings and leave this nice nest. Now it’s time for me to write my own story in this huge world of Tyria.
I have attached to this letter some gifts, so that you won’t miss us too much, pictures from everyone including a portrait of me, that You liked to have one as I know your story about your dead daughter that seems to have been very similar to me, at times, where she was still alive. So I’m very glad, when I can make you smile with this portrait of me to keep the memories of your true daughter at heart.
I know that you like music very much as you told me on one of our many vacation trips we did all together with our class in our free time, so I thought, it would be nice to surprise you with a gift of a selfmade song that you could play on piano, that won’t let you forget me and naturally the rest of our awesome class too. I hope you will like it.

There’s a saying, which says, that you will see each other always twice in a life.
So please, stay alive. I want to celebrate with you the day, once it has come, where we free Tyria completely from the evil, that are the Elder Dragons and from this day on, I will work hard to fullfill my part that this day can come true.

I’m sending You best wishes in the name of everyone of our class

Squad Leader

Cassandra Lancaster

of the new
12th Special Tactical Forces Commando Infiltration Division “Black Orchid”

PS: I was once just a Thief with no life, now I’m a proud Blade in the Night that fights for Tyria’s future as also for my own thanks to you Vincent. You gave my life a new sense and for that I will always be grateful for you.

Theme Song: Black Orchid – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHsc3XmALC0

The human has expressed interest in joining our ranks. This is a situation of no small difficulty; the Blackrose Guild has been exclusive to Sylvari since its opening, years before I became its captain. Perhaps it could be no other way, as we are a private branch of Grove’s military. All of our exploration and reconnaissance is done in the name of the Mother.

And yet, I would personally like to take the man in. He’s a friendly sort and I find his strange magic to be fascinating. Cyrus thinks that the newcomer may have formed a direct connection to the Mists. And that’s simply marvelous. Imagine the things we could learn about the very nature of life! I, mean, I’ve certainly always wanted to know what the other side was like. Do we get to meet people from hundreds of years ago? Perhaps I’d even get to see Ventari. That’d be a dream!

Oh, bother. I’ve started rambling. How on Tyria do I even manage to do that in writing?

I guess I’ve just come back to this journal hoping to come up with some sort of answer. What to do with Etheus? I mean, it’s pretty obvious that we can’t recruit him. But we couldn’t turn him away either, even if we wanted to. The ranger has no home, no family, no memories, and nowhere else to turn. Perhaps we can find some other use for our “Soulbound Man.”

From the private journal of one Amaranth Blackrose, guild master and captain of The Blackrose Guild.

At first there was water, water, everywhere, and lots of tasty fish to eat, and I was happy. Then, suddenly, I found myself floating in the air above dry ground, surrounded by bizarre creatures who were making sounds that generally only those who are sick or dying or being eaten alive by a shark make – sounds which, somehow, I understood.

As I quickly determined the meanings of the sounds, I deduced that the creatures were speaking; that is to say, they were saying things, and they were saying things like, “What the heck?” and “Egad!” and “It’s a gods danged jellyfish!”

My desire to respond to their awful din soon got the best of me, and I discovered that I could by means as yet unknown to me produce sounds close enough to the sounds these beings were making for them to actually understand what meanings I wished to convey. So I said to them, “Hey, could you kittens tone it down a little? You sound like a six-pack of sea lions wrestling with an aquadonkey.”

I need not dwell overmuch on the lengthy (and largely repetitive) conversation that ensued, save that we soon reached a consensus that we should go and participate in something called a ‘Tutorial Mission’, which took us into places which were much dryer than those regions I tend to prefer, and which did not particularly suit my delicate constitution. Soon we were all laid low by a pair of strange stone hands which seemed to erupt from the very ground above which I hovered (my new friends generally maintained contact with the ground while performing an action they referred to as ‘jogging’). These handy creatures smelled, according to my new friends, remarkably like the soft but solid substance arrived at when a certain fluid produced by creatures known as ‘cows’ undergoes a certain chemical process. I’m afraid I did not retain all the details, as I was quite busy attempting to jump and dodge and attack while being rather severely pummeled about the arboral surface and proximo-distal axis.

After we all died and were miraculously restored to a fully functional state of being alive, we ‘logged’ and I found myself here writing this ‘story’.

I am Goobaglubble the Goobular. You jelly? Cuz I am.

Dear sweet mother of Grenth, that made my week!