Hello everyone.
Before writing more about the core of this subject, I want to precise that I’m French, so I’m sorry if there is some grammatical errors in this post, sorry. And I’m not quite sure this thread belong to the Lore section, but I can’t really find another place for it so…
So, what is hidden behind my title ?
In fact, it’s quite simple : we know that Arena Net is wishing to give a “life” in Tyria, so the world isn’t as static as other MMO can be. And they have delivered the Living World updates which, despite some obvious flaws have steadily improved over time (at least in my opinion, that is). And yet, there is something which seems to have been forgotten. The minor NPCs, those civilians and ordinary people going about their lives.
Some examples :
Lady Sarah Marduke or Samuel Cuttler in Hoelbrak are here since launch and they haven’t changed their patterns since that time, and yet both of them could be used to show the passing of time, with relative ease.
Indeed, Samuel could have managed to convince the Norn to build a little shrine to the Spirits of Action somewhere in Hoelbrak and he could have a dialogue like thise :
To human characters : Hello, friend, I welcome you to this shrine of the True Gods.
[Player]The True Gods ? I thought it was a shrine to some “Spirits of Action” ?
Yes, that’s how the Norn call our Gods. But I’ve good hope that they’ll come to see them for what they are. After all, they do have build a shrine for them.
To non-human characters : Hello my friend. Have you come here to learn more about the Six True Gods ?
[Player] : the “True Gods” ? I thought it was some shrine to the Spirit of Actions ?
That’s how the Norn call them, but it is in fact that Gods who dwelt in Arah who are worshipped here.
[Player] Can you tell me more about them ?
(There, Samuel would revert to his previous informations, since it is already quite complete)
As for Lady Marduke, she could have been moved somewhere in the Great Lodge with a dialogue as follow.
To non-norn characters : How I wish I had never made known my interest to the Norn…
[Player] Why are you saying this ?
I’ve spent two hears with those… those savages ! And for what ? Nothing and even less !
[Player] What do you mean ?
I was supposed to have diplomatic talks with Knut Whitebear. But when I told him that I spoke for Krytia just like he did for the Norn, he laughed for hours on end !
[Player] And did he explained what he did found funny ?
He said that the Norn aren’t a nation and that he speaks only for himself, not the whole of them ! What interest is there, then, in me being stuck here ?
To human nobility characters Oh “Player name” it’s you ! Please, tell me that the policies have changed in the Reach !
[Player] What ? Which policies are you talking about ?
Those which wanted to disgrace me by sending me to the Norn !
[Player] Do you think your appointment here was due to some tactical moves in the Chamber of Ministers ?
Of course it is ! I’ve spent two years for naught here ! It has to be because I’m a support of the Queen that I’ve been sent to this pit of savages !
[Player] I don’t think that you should scream this out there…
I’m sorry, but I’m running out of patience. Either I’ll be allowed to return to the Reach in months, or I’ll to leave in disgrace, but one way or the other, I’ll leave this place !
To norn-characters : What do you want you… you lone hunter !
[Player] Is that supposed to be a human insult ? I really don’t understand your kind.
Oh, I know this very well, you like your “independence”, right ?
[Player] That’s right. We are Norn, being independent is who we are. Just like you humans tend to gather like bees in there nests.
Bees have a well defined and refined social structure.
[Player] Well, they produce some delicious honey, I’ll give them that. You humans, on the other hand…
I don’t want to talk anymore, you may leave.
And that’s just two examples, I’m sure that each capital city is filled with such NPCs which could be used to develop the world in a less dramatic but nonetheless essential way. For instance, there is this sylvari gravedigger in the Reach, who could have some problems with the awakening of Mordremoth and the corruption of the Sylvari in the Pact forces.
So, what do you people think about it ?