Guild Wars 2

I kind of want to get this out of the way before Season 2 kicks off for next week. Elder Dragons, we have a good general understanding of their beings. However as we now continue down the path of possibly slaying each and everyone of them, there need to be more details about them as time goes on. The living story could possibly be the best vehicle to deliver this, if it continues to change the world the way it does. All the while making us understand why letting them live on a daily basis decreases our chances of successfully eliminating them for good. The threat should be ever evolving as time lingers on. It’s not about: “we kill one and the other fall like dominoes.” As Trahearne would lead us to believe. Never underestimate your opponent otherwise they will get the better of you.

For season 2 I am greatly looking forward to seeing Mordemoth rise. It provides a few things we never got to see first hand in game, because all of the other known Elder Dragons have previously risen. The mystery of Mordemoth power, corruption, and it’s minions will play a massive role in season 2. Nevertheless what are other thing we can learn from Mordemoth awakening or even from Zhaitan demise.

Perhaps there is something that eventually connects all of the Elder Dragons together beyond just their inherent abilities we see on a common basis. What about their corruption itself? Does it mutate and find a new host to start the process all over again? How did the Elder Dragons evolve into the beings they are today? Were they simple dragons of nature and after feeding/using too much power they became the corrupted entity’s that currently occupy Tyria? Or could they be an experiment gone wrong by one of the ancient precursor races from Tyria, to control (or bottleneck) certain natural magics? When one Elder Dragon dies do the other dragons grow in their power? Perhaps they can even learn from the other fallen dragons mistakes. Building immunity to the tactics and weapons used to bring down the previous dragon. Are there more elder dragons in Tyria beyond the ones we know about. Is Zhaitan the only Elder Dragons to be slain for as long as they have existed?

As time passes I hope small plot chunks start to answer some of these question. It would definitely create a more engrossing story for the players. Then simply mix and matching enemies color palettes.

On a that last (or kind of a side) note I was reading this article about “five plot devices that hurt you writing. .” Interesting read; I have to say. Hopefully the next few living story seasons will try to consciously avoid these, when trying to delivering crucial plot details to the players.

“All the while making us understand why letting them live on a daily basis decreases our chances of successfully eliminating them for good. The threat should be ever evolving as time lingers on. It’s not about: “we kill one and the other fall like dominoes.””

That’s all meant to be in the personal story chapters. You are certainly shown that the minor races will be corrupted or driven out if nobody can kill an elder dragon that’s far away behind a veritable horde of minions. The stories are shown in the open world events too, with the Kodan for example, and I don’t think it needs you to look for it to see it.

I kind of like to think that the Elder Dragons all got together and had a laugh at Zhatian’s expense after they found out he was killed by tiny mortals.

Stooperdale.3560:

That’s all meant to be in the personal story chapters. You are certainly shown that the minor races will be corrupted or driven out if nobody can kill an elder dragon that’s far away behind a veritable horde of minions. The stories are shown in the open world events too, with the Kodan for example, and I don’t think it needs you to look for it to see it.

Yes, I understand that. However I think there need to be more escalation triggered by Zhaitan demise. Things still continue to get worse before they get better. What I mean is the living story continues to flesh out what we already know, and continues to evolve the common problems. For instance we see new Primordus destroyer minions in Orr scavenging for left overs. Or they straight out attack some of the major cites beyond just Lion’s Arch. Imagine the Nightmare Tower and then replace it with a Destroyer hive you have to take down. Which afterward creates a new dragon champion event. That finally leads us with a hole to explore the depths of Tyria. As one dragon falls the others start improving themselves over the power (magic) vacuum that’s left over.

I wondered about what the dragons is. Are the dragons themselves maybe champions of something? Are they fully self aware or are they more like some sort of a natural force? If we succed in killing them off, would be solve a problem or create a bigger one?
To me it seems they are a vital part of how Tyria works. Kinda like how the occasional fire is good for some forests. There are even certain trees that depends on fire to breed.

Elder dragons keep the magic in balance. What will happen if we kill all the dragons? Do we want to kill them all? Where did the magic that Zhaitan consume go after we killed it? All in Teq? Where did it go when we kill Teq?

JoeytheHutt.1742:

I wondered about what the dragons is. Are the dragons themselves maybe champions of something? Are they fully self aware or are they more like some sort of a natural force? If we succed in killing them off, would be solve a problem or create a bigger one?
To me it seems they are a vital part of how Tyria works. Kinda like how the occasional fire is good for some forests. There are even certain trees that depends on fire to breed.

I have the same questions myself, and I’m torn as to whether I want them answered or not (will the answer ever be as entertaining as the mystery).

However my working theory is that EDs are naturally occurring. With a large amount of magic available beings will inherently attempt to consume as much as possible turning into ED like creatures, or maybe the magic naturally condenses (like how some elementals are formed) to form magic eating ED type beings.
When an ED dies a vacuum is created which is simply filled by another powerful-similar-type entity. My guess is that Tequatl was starting to turn into the next Zhaitan before he was killed and that there’s another champion out there doing the same right now. If no minions are left then either another ED will take it’s place or if the magic is left alone long enough it will form into a new proto-ED.
But that’s just my unsupported theory.

CureForLiving.5360:

I have the same questions myself, and I’m torn as to whether I want them answered or not (will the answer ever be as entertaining as the mystery).

Good point. I saw an very interesting program some time ago about how mankind always have monsters/mysteries. And whenever we explore/research/study whatever enough to be sure that this monster doesnt exist, we invent a new one. We simply need monsters or mysteries.

Well it looks like with season 2 some of this question might be getting answered faster then I thought they would. Also I found it interesting that the dragons might once again be connected to something bigger. Hope is a slightly different twist then the Abaddon connection plot that happens throughout the first 3 campaigns of Guild Wars.

Sindex.9520:

Also I found it interesting that the dragons might once again be connected to something bigger.

Seems as if we might be getting some answers. Taimi is currently sitting in Scarlet’s old room probably making the connection (seems Scarlet knew about the connection between the EDs, Ley-lines and possibly even the Mother Tree).

Currently my bet is: EDs are a natural phenomenon and import to the regulation of magic in the world
Or: That the EDs are the servants of an even greater evil (although so far nothing exists to support this option).