Clarification
Sadly, there aren’t any clear and definite answers to any of these question yet.
There are a lot of strong supported theories right now, but since Anet is playing their Sylvari cards close to their chest at the moment, all those theories are still up in the air for now. Hopefully we will be getting a lot more information regarding these subjects in HoT (whenever that will come out).
- What are the differences between sylvari and true dragon minions? Konig has already listed several (for example, their ability to eat food). Are those intentional, and why are they there? *
The sylvari born of the Pale Tree may have developed individuality as a result of the work of several contributing factors, not limited to but notably Ronan, Ventari, possibly the forgotten etc etc. As a result, engaging in activities similar to those of other “fully self-aware” races should be expected.
Perhaps another important question we need to ask ourselves is this: Is Anet giving us a hint about the origin of a number of races presently living in Tyria? Have other races evolved in the same way that sylvari are evolving, to the point that they are no longer truly dragon minions but individuals?
The Pale Tree was initially planted 250 years ago, right? Maybe tree minions are special, somehow. They do take 200 years to mature enough to sprout minions. I’m not sure if we have any timeline evidence for other Dragon champions (assuming this is in fact what the Pale Tree is and not just some “minion tree” that was never meant to be sentient in the first place).
- What are the differences between sylvari and true dragon minions? Konig has already listed several (for example, their ability to eat food). Are those intentional, and why are they there? *
The sylvari born of the Pale Tree may have developed individuality as a result of the work of several contributing factors, not limited to but notably Ronan, Ventari, possibly the forgotten etc etc. As a result, engaging in activities similar to those of other “fully self-aware” races should be expected.
Perhaps another important question we need to ask ourselves is this: Is Anet giving us a hint about the origin of a number of races presently living in Tyria? Have other races evolved in the same way that sylvari are evolving, to the point that they are no longer truly dragon minions but individuals?
But dragon minions can’t evolve, because they can’t reproduce, and freed minions retain any physical changes from the corruption. It’s also been stated in Arah that the Forgotten ritual used to free minions is extremely costly. It certainly doesn’t help that the only Forgotten left live in the Crystal Desert (where they’re probably fighting Kralkatorrik—poor guys). I don’t think they’ll go down this path for other races, and I hope they don’t. I feel like doing this same thing twice is just lazy.
My true concern with that question isn’t ’what’s different?‘, but more ’why are they different?’ With the exception of minor details, Arenanet have always gone out of their way to give canon reasons for lore inconsistencies/retcons. It’s one of the reasons I’ve never had much sympathy for those who claim that Anet doesn’t respect the old lore—other writers in their position have been known to declare entire swathes of lore non-canon to give themselves breathing room (Warcraft, Star Wars), or else not coordinate with each other and leave the canon a broken mess (Marvel Comics, Star Wars again). The fact that those five are all I can come up with is actually pretty impressive.
And if they can write their way around it, that’ll be even more impressive. I’m hoping that this post will let them know where the obstacles are and galvanize them into action.
The Pale Tree was initially planted 250 years ago, right? Maybe tree minions are special, somehow. They do take 200 years to mature enough to sprout minions. I’m not sure if we have any timeline evidence for other Dragon champions (assuming this is in fact what the Pale Tree is and not just some “minion tree” that was never meant to be sentient in the first place).
Well, they’re definitely special in that they were clearly meant to be champions, commanding an army of their salad minions (and of course, special because they’ve purified), but I don’t see how the timing would be important.
Maybe the Forgotten interacted with the Pale Tree(s) during that 200 year growth period. It’s come to my attention that even Glint required magical influence to have free will, so maybe the Pale Tree(s) had the same thing occur.
Maybe the Forgotten interacted with the Pale Tree(s) during that 200 year growth period. It’s come to my attention that even Glint required magical influence to have free will, so maybe the Pale Tree(s) had the same thing occur.
That couldn’t have happened. By that point, the Forgotten were already exiled in the Crystal Desert, extremely far away from Maguuma.
In that case, maybe it was leftover magics of the Forgotten.
The Pale Tree was planted in the soil and took root. We don’t know how deep her roots reach, but we can assume based on her massive size that they go extremely deep. Maybe she “unearthed” some of their magic or came in contact with it deep in the earth. Or maybe her roots spread wide rather than deep like Mordremoth’s vines (or are they Vinewrath’s vines?), and she spread to a location with the leftover influence of Forgotten magic.
I do believe that the magic of the Forgotten is the only method of purifying a Dragon or champion (as having multiple methods of doing so would just complicate the story)… It’s just a matter of how or when.
In that case, maybe it was leftover magics of the Forgotten.
The Pale Tree was planted in the soil and took root. We don’t know how deep her roots reach, but we can assume based on her massive size that they go extremely deep. Maybe she “unearthed” some of their magic or came in contact with it deep in the earth. Or maybe her roots spread wide rather than deep like Mordremoth’s vines (or are they Vinewrath’s vines?), and she spread to a location with the leftover influence of Forgotten magic.
I do believe that the magic of the Forgotten is the only method of purifying a Dragon or champion (as having multiple methods of doing so would just complicate the story)… It’s just a matter of how or when.
It’s the only one that we know of (which is why I’m positive the Forgotten are connected to the seeds). But the other elder races, notably the Seers and Mursaat, were well-versed in magic as well. They could have figured it out as well.
One minor correction, DorDor, not that it takes away from your point any- the Forgotten, between the games, are said to have disappeared from the Crystal Desert. We don’t know when it happened, or where they went, but they’re quite simply not around anymore.