Even more now than before, it is almost considered herecy to watch cutscenes in some, if not almost all, the explorable paths. I’ve had the chance to watch some thanks to my guild, but others remain unknown to me and plnty of people, and the wiki does not help with that matter either.
Basically I’d like to know if there’s anything I don’t mention below regarding lore that’s interesting to mention in them. Or just any theory or believe everyone has about what is presented in them and the future it can lead to.
SPOILERS BELOW
To my understanding, the lore in each dungeon is, in order:
Ascalonian Catacombs: basically all paths are about removing the Gravelings that are rising from the depths, since the ghosts can no longer contain them thanks to our actions in story mode, and eliminating key Graveling targets. I don’t think I’ve seen any interesting bit of lore regarding these paths, but I might be wrong since I haven’t watched the cutscenes.
Caudecu’s Manor: besides cleaning up bandits and rescuing Seraphs, we learn that Caudecu’s has been supporting and hiding Separatists & Bandits in his grounds. Apparently one of their purposes was to secretely take away humans through the river connected to the manor towards the north, to Woodland Cascades perhaps or Janthir, with aid of a centaur. I’m still missing path one so I don’t know if I miss something important there as well.
Twilight Arbor: it is basically the same story, with different variations on each, with the same end result: all the bosses die and we destroy the Nightmare Tree. I’m not sure if there’s any interesting lore behind this dungeon.
Sorrow’s Embrace: we help the Dredge fight against their oppressive system while clearing out their leaders, then clear out the remaining Inquest and Kudu’s apprentice, Tazza. Also, we learn that the Dredge were attempting to manipulate and control Destroyers. Not sure if I’m missing something.
Citadel of Flame: being the hub of farming it’s quite difficult to watch cutscenes from the first two paths here. I understand the Flame Legion is attempting two things: create a super weapon, the Searing Effigy, and revive Gaheron Baelfire with their ritual. Eventually both plans fail. What I don’t understand is how they have Searing magic to create the effigy. I haven’t done the last path, but I understand there’s a new Imperator and the objective is to take him out. Not sure if I missed anything interesting in this dungeon so far.
Honor of the Waves: we deal with the Icebrood forces that are in the sanctuary and clear out their three leaders whom seek to gain Jormag’s favor by destroying the kodan and their artifacts. I’m not sure there’s anything interesting regarding lore here.
Crucible of Eternity: we learn that there’s a 6th possible jungle dragon, named Mordremoth. The Inquest have been trying to manipulate and fuse draconic energy as well as controlling dragon minions, the result being Subject Alpha. Regarding this, I think I missed when it is explained what is the draconic energy, how it is obtained and manipulated. Haven’t done path two here, so I might be missing something important.
The Ruined City of Arah: I have had the chance to watch all the cutscenes here, except for path three, which I have not done yet. We learn how the jotun, by watching the stars, could predict the rise of the Elder Dragons. Also, we learn there’s a new one forming. We also learn about the Mursaat and how they phased out of the world. What is unclear to me is if after killing Operative Brie the knowledge is destroyed for The Inquest, or if they already have the data necessary to begin researching and perhaps achieving what the Mursaat did. At last, we learn about the Bloodstones and how they were made by the Seer/broken apart in Arah by the gods. Also, after interacting with the shard, Randall Greystone dissapears after claiming he heard the voices of the gods. Probably went to The Mists, The Rift, wherever the gods are? How?