Guild Wars 2

I’ve been stewing on this for a while- I honestly expected someone else to bring it up already, but no one has that I saw. In Sea of Sorrows Yomm mentions a Councilor Flax. So, feel free to state your feelings: is it more unlikely that Rata Sum has had two consecutive Councilor Flaxs, or that Flax has been on the Arcane Council for at least 88 years?

And since it’s likely to come up: a dev once said that asura live about ten percent longer than humans. From gravestones, we know that humans can live into their eighties, and in rare cases their nineties. So Flax could by that math fit that timeframe, IF he has enjoyed an extremely long life, IF he came into his position at a very young age, and IF he is currently on his last legs. However, he does not appear to be particularly old in-game, so it is very unlikely that he is the same person unless if he has found a way to prolong his life (not entirely out of the realm of possibility.)

Perhaps Flax is the son of Flax? Although that is extremely unlikely to happen in Asuran society it could be possible. But, I think it makes a bit more sense if they are the same person. (Btw, humans can live to be a hundred)

Oh? Did I miss a grave or a bit of dialogue?

(Not counting immortals)Well from the graves (about 132), I found 2 who lived to be in their 90’s, which is about 1.5%, in the real world the amount of people who live to be 90 is only .062%. And in real life people live to be a hundred(.017%), so from a math standpoint I think it’s safe to say people can be older than 100 in Tyria(~.03%)(though it is rare). Although, after doing all that math I don’t think asura living 10% is a rule, more of a guideline. (Do you remember exactly when Yomm mentioned Flax?)

Pg. 266. Datewise, that be 1237 AE.

Hmmmm…. no context. My guess is that he’s just really old. That must be horrible. To be stuck in a job no one wants for that long. He is at least High Councilor now.

Asura can live for up to 120 years we have been told, if this is the same Flax(x), then he was very young when joining the Arcane Council. Most asura do not want to be part of the Council, rather wanting to be in their own labs doing their own experiments. 1237 AE is 92 year difference by GW2’s initial date. So if Flaxx was councillor in 1237, he could have been a late teen or early 20s, and is now pushing his final years (which would also explain why he’s so supportive of the Inquest – he is nearing the end of his lifespan (which is supported by his model, which is that of an old geezer), so he has little time to make his dream come true – that is, making the asura race reign supreme (all hail High Grand Sovereign Flax?).

Flax and Haia seem to be the only non-Inquest asura who want to be on the Arcane Council. So it wouldn’t surprise me.

Ah, kitten . Haven’t talked to him since launch, my bad.

Flax is not Inquest. He just works with them – but when others prove better, he switches sides immediately (see Dynamics storyline, lvl 2 step).

Yahk is the Councillor who is a member of the Inquest.

Point 1: Flax is not Inquest. He likes that they get results, but he has no special investment in the well-being of the organization.

Point 2: Flax really doesn’t look that old to me. He’s still got a full head of hair, and his face is not particularly geezerish. If pressed, I’d place him at late middle age. Compare him to Phlunt, and he certainly seems to be younger.

Clarification: 88 years, not 92. Not that it changes the argument.

Finally, a curiosity: Do you have the source for the 120 figure handy? I believe you, I just always like to see stuff I’ve missed.

It was an old old interview. Should still be linked on the GW2W’s article for asura in the physiology section. In short, ashes live 5-10% longer than humans, with exceptional ages reacting 120.

As to Flax’s age. He has a good amount of wrinkles. Not everyone’s hair falls out with age, nor do we know if asura hair turns gray or falls out.