Guild Wars 2

In Gw1 Duncan the Black attempts to harvest the power of the Great Destroyer, what method was used for trying to attempt this. Is this a possible way that Balefire became a “god”, by harvesting the power of destroyers to increase his own magic, could this be used by other factions, and why haven’t we heard of anyone besides Duncan the Black doing this? Is the Great Destroyer still an untapped power source that could be used to drastically increase a factions power/magical ability, or will this just cause them to transform as Kudu did.

Duncan the Black was attempting to harness the soul of the Great Destroyer – whether or not this is even possible, unclear (as it’s not really shown if destroyers have souls, given how they’re – at least mostly – mockeries of life created right from stone).

Now, harnessing the Great Destroyer’s power is another story… but I don’t think its possible either. Per The Trek of the Zephyrites, the corpses of dragon-shaped dragon champions still hold magic (other dragon champions unclear, given it says “Dragons consume magic, but they do not destroy it. They hold it within themselves like a sponge holds water.” So it’s unclear if it means dragons be they Elder or Champion or Elder Dragons and their champions.). However, despite this, the Great Destroyer’s body exploded upon death. While the pieces of the Great Destroyer may retain magic, I find it unlikely given said explosion – which is an outburst of energy. The Great Destroyer’s withheld magic may have been released in the explosion, similar to Abaddon’s own attempted explosion but on a much smaller scale due to lesser magic. It is also possible it sent all of its magic to its master as it died (after all, its purpose was to wake Primordus up; unlike Glint) – if such is even possible.

As to the Great Destroyer still being a power source – presuming that the body shards did indeed retain magic – would be dependent on how fast magic radiates out of the body, and if it does. Like the Elder Dragons, some dragon champions are known to radiate magic when hibernating (see: Drakkar). This may or may not include death.

As to Baelfire, my theory is that the Flame Legion had been tapping into Primordus’ power – knowingly or not. My evidence is as follows:

• Burning Forest – Shrouded in acrid smoke and igneous heat, this is the site of fiery self-mutilation rituals performed by members of the Godforged – a Flame Legion sect dedicated to the deification of Gaheron Baelfire.
• The Godforged – each and every one of them have fiery hands and eyes, sometimes guts as well. Similar to the Flame Legion shamans.
• Dead Drops during Flame and Frost – Having Baelfire rituals more often. and A Flame Legion shaman refused to give flame magic to moletariat-selected dredge. They burned him alive, and the dredge got their disturbing transformation. – Referring to the dredge with fiery eyes and and hands, like the Godforged and Flame Legion shamans. May be the name for the “fiery self-mutilation ritual” meaning they started with Gaheron.
• One of said Baelfire ritualized dredge shouted something along the lines of “Burn! Burn! Buuurrrrnnnn!!!” as its aggro shout. Very destroyer-like, IMO.
• Champion Drakin Cinderspire – a powerful Flame Legion shaman, utilizes a Destroyer sword and a Destroyer axe.
• My final point is how Primordus would corrupt living beings, which ties into your last question – if they’d transform. From this interview:

ArenaNet (Ree Soesbee) : I think that it’s, perspective wise, it’s more like the troll or the grawl has a layer of rock over them. They turn a little bit elemental in –

ArenaNet (Jeff Grubb and Scott McGough) : Sort of like Jormag and the Sons of Svanir

ArenaNet (Scott McGough) : The icier the Sons of Svanir, the more corrupted they are. I would say that Primordus can-

ArenaNet (Ree Soesbee) : The rockier they are…

ArenaNet (Scott McGough) : Yeah.

ArenaNet (Jeff Grubb) : There are rules for the Elder Dragons but they’re not the same rules for every Elder Dragon.

ArenaNet (Ree Soesbee) : It’s kind of like he’s converting those living creatures into stone.

Though interesting they use “rock” rather than “fire” or “lava” – I’d think it’d be the same effect. The insides burning out, similar to how icebrood slowly turn to ice.