Guild Wars 2

The Sanguinary Blade provides us with a fascinating insight into the nature of how Elder Dragon corruption spreads. The blade is made of the blood of Jormag and appears to be able to rapidly corrupt both it’s wielders and it’s victims. This brings us to our fascinating insight: Jormag’s corruption is similar to haemorrhagic fever (symptoms of such infectious diseases include a change in personality and also a transition in physical form, usually the melting of the victim). The blade is so effective because it exposes both wielder and victim to a lethal dose of Jormag’s “goobies” (for want of a better word). This also provides us with a plausible explanation as to why Jormag’s tooth is (as far as we know) harmless – it is almost totally lacking in his blood and hence his “goobies”.
Kralkatorrik’s corruption is also similar in some respects to haemorrhagic fever. However, the onset of this corruption (when we say this, we should really substitute “corruption” for “virus” in order to help us understand this) is almost instantaneous regardless of whether one comes in contact with the Elder Dragon’s blood (you could liken Jormag’s corruption to rabies with varying levels of intensity – the long incubation form and the rapid/instantaneous form – and Kralkatorrik’s corruption to ebola – almost exclusively rapid/instantaneous). Kralkatorrik’s corruption best resembles an airborne virus. It is said, for example, that he corrupts that on which he breathes; it is also said that wherever he flies (or goes) his corruption is spread.
It is when we consider the corruption of the other Elder Dragons that this insight begins to fade. It simply is not possible to perfectly “fit” this explanation into every situation involving Elder Draconic corruption.
Zaithan does not appear to infect a living host, although we do have at least one example of lethal exposure leading to the rapid onset of infection (Corporal Kellach). This appears to be the exception, however, rather than the norm. There is no real-life example of a virus resulting in some kind of reanimation. However, within the lore of Guild Wars 2 it is interesting to note that viewing the corruption of the Elder Dragons as loosely analogous to haemorrhagic fever does provide us with a tidier explanation of why Zaithan’s minions are often referred to as “plague bringers”. Moreover, it is likely that this virus lies dormant in the ground and is spread by physical contact.
Likewise, neither Primordus nor the Deep Sea Dragon seem to infect living hosts.
Arguably Mordremoth does appear to infect living hosts with some form of fungal spore. The posion blossoms of Twilight Arbour are the best evidence of a spore being released. Clearly, little or nothing seems immune to this spore, although it can be treated (using condition removing skills). Incredibly, although we continue to maintain that Sylvari are immune to Mordremoth’s corruption, even Sylvari can become infected by the spores (just try running past a poison blossom with a Sylvari character). However, true to form, Sylvari characters will die if the poison is not treated.
Naturally, I do not wish to challenge the idea that Sylvari are immune to Elder Draconic corruption. However, I do wish to clarify what we mean by this: The “corruption” cannot reproduce within a Sylvari host. It wil kill Sylvari, however, suggesting that Sylvari go into some kind of shock unique to their species. We tend to view this as a good thing, but it has it’s drawbacks. You might save a risen chicken from Zaithan’s corruption (a chicken is cleansed in Arah) (the chicken is infected, like a number of other species within Orr because Zaithan’s corruption has “hopped” between species. We note that creatures closely associated with the human civilization of Orr are routinely seen amongst the Risen forces for this very reason: Chickens, bulls, gorillas etc etc. The same could be said of Kralkatorik’s forces: Devourers (a Charr pet) and so on and so forth) and so, perhaps anything, except for Sylvari. For them, there is no cure to Elder Dragon corruption. Just as importantly, the concept of varying levels of immunity to Elder Draconic corruption within the populations of living beings of Tyria becomes evident and helps to explain how some from a population can be corrupted whilst others are not. Of course, no species save Sylvari has yet been proven to be truly immune to Elder Draconic corruption but having contemplated this perspective I’m sure that we can all now better appreciate the role the other races play in helping us solve the problems associated with the Elder Dragons: We need them to help us cure the curse on the land.

Draconic corruption is magical. Not really a virus. Plus you’re only taking isolated cases (while refusing others).

Jormag’s primary means of corruption is mentally – most like a mesmer – without the use of blood. The Sanguinary Blade is rather unique for him. It is Jormag’s Kellach, so to speak (who is corrupted by an artifact (what kind unspecified iirc) corrupted by Zhaitan, thus spreading Zhaitan’s corruption to him while he still lives – if memory serves me correctly; this is also done to Howl, a member of the charr PC warband, who was wearing an amulet corrupted by Zhaitan via a “Dragon Crystal” and done so by Necromancer Risa (?)).

Though Kralkatorrik’s primary corruption seen directly by us is that of his breath (the dragons’ breath is the means of corruption claimed for them all), his blood doesn’t corrupt as seen in Edge of Destiny as is his spine. However, with his minions encasing in crystal has shown to spread the corruption.

And you’re tying something with no clear connection to Mordremoth as something tied to Mordremoth (the Deadly Blossoms or w/e they’re called). And you mix in mechanics to it.

Nonetheless, while an interesting theory, it really falters in the fact that it’s pointblank said even by the developers to be magical corruption, rather than viral. And it wouldn’t take into consideration how each Elder Dragon who’s corruption is shown has corrupted the land itself – or with Kralkatorrik’s case, even lightning. Primordus very clearly cannot corrupt via virus since its primary minions are made of rock and fire – though it is capable of corrupting creatures, it does this by encasing them in rock and effectively liquifying the body into lava.

Plus, I’d be kitten ed surprise if you can explain how a viral infection can transform a being’s insides – everything but the skin (and if concept art is to be used, skeleton is spared sometimes as well) – with solid but mobile crystal, which can even fly at times. Or explain how viral infections would make the dragon champions.

Hey Konig,
I appreciate the feedback. I certainly don’t think that the metaphor is exhaustive and am in general agreement with your counterpoints. In particular, I accept that the poison blossoms of Twilight Arbor are not openly linked to Mordremoth. For this reason, consider my perspective nothing more than speculation.

I wanted to expand more on this comparison. Using real-world viruses as a way of explaining how corruption spreads does help to explain a few more things. For example, it predicts that corruption will be less prevalent in xenophobic populations. In most cases, as it turns out, this is correct. We do not see routine examples of xenophobic races such as the Grawl, Jotun, or Centaurs within the ranks of the Elder Dragons. This does not make them immune by nature, of course. Nor does it mean that xenophobic races are not present in the various armies of the Elder Dragons: The Krait are amongst the foremost examples of just one such race being overrepresented in at least Zaithan’s army.

The reason that you might find a xenophobic race present is ususally geographic – although the Krait may not actually want to join Zaithan, it just so happens that they live around his minions and in regions where he is active. The same could be said of Branded Ogres etc etc.

The model also predicts that there will be notable examples of immunity within the various races of Tyria. (I wish to point out, however, that it is not the kind of immunity that the Sylvari enjoy.) As far as I know, we have no tidy explanation for why Almorra Soulkeeper was spared the Kralkatorrik’s corruption. Nor does anyone seem even interested in exploring the possibility that immunity may be present within the races. It is considered a taboo subject because we have been led to believe that only Sylvari are immune. Their immunity is population-wide, whereas Almorra’s is probably an isolated case from which some kind of antidote to Kralkatorik’s corruption could be created. I hasten to add that although she may be immune to Kralkatorrik that does not make her immune to the corruption of every Elder Dragon. Furthermore, it could be that she is immune to the airborne form of corruption, much like the model presented in I Am Legend. Will Smith’s character is immune to every form, whereas dogs are immune to the airborne form and so on and so forth.
Again, the Norn Aesgir may also be immune. An alternative explanation is that he was aided by an artifact or even aided by the Spirits of the Wild. Whatever the case, what this proves is that some kind of antidote exists that can be harnessed to treat corruption. In response to the belief that the Norn was aided by an artifact, consider that the Norn are waiting for the rise of another hero capable of damaging Jormag – hence the tooth in Hoelbrak is like the Sword In The Stone for King Arthur. What this suggests is that the Norn believe that it was not an artifact but instead something about Aesgir that made him special. We can argue that he was aided by the Spirits of the Wild, sure, but we have to remeber that that still makes him special as not every Norn is capable of this, otherwise the tooth would be in pieces.

Stephen.6312:

We do not see routine examples of xenophobic races such as the Grawl, Jotun, or Centaurs within the ranks of the Elder Dragons. This does not make them immune by nature, of course. Nor does it mean that xenophobic races are not present in the various armies of the Elder Dragons: The Krait are amongst the foremost examples of just one such race being overrepresented in at least Zaithan’s army.

I would list the grawl, jotun, and centaurs as being a case of “model resources and/or considered too far” – same with other races we don’t see.

I mean, we do see grawl and jotun being attempted to be turned by the Sons of Svanir, and we have concept art for centaurs being both risen and icebrood.

I would hardly call jotun, grawl, and centaurs xenophobic, mind you. Well, jotun arguably, but not really the others.

Stephen.6312:

As far as I know, we have no tidy explanation for why Almorra Soulkeeper was spared the Kralkatorrik’s corruption.

From the developers’ mouth: She was on the edge of the Dragonbrand, not within it. Unfortunately, I cannot find the interview…

And for the record, in the past people did question the possibility of isolated (read: not species-wide) prevention of corruption long long ago, back when Ghosts of Ascalon was released because the story isn’t exactly clear on Almorra’s placement. A later interview which stated she was at the edge of the Dragonbrand, thus not touched by the corruption, more or less ended it.

Aesgir furthered the speculation, though at first we were led to believe that it was the Spirits of the Wild that prevented him from becoming corrupted. Now, however, we know he was in the possession of an ancient and possibly-powerful scroll suspected to be of jotun origins which may have aided him in the fight against Jormag.

As for an “antidote” – such was known since Edge of Destiny. Though I really dislike your usage of viruses in this, as it is very very pointblankedly not viral but magical (plus, how the heck does a virus turn your body into ice/crystal/lava? Just how!?), in Edge of Destiny, Snaff utilizes gray powerstones to block the Dragonspawn’s mesmer-like magic that is how it corrupts. Though said powerstones wouldn’t prevent corruption by other means.

The Elder Dragons corrupt by exuding their own twisting magic. Their transformation is probably little different than how Abaddon turned Margonites into etheric demonic entities (something you would not call “viral”), but with the addition of altering the personality, removing their free will, and taking their knowledge.