Guild Wars 2

when you encounter the pirate captain in the aetherblade dungeon,she says to her first mate.. Mai Trin: This has all gone to crud. Scarlet’s gonna have my noggin for screwing up."

any ideas on who is Scarlet?

Scarlet Skyblade. :P I call it first!

SirDrygan.1823:

Scarlet Skyblade. :P I call it first!

You’re going to be right. But I mean, what else would you expect from a company that happily names a content release ‘Sky Pirates of Tyria’.

I suspect Scarlet is the personal nemesis. The actions of the Aetherblades and Inquest alliance sounds a bit too similar to the Molten Alliance’s development. Some figure in the background, not part of the group (as the name is definitely not asuran – sounds sylvari or human to me), gets two groups to join together.

My full thoughts on the matter, simply quoting myself from another thread:

If Scarlet is the personal nemesis, then there’s the Molten Alliance’s actions to be considered in Mai’s own actions. Scarlet would have made two powerful alliances in order to strike at the heart of norn, Iron Legion, and Lion’s Arch livelihoods. But more importantly, both groups have been advancing magitech to high degrees. Molten Alliance produced the Fused weapons, that jetpack, and so forth, as well as (most importantly IMO) the Azurite (gems that are highly magically conductive). The Aetherblades have the steampunk designs but with those incredibly deadly lasers, advanced golems (they used the “brand new” golem models from the personal story, and they seem to have gotten a good boost thanks to Frizz), and there were those dancing holograms among other things (leaping pads, for example).

It’s all seems to be boiling down to “what groups when put together can make a lot of improvements on pre-existing technology?” And then pitting them together with some sort of goal in mind. The Aetherblade/Inquest alliance goal? Likely for the Inquest to get a hold of the Captain’s Council like they do the Arcane Council – through Mai.

But what would Scarlet’s goals be? I presume she saw what the Pact accomplished, and is using underhanded means of getting some sort of technology to rival the Pact’s own. Combining Dredge and Flame Legion; Aetherblade and Inquest… who to be next, I wonder?

Scarlet…what a cliche name for a fantasy game. I actually Like Mr.E’s name alot more then scarlet(i am red haired and my character wears red etc etc so it’s not because i hate red).

I hope the white mantle plays a part in this story arc just because of their importance of working behind the scenes.

Pavees.7281:

Scarlet…what a cliche name for a fantasy game. I actually Like Mr.E’s name alot more then scarlet(i am red haired and my character wears red etc etc so it’s not because i hate red).

I hope the white mantle plays a part in this story arc just because of their importance of working behind the scenes.

I think the White Mantle have been a little too inconspicuous thus far in GW2 to be included. They might include the Bandits or Separtists (who obviously are White Mantle in a sense and it is suspected/known that the higher ups are White Mantle), but I think they’d avoid using the Mantle until some Mursaat related storyline crops up?

Yeah Scarlet is a bit of a cliche, but then having a mysterious character identifying by a single initial isn’t all that original either. That’s just how this kind of fantasy tends to work (and I think is possibly an unfortunate side effect of having too many writers shoving their hands into things, but that’s just opinion).

FlamingFoxx.1305:

I think is possibly an unfortunate side effect of having too many writers shoving their hands into things, but that’s just opinion.

An opinion which I concur fully with. The Guild Wars franchise is really losing its originality with the living story, and I blame the larger, newer, writers.

Konig Des Todes.2086:

FlamingFoxx.1305:

I think is possibly an unfortunate side effect of having too many writers shoving their hands into things, but that’s just opinion.

An opinion which I concur fully with. The Guild Wars franchise is really losing its originality with the living story, and I blame the larger, newer, writers.

It’s really quite sad. You can see the effects throughout the game with all the inconsistencies in style and content. It’s most noticeable in their recent reliance on lore based blog posts that fill in the massive gaps left by the personal story. If you compare the recent ones with the Story posts we had before GW2 was released there is a serious decline in narrative style and the awareness of lore and it’s situation within the game world.

I purchased Sea of Sorrows yesterday and I’m not very far in, but there is a noticeable difference that comes through in Ree’s writing, something the game has been sorely lacking of late. Even then I’ve seen people point out that there are inconstancies and contradictions within the novel which sort of suggests that it’s gotten to the point where too many people have messed around the with storylines that even Ree isn’t able to work fully within the confines.

I in no way mean this as a personal insult, but watching the latest videos with Angel McCoy is kind of cringeworthy, it feels as if the world has been reduced to a story that lacks breadth, intelligence and tangible mystery and now exist solely to cater to the mechanics that other divisions come up with and to the masses of people who don’t care too much about the story or aren’t familiar with the world.

I don’t understand what’s wrong with the name Scarlet.

Maybe I’ve been reading/watching/playing different fantasy to your guys but it doesn’t strike me as any more commonly use or cliche than any other name. Far better than something like Raven or anything with an apostrophe in the middle.

I really don’t understand prefering Mr E. which at best is a sign of the characters lack of creativity (and possibly poor sense of humor) and at worst indicates a total thought process of “He’ll need a code name, something to keep him a mystery. Oh, there, job done.”

FlamingFoxx.1305:

I think the White Mantle have been a little too inconspicuous thus far in GW2 to be included. They might include the Bandits or Separtists (who obviously are White Mantle in a sense and it is suspected/known that the higher ups are White Mantle), but I think they’d avoid using the Mantle until some Mursaat related storyline crops up?

Since when are Separatists part of the White Mantle? They don’t want to remove the Queen from the throne, only to end the peace talks and take their land back.

Gandarel.5091:

FlamingFoxx.1305:

I think the White Mantle have been a little too inconspicuous thus far in GW2 to be included. They might include the Bandits or Separtists (who obviously are White Mantle in a sense and it is suspected/known that the higher ups are White Mantle), but I think they’d avoid using the Mantle until some Mursaat related storyline crops up?

Since when are Separatists part of the White Mantle? They don’t want to remove the Queen from the throne, only to end the peace talks and take their land back.

You are correct. He means to say just Bandits. The Bandits and the Separatists are two entirely different and separate groups. Only the Bandits have ties to the White Mantle.

I think FlamingFoxx was mistaking the Caudecus Manor storyline as Caudecus aiding the Separatists (with Uzolan), and Caudecus is in cahoots with bandits and possibly White Mantle.

Minor side note but I ran out to see how Roxx and Braham are doing and they both had little voiced bits I hadn’t seen before. Not much really. Braham’s girlfriend has him hunting rabbits (Im starting to think she isnt really a good match for him) and Roxx is being sent all over the place on errands for Rytlock which is leading to Frostbite, her devourer, to play up since she has to leave it behind since its still being trained.

The image on the Release page makes me think the next update will be moving things over to human territories. Considering they just introduced Mr E, Kasmeer and Marjory it would make sense that we head over to kryta next. Ill be curious how Roxx and Braham are brought back into the plot later.

… Is it just me, or does that image appear to be a bridge over a chasm?

@Lutinz: I think those dialogues have been there since F&F ended.

@Aaron: If you’re insinuating that it’s showing the Great Collapse, I’d say no. Looks more like a ramp than a bridge over a gap (or do you mean in the background of the picture with the arched “roof”? If that, then that gap’s way too small to be the Great Collapse). Looks like wooden structures not dissimilar to Lion’s Arch, but on cliff edges (which doesn’t fit LA).

Honestly, reminds me of this concept art. Though now that I remember the whole “kites” theme found in the .dat, I’m reminded of these two concept art pieces.

My first thought of the image was that it was a dock structure with buildings on it going out over water but I couldnt really think of anywhere in game that would fit that. The people look human as do the buildings which is why I thought it was likely DR.

We still havent found out what the deal with that mountain in Gandarren Fields is yet have we. You know, the one making funny noises and with pipes and steam coming out of it. I assume its a part of the Aetherblade base. Maybe we will find out next week.

@Konig Des Todes: Are you sure they arent new? I went out there after F&F to see the fate of the areas and while Braham and Roxx had written dialog for you there wasnt any scripted spoken evens like this dialog was. Plus it mentioned being able to catch up with Roxx, Braham and Kasmeer in the guide blog on the 25th.

Not that it really matters. We dont find out much from it apart from that Braham’s girlfreind might not be a perfect fit for him.

It hardly looks like DR to me – the structures look fully wooden. So it’s likely concept art for something new. Hopefully just not a half-arsed zone like Southsun Cove was.

As to the mountain in Gendarran, I think that’s the new Jumping Puzzle that’ll be up in the second update for this content.

And I’m pretty sure it was mentioned a while back by folks that they saw dialogue about Rox and Braham being sent on various tasks by Rytlock and Ottilia (or w/e her name is) respectively. I suppose it could be new though. TBH, I never really spent much time in those instances after F&F was over.

Yeah the Gendarren Fields mountain is definitely the new JP. You can see the steam launch pads that were in the Aetherblade Retreat, so it makes sense for the JP location.

https://d3b4yo2b5lbfy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/wallpapers/BotFW-1920x1080.jpg
This is the full wallpaper, if anyone’s interested.

Well. I could kind of see this being a new area next to Lions Arch/below Genddaren Fields? Since we can see water, a waterfall, moutains and I would think that the wooden structures are in-progress buildings or something?

Since we knew it was a “she” in the F&F Storyline and we got now the name of “Scarlet” i can only think of one character, even though she has vanished for 250 years…

I know i may be thinking “too simple”, however what is with Livia.
If we talk about an illusive character who got some power and bears that “color”, she is the perfect fit.

Beeing an Necormancer she might have cheated death with her research, or it is some offspring of her, playing the “order of whispers” for real. Walking in the shadows. pulling strings to get things in motion so we are able to fight the coming enemies…
You know, for the greater good.

SoS spoilers.

Danikat.8537:

I don’t understand what’s wrong with the name Scarlet.

Me either, as long as I get an opportunity, at some point, to say, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a kitten .”

Aaron Ansari.1604:

SoS spoilers.

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That’s not as far-fetched as you might think. As of 1256, a mere seventy years before GW2 present day, Livia was still alive and well. She was also still a member of the Shining Blade guarding the royal family. What the motive be? What reason would she have to aid parties hostile to humanity’s allies?

“mere seventy”

Gandarel.5091:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

SoS spoilers.

Show Spoiler

hide spoiler

That’s not as far-fetched as you might think. As of 1256, a mere seventy years before GW2 present day, Livia was still alive and well. She was also still a member of the Shining Blade guarding the royal family. What the motive be? What reason would she have to aid parties hostile to humanity’s allies?

“mere seventy”

Now that is curious. I wonder now how many exemplars there have been prior to Elise now.

Aaron Ansari.1604:

SoS spoilers.

Show Spoiler

hide spoiler

That’s not as far-fetched as you might think. As of 1256, a mere seventy years before GW2 present day, Livia was still alive and well. She was also still a member of the Shining Blade guarding the royal family. What the motive be? What reason would she have to aid parties hostile to humanity’s allies?

Well…

Well, “she” might instigating that for the greater good.
Bringing together groups who are compatible, but because they hate each other would never do that on their own.
With these new “alliances”, new developements occour, like technlogy.

Molten Alliance: “New advanced technology” (combining Flamelegion and Dredge)
Aetherblades: “A voice in Lions Arch” and “Aetherblade Airship and Aetherweapon technology” (Combining Inquest (ruthless Asura Technology) and Skypirate appliances)

Basicly we get knowledge and access to knowledge we wouldnt get access to, if we played by the “rules” aka, beeing the good guys.

By forcing these groups to work togehter they synergize and the public gets aware of these technologies, which end up beeing looked at and even beeing used in further fights. maybe against the dragons.

Except that we’re only getting the fringes of these benefits. Most of the Molten Alliance’s developments remain solely in Molten Alliance hands, as have any improvements in the Aetherblade airships.

About the SoS spoilers (note: I haven’t read the book yet)

As for the personal nemesis’ intention, I think it’s personal glory. Not trying to take over the world, but personal gain by developing technologies for herself. Reasons being:

1. The Molten Alliance was left to their own accord. All the personal nemesis seems to have done was do a bit of match-making. Likely, her outcome of the deal would be to obtain some of that technology; alternatively, she got nothing from the deal and set this up as either a distraction (less likely imo) or to see if technological advancements would be made at all.
2. If she was interested in making technological advancements “for the greater good of the people,” she’d probably be funding the Pact or getting the Pact to spread their technological advancements out of said Pact. Instead, she’s funding criminal organizations. Only reason I can think of for this path to be “for the greater good” would be to find new directions of technology – an experiment to see what different paths and directions technology can go in.
3. Scarlet, should she be the personal nemesis, wouldn’t gain much by setting up the plot to take a spot in the Captain’s Council if she was only interested in technological gain for the “greater good” – in fact, this would act as a determent. I think this act shows that she’s not a good guy at all, as if she was it would probably be done akin to the Molten Alliance – set the group up, then let them do their own thing (and reap from their advancements in the meantime).

So to sum it up, I think Scarlet is after personal gain (monetary? influence? not sure, but not raw totalitarianism) in advancing technology and obtaining an influential place in politics. She seems to be going the route of a puppet-master villain that relies on Xanatos Gambits.

Mai Trin’s dialog is interesting when she is in the cell. I assumed she was the leader of the Aetherblades and taking her and her base down would cripple them. However from what she says it sounds like Aetherblades are bigger than first presumed. My guess now is that Scarlet is the actual leader of the Aetherblades. Weither that makes her the Nemesis or not Im not sure.

On a seperate matter Ellen Kiel doesnt sound like she will be an inspector much longer. Im starting to suspect that she will be part of the tie in to Bazaar of the Four Winds since now she needs to make some money relatively quickly

I seem to remember that Mai’s words were vague enough for Scarlet to be an organization. Scarlet may not be the personal nemesis.

You found her words a lot more interesting than I did, that’s for sure Lutinz.

Mai’s words definitely make out the Aetherblades to still be a threat, but for all she knows we never found the Gendarran Fields hideout. Of course, it’s possible that she does know this but is confident enough of her men will be out there to bust her out. Her words came off more to me as “my men will free me, just wait and see” rather than “you think I’m the leader? Hah, guess again.”

As to Scarlet being an organization… while Mai’s wording is vague enough, the way it’s said and worded doesn’t really come off as being about a group but an individual. But that’s all a matter of interpretation I guess. Both cases would be.

I dont think she was saying ‘you think I’m the leader? Guess again’. She was definately kittening at us cause shed lost. However do we have any indication that she is infact the head of the Aetherblades? I always assumed it but I dont remember her saying anything about it.

I might be reading more into it than there actually was. I tend to do that alot with the Living Story:P. I put what she said together with Keil’s nomination and her new ship. After all, who better to combat a sky pirate threat than someone with their own airship.

“Just keep your eyes in the sky”

Aetherblades/Scarlet are going to attack the flying w/e that thing is that is coming with BotFW

@Lutinz, she is called captain a couple times. However, she may only be captain of one of the airships, and answer to an admiral of sorts. If that is the case, I bet that’s who Scarlet is. If not, then Scarlet could just as easily be the asura heading the Inquest side of the alliance as the personal nemesis.

I noticed something perhaps a little odd.
In the Aetherblade Retreat dungeon once you’ve gone along the wooden walkway with the electrical barriers and get to the top there is a dancing hologram. I’m pretty sure it is doing the Sylvari dance… Seems odd for an organisation with no Sylvari in it unless someone higher up is?

FlamingFoxx.1305:

I noticed something perhaps a little odd.
In the Aetherblade Retreat dungeon once you’ve gone along the wooden walkway with the electrical barriers and get to the top there is a dancing hologram. I’m pretty sure it is doing the Sylvari dance… Seems odd for an organisation with no Sylvari in it unless someone higher up is?

No particular reason. They just chose the sylvari dance because someone at ANET thought it was sexy.

It’s also a norn model that’s the hologram. And I think it’s due to it being the most sex-appealing dance among the playable races’ dances.

What is most disconcerting about the “Living Story” format is that NONE of it makes ANY sense—————-there is NO motivation or reason for Dredge and Flame Legion or the Inquest and the Aetherblades (whoever they are) to combine efforts for what?? fun?— just cuz?——boredom?? I mean, new is fine—————but only in context————-without that, new is just so much hot air (useful for airships————and where did they come from?? There is NO evidence of any of the “stepping stones” to flight——-ANYPLACE!!—————-and we ain’t dealing with “magic” here————-this is plain old science!!

We ARE dealing with magic here- the Aetherblades stole their airships from the Pact, who were stated to use asuran magitech in their construction. As for the motive, just because the player doesn’t know it doesn’t mean there isn’t one- it’s implied at this point that an individual is running around playing matchmaker between these groups, and that we’ll find out why in the future, which you’d know if you had read this thread.

Now, can you please NEVER again replace all of your punctuation with dashes? Reading that was the most painful thing I’ve done in months.

Undouble, you apparently didn’t do the interrogation for the Flame and Frost bit – the Flame Legion allied with the dredge out of the persuasion of a third party individual (identity unknown) with the intent of utilizing the dredge for their technology and as additional footsoldiers, and then after the dredge fulfilled their role, Flame Legion intended to enslave them (this bit was only really told to male charr though). The dredge on the other hand wanted magic to further their technology, and were similarly persuaded by this third party individual to use Flame Legion’s magic.

As for the Inquest and Aetherblades, the origin of their alliance is unknown still, but their goals are known – to take a seat in the Captain’s Council (LA’s government). As for the airships – they stole them from the Pact and modified later, which you’d be able to figure out if you did the full storyline or went to Orr, though this was a fault on ANet’s part as they never really showed this in game but rather in a blog post.

Your “stepping stones to flight” is part of the personal storyline. And yes it is magic, actually. Well, magitech.

Maybe Scarlet is S.C.A.R.L.E.T. ? You know how anet loves that sort of thing…. like Guild Wars Eye of the North = Gwen. Who came back? Exactly .

Or maybe Scarlet I’d just an AI? Like she IS that dancing Kortana like hologram? The Flame and Frost mentioned Kom Pu….. (Computer) ….

Don’t forget the possibility that all these living world stories would tie-in for the next Elder Dragon showdown.

The way I see it and the way it looks to me, all the recent living world stories is a work by a certain Elder Dragon or a Lt. intelligent enough to weave all these to weaken the races of this cycle – what with they surely know Zhaitan was defeated.

Get them busy for one, make them to take their eyes off the bigger threat. Make them fight each other. Weaken their alliance. Plant seeds of doubt. Make them declare war on each other. Terrorize everyone. The more chaotic and anarchy there is, the better. Then whoever it is that is behind the strings, can tell his/her ED boss to strike hard and fast.

And since the tengus seem to be very knowledgeable of what is happening and probably knows a secret or two, we might see them in the near future before we face the next ED.

Or maybe get help from Cantha and not the tengus.

@Henge: but what would S.C.A.R.L.E.T. stand for? Besides, Mai says Scarlet in the text, not S.C.A.R.L.E.T.

And to the AI thing… I don’t think ArenaNet would go the route of a rogue AI, that would be very unoriginal which isn’t what Anet wants- wait, Toxx. Nevermind. It’s been done in the game.

@Shael: Then the plan is terrible not working, because the dragon-focused group, the Pact, has yet to show their face in the Living Story stuff. They’re off busy with other things while groups who are more concerned with domestic issues (or both dragon and domestic issues and thus split attention between aiding Pact and taking care of domestic problems – such as the three orders) are the ones focusing on the LS stuff. Namely Iron Legion, Wolfborn, Lionguard, and somewhat Vigil/Order of Whispers/Durmand Priory. The Pact is independent of all of these, even though its origins lie in the three orders, during the invasion of Orr they expanded to the point of having lots of non-Orders resources and manpower.

Personally, I’m really hoping that the personal nemesis isn’t going to be dragon related – unless it is a female icebrood norn. Then that’d make an interesting enough enemy. Besides, why would the Flame Legion, Dredge, Aetherblades, and Inquest take advice from a dragon minion who are always immensely fanatical to the nth degree?

Konig Des Todes.2086:

@Henge: but what would S.C.A.R.L.E.T. stand for? Besides, Mai says Scarlet in the text, not S.C.A.R.L.E.T.

Well to be fair if she wanted to keep people in the dark why would she talk like S C A R L E T(Say each letter out loud individually and then say scarlet in a sentence and it’d be hard to catch that the context of scarlet means an organization since you can’t say S PERIOD C PERIOD etc). If anything just saying only “scarlet” leaves it vague so it can be discussed on the possibilities.

Alot of fiction usually says a word that is later used as a code word for an organization without the periods so the word has meaning and is vague to leave a sense of mystery. I don’t believe it stands for any organization more if anything only a person but from a writer perspective i could see them saying “scarlet” without periods just to leave it vague.

Pavess, you misunderstood me.

I was referring to the text in the dialogue box. Even if people pronounce the acryonyms as if it were a word, it’s spelled by the abbreviated version. It has nothing to do with the speaking out the word/letter.

The only reason to do so otherwise would be as a red herring, which ArenaNet is really bad at doing in GW2… despite my constant hopes.

Konig Des Todes.2086:

Pavess, you misunderstood me.

I was referring to the text in the dialogue box. Even if people pronounce the acryonyms as if it were a word, it’s spelled by the abbreviated version. It has nothing to do with the speaking out the word/letter.

No you misunderstand me. Alot of writers will deliberately write the acryonym for an organization as the standard word without the periods as something to stick out and to question over. Later in stories do they clarrify and add the periods when the character finds out the word actually stands for something as opposed to being just a word.

I mean no disrespect also btw but just adding a capital to scarlet helps draw attention to it(it’s a simple tactic but like i said before i believe it’s for a name not an organization and my responses were suppose to give reasoning behind albeit poorly).

Scarlet could just be ambiguous not a literal fact about a person. It could also be someone in a red cloak and not revealing their identity. I am starting to suspect it’s someone near us that we know too well. Or someone who has been watching us from the very beginning and knowing our fates would be intertwined. Needless to say I will be watching campaign between Kiel and Gnashblade in the becoming the next person on the captain counsel closely. Just waiting to see if someone slips and becomes morally ambiguous in what they do. It’s always a dead give away.