Guild Wars 2

The Summoned Husks of the Wychmire Swamp region are amongst the rarest of observable creatures within GW2. This is not due to resource constraints on the part of development. In Sparkfly Fen, a series of dynamic events are dedicated to portraying the means by which the Inquest acquire Summoned Husks: Trade. That a well-resourced organization like the Inquest should have to resort to trade with none-other-than the Nightmare Court for a Summoned Husk demonstrates that said husks are a rare occurrence within Tyria. If this were not the case, the Inquest would simply go out and capture one.

Where do Summoned Husks come from? A prevailing theory associates them with the Jungle Elder Dragon. Perhaps they come from him? It is not my intention to explore this possibility. Instead, I would like to contemplate the possibility that they are somehow directly related to sylvari themselves.

The term husk is used in GW2 to describe at least one other plant-like being: The petrified remains of a druid. However, Summoned Husks are not petrified. Furthermore, the models of the two husks differ almost entirely, save for the fact that they both appear to be plant-like. Thus, if we are to look for answers as to the origins of Summoned Husks, we will not look in the direction of the husks of the druids in the Brisban Wildlands.

In reality the word husk is botanical jargon for the outer shell or coating of a seed. It is debatable whether this definition can be used to help identify the origins of Summoned Husks. Still, when we consider that the husk of something is nothing more than the outer shell or coating of a plant it does fit with the nature of the druids’ husks. It probably also fits with the nature of Summoned Husks too, particularly when we consider that they are described as “mindless” (in TA, when speaking to an NPC) – that is, Summoned Husks are what remains of a (possible) sentient being.

If Summoned Husks are what is left of a being, where is that being? It is possible that the being in question is a sylvari and that a Summoned Husk is the remains of it’s seed-pod. Alternatively, it could be that Summoned Husks are the remains of dead sylvari slain in Wychmire Swamp. (Whilst accompanying Gamarien in his patrol of the region you will witness a sylvari prisoner attempting to escape from Nightmare Courtiers. The Courtiers slay the fleeing prisoner, after which one asks the other what they should do with the body, to which the other replies that they should leave the body where it lies for the swamp to “do it’s work”.) In the case of the former proposition, why don’t we see Summoned Husks utilized by sylvari in general? This may be because the Summoned Husks are being infused with Nightmare magic. This does not really clarify why they are denoted as “Summoned”. However, it is possible that the Nightmare is summoning husks from the Dream in the same way that sylvari are summoned from the Dream. (In the sylvari personal story introductory cinematic the player-character relates that he/she is being “summoned by the Dream”; I am contending that the same process may be taking place with Summoned Husks, which are being summoned by the Nightmare). The geography of the swamp suggests that this may be correct. Sylvari summoned by the Dream begin to awaken at a waterfall in Ogham Wilds; waterfalls also dominate the Wychmire Swamp area, some of which are colored purple.

Whatever the case, what is undeniable is that Summoned Husks are frequently seen amongst Nightmare forces. Some have suggested that Summoned Husks are minions of an Elder Dragon. In my opinion, although there are reasons to entertain this idea, I think that there is no more reason to concede that Summoned Husks are Elder Dragon minions than that any other member of Nightmare forces – be they Nightmare Hound, Nightmare sylvari, Nightmare Vine, Nightmare Husk, Nightmare spider or otherwise – are Elder Dragon minions. Why? Most importantly, Nightmare sylvari often employ violence (amongst other tactics) to subdue other creatures, even other sylvari. If they have used the same tactics with Summoned Husks in order to bend them to Nightmare’s will, it seems unusual that they would successfully turn an Elder Dragon minion away from it’s master when similar tactics employed by Ogres to “tame” Branded has always resulted in failure (see the wiki on Ogres for more information). My point is simply this: If you wish to argue that Summoned Husks are Elder Dragon minions, you will inevitably also have to argue that Nightmare sylvari are Elder Dragon minions. Such an argument is unsustainable at this time. (In stating the above I am aware of the presence of Summoned Husks at the Crucible Of Eternity. As I have already stated, it is not my intention at this time to explore the reasons behind their appearance at the dungeon.)

To summarize, therefore, I contend that Summoned Husks have been summoned by the Nightmare. These husks are most likely either the remains of sylvari seed-pods or sylvari slain within the Wychmire Swamp region.

Although I admire the long wall of text you’ve posted and you clearly have taken your time to think this trough, I think you are wrong.

“it is not my intention at this time to explore the reasons behind their appearance at the dungeon.” Yet I think the answer is provided in CoE.

Evolved husk in CoE <=> CoE researches in dragonic magic and minions <=> The husk is a dragon minion.
Plain and simple.
The nightmare ‘corrupts’ creatures just like the ED do and the 6th dragon is confirmed to be the jungle dragon. The nightmare within the dream in the sylvari starter instance resembles a dragon.
I could be entirely wrong, but right now I dare to assume that the nightmare is connected to Mordremoth.

Although your husk-from-dead-sylvari theory is interesting, it seems like a bit of a stretch.

If you wish to argue that Summoned Husks are Elder Dragon minions, you will inevitably also have to argue that Nightmare sylvari are Elder Dragon minions.

I think someone argued against this at some point. The reasoning was that the Svanir are also able to spread Dragon Corruption but are no minions of Jormag as long as they are no Icebrood. Like the Sons of Svanir the Nightmare Court knowingly or unknowingly (we don’t know) create Mordremoth’s minions.

I wondered about husks myself as well. It is not clear in game where they come from. My best guess would be the magical animation of dead plant matter. This could be dead sylvari, nightmare hounds, oakhearts, druids, pods, or maybe even just trees. This opens up the possibility of husks being created by sylvari form of necromancy. There is no explanation of why the husks are ogre sized humanoids though.

The Jungle Wurm is one of the few enemies that we can associate with the expected Jungle Dragon. The Avatars of Blight in this event are husks and we can assume that they are dragon minions. It would not be at all surprising for the jungle dragon to ‘blight’ wildlife to the point where it dies and then reanimate that plant life as blighted husks.

From the wiki:
“The Shadow of the Dragon is the form taken by the shadow of evil that has infected the Dream. If the player character is a sylvari, it blocks the path to their awakening and must be vanquished before the player can enter the world. Physically, it resembles a dragon champion and seems to be composed of plant matter, with an orange glow at its core not dissimilar to that of the Summoned Husks.

Although Caithe attributes its presence to the Nightmare Court, the Pale Tree believes it to be a manifestation of the player’s Wyld Hunt to defeat Zhaitan. "

We won’t be certain until we get updates and new evidence, but in my eyes the husks, jungle worm and schadow of the dragon are all tied to Mordremoth.

Hi Bellyboomer,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I concede that the theory linking Summoned Husks to an Elder Dragon is strong.

I do wonder, however, how much importance we should attribute the Wiki, which is player-maintained. Given that the “Nightmare Beast” (aka Shadow Of The Dragon) in the sylvari starter instance does not summon Summoned Husks, but instead Nightmare Hounds, it is debatable whether we can truly associate Summoned Husks with the SOTD in the starter instance.
Perhaps the passing semblance between the model of the SOTD and the model of Summoned Husks, that being the strange yellow glow from the belly of the beast, is the strongest reason we have to entertain the idea that the SOTD and the Summoned Husks are related. However, I feel that any attempt to link Summoned Husks to Elder Dragons can only be formed when we consider the evidence presented to us at the Crucible Of Eternity. Without that evidence, every other attempt at associating Summoned Husks with anything to do with Elder Dragons does not carry enough weight to be considered acceptable.

But that is just my opinion, of course, and it is by no means the only one

Stephen.6312:

Hi Bellyboomer,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I concede that the theory linking Summoned Husks to an Elder Dragon is strong.

I do wonder, however, how much importance we should attribute the Wiki, which is player-maintained. Given that the “Nightmare Beast” (aka Shadow Of The Dragon) in the sylvari starter instance does not summon Summoned Husks, but instead Nightmare Hounds, it is debatable whether we can truly associate Summoned Husks with the SOTD in the starter instance.
Perhaps the passing semblance between the model of the SOTD and the model of Summoned Husks, that being the strange yellow glow from the belly of the beast, is the strongest reason we have to entertain the idea that the SOTD and the Summoned Husks are related. However, I feel that any attempt to link Summoned Husks to Elder Dragons can only be formed when we consider the evidence presented to us at the Crucible Of Eternity. Without that evidence, every other attempt at associating Summoned Husks with anything to do with Elder Dragons does not carry enough weight to be considered acceptable.

But that is just my opinion, of course, and it is by no means the only one

You’re probably more of a lore-hound than me, I’m just passing my time here while I should be studying

The idea of the Husks and the SOTD’s yellow glow didn’t occur to me until I saw it on the wiki. Rently I also saw: http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Great_Jungle_Wurm

“The Great Jungle Wurm is an enormous Nightmare Vine in the heart of Wychmire Swamp, south of Twilight Arbor. Although it spawns Summoned Husks and Nightmare Hounds, Gamarien believes its presence there is the result of a “much darker force” than the Nightmare Court, and simply defeating it is not enough to clear the local corruption. "

Again, this isn’t evidence of a link with Mordremoth, and the “much darker force” could be anything. Yet at launch the main focus of the plot were the ED, and I’d think the most logical thing would be if this darker force was a hint towards future dragon-shenanigans. So unless Anet includes a 180 in the living story, this would still be the case.

Well my dear Stephen, from the looks of the new update, we might get some new answers

Counter argument!

Bellyboomer.3048:

Evolved husk in CoE <=>

Emphasis mine. One assumes they could have even done the same thing with a human using ED magic (or slimes, which Subject Alpha seems to form from).

Hi guys,
I’ve been directed toward some preview scenes of combat associated with the new three-headed Wurm boss of the Bloodtide Coast. It appears that Flame-touched Husks are present. This completely refutes my pre-existing theory and appears to vindicate the traditional position (that Summoned Husks are Mordremoth’s minions).

It looks like I am going to be spending a lot of time slaving over the oven, baking humble pie (and eating it too, of course). Haha!

What’s the likelyhood of the 3 headed Wurm somehow turning out to be the Jungle Dragon?

I would say very unlikely since it doesn’t have the typical dragon form and other traits the other dragons have like minions.

Also the fact that the three heads have been seen via screenshots and they are just slightly-color-altered Jungle Wurm heads.

Plus it is in Bloodtide Coast and Colin said in an interview a bit back that the jungle wurm is tied to the Maguuma. Well, more of slipped than said.

Stephen.6312:

Hi guys,
I’ve been directed toward some preview scenes of combat associated with the new three-headed Wurm boss of the Bloodtide Coast. It appears that Flame-touched Husks are present. This completely refutes my pre-existing theory and appears to vindicate the traditional position (that Summoned Husks are Mordremoth’s minions).

It looks like I am going to be spending a lot of time slaving over the oven, baking humble pie (and eating it too, of course). Haha!

Without any tie to Mordremoth for the ancient tri-headed wurm, I see no reason for the presence of Husks to validate or invalidate anything in this event.

Chances are they’ll be food like with the pre-existing Great Jungle Wurm as it seems this is meant to be an “advanced” version of that fight.