Guild Wars 2

I posted this in the Living story forums but realize it better belongs here so I’m posting it here too. To the moderators, feel free to merge the 2 threads:

So after the latest revelation of the living story, I developed a theory as to who the sylvari actualy are (spoliers for those who haven’t done the last chapter of LS season 2):

I believe the sylvari’s body is actually the physical manifestation of Mordremoth’s corruption surrounding the spectral bodies of ghosts. Who would these spirits be? Well my first guess would be the druid spirits that used to reside in the Maguuma jungle.

From GW wiki:
The Druids were a group of Krytan humans that long ago moved to the Maguuma Jungle in order to live with nature. It is said that they are devout followers of Melandru, though this is only rumors. According to the History of Tyria, they were forced out of jungles in the long distant past by other humans. They were last seen by others sometime before 982 AE and mysteriously vanished decades before 1072 AE. Although generally believed to have been killed off by the jungle’s predatory plants and animals, the Druids actually shed their physical bodies to become one with nature. The Druids now exist as spirits, appearing similar to Oakhearts.

Alternatively, the spirits that were corrupted may also be remnants of the Chosen who were sacrificed by the White mantle. The Chosen were said to have a higher aptitude for Magic.

I personally think it’s a mixture of both but not exclusive to these two. For example, shining blade soldiers or travelers/adventurers who may have died in the Maguuma jungle in which their spirits remained.

I believe the trees were a means for Mordremoth to siphon the nearby spirits that wandered the jungle in which the pale tree is one of them. The spirits would then be reborn as minions of the dragon in which their energies are used to continuously feed the dragon. The dragon would likely have a bigger appetite for the spirits with a higher affinity to magic (such as the druids and the chosen). The purpose of the trees is to retain the old memories and aspirations of these spirits which they had while they were alive so that they are left empty; the sylvari were supposed to be reduced to simply being a ‘prize’ to be ‘collected’ by Mordremoth once he awoken. This may explain the vulnerability of the soundless.

However, the Pale tree is unique in that shares a dream with the sylvari under its branches. For me , the dream is likely connected to those memories and aspirations that I mentioned while making them relevant to the present time. With these asumptions, it could be that the Pale tree is releasing or has released that essence which made those spirits who they were when they were alive while combing it with the teachings of Ventari. Why is the Pale tree doing this? Well we can safely assume Ventari has something to do with it. By releasing the ‘Dream’ to the sylvari, the sylvari are able to block out the dragon’s voice.

Yet, I don’t think the dream makes a sylvari completely immune to the dragon. It depends on the individual such as the conviction of their dream (which would correlate to the conviction of their character in life).

The PC sylvari may have once been a human druid who was tasked with containing the dragon’s corruption in the jungle but ultimately fell victim to it which would his/her dream.

Now this may explain several mysteries behind the sylvari:
1) Their human appearance
2) Their ability to summon druid spirits
3) Their immunity to Zhaitan
4) Their unique dreams which define who they are
5) The vulnerability of the soundless to the dragon

Now if all this were to be true, an ironic and paradoxical tragedy can be found in two of the biggest sylvari villains; Faolain and Scarlet. They both sought freedom from the Pale tree and tried to break free from their fate. Yet by rejecting their dreams, they essentially rejected who they once were and their past aspirations and thus they threw away their freedom. I personally think this would be a good direction to take the story.

This would also give us some insight into the possible consequences if Mordremoth were to reach the ascalonian ghosts and the the importance of preventing this.

Your thoughts?

Everyone seems to forget:

The main key to the design was developing an obvious anatomy that clearly described the race as plant rather than an offshoot of human. However, because the race tightly relates to the essence of human due to the Pale Tree’s influences from Ronan, the overall form has a human silhouette. But if you look more closely, you’ll see the forms are really quite alien. They are a collection of abstract notions the Pale Tree had about what made up the human, as she really only saw the surface. They are a tree’s interpretation of humans.

http://www.talktyria.net/2011/08/11/sylvari-lore-interview-with-ree-soesbee-kristen-perry/

The mystery of their appearance was answered, long ago.

very interesting actually
at first i wasnt gonna read cause i thought it sounded silly but u got me with the druid part

however i dont think it was planned by mordy just because the seeds were in a completly different location and were brought there by a human (havnt see mord be able to corrupt humans yet)(meaning he wasn’t corrupted)and the druid this is the reason for the dream and why the soundless sylvari dont have the dream.

hmmm now the more i think about it it makes sense

i mean malyk or howerver its spelt(that random sylvari we once met that said he didnt remember a dream) could have been an agent of mord at that time scouting for the missing sylvari tree or whatever and he finds it but notices the syvari arnt acting how they are supposed to so he plays along.

just an idea to add to yours^^

Konig Des Todes.2086:

Everyone seems to forget:

The main key to the design was developing an obvious anatomy that clearly described the race as plant rather than an offshoot of human. However, because the race tightly relates to the essence of human due to the Pale Tree’s influences from Ronan, the overall form has a human silhouette. But if you look more closely, you’ll see the forms are really quite alien. They are a collection of abstract notions the Pale Tree had about what made up the human, as she really only saw the surface. They are a tree’s interpretation of humans.

http://www.talktyria.net/2011/08/11/sylvari-lore-interview-with-ree-soesbee-kristen-perry/

The mystery of their appearance was answered, long ago.

well still this could stand i mean he influanced the sylvari by planting the seed where he did. I mean it still is a little bit vauge

Konig Des Todes.2086:

Everyone seems to forget:

The main key to the design was developing an obvious anatomy that clearly described the race as plant rather than an offshoot of human. However, because the race tightly relates to the essence of human due to the Pale Tree’s influences from Ronan, the overall form has a human silhouette. But if you look more closely, you’ll see the forms are really quite alien. They are a collection of abstract notions the Pale Tree had about what made up the human, as she really only saw the surface. They are a tree’s interpretation of humans.

http://www.talktyria.net/2011/08/11/sylvari-lore-interview-with-ree-soesbee-kristen-perry/

The mystery of their appearance was answered, long ago.

Does this mean that Malyck is also from “our” Pale Tree?

I would call the whole sylvari business a sieve cuz it’s filled with holes, the plot kind.

Cosmin.8306:

I would call the whole sylvari business a sieve cuz it’s filled with holes, the plot kind.

no silly thats just the caterpillars eating away at the pale tree.
well we dont necisarily know if they are plot holes or if some of them may be sorted in HoT

How numerous were Druids?

It doesn’t seem likely that there were enough to be reincarnated as a whole race.

Actually we are all dreaming and the Sylvari are our GW1 characters.
Next season we will all wake up in 1081 AE in Ebonhawke.

And now that’s wrapped up. Sylvari are SPOILER!

Dragon minions. Their consciousness comes from (perhaps it is fraction of) Mordremoth into the plant matter that composes their bodies – but the Pale Tree or “Dream” has made them forget about their origins, in some way explaining their ever restless curiosity.

Sorry for late replies. Been busy

Konig Des Todes.2086:

Everyone seems to forget:

The main key to the design was developing an obvious anatomy that clearly described the race as plant rather than an offshoot of human. However, because the race tightly relates to the essence of human due to the Pale Tree’s influences from Ronan, the overall form has a human silhouette. But if you look more closely, you’ll see the forms are really quite alien. They are a collection of abstract notions the Pale Tree had about what made up the human, as she really only saw the surface. They are a tree’s interpretation of humans.

http://www.talktyria.net/2011/08/11/sylvari-lore-interview-with-ree-soesbee-kristen-perry/

The mystery of their appearance was answered, long ago.

Tbh, I wasn’t aware of that. However, at the time, the sylvari were supposed to be a mysterious race and Anet would not want to give anything away. That answer seems way too vague to really answer anything and in fact just brings up more questions:
1) Why didn’t the pale tree imitate ventari as well?
2) How does the pale tree know how female humans look like?
3) How come Malyck is also human looking when he’s from another tree?

It also doesn’t address the connection between the PC sylvari and the druids.

So you can’t really take that answer face-value. Though, even if we do, its not like we can’t reconcile what she said with my theory.

Furthermore, if we’re going to use quotes pre-release then I can say that the earliest concepts of the sylvari were described as ‘’The Sylvari are a young race of magical spirits in the Guild Wars universe who have a strong connection to nature.’’ http://www.giantbomb.com/sylvari/3015-3740/images/
Ofc the concept as we know it was later changed. But I think Anet changed it to conceal the fact that the sylvari are linked to the spirits of the maguuma jungle in some way.

saventis.1485:

very interesting actually

i mean malyk or howerver its spelt(that random sylvari we once met that said he didnt remember a dream) could have been an agent of mord at that time scouting for the missing sylvari tree or whatever and he finds it but notices the syvari arnt acting how they are supposed to so he plays along.

just an idea to add to yours^^

Thats certainly a possibility =). I personally think malyck was sincere but was being manipulated and tricked by his tree. I think whatever tree he came from was also concealing their identity until mord woke up.

Wanderer.3248:

How numerous were Druids?

It doesn’t seem likely that there were enough to be reincarnated as a whole race.

That’s a good point. That’s why I don’t think the sylvari are all from the spirits of druids. I think the PC is and probably trahearne. However, I also think the sylvari could be made from anyone’s spirit that is lingering in the world of the living. Say for example, the ascalonian ghosts. SO the sylvari in the maguuma jungle would be from a mixture of druid spirits, spirits of the chosen who were sacrificed or fallen white mantle/shining blade soldiers etc

Apolus.3157:

Actually we are all dreaming and the Sylvari are our GW1 characters.
Next season we will all wake up in 1081 AE in Ebonhawke.

Shhhh! Thats the big reveal for the last chapter. Next GW3 is announced which will just be a reboot of GW1 =P

Kayji.4390:

1) Why didn’t the pale tree imitate ventari as well?
2) How does the pale tree know how female humans look like?
3) How come Malyck is also human looking when he’s from another tree?

Well for number 2:

There were more humans around the Pale Tree’s sapling form than just Ronan.

Kayji.4390:

It also doesn’t address the connection between the PC sylvari and the druids.

And why must there be one?

Kayji.4390:

Furthermore, if we’re going to use quotes pre-release then I can say that the earliest concepts of the sylvari were described as ‘’The Sylvari are a young race of magical spirits in the Guild Wars universe who have a strong connection to nature.’’ http://www.giantbomb.com/sylvari/3015-3740/images/
Ofc the concept as we know it was later changed. But I think Anet changed it to conceal the fact that the sylvari are linked to the spirits of the maguuma jungle in some way.

The quote I took “pre-release” was about the redesign of sylvari. Your quote predates that, therefore things have largely publicly changed. Though that quote isn’t entirely incorrect.

But we know that the sylvari are dragon minions. This really destroys the spirit theory, imo.

Konig Des Todes.2086:

Well for number 2:

There were more humans around the Pale Tree’s sapling form than just Ronan.

Whelp, didn’t know that.

Konig Des Todes.2086:

And why must there be one?

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Summon_Druid_Spirit and http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Druid ‘’The sylvari have some sort of connection to the druids, and have the ability to summon druid spirits at will.’’

Konig Des Todes.2086:

The quote I took “pre-release” was about the redesign of sylvari. Your quote predates that, therefore things have largely publicly changed. Though that quote isn’t entirely incorrect.

Well all indications show that Anet had planned for the sylvari to be Dragon minions from the onset. If we assume that this is true, then everything planned or changed must have been in line with that. That means when the earliest concepts of sylvari were to have them as nature spirits, then Anet must have had something to connect early versions of sylvari to the dragon. Ofc who knows other than them right?

Konig Des Todes.2086:

But we know that the sylvari are dragon minions. This really destroys the spirit theory, imo.

I am aware of that and that was the point of the thread. I stated right at the beginning:
‘’I believe the sylvari’s body is actually the physical manifestation of Mordremoth’s corruption surrounding the spectral bodies of ghosts.’’ So the fact that they are minions doesn’t means they weren’t spirits.

Have you noticed how involved ghosts have been in the second season of the living story? Fort Salma for example, ghosts of the seraph were left lingering where they seemed to be stuck in a continuous nightmare. Then there’s the fact that mordremoth is trying to reach the ghosts of ascalon. One of the points of the theory was to serve as a speculation for what would happen if modremoth were to reach them.

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines. This is quite uncharacteristic of elder dragons in general. I think the dragon siphons their souls to create minions and leaves behind the victims’ bodies. So the reason we saw those ghosts in fort salma could be the fact that we disrupted mord’s ‘feeding’ which left the ghosts stranded. Though I admit that we have seen ghosts before in the gw1 universe for various reasons so the reason I stated doesn’t necessarily have to be true.

Reason why I don’t think sylvari are just spawns is because as far as I’m aware, dragons don’t just spawn minions, they need to corrupt something first (maybe not champs though). Remember, magic is a finite source in gw2 which includes the dragons powers (hence why they need to feed). So do you think mord kills his victims to just leave them intact?

Konig Des Todes.2086

But we know that the sylvari are dragon minions. This really destroys the spirit theory, imo.

I’m not sure it entirely destroys it. Some of Zhaitans minions, like the Eyes, had souls that predated their corruption.

I’ve always wondered about the similarity of the Pale Tree to the Veldrunner ancestor trees. It’s a long shot, but, there could be some connection.

Underdark.3726:

Konig Des Todes.2086:

Everyone seems to forget:

The main key to the design was developing an obvious anatomy that clearly described the race as plant rather than an offshoot of human. However, because the race tightly relates to the essence of human due to the Pale Tree’s influences from Ronan, the overall form has a human silhouette. But if you look more closely, you’ll see the forms are really quite alien. They are a collection of abstract notions the Pale Tree had about what made up the human, as she really only saw the surface. They are a tree’s interpretation of humans.

http://www.talktyria.net/2011/08/11/sylvari-lore-interview-with-ree-soesbee-kristen-perry/

The mystery of their appearance was answered, long ago.

Does this mean that Malyck is also from “our” Pale Tree?

Nope, he isn’t. In fact, Malyck is one of the last unsolved mysteries. He looks like “our” Sylvari, even though he is from another Tree. “Our” Sylvari look like they do because the Pale tree modelled them after humans who were buried under the tree. This would most likely mean that the unknown tree is also planted upon buried humans, if we assume that Anet sticks to its guns.

Kayji.4390:

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines.

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines.

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

Aaron Ansari.1604:

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

Neither do I but its a possibility.

Wuselknusel.4082:

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

Let’s say it is a ’’charr’’, what’s to say it’s a corrupted corpse rather than a corrupted spirit? The difference would mean the charr’s corpse is left behind for us to see.

Wuselknusel.4082:

Nope, he isn’t. In fact, Malyck is one of the last unsolved mysteries. He looks like “our” Sylvari, even though he is from another Tree. “Our” Sylvari look like they do because the Pale tree modelled them after humans who were buried under the tree. This would most likely mean that the unknown tree is also planted upon buried humans, if we assume that Anet sticks to its guns.

The other mysteries is why the pale tree didn’t model sylvari after Ventari and why the PC sylvari can summon druid spirits if they’re simply spawns of the dragon.

Kayji.4390:

Have you noticed how involved ghosts have been in the second season of the living story? Fort Salma for example, ghosts of the seraph were left lingering where they seemed to be stuck in a continuous nightmare. Then there’s the fact that mordremoth is trying to reach the ghosts of ascalon. One of the points of the theory was to serve as a speculation for what would happen if modremoth were to reach them.

After having just watched Honest Trailers: V for Vendetta, I am curious if there is some underlying connection. Coincidences in story telling thus far simply do not exist :P

I wonder if this means, because of the Lay Lines, that Mordremoth was able to tap into the mists and create rifts. We only see ghosts at specific locations where something traumatic has occurred. There’s probably something akin to a pattern here, that these are all pieces slowly coming together – Rytlock trying to undue the Foefire and going to the Mists (seemingly out of the blue), the attempt fails mind you so we don’t really see the Charr from Rytlock’s warband come to our aid. All of a sudden he comes out with newfound “knowledge”.

The fact that Marg’s sister is indeed lingering in a zone where ghost presences were unheard of.

Interesting….

Aaron Ansari.1604:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines.

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

No. http://youtu.be/uu0zho4s-IE?t=1m

Kayji.4390:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

Neither do I but its a possibility.

Wuselknusel.4082:

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

Let’s say it is a ’’charr’’, what’s to say it’s a corrupted corpse rather than a corrupted spirit? The difference would mean the charr’s corpse is left behind for us to see.

Wuselknusel.4082:

Nope, he isn’t. In fact, Malyck is one of the last unsolved mysteries. He looks like “our” Sylvari, even though he is from another Tree. “Our” Sylvari look like they do because the Pale tree modelled them after humans who were buried under the tree. This would most likely mean that the unknown tree is also planted upon buried humans, if we assume that Anet sticks to its guns.

The other mysteries is why the pale tree didn’t model sylvari after Ventari and why the PC sylvari can summon druid spirits if they’re simply spawns of the dragon.

The only one who can corrupt corpses is Zhaitan. Mordremoth, as does Jormag or Kralkatorrik, can just corrupt living beings.

And I don’t see why Sylvari shouldn’t be able to summon Druid spirits. Humans can summon the Hounds of Balthazar, even though they’re just loosely connected to the gods.

Wuselknusel.4082:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines.

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

No. http://youtu.be/uu0zho4s-IE?t=1m

Just looks like a smaller version of:
http://i.imgur.com/dmFi3Jm.jpg

Ronin.7381:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines.

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

No. http://youtu.be/uu0zho4s-IE?t=1m

Just looks like a smaller version of:
http://i.imgur.com/dmFi3Jm.jpg

He’s standing on 2 feet, not on 4.

Wuselknusel.4082:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines.

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

No. http://youtu.be/uu0zho4s-IE?t=1m

Looks like http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/File:Mordrem_Mender.jpg

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

Neither do I but its a possibility.

Wuselknusel.4082:

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

Let’s say it is a ’’charr’’, what’s to say it’s a corrupted corpse rather than a corrupted spirit? The difference would mean the charr’s corpse is left behind for us to see.

Wuselknusel.4082:

Nope, he isn’t. In fact, Malyck is one of the last unsolved mysteries. He looks like “our” Sylvari, even though he is from another Tree. “Our” Sylvari look like they do because the Pale tree modelled them after humans who were buried under the tree. This would most likely mean that the unknown tree is also planted upon buried humans, if we assume that Anet sticks to its guns.

The other mysteries is why the pale tree didn’t model sylvari after Ventari and why the PC sylvari can summon druid spirits if they’re simply spawns of the dragon.

The only one who can corrupt corpses is Zhaitan. Mordremoth, as does Jormag or Kralkatorrik, can just corrupt living beings.

And I don’t see why Sylvari shouldn’t be able to summon Druid spirits. Humans can summon the Hounds of Balthazar, even though they’re just loosely connected to the gods.

You missed the point. The point was whats to say that ‘charr’ was just a construct that looks like a charr in the same way sylvari look human. I’m not saying Mordremoth can’t corrupt the playable races, I’m saying mord doesn’t corrupt their bodies (hence why their left behind). Instead, it’s their soul which is corrupted and and their physical appearance as a result correlates to their spectral appearance. So if a human soul is corrupted, then the plant body will take a human shape. If a charr is corrupted, then the plant body takes a charr shape.

Also, humans are not ‘loosely’ tied to the gods, their whole society and culture revolves around them. They derived their magic from them too. It’s even thought they were created by them. What do sylvari know of the druids? How did they know of them? Whats the connection? Even though you tried to dilute the connection that humans have to their Gods with your terminology, you admit that at least they have connection. There’s nothing in the lore so far to suggest a connection between sylvari and druids.

Kayji.4390:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Another thing to note is that despite mord’s attacks, none of the playable races (except sylvari) seem to corrupted, instead there bodies are just left hanging off vines.

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

No. http://youtu.be/uu0zho4s-IE?t=1m

Looks like http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/File:Mordrem_Mender.jpg

The mender has a flat jaws, while the creature in the trailer looks like a charr.

Kayji.4390:

Wuselknusel.4082:

Kayji.4390:

Aaron Ansari.1604:

The thing Rytlock takes down with a spear? Really doesn’t look like a charr, imo.

Neither do I but its a possibility.

Wuselknusel.4082:

We’ve seen a corrupted charr in the trailer.

Let’s say it is a ’’charr’’, what’s to say it’s a corrupted corpse rather than a corrupted spirit? The difference would mean the charr’s corpse is left behind for us to see.

Wuselknusel.4082:

Nope, he isn’t. In fact, Malyck is one of the last unsolved mysteries. He looks like “our” Sylvari, even though he is from another Tree. “Our” Sylvari look like they do because the Pale tree modelled them after humans who were buried under the tree. This would most likely mean that the unknown tree is also planted upon buried humans, if we assume that Anet sticks to its guns.

The other mysteries is why the pale tree didn’t model sylvari after Ventari and why the PC sylvari can summon druid spirits if they’re simply spawns of the dragon.

The only one who can corrupt corpses is Zhaitan. Mordremoth, as does Jormag or Kralkatorrik, can just corrupt living beings.

And I don’t see why Sylvari shouldn’t be able to summon Druid spirits. Humans can summon the Hounds of Balthazar, even though they’re just loosely connected to the gods.

You missed the point. The point was whats to say that ‘charr’ was just a construct that looks like a charr in the same way sylvari look human. I’m not saying Mordremoth can’t corrupt the playable races, I’m saying mord doesn’t corrupt their bodies (hence why their left behind). Instead, it’s their soul which is corrupted and and their physical appearance as a result correlates to their spectral appearance. So if a human soul is corrupted, then the plant body will take a human shape. If a charr is corrupted, then the plant body takes a charr shape.

Also, humans are not ‘loosely’ tied to the gods, their whole society and culture revolves around them. They derived their magic from them too. It’s even thought they were created by them. What do sylvari know of the druids? How did they know of them? Whats the connection? Even though you tried to dilute the connection that humans have to their Gods with your terminology, you admit that at least they have connection. There’s nothing in the lore so far to suggest a connection between sylvari and druids.

I think you haven’t quite grasped what the Sylvari are. They are Mordremoth’s minions, they just have been protected from his influence. If Mordremoth now corrupt them, then they wont change their appearance. The only other creature corrupted by Mordremoth is presumably the charr we see in the trailer.

And the humans neither derive their magic from the gods, nor were they created by the gods. We don’t know where the Druids come from but we know that they are tree-beings. And what are the Sylvari? Tree people. And just because the Sylvari presumably derive their magic from Mordremoth and the Druids their magic from an unknown source (which could also be Mordremoth), doesn’t mean that the Sylvari are spirtual beings.