Something doesn't fit...
They were likely secondborn. This was a bit strange to me as well, but Cadeyrn the founder of the Nightmare Court was with them and he’s a secondborn.
Golden shackles are still golden.
They’re secondborn, Sylvari awaken with some knowledge they learned in the Dream of Dreams, so while they’re naive they aren’t complete blank slates – and during the story sequence you also overhear they’ve actually been awake for a couple weeks already, so there was plenty of time for them to become accustomed to their physical bodies.
They are not the firstborn, also obviously. They can’t be second born either, because the second born just woke up and are like babies, right? while these guys are all full-blown warriors and stuff.
It isn’t well-explained, but my understanding is that some time has elapsed between the second part and third. In the interim, the Wardens have likely been established (which means that Sylvari have been getting arms and training), and Cadeyrn has attracted a group of followers, which Faolain must have joined after returning from Metrica. Combine the two, and you get Faolain’s squad. It (i.e., hanging out with Cadeyrn and co) also explains how Faolain’s attitude has gotten so much worse between the second and third part.
Ceterum censeo Sentim Punicam esse delendam
They’re Nightmare Court, before the Nightmare Court were established… Basically…
Thank you all very much!