I’ve had a theory on this for a while, so I may as well put it out there.
Sylvari are in fact minions of a sixth Elder Dragon (assumed to be Mordremoth), but that Dragon is dead.
We know thanks to the Destroyers of EOTN that Dragon Minions are capable of spawning and acting without their master being active, and we further know thanks to Zhaitan’s defeat that they can continue operating after their master is dead. The Sylvari, as it is, experience both of these simultaneously. The Pale Tree, assuming it is a minion of the Sixth Dragon, awoke to prepare the way for it’s sleeping master, but with it’s master dead, lacked purpose, which it sought out by latching onto the Ventari Tablet.
The functionality of the Dream is also eerily similar to the “sight” Zhaitan has. Zhaitan sees everything its minions see and knows all that they know, and in turns, gives this knowledge to his minions so they can act according to his will. Imagine the same system in place without a central figure to direct the data. The experiences would be scattered among the collective, exactly as it is in the Dream.
The opening sequence for Sylvari characters also provides some evidence for lingering effects of the dead Dragon’s will. The plant Dragon fought in the opening sequence is unique among all other draconic creations we’ve witnessed, and could not have been (at least under the Dream mechanics we know of), a consequence of the Nightmare Court. The dialogue about the Shadow of the Dragon implies that it is coming from within the dream itself, not being spawned by outside forces. The Shadow of the Dragon is a literal shadow of The Dragon; a fragment of the dead Elder Dragon’s will trying to retake control over the Dream. This could also explain the Nightmare Court and the physical changes that result when Sylvari join them. By acquiescing to the corruption of the dead dragon, the Sylvari of the Nightmare Court are, effectively, ascended servants of the Dragon. Much like Sons of Svanir can become Icebrood, Sylvari become Nightmare Court.
Of course, for an Elder Dragon to be dead, we must assume the Old Alliance was powerful enough to kill a dragon, which, given what we know of the events of that era, seems unlikely. However, it’s entirely within the realm of possibility that the five races mustered enough strength to kill at least one Elder Dragon, and this is even supported by the existence of the Sanguinary Blade, forged from the blood of a Dragon. (Although the Blade seems to be more closely connected to Jormag, with how it corrupts, it’s evidence that the Old Alliance could severely wound Elder Dragons).
Of course, my theory has some parts which lack explanation. Why are there multiple Pale Trees and what purpose do they serve? If the Shadow of the Dragon still exists within the Dream, is it possible that the Sixth Dragon could be resurrected?
I’ve yet to fully research the lore connected to dragons and Sylvari, so if you know of any contradicting facts please feel free to point them out.
