So the original point of this thread is to figure out what’s going on with Malyck. There are a few things we need to decide then. First, what’s the deal with The Pale Tree’s protection? Second, what’s the deal with Soundless? Third, why does the Pale Tree offer protection? Why is she separate from Mordrrmoth?
Let’s go with the last question first. Why is the Pale Tree separate from Mordremoth? I think there’s a surprisingly simple answer that some people have mentioned already: the teachings of Ventari’s tablet. Now, there is important in-game precedent for raising a dragon-spawned being into something good and helpful. Namely… http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mysterious_Vine Look at the description. “Raised under the good influence of a Tyrian hero.” Consider now the fact that the Pale Tree was raised for 250 years on the teachings of a great and kind Tyrian: Ventari. It makes a lot more sense now that she’s be free of Mordremoth’s power. Bit takes the question right out of where the seed was found or if anyone cast spells on it. It doesn’t seem to matter.
Second, let’s look at where the Pale Tree’s protection and dream stem from, and how Malyck works. This question actually ties directly into the question of the Soundless. We can reasonably assume that the Pale Tree’s protection comes from the dream. The two sylvari we know of who served the dragon (Scarlet and Aerin) were Soundless when they were taken over (check Aerin’s wiki page for that). The Soundless completely reject the dream, and hence (we assume) they lose their protection.
However, now that the Pale Tree has been knocked out, it seems that the Pale Tree’s protection is significantly weakened. This (we can assume) has led to more sylvari turning to the dragon’s side, as seen in the trailer.
NOW. Back to the question of Malyck. If we assume the Pale Tree is good because of how she was raised, and we assume the protection she offers is the Dream, then here’s what we must assume about Malyck. First, if his tree had no dream, then it must not have been raised to be good like the Pale Tree, and he must not have the protection of a tree. Thus, the tree HE probably came from is, well, interesting.
Now we get into more rampant speculation. If his tree had no protection, then it should have been trying to raise Mordremoth just as the Great Destroyer tried to raise Primordus. As far as we can tell from Malyck’s existence, it wasn’t. If I had to guess, I’d say whatever his Pale Tree is, it was dormant. It didn’t talk to Malyck in the form of the dream, nor did it try to bring back its master. Now that Mordremoth is completely awaken, things are different. It’s more than likely Mordy has reclaimed Malyck’s tree, as well as any other trees that exist (besides the Pale Tree, which like the Mysterious Vine (and the further forms) can shake off Mordremoth’s influence because of her upbringing). In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if, given the vertical nature of the Grove, most of the jungle we travel through in Heart of Thorns is actually made up of more Pale Trees. Wouldn’t that be neat?
Mordremoth reclaiming other trees also nearly explains where all the Mordrem are coming from: they’re being birthed from trees in the same way sylvari are birthed from the Pale Tree. This could also explain the resemblance between Mordrem Wolves and fern hounds.
Hope these explanations work for you all.