Jack Swiftclaw.9076

I think we are being led down a dark path. Even the dialogue between Marjory and Jhavi. Majory insisting on saving people and Jhavi willing to let them die? This seems like a big red flag. The Pact and by extension the Vigil is willing to bring the fight to the dragons.. the idea of sacrificing the whole of the Ascalonian settlement is not in character for them.

Roland and Caithe: this interaction brought up the idea of Champions. What it means means for us and them to be a Champion of a dragon. I think they these interactions we are seeing that the dragon that has a mortal champion is more powerful. I don't think we are done yet understanding who we are to Aurene.

Taino and the Asura: this is possible the worst response I've ever seen. I recalled actually saying Don't drink the coolaid! When hearing the Arcane Council meet with Ryland. Taino is alot smarter than this. But Jormag pulled his trump card The Tyrian Underground. The Asura have been left out of their home for 250 years. Most Asura have never been to the ancient cities and per ghosts of Ascalon many can't even read ancient Asuran. They see the reclamation of the 6 underground cities as their victory against Primordus.

The fact I felt the only sane ones were Braham and Banger.....makes my head hurt.

I found I actually enjoyed this episode more than I thought I would. The surprise show of Ryland was big. It's interesting that he notes himself, the Commander, and Caithe all share the fact they are dragon Champions. It alludes to the title of this arc as well as shows us that both The Commander and Caithe are worried that Aurene is being so un involved.

I also found the locations of some of the future dragon missions nice we really are traveling the world and it's very interesting.

Also of note is Brahams new skill to track the champion destroyers. I'm curious to see if this is a part of his new relationship with the Spirts of the wild and that it could mean a lot. Also Crecia is now Blood Imperator and it seems the civil war has wound down now that Ryland is leading the Frost Legion.

Hey Tyrian Fam I've been thinking about the roadmap. I think the idea of no new maps is comical as people are putting so much on Dragon aid missions. We don't know what or how they are to work yet. It could be they pop up randomly via ambushes or have designated areas to start via raids or strike missions.

As to the title of part one truce or Armistice I think we are jumping to conclusions about it being a truce with the Frost Legion and Jormag.

Thru out the run on the game their have been several hostile races who regardless of the threat of the dragons have been left on their own to cause havok for the players.

They are the Centaurs, the Tengu, the Dredge, the Krait, and the Largos. Also the Inquest.

I think we are going to be having a meeting with the heads of these races to try to come to a truce in order to end the threat of Jormag and Primordus. I can see the Commander try to speak to these races to end their current hostile nature and unite to stop the dragon minions from destroying their homes any longer.

This makes more sense to me than trying to fight with an elder dragon who has already proven that they are out for themselves. I can see us convince the Tengu to help and possibly open up the Dominion of winds to us. Same with the Largos and their houses. Earning faction reputation for each race on a new map to prove we have the best intentions. This could lead to us having to deal with a race that that we don't like or they don't like us.

If it's done this could be a fun way to tie up loose ends in the lore and the story from the previous releases.

> @"Nexxus.5347" said:

> Disappointing announcement. Look Portals open in Tyria. Look newest enemies exit portal. Look we kill the enemies with allies. Look portal closed.

>

> If that's all you got and there are no new maps, I'm taking a break until the expansion. Ross we are on a break! no Gems for you.

Well from the past they usally announced where we are going in the trailer. We get a look at the landscape some enemies ext. We also get the information about what is different in this case the Dragon ambush mission.

From the brief description it appears to be instanced similar to strike missions but we don't know enough about it yet. I'd reserve judgement until we get the trailer next week.

.....well it was a pain but played thru without. I'll probably replay the story just to hear the voice over again but not my top of the list.

I'm excited to see where the story is taking us and. What this new mastery is all about. I guess we will see next week. The story is quick and you can easily bang it out. Probably won't be able to use full mastery's but then again that was your choice.

I understand your pain but they need to carter to all fans not the few who decided to skip out. I was going to wait but I got impatient and just went with it

Good luck

> @"JusticeRetroHunter.7684" said:

> > @"Fleabite.7528" said:

> > Which story are you half way through? The personal? One of the Living Seasons? Or the Icebrood Saga?

>

> Im in the Saga.

>

> So far what i understand is that Bangar wants to control an Elder Dragon...after that i don't really know why they are having a civil war, or how that's even relevant to any of the events going on in the story.

>

> Also character wise, it feels like jormag is no different than any other dragon we've faced so far. She's twirling her mustache in a creepy way, and does evil stuff for the sake of being evil.

>

> Idk i feel just very lost in who the characters are, what they want, what they are doing and where they are going and why....feels like none of what i'm doing makes any sense or matters at all. Great cinematic cutscenes though. Like that they changed it up from what it once was from core Tyria cutscenes.

Need to ask have you played the rest of the LW? Or the expacs?

Spoilers for LWS4

At the end of travels through Elona the guild Dragons Watch along with there Sunspear allies, the Olmakan Char, the Corsairs, the Ghostly Mist wardens, and the new Order of the Crystal Bloom we have defeated the elder dragon Kralkatorik. Aurene glints scion has now absorbed her grandfather's power and accended to become an elder dragon herself.

The Imperator Bangar has called an all rally of the char a massive party to celebrate the death of the dragon. The Commander and the rest of his guild Dragons Watch are invited.

Here we meet a faction of the Flame Legion, the remaining imparoriters and Rtylocks former flame. Thru the story we also meet the decendant of a gw1 hero Joe's, her great granddaughter Jhavi a ranking member of the Vigil.

Also we meet Ryland Rtylocks son.

These are the main players.

The civil war begins end of the prologue. Banger want to control Jormag to lead the the Char as the next Khan-Ur, and to invade all of Tyria. He wants Jormag as a shield and weapon against the Commander and Aurene. He has been backing and funding the Separatists and Rebel Char we face in Ascalon. He is against the treaty signed with the humans and wants all out war to take over from in his words the Shiverpeaks to Cantha. The Commander is once again thrust into a situation where he/she is between a rock and a hard place.

Hopefully this clears up some questions.

For me it's a combination of the experience and the fight. I want the loot and exp at the end and it's a godsend for currency. But it's also the fights. As a main ranger I play a certain way. To move to a Mesmer or a thief or even a guardian it's a different style. Plus I know the HoT stories affect Sylvari characters in the form the we start to be affected by Mordremouth. Or how Char on the Drizzle wood are members of the warband we put together in our ps. Even thou the dialogue was not there the shock of seeing some of the names pulled my heartstrings playing with my Char.

I feel your pain. I'm also building my legendary armor and the tickets are killing me. Then again I started last week. I was good that I had a lot of the mats I needed. I'm sitting at 1200 tickets now and I know I need 7k for the armor. I'm also low ranked at 63 so I think Im getting lucky. Also if you can do the warclaw skin track. It gives out 250 tickets plus clovers and obsidian.

I feel like there has always been tension. Bangor lives the old school char above all. In Visions of Steel he talked about a grand Char Empire spanning all of Tyria and even invading Cantha. Bangor was setting himself up as Khan-ur. He had it set in his mind.

I think when we end him and the Dominon and Frost Legions we will have a clear leader of the Char. Who is that. I'm betting on a char the new imparoriters Respect and listen to. I'm pretty sure it's going to be Rytlock.

The idea of a scion for Jormag is interesting. What would it be? Has it been born? Who is it's champion?

We are neglecting one aspect of this story. The Norn. Why are we getting so much about the spirts of the wild?

The idea that this is just a fluff filler makes no sense to me. I'm drawn to the idea of a centaur. They were featured in the trailer and we haven't seen any. What if, and this is just a thought, we kill Jormag and replace him with a belovant centaur similar to ventari. This could be the change in tide or the human centaur war. Idk it's the idea that won't leave me. We all assume that the scion is a dragon but what if the vessal just needs to be able to channel and control the dragon magic.

it is north of Bjora marches. Dark time Delves was a dungeon in gwen where we encountered stone summit. It was there new base of operations. There is a POI in Bjora marches with the same name where we find Allmoras grave. Fyi in game map has this map directly west of Grothmar. So it's makes sense.

> @"Hypnowulf.7403" said:

> > @"Sajuuk Khar.1509" said:

> > If we read "A Burden" [...]

>

> I've read a burden, yes. I... have a copy of it in a shared inventory slot. What of it??

>

> > @"Sajuuk Khar.1509" said:

> > Asgeir lost to Jormag because

> >

> > 1. He allowed Jormag to make him doubt his actions

> > 2. His hunting party was killed, leaving him to fight Jormag alone, and thus be alone to be manipulated by Jormag

> > 3. He lacked the physical and mental strength to keep fighting

> > 4. Arguably, he made the mistake of fighting Jormag too head on, allowing all of the above to happe

>

> What a peculiar presumption, a perplexing perspective... It might be due to being a highly-sensitive person, an empath, but I've never really been given to calling compassion a sign of weakness. I do see that rather toxic ideology bandied around a lot, yes, but I don't prescribe to it myself. If one listens, one is weak; If one is kind, one is weak; If one dares deviate from the utter and immediate oblitteration of that which is unlike them, one is weak. I'm not a fan.

>

> Asgeir didn't "lose" as that wasn't the situation. Asgeir listened, Asgeir had a little think about it, and Asgeir _learned_. I wish that real people were as reflective as fictive characters. To my mind, it takes more bravery to show compassion and to dare to let an assumed foe live in the attempt to foster respect and choose the teething troubles of co-existence. A murder is a very final, absolute thing after all. The murder of another in a setting like this without commonplace surveillance and well-established law is something that one can walk away from and never really look back. It's much more of an effort to try and live with those who're dissimilar than merely eradicate them.

>

> Asgeir had the wherewithal to realise that his erstwhile foe was not so much a foe indeed, simply... different. One who had been met with hostility for little more than being a powerful creature that would've provided any norn with the might to slay them a legend. Such a chance is ambrosia to a nord so it means little whether diplomacy could be achieved. Asgeir saw that, in a way, Jormag was as much a victim of norn ambition as they were of the dragon's drive to survive. There was the possibility to talk it out, if only they'd listen. Would they? Probably not, but maybe they should?

>

> Jormag's been in a position where they've had to defend themself against anyone seeking a legend; not just themself either, but their branded charges, their children... I think that the address to Bangar—The Icebrood Saga trailer—was Jormag openly admitting their own vulnerability as much as anything else. What startled me was the meta-event in Drizzlewood involving the Claw of Jormag. He didn't exactly look like the most intimidating of fiends, did he? Cowering behind a column of ice in much the same way a bear might hide behind a tree from an ordery Elmer Fudd. I wouldn't call that a display of strength. If anything, it looked like the poor little baim was terrified. I mean, his mother was asleep and he didn't fancy his chances. Regardless, he was there to try to defend his sire, his parent. Awful business, that. I'm glad I didn't do it.

>

> It's not like the situation changed when the aforementioned pillar was destroyed, either; he just up and left, or tried to. Got shot out of the sky, of course, and ended up having what looked like a panic attack before keeling over. I'm really glad I didn't play any part in that. I passed that particular test of empathy. I'm not doing that to the poor bae.

>

> The point is is that Jormag is a persuasive, diplomatic dragon though they're hardly the strongest. It's going to be difficult for them to look out for their children, and even themself. Their best hope is that their capacity for persuasion leads to an amicable conclusion sans bloodshed. Of course, there are those who'd claim that Jormag needn't fear if they can control minds. They can't, of course, is the truth. I'd point out how Dragon's Watch routinely resisted their power, though knowing that isn't enough I'd also cite Tom Abernathy's own words on the matter. He has said many a time—until he's blue in the face—that Jormag's powers can't manifest that way. From what I gather, it's more like a convincing argument.

>

> If one is as powerful as Kralkatorrik one might not fear. If one has suffered as much as Kralkatorrik has, on emight indeed welcome death rather than fear it. If a dragon happened to eat a lich so that they can't really die in the first place, they needn't really fear death either! However, Jormag has much to live for coupled with no such invulnerability, so I'd posit they do fear death. I think there's much to be learned of Jormag's true nature in the coming months. Dissimilarity from one's self or one's own isn't a great foundation for distrust and paranoia, our world has been—and continues to be—a mess thanks to that manner of tribalistic thinking. It should be outdated and outmoded by this point.

>

> > When it comes to Braham, we have already been told by the Spirits of the Wild that Braham is now part of a prophecy, and that either Braham must kill Jormag, or Jormag will kill him.

>

> Absolute obedience to figures of authority? I'm not a fan of that, either. I'd wager that an encounter between Braham and Asgeir is on the cards and that the old norn—whom, as is my understand, is a norn's norn—will have many things to say to Braham about such foolishness. The cub needs a good chewing out. Blind obedience is never a good trait, if it's a trait truly valued by those spirits then the norn are, quite frankly, better off without them. I'd consider that more than a mere foible, legends are nothing more than simple stories encapsulated in toxic masculinity anyway. Just as the charr must inevitably move with the times and leave behind their toxic elements, the norn must too leave behind legends.

>

> The Icebrood Saga, I feel, is a story about learning and growth. Both norn and charr alike will be irrevokably changed by it, all for the better if you ask me.

>

> > Braham has also mimicked several of Asgeir's actions, both by getting a weapon infused with Jotun fire magic, as Asgeir had, and by getting the Spirits of the Wild to channel their energies through him to slay one of Jormag's champions(Drakkar) as Asgeir did Frostfang.

>

> The question is, must history repeat itself? Should it? Can there be a divergent path? Life has paths that twist and turn and one can find themself back at a familiar place and faced with troubles similar to those they used to know, but it's a sad day when one can't learn from the past and use those experiences to traverse these tribulations and forge a better path forward. One less stricken with strife. Indeed, just because history is shaping up to repeat itself, it doesn't mean it will play out the same.

>

> > Essentially, the Spirits are teaching the Commander and Braham how not to fail in the inevitable fight against Jormag as Asgeir did. Getting the bow back, and Braham being able to channel the Spirit's powers, will be key in defeating Jormag, as well as the lessons learned here.

>

> You assume the true foe here is Jormag. _Your fear and focus is misplaced._ I'll say that much, because it's fun to say that! It's certainly true, though. It's easy to look at something and fear it because it's different despite it being as much a victim of this selfish past as anyone, without ever noticing the one behind the curtain, pulling the strings for the patsies to dance to.

>

>

Wow. This was actually deep. Still don't understand why they decided that turning our friends against us or compelling kodan to die makes them seem diplomatic. They were awake realitvly unchallenged for 150 years. I'll admit they seem to be the most intelligent of the 5 dragons but the sins are still great. They caused a 4 year blizzard when they awoke. They killed countless. They corrupted countless. They also lied by agreeing to let the Norm walk free and then attack them as they fled. That is not some kind of good creature protecting itself. That's something that decided to go back on their word. I still say they have an agenda and they need an army to take care of it.

And torturing and corrupting the spirts of the wild have made them an enemy of the Norn. Generations of loss will not be forgotten overnight. I think we are seeing fear from the them of their own mortality. Their brothers are dead. Three of the most powerful entities Tyria had ever seen were killed. They were weakened and hurt by Balthazar. This is the actions of a scared child hiding behind the mob they gathered to fight for them.

We will defeat them. Braham will defeat them of that I am sure. How? No idea.

> @"Lonami.2987" said:

> > @"Lonami.2987" said:

> > If it were on my hands, the next release would be a Vision of the Past, featuring either Ryland between episodes 2 and 3, or Asgeir Dragonrender's original battle against Jormag, and episode 5 would feature the Frost Legion attacking Primordus.

> >

> > I would also open the Dominion of Winds during this conflict.

>

> Here's my complete idea:

>

> 

>

> Few notes for how the plot could progress:

>

> * Jormag and Ryland have gone missing, but there's no time to worry about them, for destroyer activity is on the rise. Primordus was last seen in Draconis Mons, in the Ring of Fire islands. He's still asleep, but something has stirred his forces, which have begun moving northeast.

> * The **fifth** and **sixth** episodes are set to happen in [Cape Alcazia](https://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Alcazia_Tangle), a coastal zone between asura and sylvari territory. Like Bjora Marches and Drizzlewood Coast before it, the zone will be divided in two releases. The waters south of the zone are literally on fire, due to flaming pumice stone released by the volcanic activity in the area (so no apparent water content, allowing us to go underground below the sea level).

> * The [Destroyer of Life](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Destroyer_of_Life) has returned, Death-Touched by Zhaitan's magic. In the first part we'll cover the surface, where we'll have to fight emerging destroyers and evacuate civilians. In the second part we'll go underground, exploring ancient asura ruins, and defeat the Destroyer of Life once again.

> * The **seventh** episode will cover the Bay of Merchants, west of Lion's Arch. The destroyers keep advancing north, and we have to prepare our defenses to prevent Lion's Arch's destruction (again).

> * The **eighth** episode opens the gates of the [Dominion of Winds](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Dominion_of_Winds). The tengu leaders are trying to stop Primordus on their own, too stubborn to let us help. Some tengu rebels let us in, but turns out their leaders were right all along. We save the tengu city, but Primordus awakens.

> * The **final** episode leads us back to [Anvil Rock](https://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Anvil_Rock), an ancient dwarven sanctuary, where the final battle between Jormag and Primordus is bound to happen.

>

> Ryland would play an anti-hero role, and the Frost Legion would appear now and then, fighting destroyers.

>

> Tengu introduction is no coincidence, for they will play a prominent role in leading us to Cantha for the End of Dragons expansion.

I like this.

I also think that by exploring Tarnished Coast we could possibly meet up with a long lost friend in the form of Malyck. I can see it happening as both he shows up in story and a vision of the past.

Vision and the past idea:

Malyck has travelled to Alcazia Tangle in search of clues for his Tree. Here he encounters several creatures. Saurians from Maguuma, Destroyers and a Group of Tengu from the Dominion of winds. He fights the Destroyers and Saurians and befriends the Tengu. He asked if they have any information on his Tree and they don't but relay the story of the Ancient Wardens of Echovald Forest. This could take place after HoT and also have Mordrem that have spilled over from Dragon Stand. It could be found that many of his brothers and sisters where among the first Mordrem and he decided to seek the Wardens and ask the Tengu to help him to Cantha.

This is but a dream but it could be a really cool idea to try to establish that while the Dragon Empire tried to exterminate all the non humans some wardens made it North to the Tarnished Coast and have been living fighting destroyers and Risen.

Why is everyone assuming that Jormag is good? Nothing he has done has been good. He has tried to drive our allies crazy and sucidal. He helped manipulate the char into a civil war while using them to help him reawaken. He has broken his promises and still sent his forces against us. He's not going to side with us. Its roar caused a four year long blizzard, destroying koden sanctuaries and is using the spirts of the wild as a battery.

Tell me how any of this is good for us or Tyria?

While the game references inter species relationships....I'm looking at you Joko...the devs have said no children have come from it. Enough said, you can love who or what you love but as of now no magic exist to help make an Asuran/Sylvari or Char/human hybrid or any other combinations just like how irl we have no human/sharks or human/dog hybrids.

> @"Bast.7253" said:

> I still don't understand why everyone assumes that killing Primordus means that Jormag is free from that weakness? Why wouldn't Jormag just be vulnerable to the multiple other dragons that absorb his domains when he gets defeated?

>

> Then again I don't understand how Mordremoth was able to presumably use death magic from Zhaitan given that they were opposites. You'd think that absorbing it would be more harmful than beneficial but none of this really seems to make a ton of sense.

>

> I mean all that with the unstable abomination and all. You'd think similar would happen to Jormag too if it absorbed something from Primordus.

>

> I don't know, at the very least it doesn't seem like Jormag would be free from that vulnerability and it's not really something we've seen before because none of the other dragons assaulted Mordremoth with Death magic.

>

> I know a lot of people don't want to see it because they're afraid of Aurene becoming a deux ex dragon again, but I'd really like to know/see other spectrums of Aurene's magic. So far all it seems like all we've really seen is presumably plant and crystal. (Maybe mind? Or was that just because of her being a crystal dragon?) Have we ever seen anything involving Zhaitain's magic?

>

> It feels like she could play a more significant role in the franchise without necessarily impacting the player character, like cleansing Orr or rebranding/healing the current brand or cleansing/healing some of the unchained risen in Orr. Or even branding Taimi as a way of freeing her from her condition.

>

> I'd really hope for a future living season that isn't some strictly linear story like Icebrood has been that allows the team to dive into plots like this, Malyck, and the numerous others sitting on the shelf. Something that allows us to see an actual LIVING world that's changing, (even if it's new maps in familiar regions).

>

> For that matter they could, at some point, create Visions of the Past around them but it seems Visions will be yet another feature that quickly get scrapped and only exist in this season to introduce us to the next episodes. So many devs and they always seem like there is so little content, but I guess for free content there can't be too high of expectations.

>

> Anyway, I'd have to agree with Konig about the threat on the horizon being more than Primordus. I originally anticipated it being more than just another elder dragon in general. But I also wouldn't be surprised if it WAS Primordus in the end and he was provoked by Jormag in the first place.

>

> I had hopes that the threat would be something more sinister and alien, perhaps something that was stirred from the recent activity in the mists. Demons, gods, whatever. Some foreign power that we haven't really experienced. But I don't think that's within their scope of the franchise and may not be until the dragons are dealt with. I personally enjoy the elder dragons and the mystery behind them but I can definitely see the appeal in branching out and exploring other things. The voice in Deepstone, the demons in Bastion, some origin story about some of the original races like the Seers/Mursaat, the Obelisks of the Krait, etc.

>

> So much story in this game and it feels like, at least at the current pace and how linear and focused this saga has been alone, we'll probably never explore it.

>

>

I agree. I said earlier that the idea of killing Primordus is not Jormags end game. Bangar wanted world domination. He sought out Jormag for that reason. Unlike the other dragons Jormag has been playing the waiting game. He convinced the norm to move south and has stayed in the Far Shiverpeaks and waited 150 years there without seemingly any goal. His minions are not mindless drones nor does he spread his army. My thinking is that he is looking inward.

The remaining dwarfs of the stone summit are still worshipping Primordus. There numbers seems actually substantial. Plus the Destroyers are creatures of stone and fire. If it's a numbers game I think he's still outnumbered.

I think Jormag is seeing the winds of the world have changed since the last awakening. Three of his brethren have been killed. Balthazar was able to weaken him to the point where he needed to slumber for 3 years. He's learning from there failure. Zhaitan was too ambitious and flooded the world with undead. Mordremouth used the death magic he absorbed and built his army up too quickly drawing the attention of the world where he was Dead quickly. Kralkatorik fled south to be away from the others but also used the death magic and damaged portions of the mists with his God magic.

I'm thinking that Jormag found some thing that could end the cycle of sleep. He's enjoying being awake and is looking for a way to stay that way. We know he gained some of the God powers to travel thru the mists and death magic thru the abomination.

We don't know what he is looking for but I think it will take us into the depths of Tyria and stop him from retrieving this object that can break the cycle. I think that the season will end with his death and news that Primordus is awake and moving away from the Fire islands and heading to Cantha. Dragon's Watch can't allow that and that draws us to Cantha. End of dragons will have us face both the dsd and Primordus only for us to deal with a new threat in the form of Menzies or Urgoz(maybe he was a corrupted pale tree)or Kanaxai and the Nightmare Horde.

From what I understand the flame legion has not 100 percent turned over a new leaf. Efran is said to be the leader of a splinter group of the Flame not the whole legion. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Right now we have Malice left of the original 4 leaders at launch. I do think that Crecia as Bangars second and Mia as Smolders second will take control. Bangar is a slave to a dragon now as is Ryland.

I'm foreseeing a change for the char. The existence of the Olmakhan, splinter of Flame, the formation of the Frost and Dominon,and the sedition of blood will be a major culture shift.

I'm very curious to see where we go.

What I would love to see is some answers to what happened after we defeated Shiro the Ministry started the purges. We know that the Dragon Empire united the Jade Sea,The Echovald Forest,Kaineng City, and Shin Jea Island. But what if that is the extent of the empire. What lies beyond the sea and forest.

I'm curious to see what has become of the non humans and what the reactions are to non human commanders and our motely crew. I want to see more of the Envoy's and there toes to the mists. I want to see if our friend Razah is still lurking around somewhere as he is a child of the mist he might be able to help us figure out how to transfer the dragon power without killing the dragon and or destroying the world.

Obviously I think we need to let others shine. I'd like the following to come along.

Marjory- as a Canthan descent she may have some stories from her family that could shed light on the past of Cantha to help the non human characters as a talking head. Also she's had a back seat since season 3. If she goes I see Kas going as well.

Livia- as mentioned she is possible the only living human who has last stepped foot on Cantha. As stated she was a ranking member of the Shining Blade and could be sent to assist us with history and what has been going on prior to Orr's rising.

Ogden- he was potentially in Cantha prior to EotN and could have leads on ways thru the land as we may not be allowed into certain areas due to current political climate.

Caithe- she could be the eyes and ears of Aurene and share the news of Order of the Crystal Bloom. Also she could be the first Sylvari to step foot in Cantha unless they revel that the Wardens of the Echovald Forest stem from a Pale Tree. It would be interesting to see how they react to The Call and if any answered. Could be an interesting threat in the forest in the form of new Mordrem.

I think also Dougal Kaine. He has had 0 story in game and I think the chance to explore a new continent would reawaken his Indiana Jones mentally and finally give us a thief on the team.

Any of the season 4 characters tied to elona might go to re-establish diplomatic toes, I'd love for an Awakened to go for the whole surprise factor.

It really depends on how we are supposed to deal with the new development of Jormag being awakened. Last episode also notified us that Jormag is trying to corrupt the remaining Spirits of the wild and Braham has this new connection with the Spirits that might be explored.

With the way the story is going I can see the char declare a Khan-ur and truly unite the char people as one for the first time since pre-searing. They may be needing time to regroup after the death of the Iron Imperator.

Per the current in-game map loaded there not much room for us to go further north. I see several areas we could go.

1 South to the North of the Hintari highlands, which will show us the centaur/slave hints form the trailer.

2. East to the old area where Varjar Fells was in gw1 north of Bitterfrost. To continue Jormag story

3. West into the isle of Janhir for what ever reason maybe relating to the spirts.

These three seem most logical. Halloween should start mid October around the 15 or so and then Wintersday in mid December. That would leave episode 5 between them in November probably around the 10-18 based on the last few years.

I truly think we will finish off Jormag this season and transfer his power to an Avatar of the Spirts of the wild. The last episodes would be is working with the Tengu to try to find a replacement for Primordus only to find out that we need to go to Cantha. We will use some form of transportation from the Dominion of winds and then move to EoDs and face both Primordus and DsD as well as deal with the politics of Cantha that will set up season 6.

> @"Svennis.3852" said:

> Now that we're going to Cantha, the Ranger's Druid elite might've been more flavorful for this expansion given the 'Celestial Avatar' could've had an easy and present lore tie-in to the setting.

>

> I don't know mechanics well enough to develop e-spec ideas off of that, so I'll just stick with concepts that sound neat to me. Mostly going for _flavor_ for these specs and not necessarily trying to design for niches that might be missing from core and/or existing elite specs.

>

> **Warrior - Dragon Knight** - Spear (staff, alternatively, if land spear just isn't possible) or main hand torch, focuses on mobility and reach, movement and attack style tries to emulate the motion of dragons. Very flavorful auto attack poses, evasion, good for closing gaps or attacking enemies while keeping them just out of reach, ideally some kind of 'jump' attack similar to Dragoons in the Final Fantasy franchise. Heavy Wuxia flavor/aesthetic.

>

> **Guardian - Celestial Bastion** - Main-hand shield, you have been touched by the Celestials of Cantha and can take up their mantle to defend and protect. I'm not sure what the mechanics could be, obviously heightened defense and ideally lending that protection to others. Maybe damage absorption, lots of blocks, shield bashes, all with a cool celestial aesthetic. Don't imagine it being heavily offensive but very survivable, with some smiting capabilities. Not sure how that would work or if that's any different that the normal Guardian abilities, but I like the mental images the idea evokes. The standard shield would look like an ethereal star chart.

>

> **Revenant -** I honestly don't know the class well enough to formulate much, but seeing a spirit like Togo or one of the heroes of GW1 as the new spirit Revs (Eve, Cynn, Aidan, Mhenlo, Devona if her spirit is free now, Razah) invoke would be neat. Could bring in some old Ritualist flavor if it's Togo or another ritualist. Could be referred to as Legendary Master Stance, or Legendary Adventurer Stance for one of the others (Legendary Hero?).

>

> **Thief -** I quite like WP Demon Pact Assassin concept on (

>

> **Ranger - Kirin Rider or Bell Summoner -** Main or off-hand focus, you befriend a kirin spirit and may summon it to your aid by its bell (the focus skin). Summoning the kirin is the transformation state similar to Celestial Avatar or Soulbeast's fusion mode. During this time the kirin either replaces your animal companion, or you actually mount it and ride it while fighting. Either way, the kirin gives you some powerful boons or abilities. Perhaps if they are really powerful, you can only summon the kirin for a limited window of time. But the idea is that you've made some sort of pact with the kirin and they come to your aid when you call. Definitely a bell tone when you summon it.

>

> **Engineer - Golemancer -** Staff or main-hand mace, which functions as a 'control rod' for the legion of golems you can summon. Very Asura heavy flavored spec, I like the idea of summoning/constructing different golems that do different things - similar to the Rev's Renegade? Some could be mobile and others stationary (which lay down fields of effect, etc. Maybe one of the control rod's functions is to command and place the golems. Probably the F1 skills would change to become control rod skills.

>

> **Elementalist - Jade Scion -** Torch, main or off-hand. Elementalists that have tapped into the corrupting magic of the Jade Wind, having found a way to apply such forces on a smaller scale to the four elements. I think the spec would concern itself with a lot of control, petrifying and otherwise belaying enemies in area of effect fields, damaging them through this elemental corruption. The fire, water, air, and earth they use in this spec will have a special jade color, and perhaps the elementalist has to manage a corruption meter similar to the holosmith's heat mechanic? Could be neat.

>

> **Mesmer - Spell Siren -** Not really a Canthan tie-in, I just really want to see a mesmer specialization that invokes the concept of mermaids/sirens and uses sound, song, music, to daze, charm, bamboozle foes. The visuals and sounds they could make with these skills could be great/beautiful. Always pictured this as an underwater elite spec, if this expansion was truly underwater focused. Not sure what weapon would be great, but definitely would love to see the mesmer holding a harp. Maybe some sort F1 skills related to that.

>

> **Necromancer - Ritualist -** Mace or hammer? Not sure what weapon makes sense thematically with ritualist that Necs don't already have. I think there could be a way to bring back the Ritualist in a new way, but retain the general 'spirit' and aesthetic. I like the idea that the transformation phase (like Reaper's Shroud) would be holding an urn, but I don't know if the elite spec itself should be more offensively oriented or support oriented. Definitely summoning or channeling spirits in some form.

The siren does have some ties to Cantha thru the Kurzick Tree Singers. The ritual allowed a sacrifice to become an Amber Juggernaut. Mesmer have a lot of weapons available to them. Not sure what the weapon will be.

I feel we are all underestimating Primordus. Remember even when he was asleep he was starting his take over by releasing the Destroyers in the depths of Tyria in gw1. We have no idea how long he was active before the gw1 players got involved. We know that the transformation of the Dwarves was a way to quell the spread. In gw2 while Jormag and Kralk had areas they controlled Primordus was able to send his minions as far south as The Desert Highlands. We know from lore there is a vast tunnel network under Tyria. I would not be surprised if in EOD we fight them at some point. I think that while Jormag is more intelligent Primordus has the advantage of numbers. I don't think it will be tricked and killed so easily. Remember we have seen his Champion Megadesroyer in Mount Malestrom and the fire islands. Im just saying don't count out him out yet

Where is it stated that there is an Icy Tundra like poles? I can't find any information on that.

Also in No Quarter there is a collection Mysterious Documents that show the movement thru the eyes of a Tengu clan that was living there prior to the war. The documents outline that they came up thru the Shiverpeaks that we see in Visions of the past the the Steel warband had cleared a path for the machines thru Stone summit territory for Bamgar. This happened before episode 1 where we see the fate of Allmora. So if you think about it this was being planned long before we were involved.

Thru the Vision of the past as well as lore we know that travel from Ascalon is able thru the Shiverpeaks. We know that the char are extremely capable race as in lore they were able to make it to the shore of Orr prior to the sinking. In the 250 yrs the char have the most advanced warmachines and weapons out of all the races. We also know that the Blood legion homelands connect with the Far Shiverpeaks. Also don't discount the fact that the Dominion forces are working with the sons of svanir they could have used the power given to them by Jormag to assist the newly formed legion thru The territory. The United Legions have been following their trail and moving there units to meet them and establish bases. It's not unreasonable to assume they followed the same route.