User talk:Linsey Murdock/Lore1

strange quest rewards

Do you possibly know whether Eternal Bliss and Transcendent Glory have any use? Or are they only a little gag? —ZerphaThe Improver 15:45, 15 June 2008 (UTC)

Knowing the person who wrote those quests, I believe it's just a joke. - Linsey talk 17:14, 16 June 2008 (UTC)

ok, thanks. I'll add a note to the articles. —ZerphaThe Improver 12:19, 18 June 2008 (UTC)

I disagree with those articles! Eternal bliss does indeed have a use! being eternally blissful FTW! -- Salome 12:23, 1 July 2008 (UTC)

Zehlon Reach

Hey Linsey, first of all: welcome to the wiki! It's really nice to see more A.Net employees join in in the wiki. Izzy had a bit of a slow start, but is thawing nicely :) and Emily is a pure gem so far. I've got two questions, and I hope you can give an answer:

• The Suspicious Hermit in Zehlon Reach, what is he doing there? Was he part of an abandoned quest?
• Does Bahltek have a further role in this game, apart from being a big enigma in Nightfall?

--  (CoRrRan / talk) 15:53, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Happy to be here and have a greater connection to the community! Hope these help answer your questions...

• The suspicious hermit was indeed part of a quest at one point. He was part of the quest A Father's Fate which was one of the first quests written by a new designer after he was hired on about half way through NF production. Since he was new to this kind of game design at the time, the quest itself was pretty broken spawn wise (it dun wurk) and clunky story wise so we decided to split it up and rework it to something that made a little more sense.
• Only time will tell when it comes to Bahltek. I'm going to chose to be as mysterious as he on this one. - Linsey Murdock 22:01, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Damn, there are only cruel people working at A.Net! j/k

So... the Suspicious Hermit was a rookies error? Ha, I'm going to tell him that next time I see him, hopefully he finally won't attack me if I tell him he is just a fluke. :)

And Bahltek? I bet he is Gwen's evil uncle's grand dad from her mother's side... therefor he has to make a re-appearance in GW:EN.

--  (CoRrRan / talk) 22:10, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

I wouldn't so much say "rookie error" as I would say "rookie trying out something cool while trying to learn our system" :D You can try explaining to the hermit that he's "not even supposed to be here today", but I doubt he'll be very responsive lol. As I said, time will tell when it comes to Bahltek, just keep your eyes peeled and he might show up again. ~_^ -Linsey Murdock 22:38, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Woohooo, make some BIG chain quest that goes over the whole GW:EN map and once you finally finish it after 250 hours of straight play, you get a picture of Linsey as a reward. Thats worth your time i think :) ~ Kurd 22:43, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Hey, don't forget Emily... *wink* Although I do fancy a quest that involves a lot of interaction with a lot of places to go to. The trouble is, it should be something that is not easily done using map-travel, but shouldn't be as boring that you can just put 2 runstances on your bar and complete the quest in no-time... --  (CoRrRan / talk) 22:45, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

I might have a little something something for you guys coming soon to a wiki/Guild Wars near you... - Linsey Murdock 22:48, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

wiki-quests! Yay! Is that a new feature of GW? Or are we going to have to wait till the end of August? --  (CoRrRan / talk) 22:50, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

I'll throw up a picture of myself on my User page sometime soon (mebbe even later today), but you'll have to wait til August for epic quests such as you describe - Linsey Murdock 22:54, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

I put up a picture of me, I don't know wiki formatting really well, so I just put it up the only way I know how. If I did it wrong, feel free to fix it up for me. -Linsey Murdock 23:05, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Nice, thanks! I'm not American, so I had no idea if Linsey is a female or a male name (don't look at me like that, I saw a guy name Lindsey once!), and when I talked about you to my guildmates I had to say "he/she/it/boya". Well, now I know : ) (but you need to take a picture using a better mirror : D) Erasculio 00:05, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

I believe that Lindsey wass traditionally a boys name, but eventually became asexual. Plus, my parents spelled it the way that makes sense (silent letters be damned!) so... uhhh... yeah. I took that picture during my big 3000 mile move from Rhode Island to Washington state, so the car was pretty grungy but the time I took it. hehe - Linsey Murdock 00:33, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

(Reset indent) What did i tell you people, Didn't i tell you she was hot, now i don't want to drag on about it, but you got to admit i was right ;) ~ Kurd 01:23, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

O_o lol - Linsey Murdock 01:30, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

re Bahltek. Suppose an answer to his riddle involves us looking in reflections in places around Istan (or beyond). Would you keep to the area where he talks about reflections or expand the search, and if so where? (IOW, I just spent a horrendous amount of time looking at reflections around the Keys and saw nothing :( ). --Ravious 02:20, 20 July 2007 (UTC)

Questions about Random Things in NF Exporable Areas

Hello Lindsey, I was wondering if you could answer a couple question about some of the Explorable Areas in Nightfall.

1) Who are the people mentioned in the Wilderness of Bahdza EA? We have noticed, for example, that many NPCs in the Holdings of Chokhin are named over regular forum members of GWO (Sakutilla over Scutilla, who used to post popularity contests between characters, with a NPC who does more or less the same, and so on). Some NPCs in the Wilderness share the same kind of name (something that appears to be a real name, but twisted around a bit), such as Mahk Jenshan and Mikahl Hintohn. Are those someone famous, or friends you guys decided to make a little homage to, or just randomly named NPCs?

2) In the Forum Highlands, at the very bottom of the map, directly in front of the place with the "Do not touch!" treasure thingie, there's a glowing door with some very mysterious symbols. Likewise, the Bahdok Caverns have, at the very bottom, a very pretty area filled with gold, jewels and treasure chests, in front of a "Do not touch!" thing. Were those areas created as random pretty things for the players to find, or were they created on purpose to be used for the "Do not touch!" treasures to be placed on them later on?

Thanks! Erasculio 22:16, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

1. Those particular examples are both Alpha testers. We decided to add in a bunch of NPCs in Nightfall to pay homage to long time Alpha testers, and highly active forum users who have benefited the community. If you go to the Library of Chokhin, you'll find quite a few of the infamous Lore Forum users. Eric Flannum who did all the text for these homage NPCs has a particular fondness for the Lore Forum.

2. These were "random pretty things" that the map artists put in and we took advantage of when doing those special static loot areas which came much later.

- Linsey talk 23:05, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

Thank you for the replies : ) I have one more question that is not directly about the EAs, but I don't want to cluter your User Talk Page with sections, so here it is (if you are not allowed to answer it, it's ok). How much are you guys allowed to create regarding the lore of the world? In most of Factions and Nightfall, there is the main story of the game (told mostly through the missions) and the story of the world, told to us through quests. For example, in Nighfall we learn that the Hekets are actually inteligent and have been receiving supliments from Varesh through quests; we learn that the Skree Harpies and the Hekets are at war against each other and at war with the Dzagonur Bastion through quests; and the end game quests at the Realm of Torment explain much of what happened in the two previous chapers. When creating those quests (and the many others that let we learn more about the world of GW), do you guys have to follow a detailed script (saying, for example, "the Heket are being helped by Kourna - let the players learn that through some quest"), or is it something more loosely set (for example, "Heket are bad guys")? Erasculio 17:13, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

It's a combination of both. There are general world plot lines that are loosely detailed out for us to pull from and write quests for. In Factions, the whole team would sit down and talk about each area and what is going on there and then split up and write quests from there. In Nightfall, we worked a little more separately just pulling from the general lore of the world that was outlined out by Jeff Grubb and running our ideas past people to make sure we don't break anything they are working on. With GW:EN we went back to a more co-operative approach by meeting early in the week with the TQ (team quest), Ben Miller (lead for GW:EN) and Eric Flannum (lead for GW2) to talk about what we want to get out of the quests to be written that week. Then TQ would split up to work out the details of our own individual quests and meet again with just TQ and sometimes a couple of the writers (Bobby Stein or Will McDermott) in the middle of the week to brainstorm out anything that wasn't coming along as fast and get things fully fleshed out mechanics wise before writing up the final text to get handed off on Friday (sometimes Sunday or Monday heh). Then towards the end of the project, right before the big text hand off to localization, Jeff Grubb does a massive continuity pass to make sure "we have some" as he puts it. He tries not to mess with things too much and more works on making things sort of fit together. So, yes TQ has a lot of free reign on the lore building that happens through quests but there are checks against a body of loosely written lore as well as Jeff's brain to make sure we aren't too far out of the ball park. Hope that answers your questions :D - Linsey talk 19:38, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

Thank you for the very complete reply : ) I had no idea the Team Quest had that much work to do - to create the quest itself and its implementation, and also to create and/or add to the lore of the world. It's amazing the 3 of you manage to do all that! I also didn't know you had worked in Factions - did you also create quests there, like you did in Nightfall? Erasculio 17:41, 11 July 2007 (UTC)

I joined the team the Monday after the Faction preview weekend so I didn't do much for the game as I was still learning the system. With Factions and Nightfall, it was more of a hodgepodge of everyone working on everything. So everyone on the design team wrote at least a few quests or missions. Some focused more on quests, some on EAs, and some on Missions or just scripting. So I was basically part of TQ during NF even though it wasn't officially formed yet as my primary work was writing quests, spawning quests and bug fixing/polishing them. We didn't separate into the different teams until GW:EN production started. The teams were formed to better focus peoples attentions on the things they are interested in and create a better continuity there. The Dungeon team works on the dungeons, the Mission team does all the missions and link quests (primary quests) and TQ fills in the rest. :D - Linsey talk 18:42, 11 July 2007 (UTC)

I know Erasculio didn't specifically ask this, but I thought I'd mention that along with NPCs that have alpha tester names, it seems that those of us who were mostly focused on PvP in alpha had bosses named after us using our gaming nicknames. For example, Major Jeahr (JR), Colonel Custo (The Custodian), Midshipman Morolah (Morello), and my own Shaunur the Divine, (who's apparently too unpopular to have a page here.) :p -- losershawn 03:35, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

Nightfallen Jahai

I was wondering if you could shed some light on an initially non-hostile group of Torment creatures by the Shepherd of Dementia and the Treasure Chest. They seem to be holding a group of ghosts hostage and turn hostile when you kill the Shepherd's group. Part of another abandoned quest perhaps? --Valshia 20:35, 23 July 2007 (UTC)

This is just a neat little EA encounter the designer cooked up while spawning the area. - Linsey talk 06:29, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

The non-hostile group is clearly on their coffee break. Once you kill the shepherds group it is time for them to get back to work. -Warskull 00:38, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Of course, there is also the convenient fact that the non-hostile group blocks access to the treasure chest, thereby preventing a simple (no combat) run to it. --BramStoker (talk, contribs) 10:32, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the answer Linsey. It's nice to see something a little different than just another group to kill. --Valshia 18:40, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks and Bahltek

Thanks for taking time to answer some questions on the Unanswered questions page. I was wondering if Bahltek was a "solvable" easter egg or if he was just alluding to future storylines? In other words, since he talks about "reflections" might we find some ominous otherwordly reflection in Nightfall or is it merely allegory. Any little direction or hint would be much appreciated. =) --70.246.139.29 23:07, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

See this ~ Kurd 09:51, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

All that says is how hot Linsey is and that Bahltek may appear in the future. I am asking if there is some easter eggs coupled with his speech or is it just speech. :) --70.246.139.29 14:27, 31 July 2007 (UTC) (via Wii)

It also says that I'm not going to answer any questions regarding Bahltek and his mysterious behavior... - Linsey talk 18:37, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Well to be fair, the question and answer seemed to be referring to what will happen with Bahltek in the future, not what is currently in game. /shrug --70.230.179.46 20:18, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

True, but it still applies. Sometimes things are mysterious to be mysterious ;D - Linsey talk 20:36, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Come on now, we don't really want to find out..., Its way more fun if you can make up your own story about him ~ Kurd 21:15, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the reply. =) I think your answer saves me hours of looking into reflections. --70.246.139.29 23:41, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

That could have proved quite frustrating. Glad to answer any questions I can :D - Linsey talk 00:01, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

So are you now implying that you also don't know what Bahltek will be up to in the future of GW? Interesting... (insert Twilight Zone theme music) ;) --  (CoRrRan / talk) 00:50, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

mebbe... ;P - Linsey talk 01:05, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Ancient lore question...

Can you answer the question that has haunted millions of GW players since the game came out...

What is the Ancient Weapon for? :) --Karlos 09:26, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

The ancient weapon was originally to be used to knock down the statue as part of the 15 point attribute quest. Unfortunately time did not allow for the quest to be complicated as such and this functionality was cut just prior to release. It now has no real use in the game world - Linsey talk 20:21, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

I WAS RIGHT ALL THESE YEARS! -FireFox File:Firefoxav.png 01:13, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

capslock lulz -.- -FireFox File:Firefoxav.png 01:14, 18 August 2007 (UTC)

GW2 and "public quests"

I had to steal WAR's name for them because so far A.Net has not differentiated them from different quests. As you probably know a public quest is one where actions are happening in the world and basically players join freely to play along together without grouping or needing to be handed the quest directly. I know you probably can't talk about them right now (but it would be a great thing to eventually put on your user page ;), but I was wondering why the sudden genesis of this gameplay?
I know that the whisper of a public quest has been around for sometime. One "whisper" I have done many times is killing Stitches before he gets to Darkshire in WoW's Duskwood. But it seems that A.Net, EA Mythic, and Turbine have all kind of turned their heads about the same time to bring about this type of gameplay. When GW2's info was released we had to dragon/bridge scenario, LOTRO dev notes talk about a future update with a constant public quest to keep a dungeon open, and WAR has publicized and even demo'd two of their public quests.
I was just curious, you being a rockin' quest designer, what are your general thoughts about this genre of quests and why do you think all of the sudden they are becoming "noticed?" --Ravious 13:27, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

I doubt shes allowed to comment on those games ~ Kurd 14:12, 9 August 2007 (UTC)

Well I was just looking for general commentary, specifics not required. =) --Ravious 13:02, 10 August 2007 (UTC)

Well, I can't really comment on other game developers motivations but I can give my own thoughts on the subject. I think it's a combination of factors. Firstly, most MMO's are based around a multiplayer experience but playing in a group when you don't have a lot of friends handy can have a fairly high barrier of entry. Also, when you have a group of people all trying to do the same quest, the logistics of trying to make sure everyone is eligible and has the quest can be a pain. Creating an environment that eliminates a lot of the clunkiness of a multiplayer experience and streamlines the players enjoyment of the game is pretty awesome. Plus it also allows the world to live a bit more. Having an event system where the world just exists and things are happening in that world and you can participate or not and get rewarded accordingly; it makes it feel a lot more alive. I think there was a realization that developers are creating alternate worlds in which people are living and making those worlds as living and dynamic as possible is the ultimate goal. - Linsey talk 18:02, 10 August 2007 (UTC)

That's really cool. I wish I had more followup questions, but there is none I can really ask without asking for other game comments or stuff on GW2. I am really looking forward to it. Does A.Net have a standard term for those events, or are they just area events? If you can't answer, that's cool. Thanks for the response. Hopefully you can drop more info on stuff after the new year. --Ravious 18:04, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Right now we are just calling them events although I don't know if there will be a more formal/official name for them later. The idea though is that you don't have to worry about getting a party together or picking up a quest and making sure everyone is on the same step. You just run into a zone and if something is going on you can hop right in and participate and then get automatically rewarded accordingly. I'm really excited about the concept both as a developer and as a player. As a developer it solves a lot of problems I run into with a quest chain I'm working on that might all happen in the same zone. What if you have a couple people on different steps or different parts of the chain. It can be a real struggle (and one I happen to be going through right now with a quest chain I'm working on in the Charr region) trying to figure out what should happen if you have one person on one part and another on a different part. Trying to prevent double spawns or creating time cop situations where an NPC is traveling with you in stereo so to speak. Events won't have those kinds of problems because if you are participating than you are all on the same step. That'll make my job just a bit easier. But as a player that kind of living breathing environment is really cool and I can't wait to experience it in the GW world. - Linsey talk 18:51, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

:O Me wants to do those kind of quests ~ Kurd 19:16, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

[reset indent] Jeez, you know that I subconsciously thought about those problems back in Prophecies (starting with that dude with the pet scorpion and eating berries), but it sounds like a nightmare. I just love how MMO's are evolving and this definitely seems to be one of the evolutions. WAR has a bunch of great ideas (like collection quests are based on actual killings instead of killings at the time the quest was received), but I know A.Net will far surpass in GWEN and in GW2. THere was some Richard Garriot article about the generations of MMO's, and I thank god for GW because I think it has pushed the envelope far more than anyone considers.
I know you are super busy, but if you want a break, I am writing up some event/public quest chains on my user page for fun. I'd love to hear the expert's thoughts, but I don't by any means expect it (especially anytime this year). I do also hope the brass allows you to dump some more thoughts on stuff that you did in GWEN and will do in GW2. Keep on rockin, Linsey. --Ravious 04:28, 15 August 2007 (UTC)

Linsey

Hi Linsey, could you maybe tell us for what purpose Bahltek exists? --84.112.37.174 18:16, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Have a look here. She already answered this one. :) --  (CoRrRan / talk) 18:25, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Secret Lair of the Snowmen

Are you responsible for this? Because I can't stop the giggles running through this! :) --Thervold 09:21, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

That was my team lead, Colin. - Linsey talk 18:04, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

He's my new favorite person. --Thervold 18:21, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

Sylvari and the Great Destroyer.

New creatures would stir...

You told us the Sylvari will be born in GW:EN. I now finished with the main-story-line and most sidequests and I didn't see any Sylvari.
Also the Great Destroyer doesn't look so much a legendary monster nearly god to me. It just looks like an officer of normal Destroyers. And I thought the Great Dwarf and the Great Destroyer have to battle against themselfs? So why did we kill the Great Destroyer?
I'm really disappointed about the GW:EN storyline. --Isfit 17:16, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I think that Jeff Grubb will be saving some of his better ideas for storylines for GW2... remember, GW2 will not have one large storyline like GW1 games, but several smaller ones. We don't know about Nessie yet, or that giant dragon. GW:EN's purpose was to introduce the setting for GW2, something which, imo, it did perfectly. There was foreshadowing galore, and I bet we'll see a lot more Norn and Asura running around in GW2 now that people have seen how cool they are. --Santax (talk · contribs) 17:25, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

You know, I didn't mean this. We were told we will see the Sylvari born in GW:EN... We didn't... We were told we will face the Great Destroyer... I dont think we did because this thingy that claims to be the great destroyer just dont looks like the great destroyer, more like a Destroyer general. --Isfit 17:28, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

When it was defeated, the Destroyers lost their coordination. I'd say that's a characteristic of the Great Destroyer. --Santax (talk · contribs) 17:32, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I am pretty sure that we said that you would see the beginnings of the Sylvari, which you do as Santax has illustrated, not them being literally "born". You do fight the Great Destroyer but the idea is that it is just the least of your worries, which I think we communicated fairly well. This is a foreshadowing of what is to come in GW2. I am sorry you were disappointed, but I don't really know what else to say about that. =/ - Linsey talk 17:39, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I am pretty sure that we said that you would see the beginnings of the Sylvari, which you do as Santax has illustrated, not them being literally "born". You do fight the Great Destroyer but the idea is that it is just the least of your worries, which I think we communicated fairly well. This is a foreshadowing of what is to come in GW2. I am sorry you were disappointed, but I don't really know what else to say about that. =/ - Linsey talk 17:39, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

When it was the great destroyer why was it praying to the dragon statue that awakened later? And how can a race establish themselfs in less than 250 years when they are not even born? --Isfit 17:43, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

And where the heck is Evenia? --Isfit 17:46, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I think the idea with the Sylvari in GW2 is that no, they can't properly establish themselves intellectually yet. One of their chief characteristics is that they are naïve, and not aware of sorrow or pain. --Santax (talk · contribs) 17:48, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, that is the point of the Sylvari; that they are BRAND new. - Linsey talk 17:58, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

And where's Evenia? --Isfit 18:13, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

(resetting indent) I think the term used was "witness the birth of a new race". One could argue whether or not the moving tree was enough, but I'm okay with that. After all, we don't want to know everything about GW2 even before it is released -- Cynaes 23:31, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

On the other hand they did tell us what it was, more or less. I mean picture the same ending without us knowing anything about the Sylvari. We see a tree growing and hear of new races. That would be painful in a game already so weighed down with Unanswered questions ;) --Ravious 23:34, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Evennia

Where is she? --Isfit 20:57, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I believe she is in Iron Mines of Moladune. - Linsey talk 21:27, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Chuckle. (I was going to mention that it would be logical for her to be in Kryta at the time of GW:EN fighting the White Mantle head on, which is outside the scope of GW:EN... but Linsey was far more accurate.) --Ravious 21:30, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

We freed her 3 years ago... Why is Bartholos the new leader and where is Evennia now? --Isfit 11:31, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

She got sick of dealing with greedy adventurers and now enjoys her retirement in a nice holiday resort in Mehtani Keys. --Xeeron 15:13, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

No shes not, shes fissing in Fishermen's Haven ~ Kurd 15:44, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

She is incompetent. Under her watch, the Shining Blade was almost defeated twice, she trusted the Vizier (the Lich), which indirectly makes her responsible for the near destruction of Tyria at the hands of Abaddon and the Titans. Thank goodness she is gone. Imagine what idiocy she'd have done this time around. "Hey let's trust these here burning lava creatures from the depths!" --The preceding unsigned comment was added by User:130.49.7.227 .

A parallel to Hillary Clinton perhaps? Ouch -elviondale (tahlk) 18:33, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

Please don't bring Politics here. There is just no need to offend anyone. We all have differing opinions on the big issues and who we might be rooting for. My guild has a very strict no Politics or Religion talks and it is the only way we are able to co-exist with such an eclectic bunch. I'd like to keep the same rule here. Thanks! :D - Linsey talk 19:07, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

Awwzz. I'm sorry. But only because its your talk page ;P -elviondale (tahlk) 19:28, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

Giganticus Lupicus?!?!!?

Hiya, since you worked on Drakkar Lake, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Nessie here, if you have the time :D

1. What is it? The obvious choice would be Giganticus Lupicus, since it has similar structure to the giant bones found around Ascalon and the Crystal Desert, and it's the only thing we know of such a magnificent scale, but at the same time, it also looks like a giant Mandragor (perhaps the two share some ancestry?) I'm going to hazard a guess that the Norn noticed it, and it's known to the skaalds as the "Drakkar", which is where the explorable area got its name.
2. How did it get there? If you take a look around the lake, you'll see that there are trees encased in the ice too, which would suggest two things: Firstly, that it is not aquatic, despite the fact that, if it is the same as the bones in the Crystal Desert, they would have been deposited there while the area was still the Crystal Sea. Secondly, that it was frozen over an extremely short period of time, perhaps a flash flood succeeded by a sudden frost. There is no sign of decomposition, and I'm reluctant to even call it a corpse, which brings me onto my next question...
3. What will its fate be in GW2? From the Guild Wars 2 logo, here, we can see that the Far Shiverpeaks will have completely defrosted. This means, of course, that so will our big old (very old!) friend here. I can see two possibilities here for future use... (of course, this may not even have been decided on yet so disregard this question if that is the case)

1. Permafrost. The creature was killed during the freezing process, and all that is left by GW2 is the giant rotting carcass or a pile of bones, similar to the ones we see in other areas of Tyria. A bit of a waste for the world's last Giganticus Lupicus specimen!
2. Cryopreservation. This possibility is slightly more exciting, but it's also extremely speculative and I might be getting a bit ahead of myself with this one. It could have been put into cryonic suspension with the freezing, and then unfreeze by the time of GW2. However, the only way I can see this credibly happening is if it went into the hypothermic stage of clinical death, and could be resurrected by lightning or some other shock. That would also open up some interesting possibilities... it would certainly make an excellent hunt for the Norn of the future, it could scurry into a dungeon and be a very interesting boss. But once again, perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself...

Thanks for your time! --Santax (talk · contribs) 20:45, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

I can't comment on the creature in the lake; sorry =/. I know that's not exactly what you want to hear, but you just might have to wait until GW2 to find out about this one.

But I will say that the Shiverpeaks is not "completely defrosted" in GW2. Yes, it's true that in GW2 the world map has changed a lot in the 250 years since GW:EN and parts of the Shiverpeaks will likely be "defrosted" but not all of it and not likely the part that this lake is in. - Linsey talk 21:28, 27 August 2007 (UTC)

It's better than nothing, and I'm willing to wait until GW2, thanks :D --Santax (talk · contribs) 15:46, 28 August 2007 (UTC)

Defrosted? Global Warming? I think someone might have taken a really good guess there... --zeeZ 00:18, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

So, I just want to make clear that this "creature" is here for a purpose. It's not just there to be something cool without ever having an explanation (which is how something things do work). There are clues scattered around GW:EN as to what that purpose is, but you will not know for sure until GW2. Have fun. - Linsey talk 01:42, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Let me add: It was put into the game with a specific purpose in mind. - Linsey talk 02:38, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, I'm not quite clear on this... Was this put in for a specific purpose or wasn't it? Fenyx 02:43, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

It was put into the game with a specific purpose in mind which will not be revealed until GW2 but there are various clues sprinkled around GW:EN - Linsey talk 03:03, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

This is NOT just fancy dev talk for "We just put that thing in there so you guys can think of something cool about it, which we'll then rip off and use in GW2." We don't need you to tell us what it is, we had it specially made for us to put in that map. This was planned since the start of GW:EN production. We know what it is, we just aren't telling yet. Have patience. - Linsey talk 19:58, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Created an account just to say that's awesome news Linsey, can't wait to get in to the live version and start searching for those clues. :-)--Valrena 23:00, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

Izzy told me there would be a clue when you finish GW:EN--Pablo24 04:33, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

Well that's one....now to find the other clues, which may prove difficult as there is sooooo much to take in right now and explore as I play through the game.--Valrena 17:10, 31 August 2007 (UTC)

[reset indent] I wonder if "things that have slept" are beginning to awaken (see final movie after beating the Great Destroyer). If you read in your Heroe's Handbook it mentions something along the lines of humans being the people of the gods. This notion is further amplified by the fact that the Norn, Asura, and Charr do not recognize the gods as _the_ gods. To cut things short, thing are awakening that the human gods wanted to remain asleep... --Ravious 18:00, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I actually agree. This, and the thing you speak of from the Ogden's Benediction cutscene, could be two of several beings of great---and probably evil----power. Though it's just as possible that some of the things that have slept are in fact the opposites and are good. I just wish I knew if these clues Linsey speaks of are of the subtle variety that will hit me when I least expect it...if at all...or easier to find but just as difficult to make much sense of. Already totally mapped 3 zones scouring for clues and taking over 300 screenshots. This mystery is starting to become a passion for me, thanks a lot Linsey ;-).--Valrena 23:18, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I can't give anything away!! My lips are sealed! - Linsey talk 23:23, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

Maybe we can start a page about it and the clues? Too bad we don't know what to call it. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge. J/k. That Which Is Frozen Under Drakkar Lake? --Ravious 23:32, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

I think we should call him Drakkie for now....errr...maybe not. Well, to start a page, we need to start getting clues, but that does sound like a good idea. Anyway, I've got some screenshots so sift through :-) since Linsey's lips are zipped by the powers that be ;-). Besides, its more fun trying to figure it out on our own.--Valrena 02:38, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

Don't only look for visual clues. Names, such as Drakkar (wich means a corruption of "dragon" in Norse) and the names of the characters involved might be a clue. And why don't we just call it Drakkar? Also, other elements might give clues. The spikes on the "fallen" bearform, the color of his eyes. And why would that part still be frozen in the future? Blue or white + Ice... Who was replaced by Grenth that associated with those things? Could all be clues, but yes, we should start a new page. So... keep your eyes and ears open while travelling trough GW:EN! ;)--The preceding unsigned comment was added by User:WhiteFox .

Linsey, your lips are sealed, that I realize, but is Drakkar amphibious in any way or solely aquatic? 71.80.68.143 18:34, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

*zipping motion across mouth* - Linsey talk 00:03, 8 September 2007 (UTC)

Didn't the cutscene in "Tracking the Nornbear" mention that Jora's brother was corrupted by some mysterious magical power at a lake? Was it a lake or am I just remembering incorrectly? I don't have any characters who can readily do this quest. (Edit: yes, guildwiki says he was corrupted while they were hunting at Drakkar Lake) Bcstingg 20:00, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

There was an interesting theory in the Lore forum on GWO that basically this creature was put away by Grenth and Abaddon long ago because it was too powerful to kill. Ice/Water/Secrets.... was interesting nonetheless. --Ravious 20:19, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

I made an image of where I thought it's eyes were. :D [[1]]--Redfeather 11:16, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

For the record, I believe the cutscene where Jora and her brother Svanir encounter the evil spirit is right over this monster. This is actually the only "fact" we know about it. She does say that their hunt took them over Drakkar Lake which the Norn generally shun. So, we know t is evil, we know it has a strong essence, we know it has a corrupting influence and that it can sever the Norn's connection to natural spirits or corrupt them into savage forms of their spirit forms. --Karlos 23:57, 17 September 2007 (UTC)

It seems Drakkar is one of the Elder Dragons, as talked about in the PCG Article, and will awaken before the time of GW2. That's one heck of an intended use Linsey, him being one of the biggest threats we will face on Tyria in 250 years...I can't wait ;-).--Valrena 20:59, 25 September 2007 (UTC)

• big grin* - Linsey talk 00:36, 29 September 2007 (UTC)

Asura and Mursaat

I was wondering who did much of the Asuran quests? My main question for that person is why were the Mursaat so downplayed? I mean, you would think that a super-intelligent race coming upon the remains of another highly-advanced race would have something to say about it. From the end of the Turning the Page quest chain the Asura says that it is basically the first time they have seen the Mursaat (and he immediately ID'd the power level of it), but you would think that there would be enough Mursaat evidence left behind that the Asura would know something about them? As a followup question, do we actually "see" any Mursaat architecture or is that all Asuran? Thanks! --Ravious 19:11, 4 September 2007 (UTC)

It's almost certainly Mursaat. The doors on the structures are several times larger than the windows on the Asuran structures, and the prescence of ruined structures of similar design nearby suggests they were there long before the Asura, although the Asura undoubtably have modified them. --The preceding unsigned comment was added by User:130.49.7.227 .

Well if that's the case, then I think we are missing a puzzle piece even more. I mean if the Asura took over a vacant human settlement that would be one thing (because we are definitely bookah), but Mursaat had some shining golden city and have incredible knowledge and power... You think that the Asura might be a little interested. Well hopefully we get some update or answers before GW2. --Ravious 14:41, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

Since I know this is a subject of a lot of discussion, I want to be absolutely clear on our stance towards the Mursaat and their supposed presence in the Tarnished Coast before answering your questions. Give me a little more time to wrangle with people here but I will try to get an answer for you as soon as I can. - Linsey talk 16:59, 6 September 2007 (UTC)

Ooooh "supposed presence" piqued my interest. Thanks, Linsey! --Ravious 18:26, 6 September 2007 (UTC) (just to be clear, I wasn't being sarcastic, it really was a ruh-roh moment)

It'd also be nice if we could finally get some confirmation on whether or not the Enchanted Armors are actually suppose to resemble Mursaat. That's not necessarily a request for more lore on them, just a confirmation so we know to either continue our theories in that direction, or just stop and proclaim it debunked. --The preceding unsigned comment was added by User:QuintusAntonious .

Any news? You told us you get the infos at the beginning of september. Now its Octobre! Hmm? --Isfit 22:40, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

I apologize for the delay in my answering these questions. It's been hard getting a concrete answer to these questions because we are still trying to figure out what we want to do with these guys moving forward. After much discussion we have some really cool plans for the Mursaat but unfortunately I was told to tell you guys that you'll have to wait until GW2 to find them (and the answers to these questions) out. I think I can say pretty confidently that the Enchanted are not related to the Mursaat. I'll keep poking people and see if there is anything I can tell you guys but it'll probably be a while before I can. I wish I had better news, but I'll keep working on it. =/ - Linsey talk 01:29, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

What about the Druids and Orrians? Orrian territory extended to the Tarnished Coast during the Second Great Corsair War. The ruins also might have been built by the Druids before they figured out how to grow those plant buildings, but there's no proof of Druids outside the Maguuma Jungle. -- Gordon Ecker 09:56, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

[reset indent] Thanks, Linsey! I guess, knowing we probably won't get a solid answer unless A.Net decides to do an article on the Mursaat (similar to the Charr one), that I will content myself knowing that they will not be ignored in GW2. It would really suck to leave such an enigmatic piece hanging when the world moves to GW2. Do you think we will get hints of any answers in the BMP? Thanks for looking into this again. --Ravious 11:42, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Bloodstones

Quick clarification: over on Unanswered questions#Bloodstones you stated that there was a Bloodstone in the Southern Shiverpeaks. Does this refer to Bloodstone Caves, which at least borders on the Southern Shiverpeaks, or some other Bloodstone? - Tanetris 18:40, 9 September 2007 (UTC)

I was referring to the Bloodstone in the Bloodstone Caves. The caves do extend under the mountains of the Shiverpeaks and that is where the Bloodstone is located. - Linsey talk 19:31, 22 January 2008 (UTC)

O Brave New World

I realize that you technically didn't work on this quest, but out of curiosity, what exactly is Asuran architecture? The Asura you follow during that quest says that they could possibly salvage those structures, which would seem to indicate it didn't belong to them. This leads to major confusion as almost every dungeon carries this architecture alongside every Asuran outpost we see. Is this from a previous civilization not noted in-game? I don't mind if you can't give me a straight answer, I'd just like to know that someone at Anet knows what they're doing with this architecture lying about. Thanks! Gmr Leon 03:38, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Probably leftover skins from Utopia. Lord Belar 03:52, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

IMO the most likely in-universe explanations are that it's the ruins of an abandoned Orrian settlement, as it's fairly close to Shards of Orr, or the ruins of an abandoned Asuran settlement, as it resembles the architecture of the Central Transfer Chamber, and the ruined Asura gate in Bloodstone Caves seems to indicate a historical Asura presence in the region. -- Gordon Ecker 09:42, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I doubt it's Orrian architecture, personally, but that's due to comparison. That is, you compare what's seen in the Shards of Orr, to the architecture seen around the Tarnished Coast and it becomes apparent that you're dealing with two different civilizations. I would have to agree that the likeliest answer lies in an abandoned Asuran settlement though. Oh, and thank you for inadvertently reminding me to go explore the Bloodstone Caves more thoroughly. Gmr Leon 15:46, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I forgot about the Primeval Dynasty Elonians. They expanded at least as far north as the Tomb of the Primeval Kings, they built ziggurauts and the undead in Vloxen Excavations use both Prophecies and Nightfall models. -- Gordon Ecker 21:04, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I spoke with Jeff Grubb about this and here is what we have to say: The architecture of the Tarnished Coast is a combination of preexisting architecture with Asuran modifications. Who that preexisting architecture belonged to? We don't yet know. It could have been Orrian, the Seers or even the Mursaat. That is yet to be discovered, but one thing is for sure, there was once a civilization situated in the Tarnished Coast before the Asura arrived there. :D - Linsey talk 22:54, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Talk about a quick response, thanks Linsey! I think I may have a basic idea of what the civilization the architecture belonged to prior to the Asuran modifications was. Will just take a bit of comparison. Thanks again! Gmr Leon 00:25, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Linsey (and Grubb): so awesome, yet so evil. >;) --Ravious 17:41, 4 June 2008 (UTC)