Monday, April 16, 2012

Withdrawal of the Gods

So, we know that following GW, the Gods withdraw from the world even further and make fewer direct appearances (save perhaps Balthazar's opening of the gate to the Hall in Lion's Arch, though apparently even the claims of his priests are not universally believed). The question here is, why? I propose that it is due to fear. However, this fear is not only from the beasts awoken at the climax of Eye of the North. The gods now fear humanity.

Why think this? Well, for starters, we killed Abbadon, and put a mortal in his place. Think about that. Abbadon, who the gods themselves only imprisoned, and imperfectly at that, was murdered at the hands of eight mortals, and replaced with one of their heroes.

Is it possible we have them running scared? We know from the Norns, Charr, and Asurans that power like that granted by the gods can come from other sources, so arguing that the gods could just cut humans off at the source of their power is more of a stall than anything else. Are the human gods withdrawing in GW2 because they're frightened of humanity's potential to usurp them, embodied in Kormir? Does this offer a potential reasoning as to why the other gods never opened up a Realm like the Fissure of Woe or the Underworld, where humanity could reach deep into the other worlds that the gods themselves inhabit?

The gods, however, find themselves with a big problem: the ancient dragons. If these beings really do rival gods, then the only hope of stopping them once more is to continue to support humanity. So the gods give power to the prayers of Monks, and strength to the Warrior's arm, wielding humanity from afar as a two-edged blade against the draconic menace. After all, humanity still worships them enough to beg their assistance, meaning that the gods are still better off trusting their loyalty than risking themselves directly against the dragons. And if Man can kill gods, then perhaps they can stop the dragons once and for all, as well. What this means for the gods of Tyria once the dragons are dead remains to be seen.|||Would truly be an interesting continuation of the Guild Wars story. Of course, since there are 200 years of peace in between GW1 and GW2, I would say that the Gods would be a little less jittery about humans in general. After all, without any real threats in the world, what hero could train to become a god-killer?|||To OP; you are only talking here about the humans but the humans aren't the only playable race in GW2. We also have the Charr, Sylvari, Norn and Asura. All of these too once followed the gods [they were guided by the Forgotten for about 1500 years]. I find it rather hard to believe that the gods would abandon Tyria entirely just for one race, that worships them, but that they are afraid off.|||Quote:




To OP; you are only talking here about the humans but the humans aren't the only playable race in GW2. We also have the Charr, Sylvari, Norn and Asura. All of these too once followed the gods [they were guided by the Forgotten for about 1500 years]. I find it rather hard to believe that the gods would abandon Tyria entirely just for one race, that worships them, but that they are afraid off.




Remember, though, that it's two races that they're afraid of: one that worships them (humans) and one that rivals them (ancient dragons). Also, the other races don't have experience killing gods, even if, in the past, they worshiped them. I also feel somewhat justified in ignoring the other races because the GW2 information suggests that the Five are the gods of humanity, not the gods of everyone (Asurans have their alchemy, the Norn their totems, the Charr... well, nothing, but you get the point). As a result, the others might consider a war with the gods either unnecessary, as they're already superior (Asurans), or they might not consider it at all (the Norn). The only other race I can see being a problem for the gods are the Charr, due to their violent anti-religious tendencies. Still, they don't have god-deposing experience as a race.

Also, an irrelevant side-note: the Sylvari probably never worshiped the Five (or the Six), as they're not old enough to have been around for the Forgotten's guidance.


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After all, without any real threats in the world, what hero could train to become a god-killer?




But would the gods know of the awakening of Primordis and his ilk? One assumes so. Also remember the relatively short time frame (from the eyes of an immortal, at least) between the Searing and the fall of Abbadon - what was it, ten or fifteen years? [/sucks at dates in-game] That's all the time it took to train up a group of god-killers. In the case of Nightfall characters, it was even shorter, though I'm unclear on how long the campaign was from start to finish. With dragons awakening, there's bound to be threats in abundance to hone them against.|||From what I have read of the GW2 lore (mostly the PG article) it would seem that humanity is in decline. At least on the continents of Tyria and Elona. It would seem also that the arisen ancient dragons are just speeding up this process. As the humans are not only being assaulted by them and other races, but as humans tend to do, they are still fighting each other (white mantle/shining blade). How does it go? A house divided is doomed to fall.

Anyway, to the point, it would seem under the circumstances of what we know about GW2 (right now) all the gods would have to do is just wait it out. Unless something new comes out, there is no indication they are directly threatened by the ancient dragons wherever they are presently residing. From the article, it would seem the dragons only concern is dominating the world of Tyria. As far as us humans, the only direct access we humans have had to any of the gods, since the time GW1 started, was Abbadon who had been secured to a place he couldn't escape from us. So, I would speculate that the gods are pretty safe from us and the dragons in GW2.|||Quote:






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Also remember the relatively short time frame (from the eyes of an immortal, at least) between the Searing and the fall of Abbadon - what was it, ten or fifteen years? [/sucks at dates in-game]




1070 - Searing

1075 - Abaddon's fall

Only 5 years.



Anyways, if the gods are afraid of humans, why would they let us into their Realms (FoW, UW), or go out of their way to provide us with a door to the Hall of Heroes? Why not just abandon us altogether and leave us to our fate?|||Quote:






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...what hero could train to become a god-killer?




We are no god killer. We killed a weak shadow of a God. Look at the monster skills (Mallyx, ...) and the damage bonus for bosses. Now imagine what a God would have as a monster skill and as a damage bonus! Do you really think you would stand any chance?|||Quote:






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Of course, since there are 200 years of peace in between GW1 and GW2




I think you might want to read up on what happens between GW1 and 2...

"Peace" isn't exactly the word I would use...|||Quote:




Anyways, if the gods are afraid of humans, why would they let us into their Realms (FoW, UW), or go out of their way to provide us with a door to the Hall of Heroes? Why not just abandon us altogether and leave us to our fate?




Moreover, why would they give us their blessing(s) and aid in our quest to defeat Abaddon?|||Quote:






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Moreover, why would they give us their blessing(s) and aid in our quest to defeat Abaddon?




Not that I'm defending the OP [I actually disagree with his thoughts], but still I want to let you know that the Gods were probably more afraid of Abbadon than of us at that time.

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