Gw2: Vote Evon Gnashblade!!!!! ....Maybe

Exciting news about the next patch for lore fans! I wanted to share with you all why I'm excited about this potential new fractal, but also where I think A.net could do wrong or be led astray with it.
Theres a bit of news here, a bit of mechanics discussion, a bit of lore, a bit of rambling. Basically everything. Nice.

[@Shiina42]

I've barely started to watch this, but have to say glad to see you getting back into making things for GW2 WP. You just bring a spark of excitements and knowledge to it all I don't get anywhere else, and honestly it's fantastic to see as a fellow lore nerd.

[@inkthedink]

Awesome video as always, I know these are longer for you to put together but it really is my favorite of the content you produce.

[@Pekskeh]

I always wanted to know more about the Seers and the bloodstones and ofcourse about Abbadon, you explained it all! Thanks and keep the good work up!

[@ThePaddleBattle]

I love that you do these videos, I am so passionate about the Lore in Guild Wars, in part due to your coverage of it! I wish Anet could focus more on delivering story with the same personal involvement as the books and the same grandios scale of the lore that already exists! There's no reason why they couldn't totally achieve this!

[@otakuribo]

Anyone else rewatching this in 2017 for a refresher on Abbadon lore before going back to the Crystal Desert in Path of Fire?

[@schotsy]

Thanks for making such detailed and long videos! Loving the content mate

[@CronckTV]

WP great lore vid, once again you have gotten me more interested in the GW lore then Anet has. Thanks for posting up the vid!

[@possum6381]

Regarding the length of the video and your comments at the end about people making it all the way through... I'll be honest, when I initially pulled it up and saw the time, I was almost put off by the length. But, as I became engrossed in the topic and the information you were giving, I lost track of the time. At the end, it didn't feel like it had been 45 minutes. Yes, it was long. But you provided a lot of good information and it was time well spent. Thanks.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Hey thanks! Completely revamped my armour too. I just need a fractal dagger to complete the look. Then a meteorlogicus is next on the list!

[@WoodenPotatoes]

I think they could. They stated a bazillion times before this that they were done with the abaddon story. I think it's very cool they are dropping that now to give us something very cool!

[@WoodenPotatoes]

I agree completely, It's not much of a loose end. Just a cool moment. But that doesn't mean it's not worthwile. You have to ask yourself whether Fractals are there to tie up lose ends, or give us cool content. Everyone has a different answer to that.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Those crystals were soul batteries, made by the mursaat that relied on the power of the bloodstone. At least that's what I think you're talking about. In Arah very tiny shards that were left behind where the gods broke it in five are present, and they are indeed red crystals. But not really the main stones themselves.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

It's a small shard remaining from when the main pieces were shattered. The interesting thing is that the human you play with ascends and goes to meet the gods themselves at the end...

[@francoisquesnay]

One of the cool things about WoW was the affection and nostalgia that it's community had for it. I could see Ellen Kiel filling the role of Thrall, as a two-dimensional but likeable character that becomes essential to the story. I could see myself, five years from now, fondly recalling how Ellen Kiel was once a quest giver in South Sun...those were the days. I can't see the leader of a ruthless corporations inspiring that all important affection/nostalgia.

[@possum6381]

I'll admit I don't watch everything you post. But I watch most of it, usually the GW2 stuff and ESPECIALLY the lore videos! I've been enjoying them since before the beta weekends started. In an odd sort of way, I miss the countdown videos and the excitement that was building as we got closer. I appreciate the info you share.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

It's a mix of all my favorite stuff! Or the most interesting pieces I could find, except shoes. (Which I think I'll get profane for). Acolytes headpiece, dredge shoulders, orrian chest, radiant gloves, inquest pants.

[@BalancedMasterEl]

Interesting points, I want Kiel to win simply because I think we won't see anything new with the Fall of Abbadon. And your videos never fall off. I love listening to your voice, its so relaxing!

[@Rleiterh]

Good Video! Your videos are the reason im playing more and more GW2, i love pve and i didt play gw1 soo this is very very good to keep me in the game. (sry for my english im from South America)

[@xander41]

The amount of lore within the Guild Wars universe is incredible. Arenanet definitely needs to pick you up!

[@draskang]

Another thing, the armor & sword hilt of Abaddon that is around the Mount of Torment, is actually scaled to fit the GW1 Abaddon. You can see the chunks floating over the portal.

[@blackshard641]

I *LOVE* the idea of community choice affecting the world. I've been arguing for it since before launch as an extension of the event system. I would love to see it eventually go that direction and fill in the gap between the repetitive but largely player-driven event system, and the highly scripted dev-driven living story. Having a stake in the world will drive player passion and involvement.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Thats a compelling idea for sure! Except, as others have mentioned, it probably WAS grenth there since malchor had made the statues already.

[@AngelavengerL]

i love video's like this. i didn't play gw1 nor do i want to but i do love hearing about the background lore. i had no idea that the crystal desert was the crystal sea or tied to Abbadon in any way. Would definitely like to see one about the other candidates side as well.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

It's a good point for sure. I didnt mention his sunken temple at all, and I should have.

[@Binidj]

I think that the Inquest may well be somehow tapping into magic before it was compartmentalised by the gods, thus creating a link between the two stories. There are ALL sorts of places they could go with this and, to me, that's more interesting than a story that we already largely know; sure it would be nice to see the details of the fall of Abaddon fleshed-out a bit, but essentially it's old news. Thaumanova offers some intriguing insights into the way in which the GW2 universe works.

[@DolphinBeezy]

Please, please keep these up! I've become invested in the lore of Guild Wars pretty much ONLY because of your vidoes Lol fanboy moment over Keep up the great work!

[@TheFriendlyFoxyChannel]

As much as I would like to vote for Ellen, I would actually vote for Gnashblade. Not only does his fractal sounds far more interesting than the other, but I can see Gnashblade doing things in future that may create some really interesting LS scenarios, like him voting on things that would turn him a bigger profit, or even taking over Lions Arch and making it a corporate driven nightmare.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Yep I think you have a solid argument.

[@Brimstarr]

Really enjoyed this video Potatoes, I love lore and this was filled with tons of goodies I didn't know. Also, maybe we will be fighting against the 5 gods and fight along side of abaddon? I think that would be a great pull at the feelings for other gods.

[@Dbenji29]

Brilliant video, congratz! Maybe you could have shown more pictures and places from Guild Wars. So that new players can have some visual experience on the lore.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

You are correct!

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Hey thanks! I can totally appreciate that people who don't know me or my channel will just think ''fuuuuuuuck that'' with a long video. But I put them out anyway :P

[@KalSpiro]

Fractals were a successful test of a way to present content. As such the only appropriate answer is a way to give us cool content, whatever that content may be. Exactly what loose ends have been tied up so far in any of the current fractals? Each is just a unique and potentially interesting instance without regard to time, space, or content.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Those are the names of the pistols. There is also another reference in Orr that she was named Lys and Issa.

[@Kanthir]

When the reactor blew, the world's fabric turned inside out. Some things will never be the same... Stuck in my head ever since I heard it the first time. I'd really like to know more about it. And it seems like we already kinda know a lot about Abaddon.

[@Xantos3412]

First time I've seen your legendary. Congratz!

[@Altaranalt]

Someone mentioned the Abaddon, might be underwater.... oh man now I don't know what to pick! This was a really fun video btw, makes me wanna play GW1 again.

[@whyisthisathingnow...]

I never noticed this before but gratz on your incinerator! :P Join the firey dagger club. Looking forward to when they allow us to change stat combos out of combat for legendaries.

[@PMArianef]

I'd like to add that in the thaumanova reactor, there seems to be a huge thing about the steam creatures (a whole achievement event on it with the steam ogre). WP mentions there is little lore on them, but that's not true. If you choose the infinity ball as your first invention in the asura storyline, you encounter your 'future you' who lobs mobs at you, these mobs are steam creatures. Steam creatures are from the future. I find that's pretty interesting.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

I wasn't untill they announced the ''scavenger hunt'' was basically going to be time gated 400+ crafting.

[@Ywhre]

The whole story of Abaddon and Margonites is so good. My imagination goes bonkers hearing that stuff. Wish GW2 was in a place where we could get actual side content that wasn't related to current storyline.

[@SykoLiu]

Methinks my vote goes to Kiel. Based on the fact that I want to know more about the Thaumanova Reactor. I like the idea that we might get the rebel factions (e.g., Flame Legion, Inquest) fleshed out a little more. There's a lot that could be added to these factions' backstory that could help flesh out the world.

[@R0r7va5tor]

Congrats on Incinerator I'm only a little jealous, but I am definitely going for Evon. The Fall of Abaddon is just too good to pass up. I love the lore of the gods so that just has me entirely captured.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

Well because I don't know what it is and it could only come out at christmas! Plus meteorlogicus is just a cool weapon for lore, imo.

[@josephwinn791]

Just as a heads up for WP: The latest GuildMag issue has an interview with the story peeps of ArenaNet where they reveal: "ArenaNet (Scott McGough) : That’s a technical hurdle we’re trying to overcome at the moment and we are working hard on it. I know I have a meeting later today to discuss that very issue, but yes we are working towards a better story tracking system for the living world" So they're working on a better tracking system, but it doesn't sound close to being in game yet.

[@XanderTheDweeb]

There's a giant statue in Abaddon's sunken temple in the Straits that shows how he looked, or how the people saw him, at least. I forgot that he was like a normal human until I saw it. x)

[@jumbodavejimbo]

Since the Fall of Abbadon is pretty much old lore and will entice most veteran players to vote for it I think it has a good chance of winning cause as you said, you can vote as many times as you want and I think anyone who played GW1 will be cool with farming the tokens just to see some cool lore

[@nashramen]

WP: We do know that Grenth was the fifth god involved as his statue was created by Malchor along with Abbadon's and the other fours'. So Grenth had to be around before the fall of Abbadon and would therefore have been involved in it. Furthermore Dhuum was never given any recognizable temples that would could find in GW1 or GW2 so he probably was replaced a long time before the events of the Fall of Abbadon.

[@neokoga]

We don't know that it is a blind vote per say...there could be more info about the paths each wants to take beyond the pre-patch notes mini list of things. This could be revealed to us as we are progressing through the 'campaign' so to speak. Also, they have stated if we chose Abaddon then we will get the lore on Therma via a blog post, video, possibly in a later book etc. and vice versa.

[@regendo]

Menzies is Balthazar's half-brother and apparently wages war against him in the Fissure of Woe. He also has some sort of connection with Abaddon, since his shadow army, which usually is only in the Fissure of Woe, appeared in an area corrupted by Abaddon. However, I think that is all we know about him.

[@TyranosExHelvetia]

I agree. I'm also a GW1 veteran and was going to vote for Gnashblade before I realised that we already know how Abbadon fell. It would be interesting how things looked back then but Thaumanova seems much more interesting right know because we don't know anything about it. And it is dirrectly connected with the ED rising!

[@derabc125]

OMFG OMFG OMFG playing as balthazar would be SOOO epic. As i was a regural gamer in guild wars 1, i LOVED to collect all of the avatars of the gods (elite skill :D). Man i had a build for every god, because i just loved the theme of the dervish...

[@WoodenPotatoes]

As I explained the bloodstones are HUGE. And there are only five of them. Those things you buy are just tiny fragments.

[@StutenJoe]

everyone who didn't play GW1 should be forced by ANet to watch your video ;) i don't think anyone would then say something like "old lore, not interested". just wanted to take a quick glance at your video because it's way too late and now i watched the whole damn thing and it's 5 o clock in the morning... that's how interested you got me in this stuff and i wanna say thank you for another great video!

[@ripcastle]

WP. Please rethink voting Gnashblade. We all already know how Nightfall ends, save the people who didn't play GW1. The Thaumonova Reactor is brand new to us and I would very much like to know more about it, seeing I'm an RPer and lore geek. :)

[@trexpaddock]

Great video WP. Your ideas are always a thousand times better than what A-Net ends up doing. Myself, I have stopped playing GW2, and have no plans to return, for as long as they continue on this 'temporary content' kick. From what you describe, this 'ellection' is just another gimmick to give players a VERY false feeling of controll over thier environment. I miss the game, and my guildies, but I can not condone A-Net's 'new direction' at all. (I'll still watch your videos though).

[@DespadaPlaysGames]

Steam creatures are created by the the asura playercharacter from an alternate future where they have gone evil. They decide to return to the past with the steam creatures in order. It's actually part of the Infinity Ball Personal Storyline if I recall correctly.

[@akeron1an]

There was a mission with the priory where you "fought as" Balthazar in order to defend Lions Arch from the undead, maybe that hints that we will be playing as the different gods with special skills corresponding to that god.

[@tousdreb]

I'm gonna b e voting for Kiel, not for the cheaper way-points but I feel the reactor is tied much more with the Guild Wars 2 future and I feel it will reveal a lot more about the asuras and where they may have originated from and also i'm intrigued by what the inquest represent. Either way I think both sides of the vote will be awesome.

[@MrBlasko29]

You should work for Arenanet...even just as a game consultant in the least. The crazy accounts of indepth knowledge you have on this game is amazing!

[@WoodenPotatoes]

I just left another comment about it, but basically their information about the scavenger hunt news the other day is what made me bored of waiting.

[@backcast27]

Gratz on your Legendary WP

[@WoodenPotatoes]

I'm just sharing stuff about the story. I was very focused the whole time.

[@Cairsoir]

You'd think Evon wanted to get fractal about fall of a god, being a charr and all. Seeing a god fall would be something he'd enjoy seeing. Personally I'm speculating if Evon gets the position, we won't be playing as gods themselves, but footsoldiers of some sort. Dorics men as you speculated or maybe even margonites. Just seeing the gods in the background duking it out would be enough for me. Also, who knows if they make UW-like "answer for raiding" type of fractal out of this. One can wish.

[@mrvoltar]

There's more lore in the game about the steam creatures and I was surprised to hear you say that, WP. I thought all Asura characters got that part of personal story with the mirror universe.

[@decomposingbrains]

That thx for staying till the end... since your videos are more like podcasts than actually videos i simply open gw2, turn down it's sound and listen while i play xD

[@DeadManProp]

Love your videos. Narration in GW2 is pretty bad, so I get much more hyped for this game by watching your stuff. Thx for all the effort!

[@blackshard641]

I'm curious about the reactor, mostly because a secret research group tampering with spacetime/reality, a reactor explosion, and the oddly specific appearance of polar bears there strikes me as a veiled LOST reference.

[@OlAgony]

the amount of effort arenanet puts into making this fractal will probably tell much about how 'good' the content will be going forward, surely more lore and depth will be needed in its future content, otherwise they will only be as good as Naruto fillers (if u know what i mean)

[@neokoga]

He's also stated the theory on the relationship between the gods departure and the awakening of the dragons which is just as, if not more, relevant to the events of gw2.

[@austinl8074]

I'm torn because I want to find out more about the fall, but since fractals are such small things, I don't know that we would get to see or learn anything amazing. I also think I would prefer to vote for Kiel just because I kind of like the possibilities of where the story can go with her in the council. I know Gnashblade can become interesting, but I don't want to wait another 2 months to get to know him. Kiel at least has been present, so we can move on to other stories sooner.

[@WoodenPotatoes]

I do think I downed played the thaumanova a bit much! Could be very interesting.

[@IgnisV]

Definitely voting for Gnashblade. It'll be nice to play an Abaddon themed fractal for nostalgia sake. But if Gnashblade DOES win, don't get your hopes up too much WP, you'll probably be disappointed, as usual. :P

[@loopyslop]

I don't mind GW2 not only going by old story lore... I mean they have a long time to keep it coming out and I'm glad they are letting GW2 write its own stories and have a lot of new unique tangents in their lore... They have shown they have plans for their old lore so Im happy with that

[@jakwaw3]

Abaddon fractal is obviously going to be amazing, BUT they wouldnt give us something boring as the other option. Thaumanova is very similar to new inquest base - CoE. It have same zones, similar test objects... I'd add Colin Johansson aswell. He mentioned jungle dragon as interesting possibble content in 2014, and reactor is very close to possibble location of it. Maybe Inquest discovered something big and overloaded systems to make use of it.... I'm very curious about second option here ;p

[@Bobilliann]

I feel like Anet know how cool Abaddon is and how many players want to see more of that stuff, and therefore there must be something really cool going on with Thaumanova in order for it to even be a contest between the two. Or maybe this is a convoluted way of asking us if we're still interested in the old lore or want to hear new things about the new areas in GW2. So torn!

[@WoodenPotatoes]

There IS a dhuum temple! It's next to Lyssas.

[@pokeschool1234567]

the gods do have specific look, its included in the gw2 official guide :D

[@jakwaw3]

nobody said that we'll get into role of 5 gods defeating abaddon - even woody was speculating about this. what i was trying to say; fall of abaddon fractal is a big chunk of lore for guildwars universe, gods are somehow connected with the dragons and both fractals give us chance to dig into that more. Looking at fall of abaddon with gods or trying to understand their aspects with inquest blown reactor. Though both sides of coin are interesting, we don't really know what to expect from Thaumanova

[@JKiamsh]

its nice to watch this while doing dailies

[@MCanaanas]

they could make the fractal like a bonus one , only playable once a week at the weekend (easier to find teams) / account or something like this , which will make it a permanent content yet not that repeatable , worked for many other mmorpgs .. and it will be like a reason to make everyone loggin the weekends :d

[@Manifibell]

Fighting as one of Dorics men against the Margonites. While you can glips the gods battle in the background, and maybe have some kind of interation against Abbadon. [:

[@adozendeadroses]

I thought I was the only one who did that! I listen to WP when I farm.

[@ThisAlbino]

Exactly, they have dungeons coming out the wazoo. They would be able to fit Thaumanova in there somewhere, if not for this.

[@joshinana]

The story with abbadon is that his body was destroyed when he was struck down, thats possibly why we only fight his head/ bound hands

[@Ursilla27]

I think Abaddon would look like the statue that is in the mission the Temple of the Forgotten God. Which is my favorite thing in GW2

[@MathsGameArt]

Btw, what you said about this fractal being permanent, what would be awesome is that they just make loads of fractals with a rotation of 9 fractals that changes every 2 weeks or something. So that after a while you'd be like; hey, I haven't seen this fractal for a long time... That'd give it alot more replayability and won't take away the epicness like it did on the jade fractal.

[@PetrSojnek]

You know, what is funny, you always presume, we will play against Abbadon :) It would be actually fun if we fought alongside Abbadon. Of course we are not changing course of history, but I believe fractals are not really about fighting for "right" or "winning" side. And I agree, they will probably make us fight a battle against "normal" beings with huge elemental/magic god battle as background (with possibly some environmental hazard etc).

[@iniside]

Even If they don't remember they will surerly know it by now, after watching your video :D

[@hachnslay]

so, there are a few questions open for speculation. And what better place is there to discuss them than WP's video! Who is Mr. E - is it Evon ? Who is Scarlet? Why was Lady Kasmere in that bar? Will whoever we choose turn out to be evil - white mantle style?

[@DarthAndrew520]

that thing you said around 2:40 about him killing the order of whisper leaders

[@draconious2013]

You should go into how the fractal from ellen will include primordus and the asurans. Maybe it will tie into that one floating asura city fractal that what's her face won't talk about.

[@alexkaiser5622]

it would be so cool if they made it like Abbadon has since his "banishment" become like master over the dragons, and he is the controlling factor thats causing the dragons to make so much destruction in Tyria. dont think they will, but i think it sounds cool.

[@TheMadownz]

That is actually an interesting idea to entertain, perhaps after Dhuum was defeated he still survived and remained a god, but was then challenged by Grenth who was able to beat him because he had been weakened by his defeat at the hands of Abbadon.

[@kazmaka]

I was referring to that story mission when I said "steam creatures are alluded to be an Asuran invention from an alternate universe". The fact at least one steam creature is in TR and that they are originally from an alternate universe, implying TR is pulling creatures from alternate universes, is what is interesting.

[@tousdreb]

The Thaumanova Reactor: "it's definitely something that ties more deeply into the lore of Guild Wars 2 than most would realize" Team Kiel@

[@WoodenPotatoes]

I think using the avatars would be a cop out. It's a serious battle, not something they can do by proxy.

[@gtafan110010]

Meh i went back to check for sure, and it's peacemakers. I was quite tired when i wrote to comment yesterday and i supposed at that point you read what you want to read. Still with a name as peacemaker (the asuran 15-25 area) you know you're going to cause some confusion.... But yea, my bad then. Still, my original question, asking you to tell something about the actual peacekeepers stands. I never quite got why they appeared and such. And honestly, you explain the lore much more clearly.

[@GearyDigit]

It'll still be very, very fun. More so, in fact, because there's more content open for you.

[@Taenlyn]

I'm pretty confident they haven't forgotten about Abaddon's humanoid form, as there was a complete, 1,300+ year old statue of him in a personal story mission.