Games PC GUILD WARS FACTIONS User Manual
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CONTENTS
About These Manuscripts .................................................................6
A Word from Master Togo of Shing Jea Monastery
Book I:
Empire of the Dragon ..............................................................................8
Chapter 1:
Canthan Culture ................................................................................9
The Emperor’s Court
The Celestial Ministry
The Vassal Factions
The Gods in Cantha
The Canthan Calendar
..................................................................10
.................................................................10
.....................................................................12
....................................................................18
.................................................................22
Chapter 2:
Allies .................................................................................................27
Chapter 3:
Enemies .............................................................................................41
Book II:
Heroes of Cantha .....................................................................................48
Chapter 1:
The Hero’s Path .................................................................................49
Interesting Times
Creating Your Character
Attributes .....................................................................................51
Leveling Up
Chapter 2:
The Eight Professions .......................................................................55
Make Your Choice
Assassin.......................................................................................58
Ritualist .......................................................................................60
Warrior ........................................................................................62
Elementalist .................................................................................64
Monk ...........................................................................................66
Ranger .........................................................................................68
Mesmer .......................................................................................70
Necromancer ...............................................................................72
.........................................................................50
..............................................................50
................................................................................53
......................................................................56
.........................7
Skills .................................................................................................74
Secondary Professions
................................................................75
Chapter 3:
Exploring Cantha ..............................................................................77
It’s 1582 CC. Do You Know Where Your Character Is?
Getting Around
Mini-Map ....................................................................................79
District Menu
Map Travel
Towns and Landscapes
............................................................................78
..............................................................................81
..................................................................................81
................................................................84
.............78
Chapter 4:
Adventuring ......................................................................................91
The Good Fight
Come Equipped
Your Inventory
Loot and Treasure
The Skill Bar
Staying Alive
Missions and Quests
Meeting the Challenge
Guilds ..........................................................................................108
Alliances .....................................................................................109
...........................................................................92
...........................................................................92
............................................................................92
.......................................................................97
...............................................................................98
...............................................................................100
...................................................................103
................................................................106
Chapter 5:
Player vs. Player ................................................................................111
Playing PvP
Creating a PvP Character
PvP Combat
Tournament Play
Tournaments: Common Factors
Tournaments: Variable Factors
Tournament Battles
Observer Mode
.................................................................................112
............................................................113
.................................................................................114
.........................................................................116
..................................................116
....................................................116
.....................................................................116
............................................................................120
Credits: ...........................................................................................122
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AbOuT ThESE MANuSCripTS
These texts comprise a selection of documents found in the vast
libraries of Imperial Cantha. The Empire of the Dragon holds sway
over the Canthan continent to the south of Tyria, and has a rich and
unique history that these manuscripts can only begin to describe. For
further secrets and a deeper understanding of Cantha, along with indepth looks at the adventures you will have in this strange land of
jade seas and petried forests, investigate the Guild Wars Factions
Guidebook, on sale separately.
On the following pages you will receive a personal welcome from
Master Togo of Shing Jea Monastery which leads into Book I: Empire
of the Dragon. This section contains a summary of Canthan history,
along with an overview of the events that transpired in the year 872
BE by Tyrian reckoning. The death of the 27
a massive, sometimes tragic impact on the next 200 years. These
manuscripts tell the tale of the Betrayer, Shiro Tagachi, his defeat at the
hands of the Luxon and Kurzick champions, and how Canthan culture
survived. You will also learn about important players on the current
scene—including Master Togo—as well as an overview of politics,
religion, economics, and society in Cantha. Finally, you will get a look
at some of the foes you will face in your adventures.
Book II: Heroes of Cantha contains all you need to know to begin the
life of a hero in Cantha, along with a few pointers for visitors from the
northern Tyrian continent. Here you will learn in detail how to play
Guild Wars Factions and learn the basics of survival and success in
the Empire of the Dragon. For pointers on gameplay and your direct
interaction with the in-game world, head to this section.
For instructions on installing
please see the printed insert that came with your copy of the game.
Guild Wars Factions on your computer,
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Canthan emperor had
A WOrd frOM MASTEr TOgO
Of ShiNg JEA MONASTEry
I bid you welcome to Cantha, my students. You are ready to study the
professions of the hero, including two ancient disciplines unique to the
Empire of the Dragon. You could summon Spirits from beyond with
the magic of the Ritualist, or strike down the most dreaded adversaries
with the swift, silent techniques of the deadly Assassin. You may
grow into a mighty Warrior, or embrace the path of the powerful
Elementalist. The methods of the manipulative Mesmer may prove
to be your destiny, though the holy strength of the Monk could be
the school that calls to your soul. Perhaps you will bring the dead to
defend Cantha as a Necromancer, or take on the mantle of Ranger and
strike at your enemies with bow, trap, and beast.
Study the faces of your enemies and meet them with force should you
encounter them on the Shing Jea countryside, the streets of Kaineng
City, the calcied Echovald Forest, or the glittering Jade Sea. Master
your professions and choose your allies wisely. When the time comes
to take up arms, you’ll have nary a moment to react. There will be
little opportunity for idle contemplation, for soon you must step out
into a greater world. When that moment comes you must be ready to
kill those who would do the same to you. You must be prepared to help
those in need and seek alliances with those who may appear more foe
than friend.
Foul things are afoot in Cantha, and they hope to strike at the very heart
of what we are. This evil wishes to erase our kind and rule a kingdom
of misery. We will not allow this. We will defend this kingdom with
the will of the gods and the strength of our ancestors. Attend to your
training and master your abilities, for you hold the fate of the Empire
of the Dragon in your hands.
—Master Togo
Book I:
Canthan
Culture
E
MPIR
OF THE
E
DRAGON
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ThE EMpErOr’S COurT
Many nobles make up the bulk of the emperor’s court—trusted
advisors, sycophantic yes-men, and in a few cases outright spies for
the Kurzicks or Luxons. (These spies do not realize the emperor knows
full well of their existence and uses them to control what information
reaches these vassal cultures from the court of Emperor Kisu.) The
court is distinct from the ofces of the Celestial Ministry, in that its
members are literally in the emperor’s presence for much of the day.
The court is also where one will nd the personal representatives of
the Emperor Kisu, who act on his behalf in a number of arenas, both
political and military. The Emperor’s Blade is the ruler’s able right
hand, a deadly master of swordsmanship. The Emperor’s Voice speaks
the Canthan monarch’s words. The Emperor’s Hand does Kisu’s
bidding in cases where violence may not be needed, but words will
not be enough.
ThE CElESTiAl MiNiSTry
The vast Empire of the Dragon contains hundreds of thousands of
people. Many are human; some on the fringes of humanity, but Emperor
Kisu rules all. Yet one man, even an Ascendant Emperor, cannot see
to all of the concerns and laws governing so many. To keep Cantha
running effectively, a bureaucracy is and always has been key. This
bureaucracy—known collectively as the Celestial Ministry—has grown
in size and power over the years, though not necessarily in efciency.
Emperor Kisu knows that the bureaucracy is too large, and in places
too corrupt, but even the sovereign ruler of Cantha can only do so
much to stem the tide of a growing bureaucratic class in Kaineng City.
The Celestial Ministry is divided into four smaller Ministries, each one
devoted to a different aspect of Cantha’s imperial government. These
ministries, each named after one of the four major elements, have been
created over several hundred years to (ostensibly) meet certain needs
that the Celestial Ministry could not handle. Their elemental names—
Fire, Earth, Air, and Water—are traditionally tied to specic (and
largely mythical) powers. The most visible function of all Ministries
is tax collection, which makes them even more unpopular among
the masses. Most Canthan citizens love their emperor, but hate the
bureaucracy that runs his empire.
Ministry of Flame
The Ministry of Flame is the oldest of the four smaller organizations
within the Celestial Ministry. The Ministry of Flame controls law
enforcement and justice; convicted criminals may be incinerated.
Mythical Power: Control over the sunrise and sunset.
Ministry of Earth
The Ministry of Earth is synonymous with paperwork; record keeping,
building projects, accounting, and more fall under this ministry’s
purview. The Ministry of Earth is infamous for beginning public
projects that never seem to get nished, but prove protable to the
friends and allies of the ministry.
Mythical Power: Control over the bounties of the land—animal,
vegetable, and mineral.
Ministry of Water
This ministry controls the city’s water supply, irrigation, and the shing
industry, as well as sharing direct control of Cantha’s harbors with the
Ministry of Wind (an eternal bone of contention).
Mythical Power: Controls rainfall as well as the moon’s rise and
set.
Ministry of Wind
The Ministry of Wind oversees all trade and shipping that relies on the
wind—over land or across the sea. Ship captains pay taxes that (the
ministry claims) make the winds blow in the desired direction. The
Ministry of Wind shares control of Cantha’s ports with the Ministry
of Water.
Mythical Power: Controls the winds and storms.
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ThE VASSAl fACTiONS
The Luxons, like their sworn enemies the Kurzicks, have long been
“vassals” of Cantha—politically and economically absorbed by the
empire long ago, but allowed to maintain distinct cultures and ways
of life. All Luxons are united in their distrust of the Kurzicks, their
frequent competitors for power and territory, and vice versa. But there
was a time when the two vassal cultures were at peace. That peace was
shattered when Shiro Tagachi killed the 27
Though the Luxon and Kurzick champions slew Shiro and avenged
the emperor’s death, they died along with thousands of others when
the Jade Wind washed over the land. The Luxons and Kurzicks have
been at odds ever since.
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emperor 200 years earlier.
The Luxons of the Jade Sea
For a scant few seconds the storm that followed Shiro’s death wail
roiled the sea, spawning waves that reached hundreds of feet into the
air. An instant later, everything was frozen in place, but not because
of a sudden cold front—the sea was not turned to ice. It had become
solid jade. In order to survive, the Luxons had to adapt to a literally
landlocked lifestyle, unable to transport goods to market or even sail
to the nearby islands for fresh water. Their merchant ships had become
one with the petried ocean, and the currents that took them to farung lands were now still as glass.
The traditionally seafaring Luxons became nomads sailing on a lifeless
sea. They contrived ways to adapt their giant ships to the jade waves.
They now carry out extensive jade mining operations on the frozen
sea, uncovering magical oddities and precious resources made up of
the petried life embedded in the unmoving waves.
Today, the Luxons have grouped themselves into three
different clans: the Serpent, the Turtle, and the Crab.
To keep order, the Luxons invest authority in their
Council of Elders, the ruling body that meets each
year to modify and approve the “code” that all
the clans will follow for the next 12 months.
Although the clans often battle against one
another, this is less about warfare and
more about demonstrating which clan is
the strongest and most powerful. These
battles are usually fought by each clan’s
champion, along with that champion’s
elite guard. No matter how much the
clans may disagree, they all come
together when the Kurzicks need to be
taught a lesson.
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The Kurzicks of Echovald Forest
When the Jade Wind swept through the branches of Echovald Forest,
it turned everything to stone. Birds crashed to the forest oor in midight. Deer leaped from the ground as esh and blood, and came to
earth little more than life-like statues. Now, two centuries later, life
has cautiously returned. The Kurzicks were the rst to venture back to
the forest. There they have adapted to their petried surroundings and
have begun to carve their culture into this new landscape.
To the devout Kurzicks, everything is a sign; a portent of what
is to come. They nd a divine message and meaning in
everything they witness. This church-state is ruled by the
Council of Nobles, which makes decisions and laws only
after receiving counsel from the spiritual leaders, known as
the Redemptors. Great Houses govern the Kurzicks, ancient
families that can trace their origins into Cantha’s distant past,
and beyond.
Today there are ve main Houses, two of which are
the most powerful and inuential. It is common for
the Houses to argue among themselves, but when
it comes time to ght the Luxons, the Kurzicks
quickly forget their internal squabbles and
focus their hatred on their long-standing enemy.
Since Shiro’s death and the petrifaction of the
forest, the Kurzicks have built their elaborate
homes and cathedrals directly into the fossil
trunks of enormous trees that make up
the forest. Kurzick culture is built on
ceremony, rituals, and traditions, and
this is reected in their elaborate
architecture and art.
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The Tengu of Cantha
Tengu are a unique species of avian humanoids found in both Tyria and
Cantha. Females are generally larger than males of the species, though
their plumage is plainer, even drab. Tengu lost the ability of ight some
time in the distant past, but can use their almost human hands to wield
all manner of weapons—when they want to. Their talons make most
weapons superuous. Tengu hate cooked food, and most live on a diet
of fresh, raw meat.
The Angchu Tengu of Cantha have long been cut off from their
kinfolk to the north—though Canthan merchants travel frequently
to Tyria, few take along Tengu passengers. The Angchu are one of
two Tengu tribes found in Cantha, and are the more peaceful of the
two. (The more primitive and warlike Sensali Tengu will attack any
humans—and any Angchu Tengu—on sight.) The Angchu have
found ways to live with the humans that nominally control their
land, while the Sensali prefer a nomadic life. The Angchu Tengu
have learned much more articulate ways to communicate, and for the
most part remain at peace with their human neighbors. The Angchu
reserve most of their hatred and aggression for the Yeti people of the
mountains, their sworn enemies since the days before Cantha even
existed as a unied nation. The Canthans tolerate the Angchu Tengu,
but few view them as equal with humans.
The largest Angchu settlement is known as Aerie in the common
language (which supplanted ancient Canthan long ago, even on the
southern continent). Both Tengu tribes have many names for the
place, but refer to it as Aerie when speaking to outsiders. Aerie is
ruled by Merlin Featherstone, a wise, gruff, but generally respected
old Tengu who acts as the settlement’s mayor, sheriff, judge, and
(if necessary) executioner. Most Canthans attribute the ongoing
peace between Aerie and the humans of Cantha to Featherstone’s
leadership. But even Merlin Featherstone cannot be held responsible
if a foolish human tries to venture into Aerie (or any other Tengu
village) during the lean months of winter. During that season, when
fresh meat is scarce, the Angchu Tengu can become as hostile and
territorial as their Sensali cousins.
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ThE gOdS iN CANThA
The Tyrian gods are worshipped throughout the world, including
distant Imperial Cantha. The worship and perception of the gods within
the Empire of the Dragon has taken on a uniquely Canthan cast, and
the ve greater gods of the pantheon share the Canthan heavens with
an assortment of lesser demigods comprised of eternal ancestor spirits
and legendary heroes granted divine status by the diverse inhabitants
of the realm.
Among the two most populous and distinct vassal cultures in the
Empire, the Kurzicks practice a particularly devout and pious form
of worship tied to the great Kurzick Houses. The Luxons, on the other
hand, believe not only in the ve greater gods of the Tyrian pantheon,
but also three demigoddesses—the three queens Alua, Elora, and
Ione.
Dwayna
The goddess of life and air, Dwayna is
the even-tempered leader of the old
gods. Her followers are primarily
healing Monks and Elementalists
specializing in Air Magic (though in
times of war, there are few who do not
send a prayer to the Winged Goddess to
spare them or their loved ones). Dwayna is
often depicted as young, tall, and slender,
rising above the ground on huge feathered
wings. Canthan artists often depict her
oating above the vibrant, living souls of
their eternal ancestors.
Grenth
Necromancers learn early that the way to true power is by bowing
down at the foot of the god of death and ice to pledge total, undying
allegiance. The Assassins of Cantha pay homage to Grenth, and rarely
take on a job unless a priest of Grenth places a blessing upon the task.
Ritualists, who speak to and control the darker forces of the underworld,
also draw strength from Grenth’s teachings. Statues of Grenth depict
the god with the body of a man and the narrow, skeletal head of
a beast; Canthan artists tend to add a draconic look to the
skull. The Canthan version of Grenth stands astride a
small mountain of the dead, but in Canthan art
the faces of these corpses are always averted from
the god of death, as if in shame, to distinguish
these enslaved dead from the “living” ancestor
spirits.
Balthazar
The god of war and re, Balthazar is often
worshipped by Warriors and Elementalists, though
Monks devoted to the Protection or Smiting
disciplines can also be found among his devotees.
Army commanders and guild lords will often say a
few words to the Bastion of Martial Glory before
leading their followers into battle. Balthazar is
frequently shown holding a greatsword, its tip lodged
in the ground, with a pair of battle hounds sitting at
attention at his feet. In Cantha, the sword is usually
one of the single-edged imperial style, and the
battle hounds are usually replaced with winged
drakes.
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Lyssa
Twin goddesses of beauty and illusion forming a paradoxically singular
entity, Lyssa is the patron god of the Mesmer profession in the northern
Tyrian continent. In Cantha she also represents the incarnation of luck,
both good and bad. Many Canthan Assassins revere Lyssa more for
her intrinsic duality than her famous beauty and have been known to
invoke her charms. Depictions of Lyssa in Canthan culture reect the
typical northern style: lithe twin gures of exquisite beauty entwined in
an eternal dance.
Melandru
Many Canthans, especially the suspicious Luxons and the warlike
Kurzicks, believe that the goddess of earth and nature has abandoned
the empire. They believe that not even Melandru could have withstood
Shiro Tagachi’s literally petrifying death cry. But Melandru’s devoted
followers—the Rangers, Earth Elementalists, and many cultist sects—
know that this is merely a misunderstanding of what the goddess truly
represents. They know that the goddess endures within the crystalline
shell of the once-thriving Canthan landscape. Melandru is frequently
depicted in both Cantha and Tyria as a tall, winged dryad from the
waist up. But whereas northerners see a creature whose lower half
grows naturally into a living tree, Canthan artists usually describe a
severe gure ensconced in an outcrop of Echovald quartz. Melandru’s
roadside temples offer shelter, food, and water to weary travelers even
in Cantha, though such shrines are few, and separated by long stretches
of lifeless stonescape.
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ThE CANThAN CAlENdAr
The Canthan Empire uses its own dating system for strictly internal
and local affairs. When dealing with outsiders such as the Tyrians of
the northern kingdoms, most Canthans can easily convert from the
mathematically sound Canthan calendar to the more commonly used
Mouvelian dating system. The Mouvelian calendar begins counting
years from the moment the gods left Tyria, an event known as the
Exodus; years are labeled BE (Before the Exodus) or AE (After the
Exodus). In Cantha, the years are counted from the date the clans
unied into the Empire of the Dragon under Lord Emperor Kaineng
Tah: the year 510 BE according to the Mouvelian calendar. The years
before this date are not considered important enough to number, and
are simply referred to as the early, middle, or late pre-imperial era.
Mouvelian Seasons Canthan Months
Season of the Zephyr (Air aligned) days 1-90
Season of the Phoenix (Fire aligned) days 91-180
Season of the Scion (Water aligned) days 181-270
Changhai
Zhoyo
Nongkam
Zalfawn
Saita
Mikan
Nemnai
Beibacah
Suzhen
Season of the Colossus (Earth aligned) days 271-360
Yundinfang
Songtahn
Kainengtah
Months and Seasons
Unlike the Mouvelian calendar, which divides the 360-day year into
four seasons aligned with the elements, the Canthan calendar—also
360 days—is broken into 12 months of 30 days each. Each month once
aligned perfectly with the cycles of the moon, but over time the two
cycles have diverged. Today, the new moon usually appears roughly
halfway through any given Canthan month.
Most months of the Canthan calendar have names whose origins are lost
to history and predate the empire by centuries. Only two—Changhai
and Kainengtah—have relatively recent origins. These months, which
bookend the Canthan year, are named for the two most celebrated
emperors in Canthan history: Kaineng Tah, the Lord Emperor who
united the Canthan clans; and Chang Hai, a prince who followed
the path of the hero and became Ascendant before taking the throne.
Chang Hai became the rst of many such “Ascendant Emperors.”
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uNifiEd TiMEliNE
Note that “CC” (for “Canthan Calendar”) is only used in
Tyria and other non-Canthan cultures. In Cantha, the year 1
CC is simply the year 1.
Canthan
Calendar
1582 CC 1072 AE
1581 CC 1071 AE
1580 CC 1070 AE End of the Guild Wars.
1568 CC 1058 AE
1527 CC 1017 AE
1523 CC 1013 AE The rst Guild Wars begin.
1450 CC 940 AE Cantha’s embassy formally closed in Ascalon City.
1412 CC 902 AE
1382 CC 872 AE
731 CC 221 AE Cantha begins trading with Tyria.
684 CC 174 AE Serpents leave the world of men.
511 CC 1 AE
Mouvelian
Calendar
Signicant Events
Present day. Master Togo summons Mhenlo to the Shing Jea
Monastery.
Resurgent trade between Cantha and the devastated Tyrian kingdoms formalized in the Second Treaty of Lion’s Arch. Bay of Sirens
renamed Sea of Sorrows after upswing in shipwrecks.
Kintah dies and is succeeded by his son Kisu, who becomes the
31st Canthan emperor.
The Luxons and Kurzicks of Cantha end formal diplomatic contact,
communicating with each other only when required (and almost
always through ofcial liaisons of the Celestial Ministry).
Long-standing trade agreements between the Tyrian kingdoms and
the Canthan Empire dissolved by imperial decree.
Shiro Tagachi slain in the Harvest Temple of Cantha after killing
Emperor Angsiyan. The bloodline is unbroken when his son Hanjai
(Kisu’s great-great grandfather) ascends to the throne.
Prince Chang Hai, a Warrior Monk, becomes rst Ascendant
emperor of Cantha.
Canthan
Calendar
510 CC Year 0 The gods leave Tyria.
509 CC 1 BE Gods give magic to the races of Tyria.
410 CC 100 BE
305 CC 205 BE Humans appear on the northern continent.
51 CC 459 BE Kurzicks declare independence from Cantha, become vassal clan.
48 CC 462 BE Luxons formally secede from the Empire, become vassal clan.
46 CC 464 BE Lord Emperor Kaineng Tah dies under mysterious circumstances.
0 CC 510 BE
Late Pre-Imperial Era
Middle
Pre-Imperial
Era
Early PreImperial Era
Mouvelian
Calendar
786 BE
1769 BE The Forgotten arrive in Tyria.
10,000 BE
Signicant Events
High-planes human settlements become known as Ascalon.
Ascalon’s new king receives rst Canthan ambassador.
Canthan clans unite under Kaineng Tah, rst Lord Emperor of the
Dragon.
Humans appear in Cantha for the rst time and settle the northern
coastline before spreading completely across the continent. Their
development is unhindered by the Forgotten.
Last sign of Giganticus Lupicus—true giants—on Tyria (best
guess).
Allies
Emperor Kisu
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Born in: Kaineng City
Nation: Cantha
Profession: Ritualist
Age: 50
Master Togo
Born in: Kaineng City
Nation: Cantha
Profession: Ritualist
Age: 65
Emperor Kisu grew up admiring his elder
half-brother Togo in Kaineng City. Both
were sons of the last emperor, Kintah, but
Kisu was the legitimate son of Kintah and
his wife, while Togo—though 15 years
Kisu’s senior—was born to the emperor’s
favored concubine Yuki. The two were
always close, but when Kisu left to take
on the duties of empire, Togo followed a
different path. Kisu became the sovereign
ruler of several hundred thousand souls
on the southern continent, while Togo
studied the ways of magic and ritual. The
emperor is respected and beloved by the
Canthan people, even though few have ever
actually seen him in person outside of the
urban areas of Kaineng City.
When not holding court, Emperor Kisu
often dwells in his own palatial, private
section of the city, Raisu Palace, which is
forbidden to all but the emperor and those
he chooses to allow inside. And every year during the Harvest Festival,
he travels (with a well-armed entourage) to the temple where Shiro
Tagachi slew Kisu’s ancestor 200 years earlier, in deance of fear or
fate.
Son of the previous Canthan emperor
and his beloved concubine, Yuki, Togo
grew up in the palace and helped
raise his young half-brother, Kisu.
Though Kisu was next in line for the
imperial throne, he and Togo were
always close, and the elder half-
brother helped oversee the future
emperor’s education alongside
the palace tutors. When Kisu left
his studies behind to take on the
imperial role, Togo left for Shing
Jea Monastery, eventually rising
to a leadership position. In the time
since, each has grown accustomed
to running his own “empire”—Kisu
the literal Empire of the Dragon, and
Togo the most respected and holy
academic institution in the land. There
is no ill will between them, despite the
petty efforts of some underlings to drive
wedges between the half-brothers. Still,
for the safety of each, their blood relationship
is not widely publicized.
Togo went on to become an accomplished Ritualist and was key
to several Canthan military victories before he was named the new
Master of Shing Jea Monastery upon the death of Master Botah. To
the casual observer, Togo would appear to have been shunned by
the palace, possessing no power. A closer look reveals that he is the
emperor’s “behind-the-scenes” man; Kisu rarely makes a move of any
importance without consulting his half-brother rst.
Nika
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Born in: Wajjun Bazaar
Nation: Cantha
Profession: Assassin
Age: 22
Mhenlo
Born in: Serenity Temple
Nation: Ascalon
Profession: Monk
Age: 22
Nika’s past is shrouded in nearly as much
mystery as Nika herself, though Master
Togo has learned a bit about her—
everyone knows the master of Shing
Jea Monastery. She has also let slip to
Master Togo, if not to Mhenlo and his
friends, that she was born in Wajjun
Bazaar, a market district not far from
one of the largest ports in Cantha. Her
father died mysteriously before she
was born; her mother sent Nika to the
secretive Conclave at a very young
age to learn the art of the Assassin,
a trade that the women of her family
had practiced for centuries. Her mother,
in fact, runs the largest Assassin’s guild
in all of Cantha. Nika killed her rst man
at age 10, and made her rst solo kill when
she was 12. She has never murdered anyone,
to her way of thinking—assassination is her
business, and she kills only to defend herself or
her friends, or to fulll a licensed contract.
Nika joins Mhenlo’s group almost by accident.
She is impressed by the way the disparate group
of heroes works so efciently, and offers to ll
a void left by a set of twin sisters that left the
group earlier. She is wholly dedicated to only
two things—avenging her ancestor Vizu and
protecting the Empire of the Dragon.
Born in Serenity Temple
to a priest of Dwayna and
priestess of Balthazar,
Mhenlo has been steeped
in the teachings of healing
and smiting magic. A
devoted servant of both
Dwayna and Balthazar,
he has studied hard
his entire life, and
has been rewarded by
both the gods of his
provenance. But paying
allegiance to two gods
has not been without its
consequences; having
no clear path to follow,
Mhenlo has a tendency to
overanalyze situations and
possible consequences, not
sure whether to take the path
of aggressive strength or that of
defensive grace.
Mhenlo spent much of his life inside Serenity Temple, paying
homage to the old gods and studying the Path, which will lead him
to enlightenment. He also spent a long stretch of his youth studying
under Master Togo of Shing Jea Monastery, where he was exposed
to even more religious and philosophical teachings that made it no
easier for the young monk to nd a focus in life. But the teachings
of Togo and the Ritualist’s wisdom made a deep impact on Mhenlo.
When Master Togo sends a request for Mhenlo’s aid, the monk wastes
no time gathering his friends and setting out for Cantha.
Devona
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Born in: Rin
Nation: Ascalon
Profession: Warrior
Age: 24
Devona is quite serious and very direct in her dealings with other
people. She aspires to be a great Warrior, just like her father. Sometimes
this aspiration turns into a tremendous internal pressure to succeed.
Devona’s father was one of the leaders of a prestigious and highly
respected guild—Ascalon’s Chosen. He lost his life defending the
city walls against a raid by an Orrian guild during the last Guild War.
Devona was only a little girl at the time, but since that day, she has
dedicated her life to mastering the martial arts of sword and hammer.
Devona naturally rises to lead most any group she is with, and in Cantha
she often butts heads with both Togo and Mhenlo, despite her lack of
experience on the southern continent. She always assesses any situation
before rushing in. This often puts her at odds with the brash Cynn or
the impulsive Lo Sha—and when her temper
gets the best of her, this often erupts into
verbal, though not physical, conict.
But whatever differences she might
have with her allies, she is loyal to
a fault. Devona would sacrice
her own life to save the life
of a friend, and frequently
puts herself in harm’s way
to protect those who travel
with her. Devona was the
rst of Mhenlo’s friends
to volunteer to join him in
Cantha. Indeed, there was
no question she would join
him, she told the monk.
Loyalty demanded it.
Lo Sha
Born in: Kaineng City
Nation: Cantha
Profession: Mesmer
Age: 25
Lo Sha is one of the most brilliant teachers
at Shing Jea Monastery, but like many true
geniuses, he is somewhat addled when it
comes to small details. And like many
Mesmers, he is justiably vain and proud.
Headmaster Kaa likes to say that if Lo Sha
would focus on his skills as much as he
focuses on his fellow Mesmer instructor,
Mei Ling, he could be one of the
greatest Mesmers in Canthan history.
So far, Lo Sha’s obsession with
Mei Ling has kept him just shy of
true greatness, but even so, few can
equal his talent with illusion, inspiration,
and domination magic.
Lo Sha joins Mhenlo’s group at Master
Togo’s insistence—Togo is one of the
few beings Lo Sha truly respects,
and the Mesmer would follow the
master of Shing Jea Monastery into
the underworld if asked. He prefers,
however, to remain at the monastery
whenever possible, studying new and
spectacular ways to manipulate the
perceptions of others—especially
Mei Ling’s.
Eve
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Born in: Unknown
Nation: Ascalon
Profession: Necromancer
Age: 20
Eve hasn’t a clue where she was born—she was found as a young child
stealing food from a sleeping vagrant in the back alleys of Ascalon City.
Fortunately for Eve, she was not found by a city guard but by a kindly
matron, who brought her to the Holy Dwayna Academy for Wayward
& Incorrigible Girls (Ascalon City branch). Wherever Eve had come
from, she had already learned to read at an advanced level before she
ended up at the school students called the “Wayward Academy,” and
voraciously devoured every text in the library. It wasn’t long before
Eve’s curiosity (and her ability to both manipulate and avoid Matron
Irma) led her to a secret library in the bowels of the Academy. There,
forbidden texts opened up an entirely new world to young Eve. By the
time she was 15, she had raised her rst bone minion.
Eve had never gotten along with the other girls—she much preferred
the company of her tomes and scrolls. When, one day, a few of her
fellow students pulled an especially vicious and humiliating prank
on her, Eve literally pounced upon the leader of her tormentors, bit
the girl’s ear off, and swallowed it whole. That was the end of Eve’s
studies at the Holy Dwayna Academy for Wayward & Incorrigible
Girls, and not even Matron Irma mourned her departure.
Of all Mhenlo’s
friends, Eve
is probably the most
independent, and it
would not take much for
the Necromancer to leave them
behind and strike out on her own.
But she is smart enough to know that
loyal allies—even the living—are
valuable to one with her powers. She
has joined the expedition to Cantha
to learn new ways to manipulate
the powers of necromancy, and,
she freely admits, to see what kinds
of horrors might be created from
Cantha’s unique species. Eve’s one
constant companion is a human skull
she found in the hidden library. She
insists that the skull—which she calls
“Adam”—speaks to her and dispenses
wise advice at critical junctures. No
one else has ever heard the
skull say a word.
Eve met Mhenlo, Cynn, Devona, and Aidan during the Charr invasion.
She was in the graveyard, experimenting with new methods of undead
resurrection, when the Charr ooded into the cemetery on the heels of
Mhenlo and the others. More out of curiosity than any noble intentions,
Eve ordered the Charr to stop. When the beastly creatures turned on
her instead, thinking her easy prey, she simply raised her hands and
called forth a small army of the dead to meet them. The Charr never
stood a chance. Eve was amused when Devona asked the Necromancer
to join them, but has since become a good friend of Devona, Aidan,
and Mhenlo. She is often in conict with Cynn, but the two respect
each other’s power enough to get along when the going gets rough.
Cynn
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Born in: Surmia
Nation: Ascalon
Profession: Elementalist
Age: 20
A former child prodigy, Cynn always had people catering to her every
whim. Her family was among the nobility in the city of Surmia—until
the Charr invasion and the Searing. When Ascalon was destroyed,
Cynn was caught outside the Wall (Surmia was one of the rst places
to fall during the initial assault). A magical projectile fell directly upon
her palatial home, killing her parents and trapping her under a broken
table for several days. A Charr warband discovered her while looting
the city. They dug her out, thinking to make a meal of her, but Cynn
had other ideas. She single-handedly wiped out
the entire warband, turning
them and the remains of her
home into little more than a
smoldering pile of ash.
Cynn is a bit of a princess but
with a decidedly dark streak. She’s
often cynical and ippant when dealing with
authorities or situations that seem hopeless. She’s
highly intelligent, and magic comes easily to her.
Because of her experiences during the Searing,
Cynn has developed a rather cavalier attitude
toward her own death. Consequently, she tends
to bite off more than she can chew, and often
gets herself and her friends into trouble. She has
joined Mhenlo’s expedition to Cantha to satisfy her
own curiosity, to learn new ways to make things
explode, and out of an honest (though well-hidden)
desire to stop the mysterious threat in Cantha
before the southern continent sees the same kind
of devastation that has wracked the northern
realms of Tyria.
Argo,Turtle
Clan Champion
Born in: Cavalon
Nation: Luxon
Profession: Elementalist
Age: 37
The Turtle Champion is respected
and honored throughout the Luxon
territories for his courage, his
profound sense of justice, and his awe-
inspiring power on the battleeld. He
was the rst Luxon Champion to earn
his title in mortal combat that ended
without the death of either combatant.
Argo’s opponent, Tullus, had fought
bravely, and continued to keep his guard
deantly up even after the bloody loss of
a foot and many other injuries. Rather
than strike Tullus down as the crowd
demanded, Argo simply declared
himself the victor and handed Tullus
his sword. The gesture allowed his foe
to leave the arena alive and with honor
intact, but was a clear indication of Argo’s victory—to hand
over his weapon showed that the future champion had nothing to fear.
Justice was served, the bloodlust of the crowd was relatively satised,
and this noble act earned Argo the admiration of all the clans. Even the
Kurzicks honor Argo’s bravery and skill, as a foe against whom they
themselves can hope to prove worthy.
Even more than the Luxons’ traditional enemies, Argo carries
generations of hatred in his heart for the Canthan Empire, which he,
and many Luxons, believe has kept his people cornered in the most
desolated section of the continent, the Jade Sea. Yet as much as he
despises the Canthan Empire, the continent is still his home. And
when threats arise that no one faction can face alone, Argo might be
convinced to join forces with the Kurzicks—and perhaps even with the
Canthan oppressors—to ght for the survival of all.
Aidan
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Born in: Borlis Pass
Nation: Ascalon
Profession: Ranger
Age: 32
The son of a huntsman, Aidan grew up with a quiver of arrows on
his back. He never knew his mother, who died in childbirth while his
family was on a wagon train from Kryta to Ascalon. As soon as the
boy was old enough to hold a bow in one hand, Aidan’s father packed
up just the good steel heads of their tools and the two men headed off
into the wild. They found a spot in the middle of a forest clearing,
retted their tools with hand-carved handles, and built their own home
from scratch.
Aidan is a survivor. Nothing is out of the question if it means he
and his companions will live for another day. He thinks fast and acts
even faster, with an inner calm and silent condence his friends nd
infectious. Aidan has wisdom his younger counterparts lack, though he
never feels the need to lord it over them. To Master Togo, Aidan is a
youngster, and the Ranger has easily let the mantle of wisdom pass to
the Ritualist. Aidan was glad to join Mhenlo on his journey to Cantha,
though he is troubled nightly by the thought of his homeland having to
get by without him. This is not arrogance, but
simple recognition of fact.
Countess
Danika zu Heltzer
Born in: Arborstone
Nation: Kurzick
Profession: Monk
Age: 22
Danika zu Heltzer dwells with the rest of
her family in the fortress-like Cathedral
zu Heltzer, a monument to Saint Viktor
(one of the two champions who slew
Shiro Tagachi on the day of the Jade
Wind). Like her father Count Petrov
zu Heltzer, leader of the great
Kurzick House that bears their last
name, Danika is proud to name the
venerable Viktor as an ancestor.
Unlike her father, Danika is much
more open-minded toward non-
Kurzicks and the other Kurzick
Houses. This is probably
attributable to her avid reading
habits. To overcome the
extreme boredom of what she
considers her “imprisonment”
in the cathedral, she has
voraciously devoured the contents
of countless tomes in the zu Heltzer
family library, especially those that speak
of other lands and other peoples.
Danika has never been more frustrated with the Kurzicks’ isolationist
policies, which she believes can only lead to the further decline of her
people, and indeed her world. She is eager to venture into the world
outside Echovald Forest, and nd new allies for all the Kurzicks. Like
Argo, her sense of justice is strong, and she would be among the rst
of the Kurzicks to set aside factional differences should a greater threat
arise. She has even had some contact, against her father’s strict orders,
with House Vasburg, the longtime rivals of House zu Heltzer.
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