More information about Elona - Scribe#9

[ClarianAeneas]

The scribe brought the lore forum some tasty new info today :P

The Distant Land of Elona

During recent days, I took some time to speak with a few of the visiting Elonians regarding their homeland. I learned that the realm of Elona is divided into three separate provinces, each offering a unique environment and exotic dangers. I spoke with representatives from each of the three provinces, and they gave me a bit of insight into their respective homelands.

The first of the three provinces I learned about was the Island province of Istan. Residents of Istan spoke of fantastic monuments left behind as remnants of a distant past. These monuments are scattered amongst the modern buildings of Istan, lending an intriguing appearance to the island province. Those Istani with whom I spoke were warm and kind, sharing information of their homeland with pride and delight. From what I understand, Istan is a land of heroes, and those who dwell within it are considered the protectors of Elona. Many of the standing monuments symbolize bygone glories of an ancient Elonian empire. I should very much like a chance to pay a visit to this fine land.

Next, I learned of the powerful military province of Kourna. A young Dervish and I discussed Kourna at length. While she seemed unwilling to talk about the politics of her homeland, she went into elaborate detail about the region itself, and the might of the army that dwells within. Kourna borders the vast Crystal Desert, and thus depends on a man-made irrigation system that brings water from the magnificent Elon River. The Elon River is essentially the only life source in an otherwise arid wasteland, enriching the soil and nurturing the land with its annual flooding. Despite the harsh environment, Kourna is the heart of Elona, housing a majestic army led by the descendant of a long-dead hero named Turai Ossa, whom the Elonians hold in high regard.

A noble Paragon spoke to me about Vabbi, the northernmost province of Elona. He spoke with pride about his home in the highlands, and praised Vabbi's marvelous wealth and beauty. The Paragon described the ornamental architecture used in the cities of Vabbi and, I must say, if his armor is any evidence of the land's splendor, I cannot wait for the chance to visit his homeland. The Paragon also mentioned that the surrounding mountains are littered with gem mines, and their treasures may provide an inspiration for the fabulous architecture seen throughout the province.

I was not able to discuss political or social issues with any of the Elonians. However, I learned enough of the Elonian homeland to make me desire more information. I hope the Elonians return to Tyria and Cantha some day soon. Or, perhaps, they will welcome us to their lands as we welcomed them to ours. Time will tell if this will come to pass. For now, let us remember the visitors with kindness and pray for their safe return to the lands of which they speak with such fondness and devotion.

Interesting, no? The most important thing imo was that we now know that Elona is to the east of Tyria and is connected to it by the Crystal Desert. Could this mean that we won't need the boat to get there? Or maybe there will be an alternative way to get there over land (this would be awesome).

[Arkhan The Black]

We already had this entry in another thread. Anyway I assume Lions Arch will still be the way to travel there for easier access for players that have yet to reach the desert.

[Poisoned Hunter]

The first of the three provinces I learned about was the Island province of Istan. Residents of Istan spoke of fantastic monuments left behind as remnants of a distant past. These monuments are scattered amongst the modern buildings of Istan, lending an intriguing appearance to the island province. Those Istani with whom I spoke were warm and kind, sharing information of their homeland with pride and delight. From what I understand, Istan is a land of heroes, and those who dwell within it are considered the protectors of Elona. Many of the standing monuments symbolize bygone glories of an ancient Elonian empire. I should very much like a chance to pay a visit to this fine land.

These "monuments" I think are referring to those found in the Desert (hooded statues praying). And another "monument" found in Lion's Arch is the fountain. "Many of the standing monuments symbolize bygone glories of an ancient Elonian empire. I should very much like a chance to pay a visit to this fine land." I think it's referring to either the Forgotton or the Itself Elonian people that were killed by Forgotton.

Next, I learned of the powerful military province of Kourna. A young Dervish and I discussed Kourna at length. While she seemed unwilling to talk about the politics of her homeland, she went into elaborate detail about the region itself, and the might of the army that dwells within. Kourna borders the vast Crystal Desert, and thus depends on a man-made irrigation system that brings water from the magnificent Elon River. The Elon River is essentially the only life source in an otherwise arid wasteland, enriching the soil and nurturing the land with its annual flooding. Despite the harsh environment, Kourna is the heart of Elona, housing a majestic army led by the descendant of a long-dead hero named Turai Ossa, whom the Elonians hold in high regard.

Hmm maybe back to the river that borders the vast of Crystal Desert ... I think that Thirsty River has to do something about this too. Even the position of Thirsty River is at the East of the Crystal Desert.

A noble Paragon spoke to me about Vabbi, the northernmost province of Elona. He spoke with pride about his home in the highlands, and praised Vabbi's marvelous wealth and beauty. The Paragon described the ornamental architecture used in the cities of Vabbi and, I must say, if his armor is any evidence of the land's splendor, I cannot wait for the chance to visit his homeland. The Paragon also mentioned that the surrounding mountains are littered with gem mines, and their treasures may provide an inspiration for the fabulous architecture seen throughout the province.

Hmm looks quite snobbish to me... lol joking. Just one thing on this one: Gem Mines ... maybe the Sapphire and Ruby are going to come in in this Chapter and maybe the new 2 rare crafting materials are: Diamond or Emerald... quite interesting.

I was not able to discuss political or social issues with any of the Elonians. However, I learned enough of the Elonian homeland to make me desire more information. I hope the Elonians return to Tyria and Cantha some day soon. Or, perhaps, they will welcome us to their lands as we welcomed them to ours. Time will tell if this will come to pass. For now, let us remember the visitors with kindness and pray for their safe return to the lands of which they speak with such fondness and devotion.

"I hope the Elonians return to Tyria and Cantha some day soon." Hmm return to Cantha? Does this means that they've been to Cantha... Maybe this type of race is the strongest I think... They travelled every "world".

[Quintus Antonius]

Returning to Tyria and Cantha undoubtably refers to the dervishes and paragons used by players in the PvPBE.

[Seyfert]

sweet sounds great

[Darakus]

It does indeed seem to indicate a connection by land between Tyria and Elona and it would be nice if we could actually cross it by foot.

This said and to go a bit OOS I'd not be too surprised if Nightfall proved to be more to my tastes than Cantha (and linked more extensively to Tyria) as from the information we have the developpers of the first chapter and of the third are likely to be the same.

[Santax]

We also now know that this Warmaster Varesh is the descendant of Turai Ossa.

[Xavatar]

i originally thought that elona was south of the crystal desert. looks like it belongs to the east now. the 'three areas' thing sound too much like factions imo. kaineng city-echovald forest-jade sea, istan-kourna-vabbi?

[Arkhan The Black]

Factions had 4 areas, you forgot the monastery. Consider the fact that they only got a year to work on each expansion. To create a continent the size of Tyria would take much longer time so I would assume most expansions will be the size of Cantha.

[Quintus Antonius]

Santax, who is Warmaster Varesh?

[madmars]

....how does this sound: a passage between the Crystal Desert and Elonia to travel by foot that is similar to the Beacons Perch to Camp Rankor run. Long, difficult, and creature filled. Could perhaps have NPCs at both ends of the area to let in or bar people from entering depending on the chapters they have. I would like it, how about you ? (of course I think that one should also be able to take the boat ride if they want.)

[Quintus Antonius]

Perhaps this sheds more light on Eratimus's theory that a group of ancient people from the Crystal Desert travelled northward to settle Ascalon.

[Elvin Drude]

anyone else think that mabey the dervishes and paragons come from one area alone? By that i mean: were the origional dervishes in Kourna, and the paragons in Vabbi? this might make sence, because the paragon armor is covered with jewels, and in Vabbai there are gem mines, and the Dervish armor is robes, and quite light judging by the armor level. light robes are worn by nomadic tribes who live in the desert, so mabey Dervishes were origionally from there?

[Docho]

I do actually wonder now if there was some sort of 'relation' between the Elonian Nations (if I can all them that way) and Orr? I always found that the vizier looked quite 'middle-eastern'... (Orr was maybe influenced by Elona?)

Perhaps there were caravan routes between Elona and Orr, so we might learn something about Orr in the next chapter...

[Quintus Antonius]

anyone else think that mabey the dervishes and paragons come from one area alone? By that i mean: were the origional dervishes in Kourna, and the paragons in Vabbi? this might make sence, because the paragon armor is covered with jewels, and in Vabbai there are gem mines, and the Dervish armor is robes, and quite light judging by the armor level. light robes are worn by nomadic tribes who live in the desert, so mabey Dervishes were origionally from there?

I'd say that is a very reasonable presumption, yes.

[logik]

Factions had 4 areas, you forgot the monastery. Consider the fact that they only got a year to work on each expansion. To create a continent the size of Tyria would take much longer time so I would assume most expansions will be the size of Cantha.
yea but prophecies had a few areas as well: ascalon, shiverpeaks, kryta, fire islands, maguuma, crystal desert.

[ClarianAeneas]

anyone else think that mabey the dervishes and paragons come from one area alone? By that i mean: were the origional dervishes in Kourna, and the paragons in Vabbi? this might make sence, because the paragon armor is covered with jewels, and in Vabbai there are gem mines, and the Dervish armor is robes, and quite light judging by the armor level. light robes are worn by nomadic tribes who live in the desert, so mabey Dervishes were origionally from there?

But then would this mean that you start in a different are of the game depending on which class you choose? Now this would be awesome.

[Quintus Antonius]

The poster said originally. Not that they only come from that region now.

[Gmr Leon]

II'm thinking maybe,just maybe,that Ascalonians/Krytans didn't began the kingdom of Orr. Like Docho said the Vizier did seem more middle-eastern,so I'm thinking that maybe it was the Elonians who began the kingdom of Orr. This would explain why it was a few years after Ascalon and yet there's nothing said of them colonizing Orr. I mean..how could you somehow go from Ascalon to Orr first instead of crossing the mountains to Kryta?

Doesn't make alot of sense to me.

[Quintus Antonius]

II'm thinking maybe,just maybe,that Ascalonians/Krytans didn't began the kingdom of Orr. Like Docho said the Vizier did seem more middle-eastern,so I'm thinking that maybe it was the Elonians who began the kingdom of Orr. This would explain why it was a few years after Ascalon and yet there's nothing said of them colonizing Orr. I mean..how could you somehow go from Ascalon to Orr first instead of crossing the mountains to Kryta?

Doesn't make alot of sense to me.

Well the Charr did it, we know that.

Anyway, Orr was started by the Old Gods, not humans; humans just settled around them.

[Arkhan The Black]

yea but prophecies had a few areas as well: ascalon, shiverpeaks, kryta, fire islands, maguuma, crystal desert.

Oh yes that is true but Tyria had much more space to move around in.

[Santax]

Santax, who is Warmaster Varesh?
Warmarshal Varesh is the leader of the military province of Kourna, the one that is at the side of the river Elon. Now we know he is a direct descendant of Turai Ossa, and is held in high regard by many Elonians.

[DrD]

They could stick a Large Icon of a Hooded traveler with a walking stick (The old guy from Diablo 2 comes to mind) in the cyrstal desert that functions like the ship


But then again how the canthans get there?

[Laibeus Lord]

Perhaps this sheds more light on Eratimus's theory that a group of ancient people from the Crystal Desert travelled northward to settle Ascalon.
Same with me. I think that the Humans in Tyria landed somewhere in the Crystal Desert. For some reason they were escaping from something:

1) Some groups headed North and founded the different cities of Ascalon, which 105 years later, they unified to form the Kingdom of Ascalon;
2) Some headed West-North-West and "settled" in the City of Arah (the City of the old dogs);
3) Some headed South (?) and became the Luxons (?) or maybe not the Luxons but alreadly mingled with the Empire of the Dragon, as we know, the Empire sent an ambassador and opened an embassy in Ascalon City, they should have learned it from someone;
4) Some headed East and beyond the borders of the Crystal Desert;
5) Some sailed far-and-wide to some unchartered continent;
6) the rest died in the Crystal Desert or some other place, like eaten by some monster, we will never know.

II'm thinking maybe,just maybe,that Ascalonians/Krytans didn't began the kingdom of Orr. Like Docho said the Vizier did seem more middle-eastern,so I'm thinking that maybe it was the Elonians who began the kingdom of Orr. This would explain why it was a few years after Ascalon and yet there's nothing said of them colonizing Orr. I mean..how could you somehow go from Ascalon to Orr first instead of crossing the mountains to Kryta?

Doesn't make alot of sense to me.

My theory:
Kryta first tho, nope, they don't exist yet ^_^
Kingdom of Ascalon. King Doric of the Kingdom of Ascalon travelled to the City of "Arah", the City of the old gods. He pleaded with the gods coz of the war "between the intelligent-magic races of Tyria".

King Doric, being the "King" of the unified "human tribes" (we know as Kingdom of Ascalon) must have been accompanied by a lot of people - hey he's a king right?

They arrived in the City of Arah. So on and so forth. The gods heard him, granted his wishes or prayers (if you will). The Bloodstones were created, with Doric's blood in the stones.

After that, we never knew what happened. Did King Doric returned to Ascalon or did he stayed in the City of Arah?

Moving a thousand years later, the Kingdom of Orr was mentioned to be "in the shadows of the City of Arah". It was mentioned that the Kingdom of Orr is in-charge of protecting the City of Arah from those who will defile it. And so was the Cataclysm. The Kingdom of Orr disappeared, with it the City of Arah.

So, in my theory, King Doric as was charged by the old gods to be the guardian of the bloodstones, and as being highly thankful to the old gods, stayed in the Orrian Peninsula. They settled near the City of Arah (hence the referrance to Orr as "living in the shadows of Arah" in the GWP manuscript), guarding the City of Arah (aka City of the old gods) as their King's sole-divine duty and all those who were with him.

What happened to the Kingdom of Ascalon? It could be (1) he ruled the Kingdom of Ascalon, together with the city of Orr or "possibly" the colony of Orr, right there in Orr; or (2) he transferred leadership of the Kingdom of Ascalon to his heir or guardian; or (3) he trusted the Kingdom of Ascalon to the ambassador of the Empire of the Dragon (Cantha); do remember that at this time, the Empire of the Dragon already have am embassy in Ascalon City.


That's my theory. ^_^
No, they did not found the City of Arah, but they did found the Kingdom of Orr. I got this theory when I was examining the GWP manuscript. It mentioned the City of Arah and the Kingdom of Orr separately under the "history of the Kingdom of Orr" - "living in the shadows of Arah", "guarding the city of the gods" - which again the city of the gods was referred to as "Arah" not Orr in the GWP manuscript.

^^

They could stick a Large Icon of a Hooded traveler with a walking stick (The old guy from Diablo 2 comes to mind) in the cyrstal desert that functions like the ship


But then again how the canthans get there?

If I understood you correctly (since I can't seem to figure out the "where" in your question), the Canthas reached the Crystal Desert possibly because of their exploration.

Do remember that the Humans in the Continent of Cantha first appeared than the Humans in Tyria. We still have to know yet tho if the Humans in Elona first appeared than the Humans in Cantha, but so far it seems to be pointing that way.


EDIT:
Btw, just want to add. It also explain why Orr became an "independent nation" first before Kryta. In fact, Orr was already independent before they established the colony of Kryta. It explains how they travelled. It will also support the somewhat unfriendly status of the Dwarves or the harshness of the Shiverpeak Mountains.

And if the Charr can travel Southwards from Ascalon then Westwards to Orr, then the humans surely did the same thing, besides, King Doric already did that thousand of years before the Charr did.

Lastly, it also makes sense why "Orr gains 'independence'". One will ask, "independence from whom or what?" Surely this is from the Kingdom of Ascalon. But another question will arise, "when did Ascalon controlled Orr?" This could explain where King Doric was after he pleaded to the old gods.

It could be two things, (1) the GWP manuscript or the writer forgot to write the 'colonization' of Orr; or (2) because King Doric stayed there, no one viewed it as a "colonization". Again, the City of Arah is different from the Kingdom of Orr or the City of Orr, but they are near to each other and both are in the Orrian Peninsula, or at least what was left of it.

Again just theories.

^^