The Elonian Civil War?

[Alkonium]

After reading the dialogue from Turai Ossa in the Crystal Desert, reading the basic premise of Nightfall, a description of the Order of the Sunspears, and looking at a certain picture taken in FoW, it occured to me that Elona is likely torn by Civil War, and has been as such for centuries. It is said that the villain in Nightfall will be a corrupt ruler, likely the ruler of Elona itself, and the Sunspears, whom the player character is technically one of, sounds like a legitimate organisation, but why would the Sunspears be going against the "Queen" of Elona? The only possibility is a Civil War. Your opinions?

[Drec Sutal]

All the lore I've seen indicates that Elona has NOT been torn by civil war in the past. Two of the provinces have large fighting bodies, one a large navy *that they use to protect all 3 provencies from threats at sea* and one has a large army *that they use to protect from all land-based threats.* The third provence provides wealth and power to the other two, letting them maintain their large armies. If there *was* a civil war, the land-based army province would have taken over the other two long ago, as power at sea can only project over islands.

I would, however, agree that a civil war breaks out just as the players leave the starting area, providing the conflict for nightfall. The likley cause is a split between followers of the original national leader following the 6th God, and the leader of the sunspears, following the other 5.

[Durza the Shadeking]

According to the GW official site and other sourses, it says that Elona has been peaceful for centuries, ever since Turai Ossa left to the Crystal Desert.

[Zaxares]

I would, however, agree that a civil war breaks out just as the players leave the starting area, providing the conflict for nightfall. The likley cause is a split between followers of the original national leader following the 6th God, and the leader of the sunspears, following the other 5.

I think Drec's theory sounds the most likely.

*Has flashbacks to Aribeth and her subsequent betrayal of the city-state of Neverwinter in Neverwinter Nights*

[Saox]

Holy crap-o-moly, for once I'm interested in the plot of Guild Wars (A GOD you say? Bring it ON! And holy crap, a realm of TORMENT?! Oh man, pass the popcorn!), and holy crap-o-moly, I've been reading up on lore. So...theories? I don't believe that there is a civil war involved, at least not as of now, but (I'm just picking off scattered memories from), did not one of the Elonians in the Tyrian missions say that as time went on, the Elonians began to mistrust eachother and "led to their own downfall?"

I'd say that the corrupt Queen is one of those "omg im so evil yet i have all the power l0l0l0l," type enemies, and the Sunspears find it as their duty to, erm...stop her? Or maybe the Sunspears serve under her rule, but a small league of them (the 'hero,' npc's), find her "true self," to be leading Elona into further turmoil, and as you progress, you too go on a quest to stop her from...being evil and such (Working for the mantle, finding out wht they were doing, joining the rebels. Same concept, I suppose). As Drec already stated, now that us players have arrived in Elona, a civil war may in fact be staring. Perhaps (oh, wouldn't it be cool?), the queen declares your character along with the heroes by your side as traitors, and people of Elona are torn, so of course, as any war goes..."all must choose a side." In truth, I'm just pulling this all out of my ***, but honestly, I'm too giddy for the third game to care. Actual expressions and lip movement...oh man.

~Saox

[Catsohori]

Elona did have a civil war era, it was called the Shattered Dynasty Era...

[hexal]

If there *was* a civil war, the land-based army province would have taken over the other two long ago, as power at sea can only project over islands.
But remember, Istan is an island(s). The Kournan army probably wouldn't get past the Istani navy. And the Kournans would be more than a match for the Istanis on land. If it ever came to civil war, Kourna would take over Vabbi, then they'd hit a stalemate.

[Laibeus Lord]

Yah, that's why the Sunspears enlisted the help of the Zaishen Order, Tyrians, and Canthans. That way, they'll be able to face the Kournan army at an equal level.

I see lots of level 30 elites :p haha (if that's even possible).

Maybe we have to liberate Vabbi first before hitting Kourna at its heart. And in the heart of Kourna lies the place where Abaddon will resurface to Tyria.

Hmm... I just hope Abaddon isn't Lord Odran :p haha