Ebonhawke

[Karn the Betrayer]

I know this in GW2 but what do you think it would looke like?

personally I think (since the name) it would look similar or a cross between the EoTN town and Granite Citadel

and please don't say: 'just wait till GW2 comes out and you'll find out' I've had that comment on other GW forums

[Xerxes of Orr]

I hope it will be a buffed up version of fort Ranik.
And both of the buildings that you named aren't made by humans so i'd like to see a building style more reminiscent of the pre-searing Ascalonians.

[Tom Nook]

I'm assuming that Ebonhawke has been constructed recently, so it would look functional, rather than being pleasing to the eye.

I don't think it'll look like Fort Ranik, since Ranik was primarily a training facility.

[MiatheHierophant]

I think it will be a mix of ruins from an earlier time, monuments to forgotten heroes and new construction. The new construction would probably be sturdy, functional and rather plain with maybe a few embellishments for certain structures such as cathedrals or "ruling family" dwellings.

[Karuro]

Primarily Ascalonian. Maybe with some Asuratech, since they got an Asuragate there up and running.

[Tom Nook]

If it's not of Ascalonian construction, I imagine it as being built into the side of a mountain. With most of the population being underground.

[Shundar Trint]

"Ebonhawke" is obviously a kotor throwback-perhaps it will look like something from that series.

[Windw]

Maybe as Tom said on the mountain may or may not be underground a low wall (stone or wood a view of he remains of Ascalon The people there will probably be humans, some asura, and sylvari. Charr will aproach the wall at random times and the vangaurd eliminate them. Possibilty for the start of human chars. The city might be a few full houses but most tents or huts.

[uifhwfuiwehuifwehuifqwegh]

Maybe as Tom said on the mountain may or may not be underground a low wall (stone or wood a view of he remains of Ascalon The people there will probably be humans, some asura, and sylvari. Charr will aproach the wall at random times and the vangaurd eliminate them. Possibilty for the start of human chars. The city might be a few full houses but most tents or huts.

if its underground it better not be made of HUEG CAVES like all of GW

[Karn the Betrayer]

If it's not of Ascalonian construction, I imagine it as being built into the side of a mountain. With most of the population being underground.

for some reason I'm thinking of that fortress where the big celebration party was at in last lord of the rings film

[kyln]

Given the name, it is not too far of a stretch to link it to the ebon vanguard.

Time lines are important in trying to determine what it might look like or when it was built.

It can't have been started too long after end of EotN or I can't see how it could have been constructed, as Adelbern is still alive when the Char basically take all the rest of Ascalon. It would be hard to build a fortress from scratch in enemy territory.

I think it is most likely a preexisting structure that becomes the focal point of what is left of humanity east of the Shiverpeaks.

There is the possiblity that the Ebon Vanguard learned quite a bit from the Eye and in turn built, or fortified an existing structure in the sourthern most regions of Ascalon. Asuran gates could help with some of the movement logistics from the north to the south. They might have even held the Eye until Drakkar pushed them and the Norn out of the north. This would also facilitate a connection through the Hall of monuments if the people in Ebonhawke are the direct descendants of those from the Eye.

Personally, I am hoping that the fortress is blocking the mouth of a canyon that is the only entrance to a large mountain valley, protecting the last remnants of humanity in that part of the world. That way, the valley could provide much of the sustenance and materials needed to sustain life and provide means by which to pay for asuran gate travel past char controlled lands.

maybe this should be in the lore fourm?

[Sir Jack]

Early Concept Art of Ebonhawke:

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7090/ebonhawkeix9.jpg


<.<

[Tom Nook]

Early Concept Art of Ebonhawke:

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7090/ebonhawkeix9.jpg


<.<

:huh:

Given the name, it is not too far of a stretch to link it to the ebon vanguard.

Time lines are important in trying to determine what it might look like or when it was built.

It can't have been started too long after end of EotN or I can't see how it could have been constructed, as Adelbern is still alive when the Char basically take all the rest of Ascalon. It would be hard to build a fortress from scratch in enemy territory.

I think it is most likely a preexisting structure that becomes the focal point of what is left of humanity east of the Shiverpeaks.

There is the possiblity that the Ebon Vanguard learned quite a bit from the Eye and in turn built, or fortified an existing structure in the sourthern most regions of Ascalon. Asuran gates could help with some of the movement logistics from the north to the south. They might have even held the Eye until Drakkar pushed them and the Norn out of the north. This would also facilitate a connection through the Hall of monuments if the people in Ebonhawke are the direct descendants of those from the Eye.

Personally, I am hoping that the fortress is blocking the mouth of a canyon that is the only entrance to a large mountain valley, protecting the last remnants of humanity in that part of the world. That way, the valley could provide much of the sustenance and materials needed to sustain life and provide means by which to pay for asuran gate travel past char controlled lands.

maybe this should be in the lore fourm?

I think it has got to be an existing structure.
Its position is rather interesting; it's on the opposite side of the Shiverpeaks to that of Thunderhead Keep.

Perhaps at one time, one could find passage through the Shiverpeaks, between the two. Which could mean Ebonhawk was originally Deldrimor property.

Its existence may have been known to the Ascalonians and since the Dwarves are not longer using it...

[Little Hex]

Isnt that Revans ship?

[Sir Jack]

Yes...the Ebon Hawk...+e <.<

[Karn the Betrayer]

Yes...the Ebon Hawk...+e <.<

/slap

personally it would probably be something like Granite Citadel ascalon style


Personally, I am hoping that the fortress is blocking the mouth of a canyon that is the only entrance to a large mountain valley, protecting the last remnants of humanity in that part of the world. That way, the valley could provide much of the sustenance and materials needed to sustain life and provide means by which to pay for asuran gate travel past char controlled lands.

you mean something like the fortress of Jahai in Yatendi Valley? but with a asuran gate as a retreat or travel to other parts of non-charr controlled areas?

[Ace Bear]

I'm thinking of a sort of helm's deep with maybe more tech going around because of the traffic of the Asuran gate. Also most likely more people and weapons on the helm's deep side. Thats at least what I think of when they describe it.

[kyln]

I'm thinking of a sort of helm's deep with maybe more tech going around because of the traffic of the Asuran gate. Also most likely more people and weapons on the helm's deep side. Thats at least what I think of when they describe it.

If we are going to go with Tolkien analogies, then Gondolin would be much closer to what I am describing.

It also could have been a retreat of the Royalists, they didn't love Adelbern before the searing, and it might have been there seat of power. After the searing, there might have been many who were not so fond of Adelbern any longer and made their way down to the safehold of the royalists. That is not to say that their political structure would be what they imagined, as they seemed to simply want a change in the royal line, and the searing likely caused them to make all sorts of adjustments. They might have turned to the ebon vanguard or another military group for protection and guidance.

[Tom Nook]

One of the reasons that I suggested having Ebonhawke built directly into the side of a mountain was defence.

We've witnessed first hand the Charr overrunning The Great Northern Wall and with the whole of Ascalon now occupied, I don't think a conventional fort would survive for very long.

I'd even go one stage further than my earlier idea and have it built half-way up a mountain. Since the addition of an Asura Gate, Ebonhawke doesn't require a portcullis or gate for entry.

Kyln has an interesting idea though, if indeed Gondolin is the Elven Fortress I'm thinking of. :smiley:
Have Ebonhawke "hidden". What the Charr can't see, they can't attack.

[kyln]

One of the reasons that I suggested having Ebonhawke built directly into the side of a mountain was defence.

We've witnessed first hand the Charr overrunning The Great Northern Wall and with the whole of Ascalon now occupied, I don't think a conventional fort would survive for very long.

I'd even go one stage further than my earlier idea and have it built half-way up a mountain. Since the addition of an Asura Gate, Ebonhawke doesn't require a portcullis or gate for entry.

Kyln has an interesting idea though, if indeed Gondolin is the Elven Fortress I'm thinking of. :smiley:
Have Ebonhawke "hidden". What the Charr can't see, they can't attack.

If i remember correctly, it took the searing for the Charr to overcome the Great Northern Wall. A magical assault of that magnitude would devastate any fixed position, built into a mountain side or not.

The reason I am envisioning a valley is that we know the Asurans jealously guard their gate technology. The fortress has to have something to trade to continue to afford importing supplies. A valley would reduce the amount of supplies needed, and provide materials and opportunity to fund the fortresses and populations needs.

canyons produce natural choke points. Terrain that causes a bottle neck has been historically used to reduce the advantage of a numerically superior enemy. Think of the battle of Thermopylae, and what the Spartans were able to accomplish even when vastly outnumbered.

[Tom Nook]

If i remember correctly, it took the searing for the Charr to overcome the Great Northern Wall. A magical assault of that magnitude would devastate any fixed position, built into a mountain side or not.

The Searing devastated Ascalon and tipped the balance in the Charrs favour. That balance is still firmly in the Charrs favour.

Any repeat of the Searing would rightly destroy pretty much anything. But any conventional Fort wouldn't stand for very long against a Charr assault, even without another Searing.

So our choices are to hide Ebonhawke so that the Charr never find it, or to make it impregnable.

The reason I am envisioning a valley is that we know the Asurans jealously guard their gate technology. The fortress has to have something to trade to continue to afford importing supplies. A valley would reduce the amount of supplies needed, and provide materials and opportunity to fund the fortresses and populations needs.

The impression that I got was that the Asura gate was the sole supply route for Ebonhawke, mostly because the Searing hasn't left much in terms of supplies available.

Also, consider that the Asura may not even be aware that the gate is being used in Ebonhawke; they might be massive but one of the gates could have been moved. :smiley:

canyons produce natural choke points. Terrain that causes a bottle neck has been historically used to reduce the advantage of a numerically superior enemy. Think of the battle of Thermopylae, and what the Spartans were able to accomplish even when vastly outnumbered.

I'm liking the idea of a canyon, let's hope that the Charr never train winged creatures as use for mounts else mountain fortress or canyon protected, Ebonhawke would be in a lot of trouble.

The trouble of course with the battle of Thermopylae was that the Spartans were wiped out. :smiley:

[kyln]

The trouble of course with the battle of Thermopylae was that the Spartans were wiped out. :smiley:

True, though this is the case because the Persian's were able to find a pass and flank the Spartans, attacking them from both sides.

Gondolin also falls eventually by the way.

There is no such thing as an impregnable fortress. Some may be harder to breach than others, but nothing is impregnable.

I'm not saying the fortress will look anything like Fort Ranik, but I do think it will resemble other fortifications.

I think it is safe to assume that the use of an Asuran gate would necessitate Asuran involvement. They are the only ones that can use the gate, and the amount of supplies needed to keep a fort going for a hundred years without any ability to provide things on its own would attract attention.

This is just for fun, but one possible unconventional defense mechanism is to dam up water that would normally flow through the canyon. There might still be a river flowing, but a reservoir could be kept. In the even of an attack, flood gates could be released wiping out anything lower in the canyon. (we know humans built some type of waterworks for Elon river)

[Gmr Leon]

maybe this should be in the lore fourm?

Personally I was thinking the same thing after reading this a bit.

Also, consider that the Asura may not even be aware that the gate is being used in Ebonhawke; they might be massive but one of the gates could have been moved.

I'll check in a moment, but I'm almost certain they know the Ascalonians are using it. Also, I'm fairly certain that some of the Ascalonians that went to Kryta and set up their settlement in North Kryta Province went into Ebonhawke. Not to say that the Ebon Vanguard isn't also there, just pointing that out.

If i remember correctly, it took the searing for the Charr to overcome the Great Northern Wall.

Technically that's incorrect. Before the Searing Vatlaaw Doomtooth managed to find a way into Ascalon through the Catacombs. After that a few Charr even managed to breach Hammer Gate. Probably with Vatlaaw's help, but you get the idea.

Even had the Charr not had the Searing to back them up, they had found a way to pass the Great Northern Wall.


As to Ebonhawke and it's design. I agree it will probably be something similar to old Ascalonian design, perhaps even older considering it's that far south. However, I doubt any chance of a valley behind it. They're stuck between the Blazeridge Mountains and the Shiverpeaks, from the description of the location it's right between the two. That leaves very, very little room for a valley behind the fort.

However..The Asura are fond of the subterranean environments, so I'm sure a few would be willing to blast out a section of the mountains to create a cavern. Even soldiers need rest and the Asura don't like to die due to a bookah's petty squabbles, so it makes sense they would do that.

They also mention that the Charr continue to fight the humans there, so I don't think it's hidden. At least, I'm pretty sure they say the Charr are continuing to fight the humans there..They may have phrased it the other way around. They could be the southern Ebon Vanguard for all we know.

[Karn the Betrayer]

Think of the battle of Thermopylae, and what the Spartans were able to accomplish even when vastly outnumbered.


as i remember the spartans got into that bottle neck (wait I'm thinking 300) they got massacred

[kyln]

They also mention that the Charr continue to fight the humans there, so I don't think it's hidden. At least, I'm pretty sure they say the Charr are continuing to fight the humans there..They may have phrased it the other way around. They could be the southern Ebon Vanguard for all we know.

I was wondering the same thing. Are the humans launching sorties against the Charr? It seems to me that the fortress has to be incredibly impressive in its defensive capabilities and position, or not enough of a nuisance for the Charr to send a large army against it.

That and perhaps ascalonion ghosts tie up a descent portion of resources to keep contained.

While Gondolin was hidden, I was more interested in the valley approachable by a canyon filled with several gates blocking passage.

We know the Mursaat are able to hide their cities, maybe the humans or Asurans come up with something similar. Also, it seems that the Charr sent an expeditionary force into Norn lands to try and ascertain the location of the Ebon Vanguard and attack them, knowing they were in the area, but do we know that they knew for sure humans were at the eye? I do think it would be hard to keep the location of a fortress secret, though perhaps there are powerful natural enemies in the area of the south, and the Charr have yet to completely tame the southern regions. This could theoretically allow for occasional sorties that the Charr couldn't trace back. If it is in a canyon, you would only have to disguise the entrance.

I am not talking about a giant valley either. Something more on the scale of the Eye, a valley nestled in a low point where the two mountain ranges merge.

I suppose they could somehow exploit the internal divisions among Charr legions to aid them in their struggle.
_________________________
In reference to the Great Northern Wall, the Charr did discover a way through the catacombs, which was a problem that the Ascalonians were going to have to address at some point. However, they were only able to come through in small numbers, not enough to overwhelm the Ascalonians without the searing.

So technically they did get past it, but again, not in the numbers they needed, and we killed the agent that had discovered the passageways.

We also know that it took them 30 years of conflict to finally breach the walls of Ascalon City and overrun it, so apparently human fortifications did present them with difficulties. So I think the wall was a problem for them.

So if there was a human fortification, more defensively placed then northern Ascalonian structures, It could be very difficult for the Charr to take.

I still think that the fortress needs some sort of way to pay for the use of the Asuran Gate. You can't fight a war or feed a fortress worth of people without some type of income, and the Asuran's don't seem the type that would do it for free out of charity, especially as that would undermine the pretense of neutrality that they are trying so hard to keep in GW2. As long as they offer travel to any that pay, they can claim neutrality. Free service to the thorn in the Charr's side would be hard to justify.

I am going the valley route, so they can provide some of their own food, and perhaps they have mines in tunnels nearby for metal. But if not that, how do they support themselves?

[Gmr Leon]

Having lost their homeland to the Charr, the humans of the Ascalon kingdom have been pushed ever west and south. The Great Northern Wall fell, and Ascalon City lies in ruins. The royal line of Adelbern ended with the death of Prince Rurik. The lone remaining human fortress in Ascalon lies at the far southern tip, where the eastern Blazeridge Mountains merge with the western Shiverpeaks. This last Ascalonian fortress, known as Ebonhawke, stands alone against all the might the Charr legions have to offer.

The continuing conflict between the humans and the Charr along the borders of Ascalon forced the humans ever farther into the Shiverpeaks. Although open war has ended save on a few small fronts, the hatred between the Charr legions and the human kingdoms never abated. If anything, it is worse than ever before. Ebonhawke stands alone in defiance, supplied by an Asura gate from Krytan territories.

The Charr solidified their control over Ascalon from their original lands in the north all the way south to the merging of the two mountain ranges at the edge of the Crystal Desert. Within the main territories of Ascalon, between the broken Great Northern Wall and the fortress of Ebonhawke, the Charr rule—but not unchallenged. In the last battle of Ascalon City, Adelbern used the final power of his enchanted sword, Magdaer, a relic from the age when the True Gods walked Tyria and built the city of Arah.

The stories told by the Charr (and the few, scattered human survivors of the battle) speak of a gout of sword-shaped flame rising from the highest tower in the city. After a white, burning heat swept the city streets, the dead and defeated Ascalonian guard arose once more, their spirits animated by the power of Adelbern's sword. In the face of this spectral resistance, the Charr were forced to abandon the city.

Since that time, the spectral soldiers have guarded the ruins of Ascalon City and the eastern frontier. They resist the Charr, but do not communicate with living soldiers from Ebonhawke. Their spirits are only memories, the lingering presence of a past that cannot let go of the present. Some believe that one day, when the rightful king of Ascalon returns with one of the two flaming swords—either Adelbern’s Magdaer or his son's, named Sohothin—the legion will abandon the city and sink at last into peaceful death. Until then, everyone is the enemy.

I'm quoting this so that anyone who cares may read it. I reread it to make sure everything I said was accurate or close to it. I still stand by my view that there is not a valley of any sort behind Ebonhawke by the only description provided at this point.

The Asura aren't doing it out of charity, they're doing it just to do it. They don't care that the gate is being used to supply the Ascalonians in Ebonhawke, and I doubt the Charr do either. They're just a tiny insignificant force in what is no doubt they're territory.

It's the same with the ghostly forces of Ascalon City, although it should be noted that from the quoted bit they do not stay within the city. They still go outside to fight the Charr by the King's orders.

I also think the Charr know the exact location of Ebonhawke, Ascalon is no longer human territory, there's nothing keeping the Charr from exploring it. Even disguised, with the number of Charr around, it would only take a few years to find it. Especially when you consider they have one of their strongest forts nearby built over the city of Rin called the Iron Citadel.

In reference to the Great Northern Wall, the Charr did discover a way through the catacombs, which was a problem that the Ascalonians were going to have to address at some point. However, they were only able to come through in small numbers, not enough to overwhelm the Ascalonians without the searing.

So technically they did get past it, but again, not in the numbers they needed, and we killed the agent that had discovered the passageways.

You think that agent got himself killed without any reason? He was merely a distraction to the Ascalonian forces while the Charr cast the Searing. Without the Searing he would have returned to the rest of the Charr forces to inform them of the route and then it would have only been a matter of time before they set up camp there.

Set up a little encampment with supplies, get a force set up there, and then come up from below. It worked for the Destroyers and it would have worked to a better extent for the Charr since they don't have a hive-mind that controls all their forces.

[kyln]

"Although open war has ended save on a few small fronts, the hatred between the Charr legions and the human kingdoms never abated. If anything, it is worse than ever before. Ebonhawke stands alone in defiance, supplied by an Asura gate from Krytan territories."

I think that addresses my concern about funding the supplies to Ebonhawke. It mentions the human kingdoms plural having strong opposition to the Charr, and several small fronts for battle, some likely in the Shiverpeaks by the description. It seems to fit then that the humans in general are no longer as decisively divided, and that Kryta is funding the support of Ebonhawke. It would make sense to keep several forts in areas that help to keep tabs on the Charr.

In the "Ecology of the Charr", it does mention that the Iron Citadel is overlooking the area where the ascalonians ghosts are. It is then not necessarily in a position to overlook Ebonhawke, but to help contain the ghosts.
__________
And the agent was hardly a great distraction, if he was a major threat they wouldn't have been the nooblets tracking and eventually killing him right after finally joining up.
____________
I don't think the humans had any idea what was coming their way.

[Gmr Leon]

Whether or not he was a great distraction is a matter of opinion, really, either way he achieved his goal.

I don't think the humans had any idea what was coming their way.

What's that a response to? :huh:

In the "Ecology of the Charr", it does mention that the Iron Citadel is overlooking the area where the ascalonians ghosts are. It is then not necessarily in a position to overlook Ebonhawke, but to help contain the ghosts.

Perhaps not to overlook it, but forces can be sent from there, making it even easier to attack Ebonhawke. Any troops that have been fighting and are tired? Send them back to the Iron Citadel and replace them with troops that are not tired.

That's the idea I was trying to imply anyway.

[kyln]

What's that a response to? :huh:


It was in response to the very idea of them needing a distraction. I was trying to express that I don't think the humans would have had any idea what the Charr were doing, even if it was right in front of them. It would likely be as cryptic as the burning effigies, what would appear to be just some char ritualistic event, not an imminent magical strike.

As to the other, I'm sorry, I thought you were talking about the Iron Citadel as being in a location to deal with Ebonhawke, when from the released Lore, it seemed clear to me that it was built on Rin partially to help deal with the Ascalonian Ghosts.

There are several citadels, some of which might actually be even closer than the Iron Citadel to Ebonhawke.

I acknowledge that the combination of the human kingdoms, provides all the context neccesary for Kryta directly supporting Ebonhawke.

For some reason, the old divisions were still in my head, and I was thinking of Ebonhawke as independent from Kryta. So no need for a valley, but I still think it would be cool if it was up a canyon with a small valley, a series of gates/walls blocking approach to a large impressive fortress in a little mountain vale.

[Tom Nook]

After reading through the last few posts, I really wish that the PC Gamer Guild Wars special edition had been released worldwide. :sad:

There is no such thing as an impregnable fortress. Some may be harder to breach than others, but nothing is impregnable.

I quite agree. But that's partly the problem.
Unless ANet's plan is to have the Ascalonians driven completely away, Ebonhawke has to be something special.

Of course it may be a floating fortress or hidden within a grain of sand or something. :smiley:

I'm not saying the fortress will look anything like Fort Ranik, but I do think it will resemble other fortifications.

I still imagine Ebonhawke as being an old Dwarven outpost; Perhaps built long ago to keep an eye on this new settlement of people.

[Karn the Betrayer]

maybe the Humans can sorta use Mursaat tech to hit the charr hard where it hurts... it'll be cool if the humamns learnt spectral agony

[Gmr Leon]

I highly doubt that happening Karn. The only reason they taught Saul, well, blessed to be precise, is because they trusted in him as a loyal follower and as a responsible fellow. To just hand out their most lethal technique to humans who squabble over the tiniest things would be insane.

The Mursaat need someone to manipulate so they don't need to get directly involved.

I still imagine Ebonhawke as being an old Dwarven outpost; Perhaps built long ago to keep an eye on this new settlement of people.

To be quite honest I wouldn't doubt that being the case at all. It's definitely close enough to the Shiverpeaks.

[Karn the Betrayer]

maybe something in the style of the eye of the north but built by humans/asurans... i guess its going to be on a mountain side since it sounds kinda something that would be in the mountains defenses maybe ome uber asuran tech

[Gmr Leon]

If the Asura were to allow the humans use of their weaponry tech that would break their firm wishes of remaining neutral.

For anyone interested, here's a very basic sketch of what I think Ebonhawke will somewhat resemble. Keep in mind the word basic.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/GmrLeon00/EbonhawkeDepiction.jpg

Sword and Shield represent the human forces within Ebonhawke, Stones and Fire represent the Charr forces. Well, technically the sword looks more like a cross with a point at the bottom, but you get the idea. Either way this made me want to take more time and try to draw a more detailed version. :undecided:

[Karn the Betrayer]

i keep thinking of that fortress in the last LoTD film which is next to a mountain

knowing that the ascolonians got pretty much owned by the searing maybe Ebonhawke is protected by some uber asuran type energy shield

oh another thing like the D'alessio seaboard place where you could see imps charging the wall outside, maybe they coulddo the same with EbonHawke with charr trying to charge the wall but failing due to some weird long distance energy bolts

[Gmr Leon]

...I think you're just focusing too much on Asuran technology, to be quite honest. The Searing happened before they resurfaced, and from what we know they hadn't resurfaced in years. At least not anywhere near a human settlement.

Edit: That seems a bit uninteresting though, it would seem more likely that human players and Charr players would battle it out there. Perhaps have NPCs there so that even when players aren't around it would still give the feeling of the last stronghold against the Charr.

[Jair of the Forest]

It would probably be like the fighting scene that happens 24/7 in Pre-Searing Ascalon, which you can see from a lower point of the Great Northern Wall (in Ascalon City); Humans fighting Charr and vice versa.

Since it's said to lay near the Blazeridge Mountains I assume it will be build either on top of a hill/mountain or laying on a mountainside.
It will probably be defended by the Ebon Vanguard (hence the name) and we're told it is supplied by an Asuran gate.

[Off topic: I actually presume it will be the Ascalonian Settlement in Kryta that is giving supplies to Ebonhawke. Who else, except for maybe the Krytan Queen, would care for a small force of humans that is doomed but determined.]

For the look of Ebonhawke I think it will look much from what we saw in Pre-Searing Ascalon namely HUGE gates, walls with a lot of arches and a very high castle like building standing in the middle (or laying to the mountainside). I think there will be Ascalonian obelisks just like the ones we see in Surmia and Nolani.

[Tom Nook]

If the Asura were to allow the humans use of their weaponry tech that would break their firm wishes of remaining neutral.

For anyone interested, here's a very basic sketch of what I think Ebonhawke will somewhat resemble. Keep in mind the word basic.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a338/GmrLeon00/EbonhawkeDepiction.jpg

Sword and Shield represent the human forces within Ebonhawke, Stones and Fire represent the Charr forces. Well, technically the sword looks more like a cross with a point at the bottom, but you get the idea. Either way this made me want to take more time and try to draw a more detailed version. :undecided:

That's really good.
I'd love to see a more detailed version.

However, I still imagine it as being half-way up the mountain range. That'll slow down those pesky Charr. :grin:
If I could draw, I'd post my interpretation here.

[Gmr Leon]

That makes strategic and tactical sense as far as defense goes, but it seems likely that Ebonhawke was made hastily or reinforced hastily. Leaning towards the idea that it was either down the mountainside at ground level with its back towards the mountain or perhaps it was on a small plateau up the mountainside.

However, if they're sending out raiding parties and the Charr are sending their own forces to attack it seems far likelier that it's on ground level. What do I know though, the Charr and humans of Tyria are extremely persistent and it probably doesn't matter what the terrain is, they'll fight on it.

I get the feeling though, that if its back is to a mountainside, the humans have set up a network of tunnels through the mountains to flank the Charr forces.

[Karn the Betrayer]

For the look of Ebonhawke I think it will look much from what we saw in Pre-Searing Ascalon namely HUGE gates, walls with a lot of arches and a very high castle like building standing in the middle (or laying to the mountainside). I think there will be Ascalonian obelisks just like the ones we see in Surmia and Nolani.

yeah i see VERY HUGE gates and learning on how the Great wall fell so easily maybe Ebonhawks walls would stand a large scale wack from such magic maybe th eonly entrance to ebonhawke is via a bottle neck ridge either side is a sheer drop... i see rangers with longbows and recurve bows manning the walls strengthened by elementalists

[KyppDuron]

for some reason I'm thinking of that fortress where the big celebration party was at in last lord of the rings film

If GW2 has a minis Tirith i will just die. http://www.asiatraveltips.com/newspics/065/MinasTirith.jpg :grin:

ya, I could see that built into the side of the shiverpeaks, perhaps,around where wizard's Foley is in pre?

[Ace Bear]

Monks, eles, rangers, mes, and necros would be on the walls with paragons, warriors, dervs, and maybe more rangers on the ground with Sins being their natural sneaking punks by going around the sides to gank individuals in the enemies' bases.

I would actually think it would be something like huge insanely thick walls protruding from the mountain covering to a certain point that it is flush with the side walls. But the walls would only be on the left and right and go up 30-40 feet with the middle being indented back maybe 100-200 feet allowing the side walls to attack people coming for the gates but keeping the walls themselves so thick and huge that the enemy would be forced to come up the middle. Also bridges from one side to the other to allow deployment of forces faster.

Lightning towers like in the original ascalon are probably everywhere with god knows how many traps like acid pots on the walls with catapults installations interspersed where they can fit.

Oh yeah, the walls are not only thick, they are the double or maybe even triple layered kind. Where if a catapult does managed to push through a portion, there are back up layers inside the wall itself people still have to break through.

[Tom Nook]

ya, I could see that built into the side of the shiverpeaks, perhaps,around where wizard's Foley is in pre?

Ebonhawke is located much further South, than the area of Wizard's Folly I'm afraid.

[KyppDuron]

Oh, *runs to gw2 wiki* it's near the desert then. someone should stop me before i make a fool of myself. :laugh:

[Karn the Betrayer]

maybe they might have those fire cannons that the kournans have/had

[Gmr Leon]

maybe they might have those fire cannons that the kournans have/had

That would imply that the Krytans imported one from Kourna, an Elonian Province, that at the time in which Ebonhawke is being occupied by Krytans/Ascalonians is under Palawa Joko's control as a vassal state. Incredibly unlikely when you also consider Palawa has his own war going with the Undead Dragon of Orr.

Speaking of which, that gives me the thought that we'll be working with Palawa again.

[Karn the Betrayer]

XD maybe after hearing of 'Sith' style sunspear we could pick weather to play for 'jedi' sunspears ot the 'sith' sunspears with vast diffrences in armor XD for some reason Palawa reminds me of a cross between a pig and a bull XD

[Tom Nook]

Oh, *runs to gw2 wiki* it's near the desert then. someone should stop me before i make a fool of myself. :laugh:

It's not quite a far as the Crystal Desert, but on the other side of the mountain range that separates Ascalon from the desert.

"The lone remaining human fortress in Ascalon lies at the far southern tip, where the eastern Blazeridge Mountains merge with the western Shiverpeaks.

[Karn the Betrayer]

I'm guessing that asuran gate is far deep inside a cave

[Tom Nook]

I'm guessing that asuran gate is far deep inside a cave

That would be my thought too.

I imagine that most of the population of Ebonhawke will be located underground. I'd also imagine that there is (or was), a network of tunnels built by the dwarves, that may reach back as far as Thunderhead Keep.

If so, it's not hard to imagine that the Gate would also be located underground. :smiley:

[rentauri]

That would imply that the Krytans imported one from Kourna, an Elonian Province, that at the time in which Ebonhawke is being occupied by Krytans/Ascalonians is under Palawa Joko's control as a vassal state. Incredibly unlikely when you also consider Palawa has his own war going with the Undead Dragon of Orr.


Could be something similar but more crude and rugged. Dwarves have blackpower perhaps some improvising Ascalons can develop a weapon similar to the cannon but acts much like a shotgun/blunderbuss.

Not as 'deadly' as the Kournan version but may be more durable and allow the firing or anything from prepared rounds to the proverbial kitchen sick.

[Karn the Betrayer]

That would be my thought too.

I imagine that most of the population of Ebonhawke will be located underground. I'd also imagine that there is (or was), a network of tunnels built by the dwarves, that may reach back as far as Thunderhead Keep.

If so, it's not hard to imagine that the Gate would also be located underground. :smiley:

i see alot of golems protecting the gate... maybe the charr are too dumb to know how to use a gate anyway

[Nikhera]

I doubt anybody *but* Asurans know how to calibrate a gate or however it works.

So the Asurans run the gates and they can say who comes through or who doesn't. They are neutral, however.

Now here's an interesting question: the Asura gate in Ebonhawke leads to the Central Transfer Chamber or somewhere equivalent. IIRC. Clearly the Charr can't use the gate inside Ebonhawke because it's underground and/or behind the fortress. Now what's stopping the Charr from using a gate to get to the CTC and from there use a gate to Ebonhawke? XD

Or do the humans have some kind of agreement with the Asurans regarding that?

[rentauri]

I doubt anybody *but* Asurans know how to calibrate a gate or however it works.

So the Asurans run the gates and they can say who comes through or who doesn't. They are neutral, however.

Now here's an interesting question: the Asura gate in Ebonhawke leads to the Central Transfer Chamber or somewhere equivalent. IIRC. Clearly the Charr can't use the gate inside Ebonhawke because it's underground and/or behind the fortress. Now what's stopping the Charr from using a gate to get to the CTC and from there use a gate to Ebonhawke? XD

Or do the humans have some kind of agreement with the Asurans regarding that?

A couple of ways this could be done.

The first to come to mind is the 'stargate' way. This being there is some kind of barrier on the gate and to get said barrier taken down (whether it be a huge door to close to the gate, a magic barrier of some type or some else) a code must be use. Now in stargate the code is a transmitted and some object or magic incantation may indeed serve that role or maybe sound can transverse the gate and it is something simple as a spoken code.

A different way could cast Asuran race as a more shadowy intelligent group that could serve a more interesting role. In this role the Asura are 'neutral' and sell the gate services to any group that wises to use it. Using the Asuran service requires the group/race/nation to respect the neutrality of the race as well as there right to deny service to any location they see fit (thus saving major cities from attack via the gate system). The perks for following the system would allow the groups instant travel across vast tracks of land, a faster more reliable information network (that scout from the front lines can report an attack to the capital much faster and reliable) and much more.

In the second case the Asuran would need to be most useful alive then dead as many groups (humans and charr included) would rather kill the Asuran and take the network over. This could be done by knowledge, if the only beings that could use the gates correctly are the Asuran well keeping them alive and using them (and there rules) are much better than killing them... until your people can figure out how to use the gates, thus creating a game where the Asura must stay one step ahead of everyone else to stay in the game.

The fun could be that while the Asura claim to be neutral they now have a hold of information of all groups to play with as they wish. This could allow them to manipulate, guide and affect the others as they see however doing so would require sneakiness and great intellect so as not to tip there hand to the others.

[Tom Nook]

I doubt anybody *but* Asurans know how to calibrate a gate or however it works.

So the Asurans run the gates and they can say who comes through or who doesn't. They are neutral, however.

Now here's an interesting question: the Asura gate in Ebonhawke leads to the Central Transfer Chamber or somewhere equivalent. IIRC. Clearly the Charr can't use the gate inside Ebonhawke because it's underground and/or behind the fortress. Now what's stopping the Charr from using a gate to get to the CTC and from there use a gate to Ebonhawke? XD

Or do the humans have some kind of agreement with the Asurans regarding that?

The way that I imagine it would be that the Ebonhawke gate connects to another Gate which the Charr don't know the location of.

Another option of course is a Stargate type DHD that allows access to several other gates.

[Karn the Betrayer]

were exactly is it on the map can someone point the general location?

[Tom Nook]

We don't know exactly where it is, but find the Blazeridge Mountain range at the far South of Ascalon and then trace West, until you hit the Shiverpeaks.
Ebonhawke is located there.

[tenetke]

Why not have it set up like Cheyenne mountain. http://www.norad.mil/about/CMOC.html

That is pretty secure, and it seems to match up with similar terrain.

[Jair of the Forest]

Why not have it set up like Cheyenne mountain. http://www.norad.mil/about/CMOC.html

That is pretty secure, and it seems to match up with similar terrain.

A tunnel? :huh:

[Karn the Betrayer]

Why not have it set up like Cheyenne mountain. http://www.norad.mil/about/CMOC.html

That is pretty secure, and it seems to match up with similar terrain.

and if the charr enter said tunnel it will create a bottle neck and major carnage

i guess a major seige would be something like the last battle in the LoTR trilogy

[Qanar]

Why not have it set up like Cheyenne mountain. http://www.norad.mil/about/CMOC.html

That is pretty secure, and it seems to match up with similar terrain.


Would explain the Sta... Asuragate ;)