Concerning LA...

[Harjubal od Uo]

So it's not worth it to prove your assumption? Why then is it worth it to post it as if it were fact, and imply we are all foolish for believing otherwise?

For all I know, you could be right, but without imperical data, it isn't more than an assertion based on personal opinion.

I'm sorry man, I never wanted to seem condescending; please forgive me if I didn't have better control over my words than that.

I just meant that the people with whom I've raised the topic of metaphor and representation before have already made up their minds about it, so there's no reason for any of us to waste our time trying to convince the others. I don't think there's a huge influx of new evidence about the ontological nature of the GW universe and my evidence doesn't convince you and your evidence doesn't convince me so there just didn't seem to be any reason to pursue it any further; it wouldn't be fun, it'd just be a hassle and there's no reason to be here if it's not fun. I just wanted to present it as an idea which explains elements of the universe for anyone reading the thread who may not have encountered it before.

[happy feet]

Since this has gotten a tad off topic, I'll bring it back, I did some research and it appears that the White Mantle controls this building now, heres a very dull image of the building...

[Adrian]

I know what he means. The best thing I can estimate is that those are the actual "city" of Lion's Arch. Instead of living in blocks and streets like we do, it almost looks like the citizens of Kryta live in these giant high rises. Afterall, they say LA is one of the most populus cities in Tyria, yet we don't see that many signs of living quarters for people.

Some kournans live in similar but smaller towns, with houses piled on top of eachother, but their houses are resting against a steep mountain. Considering how many monsters we face on the ground it doesn't seem like a bad idea to live high up.

Here are better screenshots:

The first one is across the bay, the second one is beyond the fountain and guild registrar.

[Nanashi]

Isn't there a floating city connected by chains somewhere in the Maguuma? I could of sworn I seen it sometime following leaving LA or approaching it. Reminded me of the main isle from the Plain Of Sky in EQ, however this was close to the ground and clearly visible. This topic just made me remember seeing it, in GW sometime while journeying close around LA district.

Some kournans live in similar but smaller towns, with houses piled on top of eachother, but their houses are resting against a steep mountain. Considering how many monsters we face on the ground it doesn't seem like a bad idea to live high up.

If you're referring to the loading picture of that Large Bullet (Mario bullet) with holes in it... I've come to believe those are actually Harpy Nests when on the main land. As the Forum Highlands have similar holes etched into the walls and Harpies Patrolling near them.

Kournans have typical Indian clay forts like the mission where we require Zhed's help. That's just my understanding on it, I don't know if it's ever been clearly sited that they were nests or barracks.

[Karuro]

Isn't there a floating city connected by chains somewhere in the Maguuma?

I think you mean the Floating Castle near Fishermans Haven & Kessex Peak (Which may or may not be Odran's).
Or the Wizard's Tower in pre-sear, that one's chained :S

[Adrian]

Kournans have typical Indian clay forts like the mission where we require Zhed's help. That's just my understanding on it, I don't know if it's ever been clearly sited that they were nests or barracks.

Those are the ones I was referring to. The easiest one to find is Yohlun Haven.

The floating castle outside Fisherman's Haven isn't very big, only five towers and no other buildings, so I wouldn't call it a city.

[Rolhir Elvenstar]

I know this is straying from the original topic, but I didn't know where else to put my comment.
As the requested proof for GW being representational, at the end of Nolani Academy Rurik says "The Charr have amassed an army of many thousands." I love fighting the Charr and have actually gone back to Ascalon as a lvl 20 just to fight them, but I've never seen anything close to even one thousand, let alone many thousands.
Also, in the quest To Kryta: Refugees, there are approximately 8 or so refugees that walk with you towards the ice caves. I HIGHLY doubt that those aren't supposed to be representational.
And since when does 12 soldiers make a horde/army? Because that's the entire Horde of Darkness in the Hordes of Darkness quest.
That's all the evidence that I can think of off the top of my head right now.

[Quintus Antonius]

Have you ever tried Vanquishing? You will end up killing around 3,000 Charr, if you vanquish every area on HM. Obviously, that doesn't include the Charr in missions, the Charr who overran Ascalon and were destroyed by the Mantle and Orr's explosion, or the Charr in one-time only quests like the Titan quests, or Fire in the North.

[Troal]

I believe certain aspects of GW are representational, but not all of them. It really depends on the situation at hand.

For example, the Charr band mentioned above is likely representative of a greater Charr force, and the refugee group crossing the Shiverpeaks is probably larger than it appears. But there are situations in which what we see is what's really there. Abaddhuumenzies isn't representative of some horde of dark gods, and neither are Rurik and Adelbern representative of some large royal family.

So each situation is accompanied by a judgement call, really. If you want to believe Ascalon City is about the size of a village, then that's your choice. And if you want to believe a large warband could successfully infiltrate the Desolation and Realm of Torment without any supply lines, then that's also your choice.

[Quintus Antonius]

Isn't it also possible we simply don't see the others? I find that much more likely.