Janthir Wilds story
A note on spoilers: Aside from a brief summary, this article assumes a basic understanding of the Secrets of the Obscure plot and previous stories. Since the story of Janthir Wilds begins circa 1337 AE, and the personal story takes place in 1325 AE, it is likely that this article will contain personal story spoilers, as story threads that began in the personal story may be continued with the expansion.
Janthir Wilds was released on August 20, 2024.
Setting[edit]
The Pact Commander, adopting the title Wayfinder after their adventures with the Astral Ward, heads north to the wilderness of Janthir after the recent momentous events have left the denizens of Tyria determined to recover and build a new future together. Knowing that cooperation with neighbors will be crucial to their long-term success, Wayfinder's allies dispatch them to befriend the lowland kodan of Janthir—a dangerous land that was once home to the strange mursaat and their White Mantle sycophants.
Zones[edit]
The story of Janthir Wilds covers the Hearth's Glow homestead instance, the Mount Balrior instanced zone as well as three new open world zones.
- Lowland Shore
- Janthir Syntri
- Mistburned Barrens
- Hearth's Glow (homestead)
- Mount Balrior (instanced zone)
- Bava Nisos
- Foundry of Failed Creations (instanced zone)
Main characters[edit]
Allies[edit]
- Caithe — A sylvari Firstborn leader of the Order of the Crystal Bloom who represents the currently slumbering Elder Dragon Aurene. Her journey to Janthir ends up becoming a very personal one for the sake of her race.
- Councillor Ludo — Member of the Arcane Council of Rata Sum who has a troubled past but ambitious plans for the future of Tyria and her race. She often butts heads with fellow alliance members, electing to use dangerous methods to get what she wants.
- Countess Anise — Master Exemplar of the Shining Blade who is dedicated to protecting Queen Jennah and the kingdom of Kryta as a whole. She finds not only more burdens on Janthir but also troubling and bittersweet shadows of the past.
- Isgarren — A secretive and obscure wizard of enigmatic origins and mysterious motives who leads the Wizard's Court and oversees the Astral Ward. He is the owner of the Wizard's Tower. After ending a lengthy conflict against the Kryptis invaders from the Mists, he has begun considering revealing his secret organization's existence to Tyrians at large.
- Livia — A centuries old human necromancer who was once the Master Exemplar of the Shining Blade herself. She has extended her life with the Scepter of Orr whose previous wielder had used it to command Mistborn threats to invade Tyria centuries ago. Her determination to use any means necessary to quell the latest threat to Kryta puts her on a collision course with her allies while the scepter's dark influence looms over her.
- Malice Swordshadow — The cunning Imperator of the Ash Legion, she is the only known direct descendant of the charr Khan-Ur among the current imperators after the charr civil war. Progressive yet manipulative, she is eager for a chance to go on the field only to come face to face with a looming shadow from the charr race's troubled past.
- Poised Arrow — Son of Stoic Alder, he is expected to succeed his father as the Claw of Lowland Kodan one day. Eager to prove himself to protect his people against the threat posed by an enemy unlike any he has seen before, his actions will have far-reaching consequences for his people and Tyria at large.
- Stoic Alder — Current Claw of Lowland Kodan and father of Poised Arrow. Thoughtful and pragmatic, he has tried to keep his people safe even though he now finds himself thrust into events that encompass more than his sheltered community and will make him question his view of the world as well as the bonds he has formed with those he cares about.
- Waiting Sorrow — A rogue kodan member of the Wizard's Court and creator of the Heart of the Obscure artifact who has been missing for centuries. She is suspected to have ties to the Lowland Kodan while hiding from Isgarren's far-reaching gaze for reasons that leave her true allegiances in doubt.
Main villains[edit]
- Decima, the Stormsinger — A reckless female titan who has worked with Greer to spread corruption throughout Janthir. Her and Greer's views sometimes clash due to their different approaches on how to carry out their mission.
- Greer, the Blightbringer — A calculating male titan who has been methodically spreading his corruption from Janthir to the Tyrian mainland in order to establish a foothold for his kind.
- Saevus Saxum — The last known titan survivor from the previous titan invasion of over 250 years ago who shares a troubled past with the late mursaat wizard Mabon. He has an intimate relationship with the ruined city of Bava Nisos where he has been trapped for centuries.
- Ura, the Steamshrieker — An enigmatic female titan of immense power who holds the authority to command the other titans. Her grand plans threaten to change the future of Tyria forever.
- Judge — Young member of the White Mantle who has acted as the cook of the expedition ordered by Caudecus Beetlestone to find a way into Bava Nisos so the city's powers would lead to White Mantle's victory over Queen Jennah's Krytan regime. The reveations in Bava Nisos and a mysterious voice guiding him lead him to making a fateful choice that has grave ramifications for all of Tyria.
- Tatyanna — Member of the White Mantle who is devoted to the faith of the Unseen Ones. She believes that answers to her faith will be found within Bava Nisos where the White Mantle's founder Saul D'Alessio once trod, but she ends up finding more than she bargained for within the fallen city's depths.
- Ulrich — Member of the White Mantle who has been one of Caudecus's favorites. He wishes to carry out his lord's work and destroy all who oppose the White Mantle's cause. He believes the journey to Bava Nisos will allow him to gain the strength he needs to enact his plans.
Story[edit]
Janthir Wilds: Act 1[edit]
Prologue: The Tyrian Alliance[edit]
“Nations of Tyria come together in a historic meeting.
— In-game description
A few months after Eparch's defeat, the Commander received a letter inviting them to the first meeting of the Tyrian Alliance. Demonic attackers had struck across Tyria during the past year, and leaders from many countries were joining together to defend all their homelands.
The meeting was held in the Guild Initiative Headquarters in Lion's Arch. The delegates included Queen Jennah and Countess Anise for Kryta, Empress Ihn and Ayumi for Cantha, Chief Councilor Imann and Spearmarshal Zaeim for Elona, Councilor Ludo for Rata Sum, Skarti Knutsson for Hoelbrak, Crecia Stoneglow and Malice Swordshadow for the Black Citadel, and the Firstborns Caithe and Dagonet for The Grove.
Once the meeting was called to order, the Commander was drafted to act as moderator. Each delegation had prepared introductory comments, but the major topic facing the meeting was the demonic attacks. In her comments, Queen Jennah referred to those demons as "Kryptis", surprising the others. Isgarren then appeared in the center of the chamber, accompanied by Frode. The Astral Ward had decided to come out into the open at last.
The Commander managed to calm the rest of the delegates down. Jennah stated that Isgarren had revealed himself to her shortly before the meeting. Isgarren warned the meeting that the Kryptis were only the first threat that might come out of the Mists. With the passing of Soo-Won, the veil protecting Tyria weakened, and Aurene had not yet had time to reestablish it.
In a smaller meeting, Frode suggested making contact with the Lowland Kodan of Janthir, as possible allies. The Commander was asked to lead the expedition, Isgarren offered the use of Moon Camp and to establish a portal between Divinity's Reach and the outpost. Malice announced she felt a professional pull to join in the investigation, and Crecia agreed to cover for her fellow imperator's absence.
Chapter 1: Unknown Territory[edit]
The Commander swiftly traveled to Divinity's Reach and found Countess Anise near the active portal. She informed them that Malice would meet them ahead and that the Moon Camp would be comfortable for use.
When the Commander arrived at the Moon Camp, they were greeted by Vanak Faithwalker and Malice in the indeed comfortable accommodations. The Commander was surprised to learn that Caithe was there as well. She revealed to be there on the orders of Dagonet. The Pale Tree is recovering slower than expected and they are hoping to find remedy amongst the ancient magics of the Astral Ward.
Frode requested to speak to the Commander first, before they started their exploration of the new terrain. Frode revealed that there was another objective. The Astral Ward suspects that their missing wizard Waiting Sorrow is living amongst the Kodan.
As the region is known to be treacherous, the Commander, Malice and Caithe explored the Moon Camp in order to obtain as much information as possible. That information revealed that Janthir has a bloody history.
Warned, the Commander together with Malice and Caithe left the camp to explore its surrounding wilderness. Twice during this exploration, the party was attacked by local wildlife confirming the danger of the region. When they are done exploring, the party received a distress call from Astral Ward members.
When tracking down the source following claw marks, footprints and blood, the party was attacked again by the local wildlife. The trail led to an Astral Ward scouting party under attack by a Warclaw. Eventually, a friendly but unknown Kodan party started to help subdue the Warclaw.
When the Warclaw is subdued, the Kodan requested to speak to the leader of the party. The Commander introduced themself. The leader of Kodan party invited everybody to their village, which was closer and introduced herself as Barbed Vale.
Four times during the journey to the village, the Warclaw had to be subdued again. When arrived in the village the Warclaw was led to the taming pen and the Commander fed it to calm it down. While feeding the Warclaw, the Claw of the Lowland Kodan, Stoic Alder invited the party into the village.
Stoic Alder led them to the largest building, the Bonfire Lodge, to meet the ruling council of the area. The Council was surprised by both the guest as well as the idea of the Tyrian Alliance. The Commander offered an alliance to fight against the recent threats, but Stoic Alder needed time to ponder the implications of the alliance. The Council discussed the matter amongst themselves as the Commander and their party were welcomed as visitors to the town.
Chapter 2: Diplomacy and Discovery[edit]
With the Claw’s son unavailable, the Commander, along with Caithe and Malice, took it upon themselves to explore Harvest Den. The town was quiet and welcoming, though a layer of caution lingered beneath the surface. To build trust, the Commander trained with spears and bonded with the local warclaw.
Magic, however, remained a sensitive topic. While some locals were warming up to the Astral Ward’s practices, most preferred traditional, nature-based methods. Caithe quickly earned the locals' affection, and Malice quietly gathered intel. Rumours of strangers troubling the area surfaced, and the Commander saw an opportunity to assist and strengthen ties.
Frode provided minimal leads on either the strangers or Waiting Sorrow. Barbed Vale seemed a possible match, but nothing was confirmed. Later, the Commander responded to rift activity; what emerged wasn’t Kryptis, and even Vanak was disturbed by the findings. Janthir, it seemed, was already full of unknown threats.
Chapter 3: Home Sweet Home[edit]
Stoic Alder invited the Commander to his old homestead. It was Alder's family home, until it was left behind after the death of his mate, Silken Weir, in the fight against Jormag. The loss deeply impacted both Stoic Alder and his son, Poised Arrow.
Though their time together had been brief, the Commander was moved by their story. Despite his carefree front, Poised Arrow showed remarkable strength. Hoping to help, the Commander repaired parts of the homestead, only to be gifted the property in return. Whether a kind gesture or a diplomatic move, it was unexpected. For the first time, the Commander had a home of their own.
Following Stoic Alder’s advice, they met with Homestead Master Deft Lahar. Initially, Lahar was not pleased that the Commander was tasked with fixing Alder's homestead instead of himself. However, the Commander proved themselves through hard work and learned to build a bed. Lahar’s mate, Patient Willow, taught them to weave a blanket bearing a symbol of new beginnings.
Back at the homestead, Alder and Poised Arrow were impressed by the Commander’s progress. Willow’s blanket seemed to stir memories in Alder, but there was little time to reflect. Fading Aurora soon arrived with word from the hunting outpost. The Commander is needed, though the reason remains unclear. Before leaving, they reassured Alder and Poky the homestead would always be open to them.
Chapter 4: Missing in Action[edit]
The Commander arrived at the hunting outpost to meet with Spear Master Barbed Vale. She spoke of the lowlanders’ philosophy and encouraged the Commander to connect with the roaming journeykin. But notably, she withheld the true reason for summoning them. Though cautious, the Commander set aside suspicion for the moment, taking time to assist around the outpost and meet with Hunting Master Vast Caldera.
Eventually, the Commander pressed Barbed Vale for answers and learned the full extent of the threat. A scouting party led by Warclaw Master Graced by Fire had gone missing while investigating the strangers troubling the region. Since their departure, no word had returned, and search efforts had failed. Malice’s earlier intel was proving all too accurate. Barbed Vale requested the Commander’s help in locating the missing scouts, and both Caithe and Malice agreed to join the search.
The group began their search in the nearby delta, quickly running into disorienting woods and suffocating fog. Navigation became difficult, and a creeping sense of unease followed them. Then they were ambushed by disturbing creatures of rotted earth, similar to those the Commander had seen during rift closures previously. As they continued they found corpses, scattered and decayed in horrific condition. The corpses looked as if the very soul had rotted from within.
Just as despair began to set in, a faint voice cut through the silence. Graced by Fire had survived. They rushed to her aid, but then something massive appeared: the stranger. Malice believed it to be a titan, a creature of ancient legend. It loomed over them, then fled, leaving a minion in its place. The group eventually subdued the minion and decided on their next moves. They withdrew, prioritizing the safety of Graced by Fire, even though Malice was hesitant on giving up the pursuit of the stranger. With such a looming threat in the distance, the alliance must be called to council.
Chapter 5: Strangers among Lands[edit]
Once the dire news from the Janthir Bay has reached the Imperator of the Blood Legion and charr representative in the Tyrian Alliance, Crecia Stoneglow, she called other members for an emergency session in Lion's Arch. This time, Commander was accompanied by the Claw of lowland kodan, Stoic Alder. Although a number of new groups of representatives arrived in the Guild Initiative Headquarters at that time, only the Pact leaders were recognised and received a formal welcome before the meeting's commencing.
When everyone has arrived at their podiums, Crecia addressed the alliance and asked Frode of the Astral Ward for a report. He confirmed Imperator Malice's suspicion that the true identity of lowland kodan's mysterious "stranger" was in fact a titan — a creature whos kind is included in many old tales, as it was involved in human-charr conflict, the Sinking of Orr and the fall of mursaat. To further prove the reports, Stoic Alder was asked to share his knowledge regarding the matter. He stated that the threat nested around the ruins of Bava Nisos has been known to lowland kodan for at least "three seasons" and was initially mistaken to be a part of Kryptis invasion. Isgarren concluded that it is likely that the creature is not alone and in fact the number of titans around Janthir could be as high as six. During that time, Livia forced her way into the meeting and tried to persuade the alliance that the Scepter of Orr should be used to deal with the new enemy. This proposition caused mixed reactions across the chamber. Due to conflicting opinions of many leaders, Commander called for a vote to decide on a course of action. Ultimately, the majority voted in favor of postponing the use of the scepter until more is known about the enemy. After the meeting concluded, Commander made their way back to the Harvest Den.
Upon arrival, Commander was met by distressed son of the Claw, Poised Arrow. He shared that his mentor and the village's Healing Master, Fading Aurora, has ventured into The Isles completely on their own, supposedly after hearing the news of the alliance's meeting from Stoic Alder. Commander, Caithe and Imperator Malice joined the young lowland kodan and set sail for Janthir Syntri in pursuit of the kodan. Contrary to Poised Arrow's belief about healer's inability to survive on her own, the party has met a number of fallen titanspawn on their way. The trail has led them to Fading Aurora. She was seen fighting the titan, who this time introduced himself as Greer. The four has joined the fight against the stranger, following Healing Master's instructions to weaken the enemies influence first. When Greer intended to strike Poised Arrow, he was stopped by Fading Aurora who in effect exposed herself as a powerful user of magic and a rogue wizard — Waiting Sorrow. With the creature outnumbered and weakened, the party eventually managed to take it down, but the tension remained.
Fading Aurora's revelation raised too many doubts and questions to allow a celebration. Poised Arrow in particular was visibly disturbed by his mentor's true identity and capabilities. While he left the battlefield to ponder, Waiting Sorrow persuaded Commander not to turn her in, at least not yet. She implored to let her move freely until the threat to her kind, the lowland kodan, is gone and she would return to the Court on her own accord in exchange.
Janthir Wilds: Act 2[edit]
Chapter 6: Storm Clouds over Janthir[edit]
The Commander returned to meet Poky at a temporary research camp, where the Astral Ward and lowlanders were mobilizing to face the titan threat. Instead, Stoic Alder was waiting. He explained Poky had gone north to clear his head, though he didn’t share much. The Commander, respecting his privacy, didn’t press further.
While Poky rested, Alder suggested helping with local titan research. Graced by Fire, still restless after losing her scouting party, had already thrown herself into the work. With Greer dead, the Commander agreed to help. Graced by Fire sent them to map the western wilds. The Commander came across dense forests, ruins, and effects of bloodstone fallout, all further scarred by titan presence.
On return, Graced by Fire gave a final task: collect samples from local wildlife to assess what is changing them. Like the frenzied journeykin near the village, creatures here were violent and unstable. Waiting Sorrow had mentioned rampant Mistburn likely being the cause. Maybe it’s curable, maybe not.
As the Commander finished gathering samples, Poised Arrow came through on comms. While reflecting on Waiting Sorrow’s reveal, he’d found signs of a second titan: large footprints, cracks in the earth, and a strange smell. The Commander met him at the shoreline, where the northern research team was already investigating.
This titan was different, being drawn to the stormy coast rather than the swamp like Greer. The Commander deployed lightning rods with the kodan to trace its movements and confirmed Poky’s report: a second titan is out there.
Chapter 7: Twice Stricken[edit]
After aiding Poised Arrow with field research, the Commander followed the lead pointing toward the second titan. Since the Waiting Sorrow revelation, Poky had been more subdued than usual, a natural reaction given the circumstances. Along the route, they fought through waves of conductive minions. It wasn’t long before their suspicions were confirmed: Decima, a self-assured conduit titan, confronted them.
They fought hard, applying techniques learned from recent research. With lightning rods placed strategically, they managed to turn the fight briefly in their favor. But the advantage didn’t last. Even with Poised Arrow’s backup, Decima held her ground, and then the situation worsened. Greer was not dead, but has recovered and is now working alongside Decima.
In the chaos, the Commander discovered something crucial: the titans' armor shielded a vulnerable core. With support from the journeykin, the Commander managed to remove Decima's armor and expose her core.
But before they could press the advantage, Poised Arrow was injured. With an ally down and Greer closing in, the Commander made the call to retreat. Poky took the decision hard, blaming himself. Truthfully, even with everyone standing, the outcome may have been the same. But there was no time to dwell, the priority was getting him to Waiting Sorrow.
Now recovering under her care, Poised Arrow was slowly healing, both physically and emotionally. The tension between him and Waiting Sorrow began to ease. While he rested, the Commander and their allies needed to plan their next move. The recent discoveries hinted at a breakthrough, but it might not be enough. Something was still missing and the titans wouldn’t wait much longer.
Chapter 8: Finding Balance[edit]
With one of their allies vulnerable and both of the titans now working together, the Commander made the call to fall back. While Poised Arrow began to heal under Waiting Sorrow's care, the Wayfinder returned to Moon Camp in Lowland Shore. There, they came across Frode, in the exact same spot where they spoke before. The Commander shared the latest news, including the information about the two titans, battles that ensued and the revelation about a possible vulnerability — an inner core of sorts. Frode's interest was suddenly piqued by the mention of Poised Arrow's swift recovery. The Commander, quickly turning defensive, tried to cover up the information about Waiting Sorrow. Despite the efforts, Frode seemed to already suspect the wizard's involvement, yet he decided to play along, at least for now, and advised the Commander to read a particular book upstairs. Upon inspection, it turned out to be Isgarren's journal. Its content shed more light about the beginnings of his relations with Waiting Sorrow. The note included the mention of a punishment of exile for Isgarren after ascending the kodan, doubts regarding elder races' overprotectiveness of magic and thoughts about the need to control the now-ascended kodan due to her growing power and unpredictability.
After visiting Moon Camp, the Commander made their way to Harvest Den. They were met by Stoic Alder.The Claw of Lowland Kodan was visibly unnerved by the fact that his son returned home injured and was quick to put the blame on the Wayfinder. Poised Arrow quickly defused the situation without making any mentions about Fading Aurora's true identity to the Claw — which was a particulalry troubling subject considering the amity between the two. The conversation concluded with Stoic Alder asking the Commander to aid lowland kodans' efforts to restore natural ecosystems in Janthir Syntri.
Done with repairing some of the damage caused by the titans, the Commander revisited their Homestead. They came across Waiting Sorrow and quickly recovering Poised Arrow. Their chat was cut short as the Commander had other task at the time. They intended to check up on the wildlife they saved while aiding the ecosystem recovering efforts. While doing so, they were helped by the wizard. Poised Arrow stayed close and observed his mentor closely, even expressing curiosity towards recovery magic. After completing their goal, the Commander was advised to return to the Janthir Syntri. There, they continued to undermine titans' control over the region by participating in various tasks throught the Isles. That's when they heard from Malice Swordshadow about a possible lead.
The Commander arrived at Bloodstone Research Camp near Sanguine Crater. They teamed up with Caithe, Malice Swordshadow and Waiting Sorrow to investigate local bloodstones — powerful objects filled with magic through bloody sacrifice, strongly connected to the ancient occupants of this region: the infamous race of mursaat and their human lackeys, the White Mantle. Janthir Syntri contained numerous objects of this kind, with the vicinity of Sanguine Crater being its biggest concentration by far. Waiting Sorrow explained that the Heart of the Obscure should be more than enough to neutralise the bloodstones which in turn would deny the titans advantage. That endeavor proved to be highly dangerous — each time a stone's power was neutralised, a magical explosion occured sending forth a wave of magic and leaving behind ghosts of victims slain in bloody sacrifices, much like those encountered in Spirit Vale. Ultimately, the group was successful in not only denying the titans a powerful source of magic, but also gained valuable information, including many insights regarding the conflict between mursaat and titans. Just before leaving for Homestead, the Commander revealed to the Waiting Sorrow that they know about her past and of her importance in the history of kodan race. The wizard responded with pleas for discretion, as she didn't want the lowland kodan, especially Stoic Alder and Poised Arrow, to know about the matter.
Chapter 9: Against the Wall[edit]
As recent attempts to defeat the titans and their spawn proved to be ineffective, a new plan had to be made. The Commander returned to their Homestead once again to strategize with their allies. They were joined by Caithe, Malice Swordshadow, Poised Arrow and Waiting Sorrow. The latter quickly proposed to take both of their enemies in rapid succession, as they tend to regroup and heal up. Before any further debate could be started, the conversation was cut short by the arrival of Stoic Alder. This was an unfortunate turn of events to Waiting Sorrow. She was yet to reveal her true identity to the lowland kodan, which she planned to do only after the danger from the titans becomes a thing of the past. Nonetheless, she asked the Commander to invite him in and uncovered the painful truth. Needless to say, Stoic Alder felt betrayed, especially as he developed feelings towards the Healing Master. In spite of strong emotions, the leader of the lowland kodan decided to join them in their fight against the titans for the sake of his son and his people.
Together, they formed a party of six and made their way to Sulfurous Springs to challenge their common enemy. Their arrival did not come unnoticed, yet they managed to catch the titans during the act of siphoning energy from bloodstones. A long battle ensued. At first both titans attempted to quickly consume the power of the stones, but were denied the feast by the Commander with the help of the Heart of the Obscure. Even though Decima and Greer attempted to work together, granting each other protection, they were quickly separated and overwhelmed by the party. Victory was well within reach until another opponent, a third titan, made themselves known. Ura covered the retreat of the other two titans and allowed them to flee deeper into Janthir Syntri. The six allies stood before a difficult choice — continuing the chase after the two vulnerable enemies but risk their lives against Ura whose power was still unknown... or once again turn back and prepare for the new challenge. In the end, the Commander made a call to stand down.
Chapter 10: Sorrow in These Halls[edit]
Following the fight, the Commander met with their allies back at Harvest Den. After all their research, all their struggle...nothing is dead. An airship could've crashed outside, and the mood would still be solemn. Caithe had already informed Dagonet and the alliance, and Poky was just about ready to kick down a wall in frustration as Malice talked him down. They’re all disappointed, but they’re alive.
The Commander was surprised to see Waiting Sorrow there, too. Stoic Alder explained that Fading Aurora had mysteriously turned back up—a small blessing on a sour day. Sorrow's identity was secure—at least for now. For the sake of the kodans' clarity of mind in trying times, holding her reveal until a calmer moment feels critical. Learning that their friendly healer from the Shiverpeaks is a millennia-old wizard might not be the existential realization they need...and Alder and Poky don't even know about whole "missing Voice" part yet, either.
While everyone reflected on the battle, Waiting Sorrow asked the Commander to accompany her back to the Wizard's Tower. With ambiguity looming on the horizon, keeping herself hidden from Isgarren any longer would only complicate things. The Commander agreed, and she opened a portal for them to cross through.
When they arrived in the familiar, crisp air of the Wizard's Tower, the Commander asked how she managed to get past Isgarren's defenses. Very matter-of-factly, she told them that she cast those defenses herself. Waiting Sorrow is no threat to the Wizard's Tower.
Before entering the War Room where Isgarren waited, Sorrow thanked the Commander for not telling Stoic Alder and Poised Arrow about her darker history. It's simply not their story to tell, but she should, soon. Between Poised Arrow, Stoic Alder, and Isgarren... The Commander doesn't envy her situation, but they do empathize.
When the Commander entered the War Room, they were surprised to see Anise fully at home, going over intel with Isgarren and Dagda. During every stage of this journey, they’ve both been surprised and completely accepting of the countess's involvement with the Wizard's Court. If anyone knew about them before the rest of the world, it'd be her. When Isgarren looked to them for news on Sorrow's status, the Commander played ignorant, knowing all too well that his target would be walking through that door... And then she did.
Dagda's jaw dropped to the floor as Sorrow entered the war room. Instead of launching himself at her, which would've been a fascinating battle to witness, Isgarren turned to the Commander instead. Sorrow, exposed and vulnerable, posed no detectable threat to him, but Isgarren sought to assign blame. The Commander let him be mad. They’re the one who brought her back, after all—they just didn't bother with chains or shackles. The rest was on the two of them.
Thankfully, Dagda snarled Isgarren down. Her friend had returned, and she wasn't going to let the room come to blows.
When Isgarren's temper finally calmed enough to have a mature conversation, Sorrow's tone dropped. She asked Isgarren if Mabon was dead, and while their ancient friend was gearing up for a guilt trip, Sorrow said that she "felt it." Her words had weight, and even the Commander didn't know what that weight meant. Isgarren picked up on it immediately, though, and asked Dagda to usher the countess and them out of the room without another word.
Titans... Missing wizards, now found. Mabon's memory, suddenly suspect. What's going on here?
Janthir Wilds: Godspawn[edit]
Chapter 11: Trial and Error[edit]
“The commander, Caithe, and Malice track down the Durmand Priory's missing titan expert.
— In-game description
After receiving an urgent letter from Steward Gixx, the Commander set out to the priory library with Caithe and Malice to investigate the disappearance of their lead titan researcher, Farrah Baelseeker.
They met Farrah's research assistant, Archivist Sestina. Sestina explained that leading up to her disappearance, Farrah had been engrossed in her research to the point of obsession. After sifting through Farrah's research and personal journals, they discovered a lead suggesting Farrah went to the sulfurous base of Mount Balrior in Janthir Syntri. Her notes indicate that she's planning to conduct self-directed research on the titans and their possible relationship with the Mist Tides. A risky endeavor, given the isles' dangerous reputation.
Sestina herself was none too pleased to learn of Farrah's plans and asked that the Commander and the group retrieve her from the isles. While Farrah's enthusiasm to find an exploitable weakness for the titans is appreciated, her recklessness certainly is not. Hopefully, they'll track her down before the titans do.
The Commander arrived in the sulfur baths of Janthir Syntri, meeting Caithe, Malice, and another familiar face: Poised Arrow. He seemed to be in higher spirits than when they'd parted ways after their last brush with the titans; his productive enthusiasm held ever strong.
They made quick work of their search for Farrah, following a literal paper trail of her research. Though the trail led them into the thick of titanspawn territory, their recuperated group handled the ambush without much trouble. Their confirmation also gave them an up-close look at these titanspawn and the geyser characteristics they share in common with Ura. After battling their way through the geysers, they heard a shout and rushed ahead, fearful that they might find Farrah in danger. Sure enough, they discovered Farrah, who was less grateful for their intervention than they'd expected. She'd apparently been studying the spawn in question, and their efforts succeeded in...destroying her research specimens. A mistake, sure. But an honest one, given the situation.
Despite airing her frustration, Farrah took advantage of the Commander’s combat prowess to help her test a theory. She proposed that the titans had been using the Mists Tides to bolster their vitality. She suspected that when the storms cleared, the titans would lose their edge. To test her hypothesis, she led them to a large champion titanspawn that she's been surveying since she arrived—and more to their benefit, this titanspawn was unlike Greer or Decima's, leading them to believe that it belonged to Ura herself.
Much to their relief, Farrah's hypothesis was proved to be accurate; the titanspawn was easier to fall outside of the Mists Tides. And because of that, they've formed a plan of action: The day after tomorrow, the storms are predicted to clear for a brief window of time. And that is when the Commander and the group will stage their attack against Greer, Decima, and Ura.
With a plan of action devised, the Commander took a portal out of Moon Camp to inform the Astral Ward of their intentions. But upon their arrival at the Wizard's Tower, the Commander found its residents had given the War Room a wide berth. Their confusion quickly cleared as they approached its closed doors, hearing muffled bickering just behind it. The Commander knocked and was eagerly let in by Dagda...to find Isgarren and Waiting Sorrow in the midst of a heated argument. Dagda, at her wit's end, encouraged them to intervene in the hopes of distracting the two from their squabble. The Commander debriefed the room on their discoveries via Farrah's research and announced the plans for the titan battle ahead. Isgarren hurried off to tell the ward of these plans, while Waiting Sorrow sought to return to Harvest Den to help her bearkin prepare. Unable to be deterred, Dagda insisted on joining her friend and former mentor in the village.
While the battle ahead is a grave endeavor, the Commander believes uniting to achieve a common goal will do some good in mending the broken bonds between Isgarren and Waiting Sorrow. But perhaps that's just optimistic thinking.
Chapter 12: Battle's Eve[edit]
“Stoic Alder invites delegates from the Tyrian Alliance to the battle's eve feast.
— In-game description
With the battle on the horizon, the Commander received an invitation from Stoic Alder to join in a celebration known as a battle's eve feast, a lowlander tradition. The celebration is described as a "precautionary good-bye," though the general mood was much more upbeat than the description might suggest.
Upon arriving at the feast, the Commander met Poky, along with several allies from the Astral Ward and the Tyrian Alliance. The initial atmosphere was ... unenthusiastic, through no fault of the lowlanders. Despite their varying experiences as diplomats and leaders, the alliance and the ward found themselves being overly cautious. Perhaps it was the upcoming battle, or maybe guilt that past bonds hadn't been maintained with the bearkin—either way, the Commander took it upon themselves to set things in motion.
The Commander began by introducing Queen Jennah, Dagonet, and Anise to some of the lowland council members they'd become acquainted with. Jennah and Waiting Sorrow, still operating under her Fading Aurora alias, obviously had much to discuss and wasted no time delving into conversation. Dagonet and Agriculture Master Soaring Crest hit it off right away with talk of environment and ecology. And as for Anise and Barbed Vale, well, you could mistake the two for old friends if you didn't know better.
The party continued to gain momentum as the pre-dinner activities commenced. Anise "kindly" volunteered the Commander for a friendly sparring match against Barbed Vale, a gesture they plan to repay her for in time. At the risk of looking a bit silly, they also helped kick off the dance circle by showing off a few moves. The Commander’s display encouraged several of the guests to cut loose and enjoy the moment despite the daunting mission ahead of them.
Afterward, the Commander caught Stoic Alder alone, practicing for a speech. Guests began to gather, and the bearkin's leader offered their alliance a moment for opening remarks. Isgarren took the opportunity to say some words of ... encouragement? The Commander can say with some experience that speeches are no easy thing. Isgarren seemed a bit off his game, causing some confusion among the lowlanders and alliance members alike.
Fortunately, Stoic Alder restored the mood by delivering a rousing speech of his own. To the backdrop of music and celebration, their allies took a moment to step aside from the festivities. Few words were said, but an unspoken understanding of the feat that lies ahead of them held strong.
Chapter 13: Balrior Peak[edit]
“The commander and their allies climb Mount Balrior to track down the titans.
— In-game description
Bright and early, the Commander met their allies at the base of Mount Balrior. Malice had already scouted ahead, putting eyes on a small pocket of ruins that would make for a fitting foothold before pushing on the titans. Before starting their ascent, Caithe informed the group that reinforcements wouldn't reach them in time due to weather conditions being more pressing than they'd anticipated. The Mists Tides approached. With that, their window of opportunity to locate and defeat the titans drastically narrowed.
Just before setting out, Barbed Vale caught up with them. Unwilling to let the Claw of her village fight the titans without her help, she insisted on lending her combat prowess to their front line. And so they began their climb.
Making their way up the mountain, they fought back ambushes of titanspawn and established camp in the ruins to catch their breath between battles. During their respite, Dagda informed them of another complication: she sensed that the titans had split up and each took a stand in a different area of the mountain. Thinking on his feet, Poised Arrow proposed they do the same to divide and conquer their foes. They all agreed: the kid's plan was good. Dagda and Waiting Sorrow scouted ahead to keep eyes on Decima and Ura. Meanwhile, the rest of the group made their way to Greer.
Their journeykin homed in on Greer's scent, directing them toward his den through the treacherous mountain pass.
They cornered Greer in his den, still weakened from their prior encounter. With the Mists Tides temporarily subsided, he was unable to fully heal before their arrival. Tired and separated from his own, Greer lunged forward, and the fight began.
Malice smirked at the beast, who desperately attempted to convince their charr companion to follow her ancestors and switch allegiance. But she only scoffed, throwing all of her rage into the assault. Another titan would never manipulate the charr or harm the kodan, if she could help it. The Blightbringer was finally defeated.
With barely any time to catch their breath, Dagda's portal appeared before them. It's time to take the battle to Decima.
After stepping through the portal, they caught up with Dagda. She was positioned just outside of another large clearing atop the mountain. Decima was just ahead.
Together, they entered, and Decima's enraged voice boomed across the mountain. Her brother was dead, and the fight ahead did not look forgiving. While she was similarly weakened, her ferocious storms raged on. To the Commander’s surprise, Poky's voice boomed against the titan's. He harnessed all of his contempt and misery for what the titans had inflicted on his people, and they all followed his charge. Decima, knowing that this was the end, called out that she'd meet her brother in the fire. The Stormsinger was felled.
Despite their victory and growing optimism, the group was severely fatigued; only Dagda and the Commander were ready for another fight. Barbed Vale volunteered to watch over Stoic Alder and the others while they moved on toward Waiting Sorrow and Ura.
Just a little further to go before Janthir's blight is quelled. Dagda and the Commander caught up with Waiting Sorrow near the apex of the mountain. Aside from a large piece of bloodstone, it stood suspiciously empty. Of course, they knew not to be fooled by the titan's theatrics. Even with Greer and Decima defeated, they'd yet to face Ura herself. The Commander touched the bloodstone in an attempt to draw her attention, and sure enough, she roared into the arena. The titan imperatrix was finally revealed.
She was tall, with a rugged exterior shell far more robust and fortified than Greer or Decima's. Sulfurous fumes and toxic steam rippled from fractures in her armor, stinging their nostrils; even the wizards seemed small in her presence. But they didn't have long to observe. Ura smelled Greer and Decima's corpses on their garb, and this only enraged her. She attacked them with her entire might, filling the arena with explosive geysers that threatened to melt their flesh and bone.
The Commander went to work on neutralizing active bloodstone shards with the Heart of the Obscure, and they were able to plug the geysers with the drained fragments. This allowed them just enough room to mount their journeykin to pull away at her armor.
After a few rounds of foiling Ura's attempts to conquer the arena, they had the beast cornered. With her kin defeated, their foe was closer and closer to defeat; and as her power dwindled, they moved in to land the final blow. Ura was done.
Just as victory settled in their minds, Ura muttered a few words that would shatter any sense of security: "For the door we came through sits wide open." She died bemused that some unknowable secret still sat in their path. What door could she possibly be talking about? Despite their success, the three of them stood there in silence. None of them quite knew how to absorb the ambiguity of Ura's final words.
While Waiting Sorrow and Dagda returned their tired allies to the village, the Commander decided to remain atop Mount Balrior a few moments longer. They stood by Ura's body, contemplating the events that led them here. Even with the three of them dead, the Commander still has questions. Where did they come from? Why? And how does it all relate to the door Ura mentioned? Until the Commander knows these things, sleep will not come easy.
Back at Harvest Den, the atmosphere has been one of tired relief. Poised Arrow explained that after a successful battle, lowlanders celebrate their victory with a night of well-deserved rest. The Commander, too, found the silence of Harvest Den a welcome solace. At least, while it lasted.
The Commander regrouped with their allies, checking in on everyone's wellbeing. Caithe and Malice are headed home, glad to have helped but undeniably relieved to get back to their respective responsibilities. No matter the challenge, Tyria always persists.
Poky suggested that they head inside, where Stoic Alder, Waiting Sorrow, and Isgarren waited for their arrival in the tense, silent air. And then, Waiting Sorrow finally revealed the extent of her identity to the Claw and his son ... that she's not just a wizard, but the fabled Voice from the ancient kodan tale. Koda's voice raged in her mind—almost turned her mad—but Isgarren helped her sever that connection, and that's how she became a wizard.
Alder was understandably rattled by this new layer of deception. Poky, while shaken, was more curious than upset. Before leaving to comfort his father, he reassured Sorrow of his support for her. A mature gesture by any standard.
With the three of them finally alone, Isgarren—in an attempt to distract Sorrow from her guilt—redirected the conversation toward more pressing matters. Prior to their battle atop Mount Balrior, when Sorrow returned with the Commander to the Wizard's Tower to reveal herself to Isgarren, the mention of Mabon turned both of them still. When he died in Amnytas, Sorrow "felt" Mabon's death all the way in Janthir.
Isgarren revealed that Mabon had secretly placed a ward over the city of Bava Nisos after the destruction of the mursaat. This was to protect a Mists Gate hidden deep within the city. But when Mabon died, the ward in question fell. Isgarren suspects that this Mists gate is the very door that Ura referred to in her dying breath; even he has no idea how it was opened, or if it still is.
Finding and sealing this door is their only priority. They're headed to Bava Nisos before any more titans—or worse—emerge.
Janthir Wilds: Repentance[edit]
Chapter 14: Into the Valley of Shadow[edit]
“The commander travels to the outskirts of Bava Nisos to uncover the long-ruined city's menacing past.
— In-game description
The Commander received an urgent summon from Countess Anise, informing them that through the combined efforts of the Tyrian Alliance, the Astral Ward and the Lowland Kodan community, they had managed to push through the northern isles into the outskirts of Bava Nisos. However, the city itself remained inaccessible, and the teams on site could use the Commander's assistance. Following this letter, the Commander headed to Thunder Bay Point to meet with Poised Arrow and venture together further into the Janthir isles, after Poised Arrow refused an offer from Waiting Sorrow to teleport them. After a rough journey by boat, the Commander and Poised Arrow met up with Waiting Sorrow, Isgarren and Anise at the new Alliance Staging Ground in the outskirts of Bava Nisos to assess the situation.
Upon arriving in Mistburned Barrens, the Commander learned that after starting to survey the surrounding area, the team had found out that Spectral Agony, an old mursaat torture method, was still looming thick over the entire isle. They decided to start investigating the northern area first, as the Agony was thickest there. On their way north, the Commander ran into a strange wisp, and after learning to use mursaat mirrors to follow the wisp, the Commander was only left with more questions. The wisp felt like a familiar presence, but as it delved deeper into the valley, it became impossible to follow it.
After regrouping with Isgarren, the group entered the valley, protected by Isgarren's spell to repel the Spectral Agony. As they followed the wisp, they heard a familiar voice that they couldn't place at first. Both the Commander and Waiting Sorrow knew this voice. Upon getting closer to the wisp, the Commander attempted to use the Heart of the Obscure on it, but were then attacked by a swarm of Mursaat Ghosts. During the fight, the group started hearing an ancient Mursaat ghost, Yagon, speak. Isgarren knew this foe, and apparently killed them a long time ago. All the while, the agony continued building up, threatening the entire group. Fortunately, Waiting Sorrow was able to conjure a shield to protect them. Finally, after defeating all enemies, a projection of Mabon appeared. It was the voice the group had been hearing the entire time! The wisp was a memory projection. A memory played out of Mabon's arrival in Janthir in the aftermath of the titan destruction, contemplating the desolation, full of pain and frustration.
The group decided to regroup at the Alliance Staging Ground to discuss next steps, and what they had learned.
Chapter 15: A Legacy Damned[edit]
“The commander pursues Mabon's essence
— In-game description
The Commander’s party regrouped at base to inform Anise of their unexpected reunion with friends and foes past. Their developments surprised her, to say the least, but it was the news of Mabon that hit hardest. Compounded by the Alliance's increasing impatience, the Commander certainly does not envy the pressure Anise is under.
That being said, if any good came of Mabon's surprise appearance, it was to provide them some much-needed direction. They've decided their next best move is to try and retrace Mabon's steps. In following his path, they hope to gain some insight into what they might be overlooking. It may be a bit unconventional as far as leads go, but if Mabon left such memories behind, it was certainly for a reason. As the Commander took their leave, they were advised by the Alliance's Researcher Rin to direct their search south. And that's just what the Commander plans to do.
Venturing southward, the Commander kept their eyes peeled for signs of Mabon's presence. And sure enough, not long into their search, they discovered a wisp hovering near some bloodstone. Unsure how exactly to proceed, the Commander consulted Waiting Sorrow, who suggested using the Heart of the Obscure on the bloodstone. Her advice was ... less reassuring than the Commander would've liked. Still, they threw caution to the wind and gave it a go.
Surprisingly, the interaction yielded ... a letter. Odd, but preferable to a spectral ambush or an explosion. The letter spoke of Manikaz, the unhinged mursaat researcher whose ghost they had the displeasure of meeting in Sanguine Crater. Apparently, he and his lackeys increased bloodstone sacrifices just before the Door of Komalie was opened. More lives ended in vain.
The Commander continued exploring, encountering a few more wisps here and there. All seemed to have anchored themselves near bloodstone shards scattered across the area. With some help from the Heart, they uncovered a historical text, another letter from Manikaz and shockingly, the ghosts of two of Manikaz's victims. Judging by the deep-seated terror that haunted them even in death, the Commander can only imagine what torture the "Blood Phenoms" subjected them to while they were still alive. The letter found at the third bloodstone shard gave insight into the last moments of Manikaz, who had sacrificed not only countless humans and kodans at Sanguine Crater, but his own kind as well. Yet this changed nothing in the end as Manikaz watched titans come pouring through the Door of Komalie and the demise of his people.
One of the victims provided them with some extremely useful information. She pointed the Commander in the direction of the Golden Lake. According to her, Manikaz hid there in his final days as the city fell. Now that they've gotten Waiting Sorrow up to speed, the Commander will be making their way there. Though they’re none too eager to run into the executioner himself.
Arriving at the Golden Lake, the Commander was caught off guard by its strange serenity. Like the eye of a storm, if you forget the turmoil surrounding it, you could almost mistake it for peaceful. But the illusion was short-lived. Again, they used the Heart on a nearby bloodstone shard. This time, it brought to life memories of Manikaz's death. His dying shrieks echoed across time as he was torn asunder by his pursuer.
Not much later, the Commander found themselves staring down the very same fate. A titan champion, not in memory but in the flesh, appeared before them and began closing in.
Fortunately, backup arrived. Waiting Sorrow, Poised Arrow, Anise, and Isgarren sprang into action. With a coordinated effort, they beat back the beast. Curiously, this titan didn't seem to share any kind of resemblance with Ura, Decima, or Greer. The Commander didn't want to jump to any conclusions, but the implications made them somewhat uneasy. There was little time to dwell on the matter. They'd barely beaten the thing into submission when a wisp made its appearance.
The wisp floated into a chamber in the ruins, as if guiding them to follow it. Now accustomed to its game of hide-and-seek, they followed. When they reached the end of the chamber, it rewarded them with another of Mabon's memories. They looked on as Mabon visited the site of Manikaz's then-recent death. He cursed the corpse of Manikaz, damning his heinous acts. In the heat of his denouncement, he was interrupted by a new presence. He called out, and the vision ended with Mabon in pursuit of it. Shaken by these revelations, Anise especially so, the Commander and the group decided to regroup at base once they found their bearings. Who or what exactly Mabon was pursuing in his memory, the Commander is afraid they just might find out.
Chapter 16: Penance for the Past[edit]
“The essence of Mabon guides the commander toward the gates of Bava Nisos.
— In-game description
The Commander visited the countess after giving her space to process recent happenings. Normally confident and collected, it was clear that Mabon's memory pained her. The Commander had done their best to provide her a supportive ear, but aside from the isle's exploration, they were afraid there was little they could do to lessen her burden. As the Commander was prepared to depart, they noticed that Anise's parting words were drained of her usual cunning. Equally deflated, they set off toward the one area of the island their party had yet to explore: the central region.
The Commander trudged along, mulling over the situation, when their thoughts were interrupted by a wisp flickering into view. This time, they were in no mood for its cageyness. Thinking on their feet, the Commander realized they'd been overlooking one of their most trusted allies: their warclaw. With its refined nose to guide the way, they recovered the scent and were back on the trail. Just as soon as they had the sprite in their sight, it darted off toward the door to Bava Nisos—a door they're still unable to breach. The Commander informed Anise and used this moment to have a look around as they awaited backup.
The Commander made use of their time by browsing the Grand Athenaeum. As strict as they could be, the mursaat had a refined sense of architecture, based on the ruins. During their visit, the Commander found some useful historical tomes. One book in particular gave context on Yagon, her role in creating spectral agony, and also her role in killing the seer leader, Sidony. This was a major turning point in the war. Another tome, written by another mursaat, painted an especially menacing picture of Isagarren. Having worked with him the past couple years, it can be easy to forget the Commander is working with the most powerful wizard in known history.
The Commander satisfied their curiosity and cleared out various pests in the process. Afterward, they sought to regroup with their allies. It was then that the Commander caught a final glance of the wisp as it sauntered right through the door to Bava Nisos. They chatted with some nearby researchers examining the obstruction, but sadly, neither got a clear look at the wisp. As the Commander waited for their friends, they imagined the wisp taunting them from just beyond the gate.
Soon, Isgarren, Waiting Sorrow, and Poised Arrow came to meet the Commander outside the gate to Bava Nisos. Their reunion was interrupted by a chilling familiar voice. It was a reminder of a menace yet to be dealt with: Yagon. The ghastly mursaat crone showed no restraint or decency, which sowed the seed of her downfall. Tensions between her and Isgarren came to a head when she accused the late Mabon of cowardice. Infuriated by her callous words, they dispatched this wicked remnant once and for all. Wielding the Heart, the Commander sealed away what remained of her.
With Yagon removed from the site, the wisp reappeared in the battle's wake. This time, they were met with a scene of Mabon cornering the unseen presence from the previous memory. In doing so, Mabon confirmed the fear that had been in the back of the Commander’s mind: there was another titan. They watched as Mabon went so far as to challenge the titan to kill him. Instead, the titan fled into Bava Nisos. Mabon pursued. The memory ended.
There they found themselves at the entry to Bava Nisos, its gate unyielding before them, barring them from the answers awaiting them inside.
Janthir Wilds: Absolution[edit]
Chapter 17: Forced Entry[edit]
“Rash decisions are made, leading the wayfinder into the heart of Bava Nisos, and face-to-face with the truths that await...
— In-game description
The Commander received a sudden and equally disturbing alert via comms device from Anise and Isgarren. A powerful artifact, the Scepter of Orr, has been taken by Livia without any prior notice nor consent of the Tyrian Alliance or the Astral Ward. When Wayfinder arrived on the scene under Bava Nisos' gates, they found their allies arguing over above-mentioned circumstance, with Livia justifying the use of the scepter's powers in hope to finally gain a breakthrough in otherwise frustrating stalemate regarding their struggles against cities' protections. Before any conclusion could have been reached, the party suffered from an ambush of the Mistburned. Seizing this opportunity, Livia made a decision to abandon her companions and rushed to the gates, planning to use the scepter while all opposition was being occupied. She was successful in her task and managed to open a portal leading inside. The rest of the party, having dealt with hostile creatures, followed suit after the necromancer.
Once inside, they made a horrifying discovery that almost all of Bava Nisos has been merged with a titan and that the lost White Mantle expedition has played a part in this ongoing crisis. Despite giving her allies a much needed upper hand, Livia was not forgiven neither by the members of the Astral Ward, nor by her closest companion, Anise. After another fiery argument the party split ways. Meanwhile, combined forces of the alliance arrived on scene and secured the area of the immediate entrance. This eventually lead to the creation of a small outpost known simply as the Alliance Camp.
Chapter 18: A Titanic Undertaking[edit]
“Entering the heart of Bava Nisos, the wayfinder and their allies are confronted by Saevus Saxum, the massive titan that has become one with the city he once helped bring to ruin.
— In-game description
Angered by lack of proper support from the alliance, Livia once again decided to act on her own accord and conducted a push into Bava Nisos proper — into terrains overtaken by the titan's growing influence. She was joined by Bengt Tovasson, Councillor Ludo and the Commander. After breaking through titan's initial barrier, they were met by Lextalion the Merciless, a hostile creature created by a collection of angered spirits — a form with which Commander was already familiar with, having encountered Gorseval the Multifarious during their exploration of Spirit Vale in the past. Fighting their way through the city-titan, they eventually reached and disposed of titan's vital organs. In the interim, Waiting Sorrow has contacted Commander about a fresh discovery and called them back into Alliance Staging Ground.
There, the Commander's allies expressed their distrust in Livia and proceeded to animate another one of Mabon's memories in her absence. The memory finally provided some explanation of his past actions. It showed the mursaat as he was initially willing to finish each other off together with the last known titan, but in the end he was unable to deal the fatal blow to the titan of Bava Nisos. Mabon realised he has experienced an identical situation during the Seer-mursaat war, when he came to blows with Isgarren. As a result, he decided to lock the titan away inside the city's walls, probably hoping that it would return to whence it came from through the Mists gate. This new insight into the mursaat's past allowed the Commander to successfully persuade their allies to put their differences aside and fight alongside Livia once again to put an end to the titan threat and correct Mabon's mistake to honor his memory.
At that time, Livia suffered from titanspawn's ambush inside the innermost chamber of the city that contained the heart of the titan and requested reinforcements. The party arrived in the Pericardial Nexus just in time to save their ally. As they realised they were unable to deal the fatal blow to the titan due to the power of a nearby Mists gate, a call to sacrifice the scepter in order to close it was made by Isgarren. That sparked another argument, which was soon put to a halt due to waves of shadow creatures that made their way into Tyria through then reactivated Mists gate. Although Anise nearly suffered a deadly blow from the enemy, the party was able to contain the invasion with help of Mabon who arrived through the gate in a ghostly form. After containing the gate, albeit only temporarily, they discussed possible way to close the connection to the Mists. Commander was tasked with finding three touchstones, one for each White Mantle member who took part in the gate's opening. It was the only way to sever their connection to the titan, to close the gate and put an end to Saevus Saxum.
Chapter 19: Salvation's Cost[edit]
“Faced with the difficult task of releasing the White Mantle spirits tied to the Mists gate, the wayfinder must locate touchstones that can free the spirits from their eternal torment.
— In-game description
Commander set on a journey to find the three touchstones. Having visited Rurikton, the area of Willem's Bandits' campsite and Shire of Beetletun, they managed to secure just the right items. They met with their allies under the Mists gate. Together, they stepped into the gate and landed in a part of the Realm of Torment known as the Foundry of Failed Creations, one of the places capable of the creation of titans.
Fighting through hostile creatures of shadow, they eventually managed to find the three tormented souls that they sought: Judge, Tatyanna, and Ulrich. The three were locked in place by unknown powers and bear similarities to shadow creatures, but were just as vile as they were in life and turned hostile when approached. They were vanquished one by one as the party combined forces to weaken them and allowed the Commander to finish them off with the Heart of the Obscure that channeled the power of touchstones to vanquish each of the souls. With the connections to the titan severed, the party was then free to leave the Realm of Torment. Stopping by the exit portal, they said their final goodbyes to Mabon who stayed behind to close the gate with the Scepter of Orr. That has put an end to the titan crisis in Janthir.
The party has met again sometime later during a meeting of the Tyrian Alliance in Lion's Arch' Guild Initiative Headquarters. There, Anise gave an official report regarding the turn of events in The Isles, which was promptly backed by the Commander. In celebration of the first victory of the alliance, Queen Jennah of Kryta hosted a banquet officially closing that episode of Tyria's story.
References[edit]
