Guild wars 2 Lore

War In Kryta

The White Mantle suffered losses when the veil of godhood was lifted from their so-called deities, exposing the Mursaat as powerful, yet mortal, creatures. The revelation of this manipulation and deceit fueled a revolt in Kryta, led by the Shining Blade-and Kryta fell into civil war. The strongest force for unification, the Shining Blade are scattered and losing power, forced to deal with too many enemies at once. It has become Blade against Mantle, royalists against warlords. All fight one another for control of Kryta.

In an attempt to find a way to turn the tides of war in their favor, both the Shining Blade and the White Mantle have sent agents across the reaches of Tyria, searching for powerful allies or magics. Each side has vowed to bring peace to Kryta-no matter the cost.

- The Guild Wars Eye of the North Manuscript

By the fulfillment of the Flameseeker Prophecies, the White Mantle find their control over Kryta slipping. Their leader, Confessor Dorian, and the White Mantle's Inner Council have been defeated. Their allies, the Unseen Ones, have been made nearly extinct with the release of the Titans. Meanwhile their foes, the Shining Blade, have gained strength. With the discovery that a priestess of the Temple of the Ages, Salma, is a rightful heir to the throne of Kryta, the Shining Blade have fortified a position in the Talmark Wilderness with plans to retake the kingdom.

The White Mantle, now led by Confessor Isaiah, have hired bandits known as the Peacekeepers to confront the Shining Blade and have enacted the White Mantle inquisition. The Peacekeepers are ruthless to the local population, but the The Shining Blade are hesitant to send soldiers to defend the villages. Salma and Evennia fear villages would be burned in retaliation if villagers openly supported the Shining Blade. In need of allies, Livia travels to gain support of the Asura, while Evennia seeks help from Ascalon.

Livia returns with the golemancer Zinn and his assistant, Blimm. The two were exiled from Rata Sum after Zinn's creations were used in failed assassination attempts on many world leaders, including Salma herself. In spite of her initial trepidation, Salma agrees to grant them protection and lab space in Shaemoor in exchange for their assistance in the conflict. Meanwhile, Evennia appeals to the Ebon Vanguard for help. Captain Langmar agrees to help the Shining Blade if afterward they reciprocate by helping to fight the Charr. Captain Langmar joins Lieutenant Keiran Thackeray and his Ebon Falcons to directly assist Salma, leaving Gwen in charge of the Vanguard. Seeking more help from Ascalon, Evennia continues to Ascalon City to request help from King Adelbern personally.

With support of the Lionguard, the Shining Blade manage to retake Lion's Arch. Salma takes the throne, leaving Bartholos in charge of their Talkmark outpost. With their new fortified position and allies, the Shining Blade plan to strike at the White Mantle. They take out key Inquisitors then proceed to assassinate three of the few prominent Mursaat left. Their spy, Dinas, informs Salma that the White Mantle plan a massive retaliatory strike on Lion's Arch itself. With precious little time left, all allies of the Shining Blade are called to return to defend the city for a final confrontation. However, Captain Langmar, Captain Greywind, and Lieutenant Thackeray are cut off while assisting Krytan civilians flee the oncoming army.

Waves of White Mantle and Jade constructs charge through the front gate of Lion's Arch, intent on putting an end to the Shining Blade once and for all. However, the defenders stand strong, and the White Mantle leaders, High Inquisitor Toriimo and even Confessor Isaiah fall in battle. The assault presses on with ever increasing numbers of jade constructs, but Zinn triggers his re-purposed golem core to reflect their Spectral Agony back on themselves. One by one, the remaining Mursaat are defeated. With the fall of their leader, Talios the Resplendent, the assault ends with victory for the Shining Blade. The remaining White Mantle are broken and without a leader. Thus ends the Krytan civil war.

With the end of the war, Queen Salma restructures the military. The Shining Blade ceases to be an army, but instead the personal guard to the crown. She founds the Seraph as the new army and protectors of the kingdom, appointing Bartholos as its first commander. She welcomes both Shining Blade and White Mantle survivors into the new army, with the goal now to rebuild and heal the war torn kingdom. However, the victory is bittersweet, as Captain Greywind delivers news that Captain Langmar and Lieutenant Thackeray have gone missing in action.