Personal storyline (GW2)

The personal story is the storyline or main plot of Guild Wars 2 which along with events makes up much of PvE gameplay. The personal story is independent from random world events and is always available to follow through the game world and the events which occur there. The personal story is told through character specific instances and is personalized by decisions made before and during gameplay. There are potentially thousands of variations in the stories which can be experienced.

The story is played from one character's perspective for that character's story. Other players can help with someone else's story but are not able to make choices which affect the outcome.

Contents [hide]

Plot overview

Destiny's Edge
The Orders

Role play
Rewards
See also

Plot overview

While the story can be personalized and different decisions made, the core story is the same for all. So dangerous and influential are the Elder Dragons in the world no-one's life is unaffected by them. The overarching story leads to a final conflict against one of the elder dragons, Zhaitan.

Two major aspects of the story have been mentioned; the reunification of Destiny's Edge and the selection of an Order.

Destiny's Edge

The guild Destiny's Edge, once renowned for their efforts preventing the dragons from destroying the world, has fallen apart. Each of the members are from one of the player races and they can no longer see through their differences and past to work together. The members can be befriended and the group united again to set the stage for the overarching story.

The Orders

There are three different orders, each has their own philosophy and approach to learning about and ultimately removing the threat of the dragons. One of these orders can be joined and it will affect how the story of the dragons is experienced. For example, the same storyline situation may occur, if the Vigil was dealing with the situation they'd taking the fighting approach, the Durmand Priory would attempt to use knowledge to find a means to end the situation while the Order of Whispers relies on subversion and infiltration.

Role play

At character creation the player can choose different biographical information which will change aspects of what occurs during the story. This might include the social status of the character, their attitude to other races, how friendly the character comes across as, among many other things. Each race has different choices for their biographical information. The profession chosen will also have a minor effect.

During gameplay there will be a variety of different decisions the player can make when they resolve different situations which is influenced by the personality system. Do you go in with guns blazing or try for the diplomatic solution? Do you punch the NPC who has been annoying you? Do you turn on the charm to get your way? How these situations resolve themselves will result in cosmetic changes for the character but nothing which will affect the power of the character.

Rewards

The choices made throughout the game will affect the appearance and services in the instanced part of the characters home town as they progress through the story.

All information about the character and the decisions they've made is recorded in a storybook which will be unique to each character.