Journal2

Spooky Electric

Alpha Journal #2 - 20th of September, 2004
Welcome back to Spooky's Haunt, the only Alpha player journal designed to beat readers into a resigned submission with bad jokes and song references. Unless this is your first time reading, in which case, we'll call you fashionably late.

Do you like watching Animal Planet? If you answered "Yes", then this article should be right up your alley. If you answered "No", then too bad. Suffer! Today I'll be going all out Crocodile Hunter style, and taking an in depth look at three creatures, one from each of these realms - Ascalon, Kryta, and The Wilds. This process may or may not involve me wrangling them to the ground to poke and prod at them with a stick. But before we get to that, I have a few more thoughts to share on what it's like being a tester - or more specifically, what that experience is like in Guild Wars.

I've spent a very long time in the online gaming community, starting most prominently with Ultima Online, till now. In that period of time, I've tested my fair share of games, workin' for the man every night and day. But testing never seemed like a very interactive process - it was as if the presentation was "Here's our game, you play it. If you have suggestions or feedback, post it on the board. We'll use your ideas if it was something we were planning on doing anyway." Their foolish games were tearing me apart... just what was I meant to accomplish?

This is where Guild Wars took the exit turn off a few miles back - the people that make this game are very active within their own world. In nearly every All Call i've attended, I've ended up on a team with someone who is in some way responsible for shaping this world. It's true, because they're everywhere... to me. But wait a second, that's not supposed to happen... right? Devs are supposed to be distant and removed - lurking in their fortress of solitude, and you'd never see a representative of a game unless they're shutting down a thread in a forum somewhere. This kind of culture shock takes some getting used to. In a sense, All Calls have now become like a game of Pokémon to me. Which Dev am I going to catch today?

It's an interesting experience when you're playing through a mission with the person that designed it, and they're actively looking for your feedback in real time. The level of dedication and care they take in their project shows through - and its a really refreshing change of pace. During one of these missions, said aforementioned dev pointed out that the only people that get the 'glory' are the artists - the ones designing the 'look' of the game, not the ones shaping the world itself. So the next time you get a chance to play a mission or explore the world (See you in October) make sure to really look around and take in the little details. A lonely level designer out there somewhere will appreciate that you did.

Now let's get on to the bulk of the article, and presumably what you're reading for - the monsters. Today, the indomitable Jam Kuradoberi will take the reigns - as a Warrior / Elementalist, she's a little more fit for walking 500 miles (and walking 500 more.) Because on this trip, i'm going to roam where I want to ... roam around the world. After picking my skills last night, pre-fight, zero hour, 9 a.m. - it was off to the scorched ruins of Ascalon.

After some searching through broken monuments of civilization past, and dealing with the hordes of Devourers (who continually blinded me with science) I came across the beast i'd been in search of. First up, representing Ascalon and weighing in at a metric ton of ugly: it's the Trogs!

Trogs are demi-human in appearance - roughly about the same size of a player character, a little bigger than you if you're short. Though lacking in the overwhelming muscular bulk of the Charr, Trogs are still very strong in appearance, and radiate a visceral air. With their intense gaze searching out from their beastly visage and primitive appearance... it's a pretty safe bet that they won't be invited to any happening A List parties any time soon.

Wandering around in the ruins, you'll usually find them in small groups and coming in your garden variety Trog, and Trog Ulodytes. Normal Trogs can be seen with a crude club, simple though it may be, it's still effective for smashing new players over the head. By themselves, they aren't much of a threat - it's the presence of the Ulodytes which make them dangerous. Ulodytes can be described as something like a battle cleric - they keep other Trogs healed, and are content to launch fireballs at you if they haven't got anything more productive to do. When faced with a group, it's a good idea to go for the healers first, otherwise you might find yourself in for a very long fight.

Now that we have some idea of what a Trog is in game, where'd the name come from? Is there an origin behind this at all? Well it just so happens there is, and if you want to hear about it then you're in luck. The name Trog is shortform of Troglodyte (Greek in origin) - a word used to describe primitive, brutish people (usually in association with cave dwelling.) Often portrayed as the missing link, the description holds up very well to their in game counterparts. For fans of random facts: Trog was also a 1970s horror movie so universally panned, it killed off Joan Crawford's career. Keep that in mind, they've already killed, and they'll kill again.

Next on the list, and hailing from Kryta is the Tengu. Roughly on par with the Charr in terms of height and bulk, the Tengu are massive demi-humans with birdlike features. Usually found as archers in narrow passes, you might find yourself wishing that the adage of killing two birds with one stone was as easily accomplished as it is said. Also like the Charr, they're not much of a threat on their own, but could be problematic in groups (a flock? a gaggle?) Also interesting to note - if you check them out from behind, you'll notice they have tail feathers - does this mean they're a fowl creature, or just chicken?

But wait a second - just why are they attacking me, anyway? I don't seem to recall having done anything offensive, I was just minding my own business. I've decided that this behavior comes from the fact that Tengu are cool customers - so much so, that i'm told most of them wear a two way (though i'm not quite sure what that means...) But on their climb to the zenith of tubularity, somewhere they reached the top and had to stop .. and it's obviously bothering them. The root of this aggressive behaviour most likely stems from the fact that the Tengu have never appeared in a set of Lazer Blazers. And as anyone who lived through the 80s worth their salt could tell you, nothing spells cool like holographic stickers. Until these demands are met, nothing can sate the irrepressible rage of these murderous man-turkeys. Nothing.

Now that we've been introduced to their in-game versions, where did the Tengu come from? Well, their origins are from Japanese mythology - where you might hear them referred to as 'Mountain Goblins.' They are seen in two varieties: the Karasu, which is seen as having the body of a man, with the wings of a bird (either with a birds head, or a beak.) Known to be the elder of the two forms of Tengu, it is also considerably more evil - known for stealing children, harassing priests, and jaywalking. The other form is the Yamabushi; commonly depicted as a mountain priest with a red face and long nose. Possessed of the ability to shapeshift (similar to that of the Kitsune) Yamabushi are not evil, so much as they merely enjoy making mischief, and spontaneous outbursts of choreographed musical numbers.

Tengu were believed to be the reincarnation of priests or samurai that were arrogant in their past lives - born again, and hatched from an egg. It is also believed that if a Monk training in the mountains falls to the path of evil, they too would become a Tengu (just something to keep in mind for all you Monk primaries out there.) Despite their often evil portrayals, as the years have passed - Tengu have become known only to be mischievous, and are sometimes depicted as helping travelers in the mountains. Just don't expect any assistance of Tengu in Guild Wars - unless you're looking for help in finding your way to the dirt, face first.

The last entry comes to us from The Wilds, the Centaurs. Most people are (or should) be familiar with the concept of a Centaur - the lower body of a horse, with the torso and head of a man. The Guild Wars incarnation takes some creative liberties on the theme, giving them a more goatlike head with prominent curved horns. Centaurs can be seen carrying shields and axes, bows (perhaps one of the artists is a Sagittarius) or staves. Unfortunately with my bad luck - I happened to wander into a pack of all of them at once (about 6 of them in one spot). And not just any Centaurs, these were all named bosses. I must have taken a severely wrong turn somewhere on my mission, and this was serving as some sort of punishment. One thing to keep in mind about Centaurs - they can really put up a fight. Because of their healing abilities, they adamantly refuse to die. Though it took a long time - and I do stress a long time - I was finally able to fell the group - thankfully, because if they had had their way, they would have taurus apart.

The origin of Centaurs (from Greek mythology) is ... a curious thing, at best. The story begins with Ixion, King of Thessaly. He married Dia, daughter of Eioneus but refused to pay the previously agreed upon bride price. Eioneus then seized Ixion's mares as a sort of 'security deposit' - however, in promising to pay the price, Ixion lured Eioneus to his kingdom - and promptly murdered him by chucking him into a firepit. It's true - he's the fire starter. Twisted fire starter.

Some say that Ixion was the first mortal man to be a kinslayer - he wandered the earth, seeking for one who would purify him of his crime, though none would - save for the god Zeus. Upon inviting Ixion to Mount Olympus for the ceremony, Ixion found himself smitten with the goddess, Hera. After making several unsuccesful advances at her (hey baby, was that dress woven by the gods? Because you look divine!), Hera told Zeus of this. And Zeus, hypocrital fickle pickle though he was for all of his own infidelities, decided he'd have none of this, and set a trap for Ixion by taking a cloud, and forming it in the shape of Hera. Ixion took the bait, and went looking for love in all the wrong places - afterwards boasting of his accomplishment. And for his tresspasses, Zeus bound Ixion to a fiery wheel, and set him to spinning through the skies for all eternity. But what does this have to do with Centaurs, you might ask? Well... the cloud... got pregnant. And thus, were the Centaurs born. So the next time you go to fight one ... try not to let their image as fluffy cloud babies fool you into a false sense of security. In fact, most Centaurs were savage and warlike, and notably driven by their aggressive lust for women and nymphs. Perhaps that's really the only reason they're so upset... they just wish that they had Jessie's girl.

That about wraps it up for this edition. Hopefully you've found this interesting, to look at some of the creatures you'll find in game, and explore the 'real world' history behind them. I'm always looking for new and interesting topics to explore, so don't hesitate to send in your ideas - this way I can get around to compiling a "You asked for it.." edition. Until next time, I've been Spooky, and you've been reading. Ja matte ne!