Pre-Searing Ascalon and GW:EN

I, like many others have been excited by the possibilities hinted at in the expansion for GW; Eye of the North.

One of the things that cought my attention was the fact that the entryway for GWEN is going to be catacomb-like openings that eventually lead to the new areas. While info is still not very detailed, based on the descriptions that I have read, the tunnels that open up have some resemblance to the old Catacombs in Pre-Searing Ascalon.

Presumably, these tunnels have some linking to the Pre-Searing catacombs, since that is supposedly how Charr got in to do the searing. (see the quest Charr in the Catacombs, and the lore forums for other links, including some people who have found evidence of the catacombs hidden in diverse parts of Tyria.

So, Pre-Searing Ascalon my already have some great ties to GW:EN, other than the obvious GWEN -> Gwen linking. But here are the things that I have been asking myself though:

1. Will GWEN, and subsequently GW2, see any content for LDoA characters? Legendary Defender of Ascalon seems a shoo-in for something special in the mentioned "Hall of Monuments" in GW2, but what other special token can LdoA characters get in GWEN?

2. Will we see lands in GWEN that resemble the landscape from Pre-Searing Ascalon? I certainly hope so. I think that Pre-Searing is one of the richest environs, and one of the coolest areas available in GW so far, and I hope to see one of the new lands, whether it be the homeland of one of the new races, or another area, built similarly to Pre-Searing.

3. It is apparent by the name (intentional or not) that Gwen will see action in GW:EN. However, how will they re-introduce her story? Obviously they have a lot of possibilities, but my thinking is that we will discover trails of items (along the lines of the Preserved Red Iris Flower, and the Tattered Cape) that lead us through the tunnels where we will discover she was kidnapped during the Searing. However, that storyline seems kindof old to me, uncreative. What are some of the possibilities that you have thought of for Gwen? (seriously please, I know some joker is going to say that she turned into the Great Destructor and plans to rain fire on all as she skips happily around, but I am hoping people have some more serious speculation)

All of this is speculation, but as for the first 2, peoples thoughts here can very well turn into suggestions for the devs. What are your thoughts?

Buy the mag. Charr areas look pre-searing-ish, and Gwen is returning as a (young?) adult.

It's also waaaay too late in the game for story suggestions, for the most part.

I would right now if it was on newsstands.....

Gwen = Devil.
Devil can take any form.

I cant wait for a chance to kill Gwen!

Most of the discussion in the huge thread is concerning GW2, and it's impossible to really hold an intelligent discussion in that thread anyway. When the beta comes out, I'll be interested in GW2, but for now, I would really like to talk more about Eye of the North.

I'm very, very happy that there will be indoor areas (presumably) and snowy areas!! I guess Gaile hinting that she loved snowy areas may have been a hint towards CH4.

What do you think the quote about being able to develop your character further even at level 20 meant? Maybe once we are introduced to the new races and stuff, we get to side with one of them and they give us new skills? Maybe that's what the PvE only skills were referring to.

I hope that they have designed it so that it nicely connects all 3 chapters - then towns would start being populated again.

The catacombs sound interesting. I'm not sure what to think, since all the info I've seen has been very sketchy and not very informative. I'm not looking forward to having to play with my gamma again because I don't like dark areas. lol

I would definitely welcome a chance to see some of the story line and lore wrapped up and questions answered. That'd be cool.

will Rin be rebuilt?

Someone posted a picute of a grown up Gwen and it looks like she is a mesmer or something. Hopefully she will be a henchman or maybe like Mhenlo was in Factions where he is a henchman but also is in helping you in some missions (which is what Im hoping for).

There is a lot of talk about GW2 right now, but I want to know more about GW:EN first.
All these are discussion points:

Where do you think we will start?
If it is for all three chapters, and they can be separate (being you only need one of the chapters to play GW:EN), I guess Lions, Kamadan, Kaeining Center.

IS there a finale for all the Gwen speculation and will we need any of the Gwen stuff at all for it? (I would like to have as those items in storage if they are needed for my three char that I am focusing on having ready for GW:EN. If it is not necessary, I dont want to waste the time or space holding on to them.)

How will the Hall of Monuments work and where can we reach it?
I know this cant be answered directly, it is more of a speculation question. Do you think it is something like the Temple of Ages? Have to go looking for it off the beaten path? or is it the endgame area after we complete the expansion?
Others have asked: IF we enter stuff into the HoM, is it set? or can we progressively add to it once we get new stuff we wish to add to our monument?

Charr: Still enemies or new possible ally? Since we now know that we can play charr as characters in GW2, they may be an ally at some point in GW:EN.

I just want to discuss this instead of debating on GW2.

oh..will we see a World preview event for GW:Eyes of the North to see what to expect in some small manner?

Another thing I'm worried about is the price tag. Is it going to be less money just because there aren't new professions, and it finally is officially an 'expansion pack', or will there be less overall content as well? Considering that this game is going to have half a year's more time than the other 3 chapters (unless the Ch2 team went on vacation for a while) I would hope that it's the former, and not the latter.

GW:EN seems to be on the same time-line as GW, so I doubt that Rin will be rebuilt.

The selectable play areas would not be post-searing Ascalon, but the lands north of Ascalon (Charr), west of Maguuma Jungle (Asuran) and Far Shiverpeaks (Norn).

Perhaps the entrance to the underground area will be at the FOW/UW entry points. This would ensure that most entering players would be level 20.

@The Great Al - this is officially called an expansion. No more new stand-alone chapters/campaigns to be released for GW. There will be new content added over the next two years, but no new professions and you will need to already own one of the chapters.

anyone else think Gwen and GWEN seem somehow similar?

You all are not paying attention to detail.

The great Destructor

Anyone remember GWEN skipping through towns killing every one?

Maybe:

GWEN is the great Destructor, she was not the real Gwen the mother was looking for because she never talked to her when you brought them around each other. GWEN follows you around in presearing giving you pathetic heals and jabbering away the whole time asking questions and sending you after things. She was just sizing you up.

Isn't the great destroyer the one in the Dwarven myths? He-Who-shall-not-be-named?

Lol that was me and i got virtually spanked for that so i won't be able to do it again.

Yup.... then we have a whole new race consisting of house elves. Great. We have ourselves a little harry potter adventure game.

Here is my speculation. First of all I bet you Gwen will actually be one of the Heroes who join with you on your quest. Second of a good portion of it probably be underground where you will find a good amount of new civilizations. I bet you Diamonds will actually come to use when it comes out. Finally I can really see one of the other fallen gods trying to help the great destroyer again.

I honestly don't want Gwen as a henchman/hero. I want her as a pivitol story character.

And honestly, as a hencmen, what would she do? "Gwen is using Happy Dance on Stone Summit Howler!"

I don't see your connection...

I would be more than happy with her being a unlockable hero at the end of the game. Obviously not a debacle or farce like the rit.

Has this been confirmed?