Factions to Prophecies

I finished the Factions campaign and just traveled to 'Prophesies'. It seems odd I wound up in Lion's Arch... why didn't they start me in Ascalon ? Can I run the story line/missions from start to finish beginning in Ascalon just as I would have with a Prophesies created character ? Thanks...

No. Prophecies characters start pre-searing. You come in post-searing in the storyline.

See: http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Storyline_of_Prophecies

The reason you end up in Lion's Arch is because a), it's a port city, and b) the events in Shing Jea Island take place at the same time as the stuff prior to LA. Likewise, Prophecies/Nightfall characters travelling to Factions will start off in Kaineng Center.

PS: It is possible to travel back from LA to Ascalon, but no quests will be available and missions will not give any rewards. The only reason to go back would be for titles.

You can get a run to, or fight your way to Ascalon City and do the missions, if working on Protector title. There will be no experience or point rewards for anything prior to LA for foreign born characters.



edit: missed Marty's P.S.

You don't get any XP or points from early missions in NM, but you do get the regular reward when doing those missions in HM for Guardian. Also, the missions prior to LA are entered in the Young Heroes of Tyria storybook when done in HM. Young Heroes books can be turned in for Kurz/Lux title points or SS/LB points.

and c), the content from Ascalon City to L.A. is design for beginning, sub-level 20 players. It could be a bit boring if the game forced your level 20 characters to slog through the opening levels of level 3-17 foes. But, of course, the earlier content is still available for titles.