Who is Xun Rao *WoC spoilers*

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Feedb...Stumme#Xun_Rao

With this new knowledge in mind, alongside the Ministry of Purity's fanaticalness for "protecting" the "good" of Cantha, and what eventually becomes of Cantha, who is this Xun Rao figure?

Keep in mind Ashu's last words to Miku:

(Harsh words)

Ashu's little speech can imply one thing: 1) He's intending to go along the same route, but not screw up in being overzealous like Reiko was, blinded by her goal. Or 2) He's going to go along a different route - less hostile to those who disagree.

Those knowing the outcome of Cantha and Usoku (and for those who don't) will naturally suspect the former. I did as well until what Stumme said on Xun Rao.

What we know and don't know of Xun Rao is intentional, he's an "Ecclesiate" which we haven't seen another of, so highly likely to be high ranking in the Ministry. Now what I've become to wonder is this: What if Xun Rao was or becomes a leader-in-the-shadows for spreading the MoP's previous oppressive attitude?

An interesting thought, though a counter point would be the Imperial Guard Lockboxes, which contain items by him - which, given the description of the lockbox, means his items (if not himself) were taken by the Imperial Guard.

Others' thoughts?

After completing WoC (twice), I don't think I ever came across anyone mentioning Xun Rao (I could be wrong). So if it's true that no one knows who Xun Rao is, my theory is that he could be the future Ashu. But if Xun Rao is a present character, then disregard my hypothesis entirely. xD

Xun Rao is just a person that recruits people to join Ministry of Purity somewhere in Cantha. Just a person that exists, but you've never met.
There's no need to come up with crazy conspiracies.

While he does give a recruiting message, so does Reiko. Xun seems to me to be fairly high ranked, considering his weapons are available to players (and that's only the case for important and/or well known individuals).

What if "Xun Rao" is just the alias that all Ministry of Purity members use when they don't want to be identified?
dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

OFC he is! He's the Ecclesiate of Ministry of Purity.
Xun Rao is just a high ranked Ministry of Purity guy that recruits people.

What if Xun Rao and Emporer Usoku are the same person? Far-fetched, maybe, but look at what Usoku does when he unifies Cantha. He drives out all non-humans, much the same as the MoP was trying to do. He defeats the Luxon and Kurzick factions, unifying the empire - again, something the MoP was attempting. Is it possible that the Emporer was using a disguise to try and further his agenda without drawing the ire of his nation, working behind the scenes? And when that attempt failed with the death of Reiko, he changes tactics and takes action publicly? I do of course realize that it'd be difficult, if not impossible, for an Emporer to operate in such a secretive way, but it's fun to imagine the possibilities.

Xun Rao seems to be an adult during Winds of Change (based on concept art and miniature - not full proof but still). Emperor Usoku doesn't come into power for another ~40 years. Seems unlikely.

According to this Emporer Usoku's reign begins in 1127 AE, the same year the previous Emporer's (Kisu) ends. Would that not make Usoku the one in power during the WoC timeline?

Winds of Change happens in 1079 AE. There's exactly 48 years between WoC and the date given to Usoku's rise.

Plus various side dialogues mention Kisu is still the emperor (he's just going though post-traumatic stress disorder from witnessing his half-brother's death, so he's useless).

I totally didn't take into account the starting year of WoC. However, that doesn't entirely discount the possibility of Xun Rao and Emporer Usoku being one and the same. Xun Rao could be a young man during WoC, and become the Emporer later in life. Usoku does follow an eeriely similar path as the MoP, so could not Xun Rao have sought the throne after Reiko's death, or as part of a future plan hatched with Ashu?

This was said to explain Kisu's lack of appearance in WoC. By the sounds of it, Usoku is definitely not part of the MoP's rise, but is instead influenced by the changes they made.

Plus, if the concept art depiction of him on the official site and miniature indicate anything about his age during WoC, Xun's an adult during WoC, which would make him an old man when he takes reign... Unlikely to be a militaristic xenophobe and capable of accomplishing so much when at least 62.

And I just can't see the future emperor saying things like:
Effectively diminishing his own birthright.

After having read the quote you posted from John Stumme, it definitely seems less likely that Xun Rao is the future Emporer Usoku (though it might open the door for Ashu to become Usoku). I did jump onto the wiki talk pages, and I liked your idea about a connection to Evennia. Not because it seemed plausible, but just because it's a quirky tie-in.

Xun Rao gave Zinn the sabotaged robot-cores and is also Lord Odran in disguise who found a way to come back to Tyria and was also the Nameless Lich and the one who kidnapped Evennia...

Prove me wrong.

This is the only part of your reasoning I think is flawed. There are plenty of real life instances where people of that age act in such a militaristic fashion. As for in-game examples, just look to King Adelbern. He was born in 1011AE, and died in the Foefire in 1090AE, making him 79 years old.