What's the Big Deal with Ascension?

*SPOILER ALERT*

I just ascended, and after all the fuss the game/storyline makes over it, I see no noticeable difference in my character - no glow, no boosted stats, no special skills, not even a little subtitle like "Ascended One". Am I missing something? Other than opening up new areas, I see no effect from ascending. Seems like a huge lapse in the plot to have this hyped event that means essentially nothing. Biggest letdown in the game so far.

Ascension is a big deal because it is a major landmark in your progress through the game. After Ascension is where the real party starts, and thus Ascension is considered a big deal.

Also, Ascension marks you as one of the "smarter" who made it out of the sand trap for idiots.

Not to mention unless i am mistaken you need to be acended to play future expansions.

well im assuming future expansions will add more for people later in the game than people early on in the game, thus ascending moving you on in the storyline also giving you access to be able to access the expansions (when they come out of course)

So far it doesn't seem like more of a landmark than, say, Lion's Arch. My character just went through this trio-trial ordeal and was given "true sight" and purified, etc. yet I have nothing to show for it beyond the fact that I've made it to Droknar's Forge. Ascension was built-up as this major transformation but it doesn't even warrant a note on my Hero screen.

Maybe I should port this over to the Suggestions forum, but they could at least have changed the armor models after ascension. Or awarded a bonus skill. Or given me an honorary title. Or something.

Being eligible for future expansions means nothing at this point. I was hoping for some substantial immediate in-game consequence after all that hue and cry.