A few n00b questions....

First of all, without ruining it, how do you trigger the searing? I'd rather it not happen before I'm ready. And what's the deal w/ dye being so valuble pre? Is it harder to get in post-searing or something?

When you get your second profession and become lvl 3, if you talk to Tyrus in Ascalon City, you get an option of entering Academy. If you do so, after a brief mission, the searing cut scene starts.

Well, it is true that dyes are easier to find in pre-searing. It is from my personal experience, so it might not be 100% correct. However, the reason ,why there are many ppl trying to trade dyes in Pre-Searing, is that it is about the only item worth trading for in Pre-Searing... Also, 100-200 gold in Pre-Searing might seem "valuable" but not in Post-Searing.

Searing can be done by doing the quest from Lord Tyrus(not sure the name) the guy standing near the gate of ascalon academy in ascalon after doing some quests from him. In that quest he will ask you whether you are ready to leave anything behind and stuffs (important points are hightlighted in the quest). If you do that quest and you will be in post searing after that quest. Dyes are expensive as you can it to other players or to NPCs. Dont sell Dyes in pre-searing because you dont know how much it worths. you can check the price with Dye Dealer NPC in post searing.

Thanks. Explains why I haven't had it happen yet then. I haven't choosen my 2nd class yet, lol. And I already made the mistake of getting rid of some dye. Oh well, I'll find more.

The searing begins when he asks if you're ready to leave everything behind and half of it is written in red.

Dont worry, when I started playing, I even sold a few of my dyes to NPC merchants(merchants only give 1g for each dye).

also, as long as you have a secondary class, it is possible to go through the searing at lv 1.

I don't know about that. I did a quick player to look around post-searing world (I'm waiting for a friend to get the game in a day or so to join me with my main char), and I think I was lvl. 2 because of the exp. your primary quests get you to get to that point.

yes, if you actually do your class quests you will be at least lv 3 before ascending, but if you just go out, get a secondary (and mesmer is quick and easy to get) then you can actually go through searing at lv 1.

I remember being in Ascalon City one day (post searing) and saw someone ding lv 2. Of course the first thing I thought was that he is an idiot.