player Community votes to name places in New Lion’s Arch

Hear ye! Hear ye! The city leaders of Lion’s Arch invite you to participate in the reinauguration of our beloved metropolis. You are invited to help in the naming of important structures, locations, and areas within Lion’s Arch!

via Lion’s Arch Construction Nears Completion; New Player Poll Announced | GuildWars2.com.

It’s been more than a year since Scarlet’s attack reduced Lion’s Arch to ruin, and I must admit, I thought I might never see it returned to glory.  But now, finally, for those who have been waiting for Lion’s Arch to be restored, not only is this wish being granted, we have a say in how new landmarks will be named.

In voting, I noticed that, among the generic options, there were also a few character namesakes.  I thought a companion guide would be useful for voters who aren’t familiar with the names or who need a refresher on who’s who.  (I know I definitely needed one!  So here are the fruits of my research!)

 

Naming the Canal Ward: The Commodore and King Doric

The Commodore
Commodore is a title in Lion’s Arch.  When Lion’s Arch was formally recognized as independent from Kryta, it was under the condition that Lion’s Arch be run by a council, not a ruler.  So the Captain’s Council was established as the governing body in Lion’s Arch.  It consists of 8 members and the Commodore.  (Fun fact, they’re all ship captains and sea merchants — Basically, Lion’s Arch is run by pirates.  Yes!)  The Captain’s Council members and the Commodore are equals and all vote to decide Lion’s Arch issues together, but the Commodore is considered “first among equals” and Council meetings are held on the Commodore’s ship.

The Commodore and Captain’s Council are things that belong only to Lion’s Arch, so I like the idea of naming the new Canal Ward area after the Commodore.

I also love that it’s not racially specific — anyone could potentially become Commodore as long as they’re piratey enough to get on the Council (read: Captain their own ship, can pay the fee for a Council seat, and can get a majority vote) and stick around long enough for the Commodore spot to open up.  And Lion’s Arch is a melting pot.  It may have started as a human city, but it has grown to be a meeting place for all the races of Tyria to come together.

King Doric
Many, many years ago, before there was an Ascalon, a Kryta, and an Orr, these regions were just one kingdom — the human kingdom — and Doric was its first king.  If this was Game of Thrones, Doric would be the one sitting on the Iron Throne, without all the evil and politics and general badguy stuff.  In fact, King Doric was beloved by all for being an all-around excellent dude.  You can read more about him here.

Since King Doric is a symbol of unity, voting his namesake for the Canal Ward (where all the main, important buildings will be located) would definitely make sense.  Many people associate his name with ideas like virtue, honor, heroism.  So I could see how choosing to name it after King Doric could be a symbol of hope or inspire courage for the people of Lion’s Arch.

Also, once upon a time, Lion’s Arch was the capital of the human kingdom, so King Doric had a royal palace there.  Naming Canal Ward after King Doric definitely makes sense, given Tyria’s history.

 

Naming the Lighthouse: priest Graidy

Ellyna Graidy: Dad. Forget the lighthouse! We need to get out of the city.
Priest Graidy: Not yet, honey. Approaching vessels need to be warned off.
Ellyna Graidy: Dad…
Priest Graidy: Just go. I’ll be right behind you. Until then, may Dwayna keep you in her arms.

via Lion’s Arch (Under Attack!) – Guild Wars 2 Wiki (GW2W).

Players who’ve been citizens of Tyria before Scarlet will remember Priest Graidy, who, if you talked to him, would bless you and give you a speed boon near the reconstruction site of the Lion’s Arch lighthouse.  Construction completed just before Scarlet’s attack, so Graidy, after sending his daughter and the workers away to safety, remained at the lighthouse alone to warn ships not to come ashore.  His decision to stay ultimately lead to his demise.  He is survived by his daughter Ellyna.

Priest Graidy is one of those really inspiring NPCs that makes the story in Tyria meaningful for me.  So that the developers at Anet would choose to honor his contribution to Lion’s Arch by having his name appear as a possible selection for naming the new lighthouse is pretty cool.

 

Naming the memorial: theo ashford

I’m Captain Theo Ashford… formally of the Ascalon Ashfords. We bring money, prestige, and charisma everywhere we go. And now I’m here [in Lion’s Arch]!

via Captain Theo Ashford – Guild Wars 2 Wiki (GW2W).

Theo Ashford, piratey personal friend of Logan Thackery and a Captain’s Council member, was tragically assassinated at the Dragon Bash effigy lighting ceremony.

When a Captain’s Council member dies, his Second (kind of like a first mate) takes his place.  It just so happened that Theo, at the time of the assassination plot, did not have a Second (his Second had died previously), so he was targeted to open up a Council seat.  Scarlet was attempting to move her agent Mai Trin into the position.  Ellen Kiel discovered the grisly plot to position Mai Trin, however, and stopped it.  An election was held, and Ellen Kiel won the open seat instead.

I enjoyed Theo’s character, so I could see how memorializing his namesake on a landmark in Lion’s Arch could be appropriate.  He was a bright, charismatic character for sure.

Now go take the poll, you informed voter, you!  If you care to share, let me know how you answered!  I can’t wait to see what the community votes into being!  We’re a part of Tyrian history!