Curse

Konig Des Todes · Feb 13, 2012, 12:21 PM // 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Stumme

^ Has us figured out - he is not only our first main character as a mini, he's also the first EVIL mini. Well maybe not. I will say nothing further on the matter of Xun Rao, except that what you see (or don't see) of him is intentional.

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:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashu

Don't misunderstand me, sister. I am thankful for what you've done, but I am not going with you. With Reiko gone, the Ministry of Purity will follow me. I'll never be powerless again. I'll never be afraid again.

The people here need me, and they love me. They'll look to me to show them the way. Our lands are in chaos, and only I have been blessed to show them the correct path to walk. I can make things better. I can make Cantha whole again, and I can make it stronger.

This is my life now. The people that we were died that day, along with our family. You are just a ghost. But now I am free to move on, free to make things better.

I no longer have to walk in Reiko's shadow. I have seen where she has failed, and I have learned. I will not falter, and I must look forward. Go, and don't appear before me again. There is no place here for a shade of a past long since dead.

(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?

AODeleman · Feb 13, 2012, 05:47 PM // 17:47

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

Sagittario · Feb 13, 2012, 08:29 PM // 20:29

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.

Konig Des Todes · Feb 13, 2012, 11:08 PM // 23:08

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).

RedDog91 · Feb 14, 2012, 02:52 AM // 02:52

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!

Sagittario · Feb 14, 2012, 02:37 PM // 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig Des Todes

Xun seems to me to be fairly high ranked.

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.

joeparamore · Feb 24, 2012, 11:47 AM // 11:47

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.

Konig Des Todes · Feb 24, 2012, 09:25 PM // 21:25

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.

joeparamore · Feb 24, 2012, 10:47 PM // 22:47

Quote:

...Emperor Usoku doesn't come into power for another ~40 years...

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?

Konig Des Todes · Feb 25, 2012, 05:39 PM // 17:39

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).

joeparamore · Feb 25, 2012, 07:03 PM // 19:03

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?

Konig Des Todes · Feb 26, 2012, 03:54 AM // 03:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Stumme

The Emperor being left out is a deliberate choice - mention is made that he has not been in the best state since his loss, and it has made him ineffectual. The focus is heavily on the MoP and the consequences of their actions because I wanted to instill the thought of: when the next Emperor comes to power, what is the climate of the people going to be like? What kind of person would that thinking breed? The Ministry of Purity's effects weren't truly meant to be felt during this time frame, it's more the changes in thinking that they brought about and how those get passed down that is their legacy.

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:

Quote:

Where is our great Empire, and what has it done to protect the people?

Effectively diminishing his own birthright.

joeparamore · Feb 26, 2012, 05:44 PM // 17:44

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.

shinta_himura · Feb 27, 2012, 08:13 AM // 08:13

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.

joeparamore · Feb 27, 2012, 11:26 AM // 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig Des Todes

...Unlikely to be a militaristic xenophobe and capable of accomplishing so much when at least 62.

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.