Curse

Aeve Haleheart · Jul 18, 2007, 01:23 PM // 13:23

I would like to start this topic by introducing myself, seeing as I'm new here.
So hello to all!

With that said, I'd like to move toward the reason of me starting this new topic. As the title says, I made a discovery or so I'd like to believe. In other words, I'm not really sure that I discovered anything, it might aswell be my imagination playing tricks on me. But nonetheless I'd like to share it with you and see what your opinion is.
It all started about a week ago when I was admiring one of the more recent artworks made by Anet. I'm referring to the wallpaper that is used as a preloader for the Great Temple of Balthazar. It's truly an amazing piece of art. But as I was studying the picture, I noticed something rather strange. It appeared to be a face of some sort. As I was looking more closely, I began to see just how stongly it looked like a face...

Than I thought to myself, "Okay, so I found a face. Perhaps there's body aswell?". And so I used the face as a starting point, and slowly moved lower in search of a body. And guess what... I found it. Before I even fully realized it, I had revealed an entire creature hidden within the rocks. I mean, everything was there: a head, an arm, a torso and legs. Ofcourse I couldn't just use the original wallpaper to show you my so called creature, because to many it would just seem like an illusion or my imagination. So I had to clearify the creature so that everyone could see it better. Luckily I master some Photoshop skill, so that wasn't to difficult.

I have posted several pictures in this post, so that all of you can see the "creature" I found. Please, don't judge too soon, because other than the actual creature itself, there are several symbols in the wallpaper aswell that indicate that the creature might actually be there, and that it's not just a product of my imagination.

Picture 1:

In this picture, I simply used Photoshop to 'select' the entire body of the creature, and make it a bit lighter so that it stands out from its background. Note that I have altered absolutely nothing, other than the brightness.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...nchanged-1.jpg

For some of you, this might already be enough to see somewhat of a creature, but I can imagine alot of you will say that it's too vague or something. Well, just for those, I made other pictures aswell. In those, I adjusted not only the brightness, but also the contrast, to give you a clearer difference between all the lines. And besides that, I also altered some of the bodyparts. For instance, I made the lines between the arm and torso, and legs and torso darker, to clearly see the difference between all different bodyparts.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27.../menzies-1.jpg

You can now clearly see a humanoid creature holding a sword in his right hand, and a large shield in his left hand.

And there's one last picture I'd like to share with you. In this picture, I went even further with the 'altering', because there was one thing that didn't fit. In the previous picture, the sword didn't have the right size in proportion to his body. So I enlarged the sword, worked on some tiny things here and there, and gave him an 'outer glow', to really release him from the rocky background. My ladies and gentlemen, I give you "the creature"!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...iesclear-1.jpg

Ofcourse, there is still a possibility that this whole thing is just my imagination, but let's be honest here. Doesn't the creature look just a tad too real to be a coincidence?

Well, I think it does. So than I started wondering to myself, "who is that guy?". It isn't really thát hard to find if you just look at what's there:
a guy holding a sword and a shield. So we can conclude that we're dealing with a warrior here. The creature is also very big, a statue really, so perhaps the creature is more than just a mortal. A god perhaps? And the creature is placed in a picture together with the god Balthazar, also a warrior and a god.

"Hmm... is there another warrior/god that can be linked to Balthazar?" Menzies.

I strongly believe that the creature hiddin in the rocks is Menzies. Why? Because I believe so in the first place, and secondly, because there are several indications that point in that direction.

Let me start off with the facts: Balthazar is a full-fledged god and is known to be righteous, just and honorable. Menzies is Balthazar's half-brother and is presumably only a halfgod. As opposed to Balthazar, Menzies is known to be injust and ruthless.

1) The sky is is dark and clouded, yet right above Balthazar, the clouds open up and allow the sun to shine on him. This could be to show the righteousness of Balthazar and his strong sense of honour. As opposed to Balthazar,
Menzies appears to be hiding in the shadows. This expresses his malevolent and evil character.

2) When we compare the 2 statues, Menzies appears to be smaller than Balthazar. This could be to show that Menzies is only a half-god, and not a full-fledged god like his brother, Balthazar.

3) The facial expression of Menzies is quite horrific; it depicts him with an open mouth. This could be to give Menzies a more skeleton-like appearance, making his face look like a skull. This would emphasise the fact that he is an evil being. Another possibility is that his open mouth makes it look as if he is screaming in pain. The small people at the bottom seem to be burning Menzies, which would explain his agonizing facial expression.

4) One of the people/creatures at the bottom of the wallpaper has the appearance of one of the shadow army. The shadow army are strongly recognized by the horns coming from their armor. The creature below has a very "horny" appearance.

So perhaps they are not burning Menzies, but simply worshipping him. To clearify the possibility of the creature being one of the shadow army, I've also posted a picture below that shows the most prominent similarities. If the creature is indeed one of the shadow army, the people at the bottom of the wallpaper will most likely be worshipping the the hidden creature, making it in all probability Menzies.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...worshipped.jpg

Okay folks, this was my "discovery". I'm hoping that some of you will share my belief, because how cool would it be to finally know what Menzies looks like? I don't know whether or not Anet has intentionally put it in their artwork, but I think there's just too much in this artwork for it to be merely a coincidence.

If you want to see the creature for yourself in its real size, here's a link where you can download the wallpaper in high resolution.

http://guildwars.com/gallery/wallpaper/gw-wp089.php

Please share your thoughts on this, i'd love to read your comments.

- Aeve

Tedy · Jul 18, 2007, 01:47 PM // 13:47

Free Runner · Jul 18, 2007, 02:34 PM // 14:34

The loading screen represents the Battle Isle. The Zaishen are on the battle isle and worship Balthazar. So i doubt a statue of Menzies would reside there.The people you see at the bottom most likely represent heros and the Zaishen because there are lights heading across towards the statue. You can see blurry shadows....almost like a group of people heading towards the statue. If i remember correctly there is a huge Balthazar statue in Heros Ascent so this again could be representing heros heading into the rift towards the Hall of Heros.

I would say the shadow near the fire is a:
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Image:ZaishenPriest.jpg

The statue could be representing a badly carved Zaishen Warrior (Though they do not have those kind of helmets)

Also it is never said that Menzies is a warrior. He is the Lord of Destruction and most things linked to him seem to also be linked to Chaos. Now there is a God for Chaos but it is never stated that Menzies is a fully fledged god or just something lesser. Out of all the Professions i would link Menzies to being a Mesmer type.

Another thing is if the Shadow Army got near a statue of Balthazar i doubt they would start campfires near it. That statue would be as good as gone or defaced much like what the Margonites would of done.

Just my opinion on it all.

frojack · Jul 19, 2007, 09:24 AM // 09:24

Actually there are a few faces in those cliffs. If you look closer theres also a figure right next to Balthazar. Artists like to do stuff like this all the time. It doesn't necessarily have to have an relevance to the story...

Eldin · Jul 22, 2007, 03:25 PM // 15:25

If you ever look in the Ring of Fire (I even started a thread on this once) you can see MANY faces in the rocks - and not those gargoyle ones, faces in the actual textures.

It's a great find, though I'm sure there is, say, a sheep somewhere in one of the maguuma textures.

If it is real though, it is QUITE possible. DARNED ZAISHEN WORHIP MENZIES! I KNEW THEY WERE NO GOOD! Also, another way it seems realistic is note how Menzies is staring at his half-brother, as if he is plotting...

-Old 3FL- · Jul 27, 2007, 12:28 PM // 12:28

Well if you look, the people with torches are coming FROM the feet of Balthazar and have stopped below "Menzies".
Burning away any remains of Menzies perhaps?

Cebe · Jul 27, 2007, 12:45 PM // 12:45

Is it not possible that if "the creature" were Menzies, it may be a statue which used to be worshipped, and now he is no longer recognised as a "god" (or someone to worship generally), his statue has been allowed to decay and fall apart as noone wants to maintain it as he is no longer a leader for good?

As for the people below "the creature"'s shrine, they're all following each other, as though travelling to the shrine of Balthazar. I doubt they are worshipping any false or evil "god".

Neriandal Freit · Jul 28, 2007, 02:08 PM // 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver

Is it not possible that if "the creature" were Menzies, it may be a statue which used to be worshipped, and now he is no longer recognised as a "god" (or someone to worship generally), his statue has been allowed to decay and fall apart as noone wants to maintain it as he is no longer a leader for good?

As for the people below "the creature"'s shrine, they're all following each other, as though travelling to the shrine of Balthazar. I doubt they are worshipping any false or evil "god".

That's exactly what I was thinking Celest. (Two more weeks by the way, then I can play again).

My thinking slightly different though that yes, it was a former statue of him. We seem to think in the "Now" quiet often with these images. "Now" it's a Zaishen area. "Then" it could have been home to two great temples dedicated to the Brothers of War couldn't it?

Excellent find, leads us many questions

KalleDamos · Aug 09, 2007, 01:09 PM // 13:09

I liked this thread, a lot of nice speculation but I do beleive I have found menzies even though I'm sure others have. Because of the speculation about Menzies being the Lord of descrution and the big boss in GW:EN, the recent sighting of a god-like statue holding a sheild and sword in the most recent trailer for GW:EN seems like that could be Menzies.

Monk Gsb · Aug 09, 2007, 11:39 PM // 23:39

that armour looks like the back of an ascalon helm with 15k glad's.

maybe its balthazar because every 1 knows balth is a wammo with 15k glads :P

The Sender · Aug 11, 2007, 01:26 PM // 13:26

Interesting find, it could entirely be a random coincidence, look at any rock surface and you'll be able to find faces. But it'd be pretty cool if it was intentional, there's too much there for it to be a coincidence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedy

This is what I was thinking. Note how it looks like the guy is wearing a cape. He looks more like an Ascalon hero than someone from the Shadow Army.

Sanctuz · Sep 05, 2007, 01:51 PM // 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Sender

Interesting find, it could entirely be a random coincidence, look at any rock surface and you'll be able to find faces. But it'd be pretty cool if it was intentional, there's too much there for it to be a coincidence.

This is what I was thinking. Note how it looks like the guy is wearing a cape. He looks more like an Ascalon hero than someone from the Shadow Army.

I think the screen is wrong, you see; the charr helmet isn't shaped as the one on the wallpaper.the 'lower horns' if you will, are pointing down, the ones on the wallpaper are pointing up..ofcourse I could be blind as fck :P

House Silvermoon · Sep 25, 2007, 03:36 AM // 03:36

wow i think this is a great find and quite franky intentionly put in there by the artist. the artist i believe wanted not only ot show Menzies but contrast him with his half brother Balthazar. when u brought up the picture of the shadow warrior i lol'd hard. my ribs still hurt from laughing. while it is a possiblity that the shadow warrior is there i doubt it highly. when have we seen shadow army in the real world. unless this picture is set in the fow? thats an idea. well anyway kudos to finding that detail out.

Mordakai · Sep 25, 2007, 03:51 AM // 03:51

Fun idea, but as many have stated, what are the odds Warriors of Balthazar would allow Menzie worshippers nearby?

Still, nice find, perhaps a "hidden" statue put there by the artist.

draxynnic · Sep 25, 2007, 01:27 PM // 13:27

Classic "brothers that were once friends become rivals" story.

Hail · Nov 24, 2009, 06:52 PM // 18:52

I think it makes perfect sense, there are many "Evil Bro Vs Good Bro" stories like this in many cultures all over the world, like Romulus and Remus (Rome), Cain and Abel (The Bible), Kenny vs. Spenny (Canada).

And yes the artist may have deliberately put that "creature" in there, sometimes artists make "suggestions" in the concept art for the lore of the games they are working in. If you look at Guild Wars' concept art (old and new) you may find many interesting characters, creatures and environments created by the concept artists; some of them are used as actual elements of the game and most of them are dumped out from the game.

Arena Nerf and their evil Test Krewe minions are working on nerfing Speed Clears, they just nerfed UWSC (its no longer speedy) and added Dhuum, their next aim is likely FoWSC and they may add Menzies as a boss.

Or... maybe this is just a "Jesus' face in a pancake" thing (http://www.clickorlando.com/news/6880241/detail.html), we are overanalzing this image and the real Menzies will look nothing like this. I hope we'll find the answer soon.

BenjZee · Dec 10, 2009, 01:26 PM // 13:26

Wow i like to see hidden stuff but the amount of detail you've put into the revealing makes me want it to be real. You've produced a great peice of art on the art if its not real

Darth The Xx · Dec 14, 2009, 03:36 AM // 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedy

This silhouette has always bothered me and caught my attention, I eventually came to think that it looked like the derv form of Avatar of Balthasar. I suppose it could be shadow army who knows! The Menzies in the rocks thing is pretty cool perhaps he once had his own statue and its still there just not maintained kind of like what happened to Abbadon.