Lion's Arch

“
From ruin we prosper.
— Lion's Court inscription.

The most diverse and cosmopolitan city in Tyria, Lion's Arch is a melting pot where all the races gather and trade. Lion's Arch owes no allegiance to any race or nation, but stands on its own – and it does so by virtue of its active navy, its financial strength, and the intelligence and cunning of its leaders.

Lion's Arch figures prominently in the game's storyline. One of the main themes of Guild Wars 2 is bringing together disparate, even opposed groups in order to fight a greater enemy: the Elder Dragons. Alone, no race will survive their awakening. Only together can the races of Tyria survive. Nowhere in Tyria is that belief more strongly held than the city of Lion's Arch.

[edit] History

Lion's Arch went through multiple changes over the years since its days as the capital of Kryta in the original Guild Wars to its current incarnation as a free city in Guild Wars 2. First destroyed by the rise of the Elder Dragon Zhaitan, the ruins of Lion's Arch were utilized as a safe harbour by ships looking to escape the horrors of the sea. The wreckage of old Lion's Arch was slowly turned into a refuge for pirates, smugglers, and other independent vessels. Shanty towns were created, and as the waters slowly receded over the course of decades, a settlement formed that owed no allegiance to Kryta. This settlement was unified by a human named Cobiah Marriner, who fought against the scourge of Orr alongside charr, asura, norn, and any other race that would lend their vessels to the cause. Out of that staunch and allied front, the city of Lion's Arch was reborn.

For generations, the people of Lion's Arch have been on the front line of the war with Zhaitan, the dragon of Orr. Their city was destroyed, only to be rebuilt in defiance of the dragon's power. The elite Lionguard have built a fortress on Claw Island, a small body of land in the harbour, in order to defend against Zhaitan's attacks. No ship sails from their docks without a wary eye south toward the dark waters of the undead. They live each day with the knowledge that they are a bastion against the destruction that the Dragon would bring – regardless of whether or not the other nations of the world recognize, or care about, their ongoing struggle.

Lion's Arch is run by the Captain's Council, a committee of wealthy merchants and sea captains. Those who wish to take an active hand in the city's governance must prove themselves regardless of their race and heritage. They must be respected as a noted ship commander, and they must have contributed to the city's growth or health. If they are seen as a leader in the city, then they may purchase one of the seats on the Captain's Council – when one becomes available. This system of political governance leads to a great deal of one-upmanship among the local captains and on the council itself.

[edit] Getting there

From Gendarran Fields: The portal to Lion's Arch is in the south of Gendarran Fields, south of Cornucopian Fields. The nearest waypoint is the Cornucopian Fields waypoint. The portal comes out in Lion's Arch in Canal Ward on the north side of the map near the Canal Ward waypoint.

It's possible to get to Lion's Arch easily from anywhere by entering the Heart of the Mists (under PvP) and then taking the Asura Gate there.

[edit] Locations

Area	Map completion
Bloodcoast Ward	Bloodcoast Ward Waypoint Tenanera's Pit 1 Vista
Canal Ward	Canal Ward Waypoint
Eastern Ward	Eastern Ward Waypoint Coriolis Plaza Crow's Nest Tavern (Captain's Council) Lost Grotto 1 Vista
Farshore Ward	Farshore Waypoint Tokk's Mill
Fort Marriner	Claw Island Portage Waypoint Fort Marriner Waypoint Lion's Gate Main Haven Headquarters Vigil Centerhouse Eternal Battlegrounds Asura Gate Heart of the Mists Asura Gate Green Borderlands Asura Gate Red Borderlands Asura Gate Blue Borderlands Asura Gate
Grand Piazza	Gate Hub Plaza Waypoint Commodore's Manor Lion's Court Black Citadel Asura Gate Divinity's Reach Asura Gate Hoelbrak Asura Gate Rata Sum Asura Gate The Grove Asura Gate
Hooligan's Route	The Undermarket 1 Vista
Inner Harbor	Deverol Island The Gangplank 1 Vista
Postern Ward	Lion's Shadow Inn Waypoint Smuggler's Waypoint 1 Vista Urmaug's Secret
Sanctum Harbor	Diverse Ledges Waypoint Sanctum Harbor Waypoint Consortium Gift Shop Macha's Landing Moorookoo Village Moran Memorial Old Lion's Arch 2 Vistas Fractals of the Mists Southsun Cove Asura Gate
Sharkmaw Caverns	1 Vista Weyandt's Revenge
Trader's Forum	Trader's Forum Waypoint Black Lion Trading Company HQ Mystic Plaza Yomm's Merchantile 2 Vistas Troll's End
Western Ward	Western Ward Waypoint Durmand Dig Site 1 Vista
White Crane Terrace	Shuttered Gate

[edit] Pet Acquisition

Armor Fish: The Bilge — Swim through the tunnels. From the Left side of the Trader's Forum but on right side of the Docks; directly under the ship; swim down to the tunnels then down again when you reach the first cross-section