Living World Return

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Living World is the story of the dragon cycle, and now is the perfect time to look at everything that's happened on the path that brought us here. Join the mission to catch up on Living World episodes you've missed—for free—and jump-start your legendary journey in Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons!

— Official description

Living World Return was a series of bonus events that put different Living World episodes on spotlight each week with new achievements and rewards, as well as making the episodes free to claim. After their respective bonus event had ended, the achievements, as well as the rewards, were moved to Side Stories, from where they remain permanently available.

Releases[edit]

Living World Return Date Free episodes New achievement categories Meta reward
Season 2:
Glint's Prophecy
(Expansion required to play: none)
May 25, 2021 June 01, 2021 Gates of Maguuma
Entanglement
Gates of Maguuma.png Return to Gates of Maguuma and Entanglement Massive Achievement Chest.pngPact Fleet Weapon Cache
June 01, 2021 June 08, 2021 The Dragon's Reach: Part 1
The Dragon's Reach: Part 2
The Dragon's Reach, Part 2.png Return to The Dragon's Reach Massive Achievement Chest.pngPact Fleet Weapon Cache
June 08, 2021 June 15, 2021 Echoes of the Past
Tangled Paths
Echoes of the Past.png Return to Echoes of the Past and Tangled Paths Massive Achievement Chest.pngPact Fleet Weapon Cache
June 15, 2021 June 22, 2021 Seeds of Truth
Point of No Return
Seeds of Truth.png Return to Seeds of Truth and Point of No Return Massive Achievement Chest.pngPact Fleet Weapon Cache
Season 3:
Glint's Legacy
(Expansion required to play: HoT Texture Centered Trans.png)
June 29, 2021 July 6, 2021 Out of the Shadows Out of the Shadows.png Return to Out of the Shadows Massive Achievement Chest.pngLey Line Weapon Cache
July 6, 2021 July 13, 2021 Rising Flames Rising Flames.png Return to Rising Flames Massive Achievement Chest.pngLey Line Weapon Cache
July 13, 2021 July 20, 2021 A Crack in the Ice A Crack in the Ice.png Return to A Crack in the Ice Massive Achievement Chest.pngLey Line Weapon Cache
July 20, 2021 July 27, 2021 The Head of the Snake The Head of the Snake.png Return to The Head of the Snake Massive Achievement Chest.pngLey Line Weapon Cache
July 27, 2021 August 3, 2021 Flashpoint Flashpoint.png Return to Flashpoint Massive Achievement Chest.pngLey Line Weapon Cache
August 3, 2021 August 10, 2021 One Path Ends One Path Ends.png Return to One Path Ends Massive Achievement Chest.pngLey Line Weapon Cache
Season 4:
Rise of Kralkatorrik
(Expansion required to play: PoF Texture Trans.png)
August 24, 2021 August 31, 2021 Daybreak Daybreak.png Return to Daybreak Massive Achievement Chest.pngPlasma Weapon Cache
August 31, 2021 September 7, 2021 A Bug in the System A Bug in the System.png Return to A Bug in the System Massive Achievement Chest.pngPlasma Weapon Cache
September 7, 2021 September 14, 2021 Long Live the Lich Long Live the Lich.png Return to Long Live the Lich Massive Achievement Chest.pngPlasma Weapon Cache
September 14, 2021 September 21, 2021 A Star to Guide Us A Star to Guide Us.png Return to A Star to Guide Us Massive Achievement Chest.pngPlasma Weapon Cache
September 21, 2021 September 28, 2021 All or Nothing All or Nothing.png Return to All or Nothing Massive Achievement Chest.pngPlasma Weapon Cache
September 28, 2021 October 5, 2021 War Eternal War Eternal.png Return to War Eternal Massive Achievement Chest.pngPlasma Weapon Cache
Season 5:
The Icebrood Saga
(Expansion required to play: PoF Texture Trans.png)
October 19, 2021 October 26, 2021 Prologue: Bound by Blood Bound by Blood.png Return to Bound by Blood Massive Achievement Chest.pngGlittering Weapon Cache
October 26, 2021 November 2, 2021 Whisper in the Dark Bjora Marches.png Return to Whisper in the Dark Massive Achievement Chest.pngGlittering Weapon Cache
November 2, 2021 November 9, 2021 Shadow in the Ice Shadow in the Ice.png Return to Shadow in the Ice Massive Achievement Chest.pngGlittering Weapon Cache
November 9, 2021 November 16, 2021 Visions of the Past: Steel and Fire Visions of the Past- Steel and Fire.png Return to Steel and Fire Massive Achievement Chest.pngGlittering Weapon Cache
November 16, 2021 November 23, 2021 No Quarter No Quarter.png Return to No Quarter Massive Achievement Chest.pngGlittering Weapon Cache
November 23, 2021 November 30, 2021 Jormag Rising Jormag Rising.png Return to Jormag Rising Massive Achievement Chest.pngGlittering Weapon Cache
November 30, 2021 December 7, 2021 Champions Champions.png Return to Champions Massive Achievement Chest.pngGlittering Weapon Cache

Claiming[edit]

Where to claim episodes inside the Story Journal.
  • These episodes are currently not available for free, but can still be purchased through the gem store (or through Steam for Steam accounts).
  • When these achievements were introduced, players could log in to the game during the free period to receive the episodes, even if you did not own the expansions.
    • On logging in to a character you would receive the unlocks, as well as the event notification, in your ingame mail.
      • If you did not own the episode already and left it in your mail without unlocking, the mail would disappear with the next free release and the free unlock would have been lost.
      • Some players reported the need to be above level 10 and visit a city to receive the mail. Another option was to enter the PvP lobby with level 3+ character.
    • In a case you could not access the mail, you could also have claimed the episodes directly from the Story Journal for 0 Gem if you owned the expansion required to play the episode. Claiming from the mail was not restricted by any ownership, however.

Rewards[edit]

This achievement rewards items.This achievement rewards a title. Seasons of the Dragons Current Events 100Achievement points
Complete all 24 Return meta-achievements. Return meta-achievements will become available over time[sic], and they are permanently available once introduced.
Title: Returning Champion
Rewards:
  • Tier
1: Deluxe Gear Box.png Ascended Weapon Chest
  • Tier
2: Fragment of Prismatic Light.png Fragment of Prismatic Light
  • Tier
3: Soldier's Backpack.png 32-Slot Hero's Trusty Backpack
  • Tier
4: Prismatic Champion's Regalia.png Prismatic Champion's Regalia

...
4 Achievements Completed 25Achievement points
10 Achievements Completed 25Achievement points
16 Achievements Completed 25Achievement points
24 Achievements Completed 25Achievement points

Mail[edit]

Special event mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to the Living World Story


A special event focusing on a previous Living World story chapter is active this week! Check it out to earn special bonus rewards for playing that chapter's story and map. Completing multiple sets of event achievements across the Living World story will progress the Seasons of the Dragons meta-achievement, with some legendary rewards available!

If you missed a week or need to wait to experience the story, don't worry— the achievements are permanent. Look for achievements from previous weeks in the Side Stories category in the Achievements tab in your Hero panel.

Mails with the claimable episodes

Season 2[edit]

Week 1 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Gates of Maguuma and Entanglement


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episodes yet, here are free unlocks.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Gates of Maguuma"
Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Entanglement"


Visit scenic Dry top.

Waypoint (map icon).png Prosperity Waypoint

Week 2 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to The Dragon's Reach


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episodes yet, here are free unlocks.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "The Dragon's Reach, Part 1"
Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "The Dragon's Reach, Part 2"


Visit scenic Dry top.

Waypoint (map icon).png Prosperity Waypoint

Week 3 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Echoes of the Past and Tangled Paths


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episodes yet, here are free unlocks.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Echoes of the Past"
Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Tangled Paths"


Visit the scenic Silverwastes.

Waypoint (map icon).png Camp Resolve Waypoint

Week 4 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Seeds of Truth and Point of No Return


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episodes yet, here are free unlocks.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Seeds of Truth"
Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Point of No Return"


Visit the scenic Silverwastes.

Waypoint (map icon).png Camp Resolve Waypoint

Season 3[edit]

Week 5 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Out of the Shadows


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Out of the Shadows"


Visit scenic Bloodstone Fen.

Waypoint (map icon).png Soulkeeper's Airship Waypoint

Week 6 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Rising Flames


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Rising Flames"


Visit scenic Ember Bay.

Waypoint (map icon).png Promontory Waypoint

Week 7 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to A Crack in the Ice


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "A Crack in the Ice"


Visit scenic Bitterfrost Frontier.

Waypoint (map icon).png Koda's Welcome Waypoint

Week 8 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to The Head of the Snake


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "The Head of the Snake"


Visit scenic Lake Doric.

Waypoint (map icon).png Doric's Landing Waypoint

Week 9 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Flashpoint


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Flashpoint"


Visit scenic Draconis Mons.

Waypoint (map icon).png Mariner Landing Waypoint

Week 10 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to One Path Ends


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "One Path Ends"


Visit scenic Siren's Landing.

Waypoint (map icon).png Camp Reclamation Waypoint

Season 4[edit]

Week 11 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Daybreak


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Daybreak"


Visit scenic Istan.

Waypoint (map icon).png Chalon Docks Waypoint

Week 12 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to A Bug in the System


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "A Bug in the System"


Visit scenic Sandswept Isles.

Waypoint (map icon).png Atholma Waypoint

Week 13 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Long Live the Lich


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Long Live the Lich"


Visit scenic Kourna.

Waypoint (map icon).png Allied Encampment Waypoint

Week 14 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to A Star to Guide Us


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "A Star to Guide Us"


Visit scenic Jahai Bluffs.

Waypoint (map icon).png Yatendi Village Waypoint

Week 15 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to All or Nothing


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "All or Nothing"


Visit scenic Thunderhead Peaks.

Waypoint (map icon).png Observation Deck Waypoint

Week 16 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to War Eternal


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "War Eternal"


Visit war-torn Dragonfall.

Waypoint (map icon).png Pact Command Waypoint

The Icebrood Saga[edit]

Week 17 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Bound by Blood


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Bound by Blood"


Visit scenic Grothmar Valley.

Waypoint (map icon).png Blood Keep Waypoint

Week 18 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Whisper in the Dark


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Whisper in the Dark"


Visit scenic Bjora Marches.

Waypoint (map icon).png Jora's Keep Waypoint

Week 19 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Shadow in the Ice


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Shadow in the Ice"


Visit scenic Bjora Marches.

Waypoint (map icon).png Jora's Keep Waypoint

Week 20 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Steel and Fire


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Steel and Fire"


Visit scenic Eye of the North.

Waypoint (map icon).png Eye of the North Waypoint

Week 21 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to No Quarter


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "No Quarter"


Visit scenic Drizzlewood Coast.

Waypoint (map icon).png Base Camp Waypoint

Week 22 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Jormag Rising


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Jormag Rising"


Visit scenic Drizzlewood Coast.

Waypoint (map icon).png Base Camp Waypoint

Week 23 mail

Mail.png

ArenaNet ArenaNet tag.png

Return to Champions


A bonus event for returning to Living World story chapter missions and maps is active this week! In case you don't own the related episode yet, here is a free unlock.

Consortium NDA.pngStory Unlock: "Champions"


Visit scenic Eye of the North.

Waypoint (map icon).png Eye of the North Waypoint

Notes[edit]

  • The Living World Return event canonically happens after the end of the Icebrood Saga, as the Pact Commander is reliving their memories of their past battles and struggles against the Elder Dragons. [1]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Dialogue with Taimi and Gorrik
    <Character name>: Anything I can do to help?
    Gorrik: We can always use more data to isolate commonalities among the Elder Dragons. Find a pattern. You've fought them for years, Commander. Inside your memories could be clues to the dragon cycle.
    <Character name>: My memories?
    Taimi: Ooh, do we get to poke around in the commander's head?
    <Character name>: Leave my head alone.
    Gorrik: I was thinking we use the scrying pool to help the commander relive the memories of these past years.
    <Character name>: Hmm...
    Taimi: That's ingenious, Gorrik.
    <Character name>: She's not wrong.
    Gorrik: Oh. Well. Thank you.
    <Character name>: Time to relive some old memories, I guess.