Ritualist (lore)

The Ritualists are one of the oldest known professions on Tyria.

History

Early history

Being unique to Cantha, they had existed long before the worship of the gods and their granting of magic to the races. Before magic, the Ritualists focused on channeling spirits from the Mists. They relied upon the strength and wisdom granted to them by their powerful ancestor, who maintained a connection to their descendants. Through their spirits, and sometimes the physical remains of the ancestors, the Ritualists were able to practice magic, or something close to it. When magic was granted by the gods, many of the original abilities were strengthened and merged into their modern form. Though still relying on the power of the dead, their original skills are no longer a visible part of the profession.

Modern developments

Ritualists are masters of spirits, able to call upon them in battle for aid. According to Kyung, the Speaker ritualist resort to an older, more cruel (but easier to learn) version of ritualism, where the spirits are unwillingly bound to aid the ritualist. Modern ritualist establish more of a bond of trust with the spirits, and ask them for their aid. Ritualism is hard, and it takes years of study to train, according to Ritualist Elder. She likewise comments that a blood connection to an ancestral spirit is powerful, but not strictly necessary to establish a link to the spirit realm.

Ritualist have been seen summoning spirits that attack and defend, granting shields to their allies. Ritualist can also create lighting fields and lightning strikes. A skilled ritualist can also shift into the spirit world, and some ritualists have also been seen creating portals into the spirit realm, making spirits and historical scenes visible to those who enter.

Some Ritualist also busy themselves with cleansing and calming disturbed spiritual energy, like Ritualist Alina and Ritualist Solon around the Temple of the Dredge.

Trivia

• They were one of the playable professions in Guild Wars Factions. However, in Guild Wars 2 it is exclusive to NPCs.
• The Revenant profession shares many similarities with the Guild Wars Factions profession, including the use of blindfolds and similarity of their profession symbol.
• Revenants also connect to the mists, though they seem more focussed on channeling an echo of a legendary being, rather then establishing a communion with ancestral spirits like ritualist do.

See also

The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Ritualist.

• Monk