Shrine Guardian

	Image(s)
	Side view

This article is about the NPC. For the mount skin, see Shrine Guardian Jackal Skin.

Spoiler alert: The following text contains spoilers relating to Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons.

“

I am the guardian of this place, as many spirits are for their own temples and shrines. The offerings of mortals go to enrich this temple's powers.

— Shrine Guardian

The Shrine Guardian is a spirit who dwells at Guardian's Perch in Western Vale, Dragon's End. She has taken the shape of a large, white, and many-tailed fox. Mysterious and inquisitive, she only offers her services to those who prove themselves as stout defenders of the spiritual. She gets offended if she is compared to the Shrine Cat, and she detests any offerings of fish.^[1]

Biography[edit]

Early years[edit]

The Shrine Guardian was once a small wisp-like spirit who dwelled near a ramshackle hut in Dragon's End where Canthan sailors and fishers prayed for big catches and good weather. When the Jade Wind hit in 1382 CC (872 AE), she expended all her energy protecting those who stood within the temple's humble grounds from the corruptive wind's petrifying magic. Soon after, the hut became greatly revered and known for its good fortune and was turned into a shrine, and the spirit became the guardian of the shrine.

When the Luxons and Kurzicks faced extinction during Emperor Usoku and the Ministry of Purity's purges in 1637 CC (1127 AE), they met at the shrine and negotiated a truce—an attempt to defy the empire and save their people. The Shrine Guardian tried to help them, but they failed, and the Luxons and Kurzicks who survived were forcibly annexed into the empire. In the following years, the Ministry of Purity tried to twist the shrine to a place of triumph for their emperor. However, there was opposition to this folly, from humans and spirits alike.

When the Ministry of Purity finally fell from power during Empress Haebaragi's reforms in 1747 CC (1237 AE),^[2] their grip on the shrine vanished, and it became a place to remember those who had fallen in their reign of terror. As more people came to worship the revered site, the shrine grew into what became known as the Temple of the Fallen. The Shrine Guardian's power likewise increased with each additional worshipper, and she noticed her form changing. In time she materialized and took the physical form of a large, many-tailed fox.

End of Dragons[edit]

When the enraged Elder Dragon Soo-Won reached Dragon's End and brought the Void horde with her in 1845 CC (1335 AE), the locals found themselves under constant assault from the relentless Void. In desperation, the rival Jade Brotherhood and Speakers decided to form a truce and sought out help from the Shrine Guardian against the overwhelming enemy. Their emissaries, Jade Brother Myung and Speaker Hyun, approached the shrine to present the spirit with an offering of fish, a tribute that had been presented to the once revered Shrine Cat. The Shrine Guardian was not pleased by the offering and accused the pair of trying to poison her while asking them if she looked like a giant cat.

Despite this controversial beginning, the emissaries were able to convince the Shrine Guardian to listen to their plea as they explained to her why they had allied and how everyone needed to work together to thwart the Void. Impressed by their resolve that reminded her of the desperate alliance of the Luxons and Kurzicks of old, the Shrine Guardian decided to test their newfound bond with a battle against ghostly Kurzicks and Luxons.^[1] After the emissaries had proven their worth, the temple fell under attack from the Void. The Shrine Guardian joined the emissaries and adventurers in the successful defense of the temple. After the battle, the Shrine Guardian gave them her blessing and strength in the coming battle against Soo-Won. She also split off parts of herself to create smaller shrine sprites to protect the temple.^[3]

Once the allied armies led by Caithe, Captain Fa, and Navan began the long march to the Harvest Temple to confront Soo-Won and end the Void onslaught, the Shrine Guardian fought alongside Captain Fa's group to once again defend the temple from the Void ambush. She witnessed the armies' eventual triumph over Soo-Won and the Dragonvoid and the end of the Void threat.^[4]

At some point, the Pact Commander visited the temple and inquired if the Shrine Guardian had seen any pieces of the House zu Heltzer tapestry. Once the Commander had proven themself to the Shrine Guardian as a defender of the spiritual, the Shrine Guardian revealed that the sought after piece had been woven into her bow. After the Commander had taken the piece, the spirit bid them good luck and told them to see to it that nothing bad happened to the piece.

Locations[edit]

Cantha

Dragon's End
- Western Vale
  - Guardian's Perch

Thousand Seas Pavilion

Event involvement[edit]

Preparations: Help the petitioners prove themselves to the shrine guardian (80); Protect the shrine from the Void assault (80)

The Battle for the Jade Sea: [Group Event] Defend the temple from the Void ambush (80)

Combat abilities[edit]

Abilities

Protector of the Shrine to the Fallen Kurzicks and Luxons

Effects

Incorporeal Exhaustion - ...

Dialogue[edit]

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Reason: Add missing unique dialogue for players who have unlocked the shrine guardian mount skin.

Greetings, <Character name>. It is good to see you at my temple.

How do you know my name?

I hear much from the whispers of spirits past, enemies and allies alike. You do not lack for either.

What is this place? (Same as below.)

Who are you? (Same as below.)

Interesting... Talk to you later.

What is this place?

It is a long tale. Let me just say, it is a monument to those lost, and the promise that such a loss is never repeated.

I don't mind hearing the long version.

Once, this place was little more than a ramshackle hut where sailors and fishers prayed for big catches and good weather. I was a small thing then, a wisp of myself.

Go on.

When the Jade Wind hit, I expended all my energy protecting those who stood within the temple's humble grounds. Soon after, it became greatly revered and known for its good fortune.

Then what happened?

When the Luxon and Kurzick people faced extinction, they met here and negotiated a truce—an attempt to defy the empire and save their people. I tried to help them. But alas, we failed.

I'm sorry. What did the empire do then?

The Ministry of Purity tried to twist this place—turn it into a shrine of triumph for their emperor. But there was opposition to this folly, from humans and spirits alike.

It sounds...complicated. Then what?

When the Ministry of Purity finally fell from power, their grip on this place vanished, and it became a place to remember those who had fallen in their reign of terror.

Impressive... But didn't you say you were a little wisp? What happened?

As more came to worship, the temple grew. And so did my power. I noticed my form changing... I wonder how much more of a physical being I am now than I was once.

Thank you for sharing your amazing story with me.

Let's talk about this later.

Interesting... Talk to you later.

How do you know my name? (Same as above.)

Who are you? (Same as below.)

Understood. Thank you.

Who are you?

I am the guardian of this place, as many spirits are for their own temples and shrines. The offerings of mortals go to enrich this temple's powers.

I'm sorry I don't have an offering for you.

Your presence is all the offering that is necessary, Pact Commander <Character name>. In you is the energy of a promising and rebellious future. No fruit could be as sweet.

Thanks. I think...

How do you know my name? (Same as above.)

What is this place? (Same as above.)

Interesting... Talk to you later.

(If Tracing the Tapestry is active)

I'm looking for pieces of a Kurzick tapestry. See anything like that?

(If you haven't completed Protect the shrine from the Void assault)

If I had any information about that, I wouldn't trust it to the likes of you. Come back when you've proven yourself.

Okay.

(Otherwise)

Hmm, that's the first time someone has asked me about that. What could you want with such a thing, foreigner?

I'm trying to find the pieces and reunite House zu Heltzer.

After what you have done to defend this temple, I believe you're worthy of that burden. Go ahead and take it. It's woven into my bow. See that nothing bad happens to it, and good luck in your quest.

Carefully remove the tapestry shred from the shrine guardian's bow.

It's good to be here. Good-bye for now.