Solid Ground

Solid Ground is the second chapter of the Visions of Eternity story.

Objectives[edit]

Survey the nearby Castoran shore where you've made landfall.

Check in with your allies on the beach.
Areas Scouted
Supplies Recovered
Let Canach know about the supplies you found.
Crew Helped
Return to Sayida.

Meet the castaways of Hullgarden.

Seek out the mayor of the nearby village.
Speak with Wavehawk Pete.
Help Pete tend to the juvenile wavehawks along the coast.
Return to Wavehawk Pete to discuss your newly acquired skimmer.
Ask Mayor Osborne for information on the Inquest's whereabouts.
Pitch in around town in exchange for information.
Speak with Mayor Osborne about holding up his end of the bargain.
Ask the castaway beachcomber Sparktail about the Inquest tech in his possession.
Salvage Collected

If Advanced Hydrodynamics mastery has not been learned yet:^{[verification requested]}
(Optional) Borrow a skimmer that can dive underwater from Sparktail.
Investigate the remains of what appears to be a more recent shipwreck.
Return to Sparktail with the recovered salvage.

Track down the Inquest.

Follow Sparktail's lead southwest to the local pub.
Talk to Canach.
Grapeshot Grog Served
Share with Canach how your fact-finding mission went.
Complete!

Rewards[edit]

Bag of Loot (5) (guaranteed)
Castoran Cache of Riches (guaranteed)
Tale of Adventure (guaranteed)

Walkthrough[edit]

At Dark Leviathan Waypoint — , speak to Isgarren on the beach and then head to the 4 nearby marked spots to scout. Surveying the northwestern spot leads to another objective, for salvaging 3 boxes of lost supplies.

Using the /cry emote while standing on the Observation Location south of the Great Bewilderseed — awards the achievement It's So Beautiful.

After both scouting and salvaging, it time to grab those supplies to feed or heal 5 crew members on the beach. Return to Sayida for a talk and an invitation to an earlier settlement located further south.

At Littlewing Pond — , speak to Mayor Osbourne and Wavehawk Pete. Complete the Wavehawk Fundamentals achievement (see below) and return to Pete, then complete the Assist the castaways around Hullgarden heart and return to the Mayor. Head to the southern end of the village and speak to beachcomber Sparktail, then gather 8 pieces of Marine Salvage and investigate a shipwreck to gain his approval.

Head southwest to Pub Canach Waypoint — and get some Grapeshot Grog from Canach to serve to 5 Gossiping Freebooters. Return to Canach to finish the chapter.

Achievements[edit]

Solid Ground	Visions of Eternity: Act 1	1 1
Get acquainted with the land and the locals.Journal: Solid Ground Reward: Scrap of Castora Mastery (10)	Completed Solid Ground	1

Complete the story mission.

Find 5 books during or after the chapter.
- Ley Lines for the Layman: An Examination of World Magic: Found near the big blue globe of magic on a cliff to the west and above the starting spot, at the Great Bewilderseed — .
- Intel Report: Found just northeast of Hullgarden Village Plaza — , on the highest level right next to the massive rock.
- Kestrel Journal: Found at the roots of a tree just south and above the Dark Leviathan Waypoint — .
- Hunter's Journal: Found just southeast of Pub Canach Waypoint — , on a small islet.
- Nautical Charts of the Unending Ocean: Found aboard The Dark Leviathan — .
Further detailed guide on Cultural Exchange.

It's So Beautiful	Visions of Eternity: Act 1	1
Use the /cry emote while scouting views of Castora.Journal: Solid Ground	Cried upon Seeing the Beauty of Castora	1

Use the /cry emote while standing on the Observation Location south of the Great Bewilderseed — , during the story step "Survey the nearby Castoran shore where you've made landfall".
Not available after the Observation Location has been scanned

Location for emote "/cry"

Wavehawk Fundamentals	Visions of Eternity: Act 1	2
Learn about Castoran skimmers by helping Wavehawk Pete tend to Hullgarden's juvenile wavehawks.Journal: Solid Ground Reward: Castoran Wavehawk Skin Collection	Collected 1 Wavehawk Treasure	1
	Collected 7 Wavehawk Treasures	1

Find 6 items after speaking with Wavehawk Pete. They are only marked with icon on the minimap when you are close to them.
- Predator's Tooth: Dropped on the ground by a Hungry Crocodilian Razortooth underneath the Soaring Copse — .
- Skimmer Treats: On the beach north of Overgrown Channel Skimmerway — .
- Lost Package: Just southeast of The Beachtree — .
- Fishing Net: In the water almost exactly in the middle between the Dark Leviathan Waypoint — and Hullgarden Pier Waypoint — .
- Wavehawk Toy: Underneath and slightly northeast of where Wavehawk Pete himself is standing.
- Token of Affection: Find and help a lost wavehawk a bit northwest of Morningrise Prow — .

Location of Wavehawk Pete
Locations of the items required for collection

Exhaust all dialogue options at Wavehawk Pete.
- Simply use each of the 3 green dialogue options with Wavehawk Pete during or after the "Help Pete tend to the juvenile wavehawks along the coast" objective.

Note[edit]

Fully complete the "Wavehawk Fundamentals" Achievement with one character before starting it with another. Otherwise the character that finishes it will bug the other into being unable to complete progress the story and will be stuck. If you are already stuck then replay the chapter before and once finished open "Hero" panel and select chapter 2 which should say "Play this Chapter" instead of "Continue this Chapter". Solution was found here.[1]

NPCs[edit]

Section-stub. This key section of the article is incomplete. You can help the Guild Wars 2 Wiki by expanding it.

Allies[edit]

Foes[edit]

Objects[edit]

Extra-Fresh Fish
Fishing Net
Food-Storage Barrel
Kestrel Journal
Lightly Wrinkled Letter
Marine Salvage
Nautical Charts of the Unending Ocean
Observation Location
Predator Tooth
Salvageable Supplies
Supply Crate (medicine)
Supply Crate (salvageable supplies drop off)
Token of Affection
Tray of Grapeshot Grog
Waterlogged Inquest Debris
Wavehawk Package
Wavehawk Toy

Dialogue[edit]

Checking in with allies: Isgarren: That was unpleasant.; Rytlock Brimstone: (grunts) You seemed fine on the ship... Happy to have your boots on solid ground?; Isgarren: I've no need of solid ground.; Rytlock Brimstone: Right. Should've just floated here then, wizard.; Isgarren: Had I done so, bottom-feeders would now be picking your fur from—; <Character name>: What's the damage assessment, Captain?; Sayida the Sly: Kiango's getting a handle on that now. The Leviathan seems to be in good shape. Canach's ship, on the other hand...; Canach: She's gone. Gently nudging the coral on the sea floor. Ah, sweet Martingale... Such a tragedy.; Rytlock Brimstone: Most of your crew made it off the ship. Could've been a lot worse.; Canach: Yes, yes, of course.; Isgarren: This place is...not as I expected. The danger is palpable.; <Character name>: I'll do a bit of scouting while you all sort things out and console our grieving friend here.; Canach: If you find any bits or bobs of value, bring them back, will you? I'll need to recoup my losses somehow...

Scouting the north-western area: <Character name>: So much debris. How many ships have crashed here over the years?; <Character name>: Ah! Crates from the Martingale. Still intact! I'll bring these back to Canach.

Scouting the north-eastern observation location in the water: <Character name>: Not much salvageable—lucky most of the crew survived. Poor Canach...

Scouting the central observation location, near Great Bewilderseed: <Character name>: Hmm. Magic here is unlike anything I've seen...yet almost familiar, somehow.

Scouting the southern observation location: <Character name>: I see something out there. People?

Recovering the first supply crate from the north-western area: Canach: Something from the Martingale?

Recovering the second supply crate: Canach: Any gold in there? Or some grog, at least?

Recovering the third supply crate: Sayida the Sly: Managed to recover some useful supplies, at least. That's something.

Talking to Canach after scouting all areas and recovering the supply crates: Canach: Salvaged some food and medical supplies at least, hmm?; Canach: Don't suppose you found anything—ah, anything else—of value?; <Character name>: I'm afraid that was everything, my friend.; Sayida the Sly: This stuff might not be as "valuable" as you hoped, but we can definitely use it. Commander, mind handing this out?

Talking to injured crew without holding medicine: I need medicine... Please.; Hang on.

Talking to hungry crew without holding food: Have any food? I'm starving!; Let me see what I can find.

Talking to helped crew after providing food or medicine: Thanks again.; No problem!

After helping crew members: Sayida the Sly: I think you've done all you can, Commander.

Returning to Sayida: Sayida the Sly: We've got a visitor! We were just getting to know—; Castaway Westergard: Commander, is it? You in charge here, then? Name's Westergard.; Sayida the Sly: You've never heard of— When was the last time new survivors arrived here?; Castaway Westergard: I'll let the mayor answer your questions. If he sees fit.; Sayida the Sly: (laughs) We're not here to cause any trouble, trust me—; Castaway Westergard: Trust you? I don't even know you, Captain Salida—; Sayida the Sly: Sayida, but that's okay—; Castaway Westergard: —and the high-tech weaponry of that last group that showed up seems to be finding its way into the hands of our enemies.; Sayida the Sly: The Inquest? Oh we hate those guys, too! I think we're gonna be friends. Why don't we all just come to your village—; Castaway Westergard: No. Just the "commander" here. Come talk to the mayor, make sure we don't need to shove you all back into the bay.

Talking to Mayor Osborne in Hullgarden: Mayor Osborne: Ahoy...Commander, is it? Got a sour look on your face for somebody who just landed on our little slice of paradise.; <Character name>: The welcoming committee wasn't exactly welcoming.; Mayor Osborne: Westergard threaten to throw you back into the bay? (laughs) Yeah, she does that. And she means it. We all do.; <Character name>: One of our ships sank. We have injured crew, lost supplies... We need help. And we have plenty to offer in return.; Mayor Osborne: She did say ya had a sizable crew milling around. Tell you what. Might be some ways you can help us out.; Mayor Osborne: But you're no good to us without a properly trained skimmer and some knowledge of the area. Go talk to Pete.; Mayor Osborne: After that—if Pete is still alive and you've got the lay of the land—you can pay me back.; <Character name>: You've got a deal.; Mayor Osborne: Good. Keep your end of it, we might not have to shove you back into the ocean after all.

Talking to Wavehawk Pete: Wavehawk Pete: Ossie said he might be sending somebody my way! Guess we don't have to shove you all back into the bay!; <Character name>: Remains to be seen. So, what makes skimmers special here? (starts Wavehawk Fundamentals)

Talking to Pete again

Ah, you love 'em too, eh? Finally someone who gets me! Help me out with the juveniles here, and you'll learn even more about these beautiful creatures we both love so much! We're gonna be best friends.

Hey. Pete. Friend. Could you help me out, tell me where to look? Pal?

You're a fellow skimmer enthusiast; no need to be embarassed. We can talk it over more together. Maybe we can even share more skimmer facts with each other—guarantee I've got some you haven't heard!

Er, thanks. Let's focus on the task at hand—where are some good places I can search?

(The scout animation starts, showing the collection item locations on the map: Fishing Net, Skimmer Food, Predator Tooth, Package, Token of Affection, and Toy)

You got it, buddy! Wish I could come with you; you could tell me all your favorite skimmer stories! Maybe after you're done though, eh? Anyway, here's where to look for everything!

(while the Wavehawk Fundamentals collection is unfinished)

What help do you need with the juvenile wavehawks? (opens the achievement panel)

"Wavehawks"?

Yeah! Oh, that was a question. See, the skimmers native to the strand are a subspecies we call wavehawks. You've seen 'em, I'm sure. Undulating antennae. Big, beautiful eyes that see into your soul...

Right...

Are wavehawks different from other skimmers?

All skimmers are amazing! But you knew that already. Now, our wavehawks here have adapted to the magic of Castora. Got senses so keen, they can use Aetherlocation to find... Well, you name it!

Wow, sounds useful.

Can all skimmers learn the wavehawks' tricks?

Pssh, yeah! You kiddin' me? They're incredible, all of 'em! Not just Aetherlocation, either—we can teach 'em to get airborne with Slipstream Boost, ride ley lines with Riptide Rider... Wish I WAS one!

Okay...

Never mind.

Talking to Lost Wavehawk

The wavehawk appears to be panicking. It'll never get home if it doesn't calm down.

There, there. It's going to be okay.

It's still visibly upset, but it's obviously listening to you.

Good. Listen. Go due north from here, and you'll make it home. Okay, buddy?

It glances to the north, but it still looks uncertain.

Trust me. I'm a friend of Pete's. You know Pete? That's right. He's there! (drops Token of Affection)

Sorry, I need to go.

If the player hasn't finished the collection after 30 minutes of playtime ^{[verification requested]}

Wavehawk Pete

Having trouble tracking down skimmer stuff, buddy?

Pal, I know you're a fellow skimmer enthusiast, but if you're having a hard time, no need to be embarrassed. You know me, I'm always around Littlewing Pond in Shipwreck Strand! We can talk it over more together. Maybe we can even share more skimmer facts with each other—guarantee I've got some you haven't heard!

Somewhere near this point of interest.

Interactive map

Returning to Pete after completing the collection: Wavehawk Pete: No guarantees now, but I've already put in a good word for you with ol' Oz, buddy!; Wavehawk Pete: Any friend of the skimmers is a friend of mine. For life!; Wavehawk Pete: Don't be a stranger, pal. We should meet up at that new pub, talk about our favorite subspecies over a cold foamer!; Wavehawk Pete: You got an extra one of those communicators I've seen you using? Gimme one, and you could call me anytime!

Returning to Mayor Osborne

Mayor Osborne: Ah-ah-ah. Hold on now. Pete's happy, sure. But he's happy anytime somebody talks to 'im.

Mayor Osborne: Thing is, I did you a favor. Now, you make a few more Hullgardeners happy, maybe we can talk.

If asura, human or norn:

<Character name>: (sighs) Fair enough.

If charr:

<Character name>: ? ^{[verification requested]}

If sylvari:

<Character name>: Fair enough.

Returning to Mayor Osborne after completing the heart

Mayor Osborne: A deal's a deal. Held up your end well enough so far.

Mayor Osborne: And I can see you got a question burnin' up your insides, so go ahead, out with it.

If asura:

<Character name>: Do you know anything about a group of my people that landed on Castora a few weeks ago?

Otherwise:

<Character name>: You know anything about a group of asura that landed on Castora a few weeks before us?

Mayor Osborne: Was sure you were going to ask if anyone's ever gotten off this rock. Answer's no, by the way.

Mayor Osborne: Talk to Sparktail. Might know something about your asura.

Talking to Beachcomber Sparktail

Beachcomber Sparktail: These are my gadgets. Keep your paws off, got it? And before you ask, they ain't for sale.

If asura:

<Character name>: Just looking for information. Have you made any high-tech acquisitions of late? Something a person like myself might—

Otherwise:

<Character name>: Just looking for information. You have anything that looks...slick, futuristic...on the smaller side, maybe?

Beachcomber Sparktail: Asuran tech? Might've been born here, but I wasn't born yesterday. Thing is, I am pretty forgetful...

Beachcomber Sparktail: Snag me some doodads from that wreckage out there. Might jog my memory.

Talking to Sparktail again

Your skimmer been trained on diving underwater? If not, borrow Flotsam here—saves me from havin' to brush out wet fur again.

If Advanced Hydrodynamics has not been learned yet:

I'll take you up on that.

No, thanks.

Otherwise:

No, thanks. My skimmer and I have it handled.

Investigating Waterlogged Inquest Debris

If asura:

<Character name>: Even the Inquest struggled to land here safely. I wonder how many ships they lost?

Otherwise:

<Character name>: Inquest struggled to make it here, too. Wonder how many ships they lost?

Returning to Sparktail with the recovered salvage

Beachcomber Sparktail: Okay, s'pose I can point you in the right direction.

Beachcomber Sparktail: Freebooters been swinging by here lately, selling me this new stuff they been getting. Real high-tech lookin'.

Beachcomber Sparktail: You go buy 'em a few rounds, and I'll bet you'll get all the info you need.

Beachcomber Sparktail: Just do me a favor and don't tell 'em I sent you—wanna keep that supply of gadgets flowin'!

Beachcomber Sparktail: Say, you don't know how any of these things work, do ya?

If asura:

<Character name>: I do! In fact, I spent years studying this kind of technology. (sighs) Alas, I'm also pretty forgetful. Good luck!

If engineer:

<Character name>: Yes! I actually spent years studying this kind of technology. (sighs) Alas, I'm also pretty forgetful. Good luck!

^{[verification requested]}

Talking to Canach

Canach: Ah, there you are! Welcome, welcome. Knew you'd pop in sooner or later.

<Character name>: Canach, what are you doing here? Place seems like a real—

Canach: Pub Canach is my latest concern, Commander! This is how I recoup my losses from the Martingale! Apologies—you were saying?

If asura:

<Character name>: Your latest... So you've purchased this establishment. It seems like a real...solid investment.

Otherwise:

<Character name>: Your latest... You bought this place? I... It seems like a real, ah, solid investment.

Canach: My thought exactly. So, need a drink? First round on the house, of course.

<Character name>: I'll take you up on that—I need to loosen the lips of some of these freebooters.

Canach: Ah, well. Nothing excites the tongue quite like a mug of my new Grapeshot Grog. Help yourself!

Talking to Gossiping Freebooters sitting by the pier

Eh? What do you want? We're busy yappin' here.

Bringing your drink! By the way, know anything about the Inquest's base?

Gossiping Freebooter: Pssh, used to be just a cavern. Now? Golems, gates, engineers all over... Heard some wild noises comin' outta there, too.

Never mind.

Talking to the Gossiping Freebooters sitting to the side

So there I was, minding my own business, and— (clears throat) Speaking of minding one's own business... What do you want?

You look thirsty. Here! Oh, Inquest's base of operations—know anything?

Gossiping Freebooter: Ain't been in there. Been to the entrance. Heavily guarded. Big cavern down south, behind a waterfall... So obvious.

Nothing.

Talking to the Gossiping Freebooters sitting on the beach blanket

We didn't invite a stranger to join our conversation. Keep moving.

Do strangers buy each other grog? Here, this one's on me!

Oh! Hey-hey, my mistake, friend! We were just sharin' thoughts about the gaggle of asura that showed up. "Inquest," they call themselves.

The Inquest, you say? Heard anything about their security?

Gossiping Freebooter: Not really. All real whizzbang tech. Seems like a lot of their stuff runs from fancy terminals, though, if that helps.

Interesting.

Okay, I'll leave you be.

Talking to the Gossiping Freebooters by the table

Unless you're serving me a drink, keep walkin', pal.

Grapeshot Grog, on the house! So...you know where the Inquest are holed up?

Gossiping Freebooter: Can't say. But I'll say this: You ain't gettin' past the gates. Not unless you got security clearance.

Gossiping Freebooter: Or you turn yerself into a golem, maybe! (laughs)

I'll get back to you...

Talking to the Gossiping Freebooters standing by the kegs on the side of the pub

Hey, barkeep! Another round, eh? Whaddaya say? Maybe a freebie for bein' such a good customer?

Of course! Say, know anything about who's in charge of the Inquest here?

Gossiping Freebooter: Dunno, pal. Maybe if ya sit real quiet like, you'll hear 'em arguin'. That's about all them two get up to, I hear.

I'll be right back...

Returning to Canach

Canach: Sounds like that grog had the desired effect. You heading for that cavern?

If human or norn:

<Character name>: Sure did. Think I know where the entrance is and a good way to get in unnoticed, too. If you see Sayida, fill her in.

If sylvari:

<Character name>: Indeed. I know where the entrance is and perhaps a way to get in unnoticed. If you see Sayida, fill her in.

If asura:

<Character name>: Indeed. I know where the entrance is and a clever way to get in unnoticed, too. If you see Sayida, fill her in.

If charr:

<Character name>: ? ^{[verification requested]}

My story[edit]

“

I checked in with my allies on the beach. Isgarren seemed to be dealing with seasickness while a sullen Canach stewed over the loss of the Martingale. Rytlock itched to see some action, and Sayida was directing traffic, helping both ships' surviving crews recover from the treacherous journey.
I started by scouting the area to get the lay of the land... It was beautiful; teeming with magic-gravity-defying rocks, luminescent shoals, misty waterfalls... like nothing I've ever seen.
As I explored, I observed scores of shipwrecks and ran across some of the supplies that washed ashore from the Martingale. The magic in the area felt unlike anything I've experienced, yet there was a slightly familiar tinge to it that I couldn't put my finger on. From one lofty peak, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be local inhabitants.
I returned what salvageable supplies I could to our makeshift camp. Canach had hoped for more valuables, but Sayida put what we had to good use. As I finished doling out the recovered supplies to the wounded and ailing crew, a castaway by the name of Westergard approached. Sayida attempted to make friends, but Westergard wasn't having it. She was... not exactly welcoming. Hard as nails, that one.
Westergard insisted I go speak to the mayor of the nearby village. Alone.
***
I introduced myself to Mayor Osborne in the shipwreck village of Hullgarden. He was guarded but willing to exchange information for some much-needed aid around the town. He said that in order to really be of use, I'd need a properly trained skimmer and better knowledge of the area. So he sent me to the oddly named Wavehawk Pete to learn more about the local skimmer population and how they've adapted to the Castoran environment.
Pete turned out to be extremely enthusiastic about the local skimmer population-a subspecies they call wavehawks—hence the nickname. I helped Pete tend to the juvenile wavehawks around Hullgarden, learning about their predators, their caring and devoted nature, their diet, their playfulness... By the time I'd finished, I'd earned myself a loyal wavehawk and an even more loyal Wavehawk Pete, who'd already put in a good word for me with the mayor.
Despite the fact that Pete was still alive (a joke on the mayor's part, I now realize), his word wasn't quite enough. Mayor Osborne insisted I "make a few more Hullgardeners happy" before he'd give me any info on the Inquest's whereabouts. I pitched in around town, helping these castaway survivors in all manner of tasks; beautiful as this land is, surviving on it is no easy feat. I found the Hullgardeners to be a hearty, resilient bunch, if not particularly trusting.
Once the mayor was satisfied with my work, he pointed me in the direction of a local scrap collector who might have run across some Inquest equipment. The collector, Sparktail, insisted I gather some shipwreck salvage for him in exchange for information. I also managed to run across a bit of Inquest wreckage in the process, confirming that even the Inquest didn't make it to Castora without casualties.
After I returned to Sparktail, he told me the Inquest has been trading with some of the local pirate-like mercenaries that call themselves "freebooters." He said that if I could find some of them at the pub, I'd likely get information on the Inquest's whereabouts.
***
I made my way to the pub, only to find that it had somehow already been purchased by Canach. To "recoup my losses from Martingale," he said!
Canach gave me a round of drinks on the house, which I served to a few freebooters to loosen their lips. And talk they did; I found out the Inquest were holed up in a cavern to the south, behind a waterfall. Apparently there was some kind of conflict brewing between the Inquest leaders, and the cavern was full of golem suits and consoles.
I've already formulated a plan to use the freebooters' intel to my advantage...

— My story

Visions of Eternity storyline

Act 1	Prologue: On the Sly → Unscheduled Departures → Solid Ground → Eyes, Ears, and Arms → Truths Unearthed
Act 2	Beneath the Canopy → Ruins of the Old World → Fumbling in the Dark → Path of Divinity
← Previous: Janthir Wilds Next: To be continued →

Solid Ground

Contents

Objectives[edit]

Rewards[edit]

Walkthrough[edit]

Achievements[edit]

Note[edit]

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Foes[edit]

Objects[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

My story[edit]

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