The Jade Sea
“Hundreds of years ago, the Jade Wind petrified everything it touched—even the waters off Cantha’s coastline. Luxon nomads adapted to a world where seafaring happens on foot, and modern innovators are still finding uses for the Jade Sea’s unusual bounty.
— Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons - The Jade Sea
The Jade Sea is an inland sea within the continent of Cantha. Many years ago the Jade Sea was navigable for Luxons ships; after the Jade Wind occurred when Shiro Tagachi unleashed it, the sea became petrified in literal jade. Many years have passed, and the Jade Sea has begun to melt and return to its watery form in certain parts. The Jade Sea's original blueish turquoise color has turned more vibrant green after being hit by the magic released by the Elder Dragon Zhaitan's fall.[1]
At present, the jade contained within the sea is being mined by Xunlai Jade and the Jade Brotherhood, chiefly for use as dragonjade in modern technology.
Locations[edit]
History[edit]
Early history[edit]
Prior to the devastating Jade Wind, the Jade Sea was a normal inland sea, so named for its color. At some point, the Luxons arrived and made their homes in the waters, choosing to become a nomadic group sailing across the clear waters. Alongside the Luxons, peaceful naga inhabited the sea, trading with humans and peacefully living along the shoreline.
The Jade Wind[edit]
In 1382 CC (872 AE), Emperor Angsiyan arrived at the Harvest Temple for an annual prayer to the goddess Dwayna. His bodyguard, Shiro Tagachi, influenced by the fallen god Abaddon, struck the emperor down to absorb his soul and the magic gifted by Dwayna, and was soon slain by the assassin Vizu and the Kurzick and Luxon champions Saint Viktor and Archemorus who had arrived to avenge the fallen emperor. However, in his last moments, Shiro let out a magically charged death wail that petrified the sea, turning everything in it to literal jade.
Leviathans froze in blocks of jade where they lay. With their habitat turned to stone, local sealife adapted to become land-dwelling. Far beneath the surface, the Deep formed, where the demon Kanaxai would spread his influence to gradually turn Luxons who breached too close to his domain mad. The naga population dwindled to the point that only twenty or so individuals remained, and they blamed all Canthan humans for the catastrophe and began viewing humans as enemies.
After the Jade Wind, the Luxons attempted to adapt to the familiar water now transformed into unfamiliar, strange crystal formations. They began mining pure Jadeite from the sea, to be sold to the people of the Empire of the Dragon.
End of Dragons[edit]
Warning: No reason provided! The Jade Sea has changed quite a bit in the following 250 years; much of the sea has been melting and returning to its watery form. However, there is still a large part of the sea frozen, and what is now the Xunlai Jade Quarry is completely empty of jade and houses an entire mining town.
The jade is mined to be used in jade tech such as Jade Mechs, making modern day Cantha depend on it. Following the Elder Dragon Zhaitan's fall in 1835 CC (1325 AE), some of the released magic rippled through the land, following the ley lines, and found its way to the Harvest Temple. A magical green blush formed there and spread throughout Dragon's End, replacing the jade's original blueish turquoise color.[1]
| Following the death of the Elder Dragon of Water and Life, Soo-Won, the Brotherhood's miners in Gyala Delve began to be plagued by visions and shadowy creatures, along with demonic oni. |
Geography and climate[edit]
The Jade Sea is an inland sea located within the continent of Cantha, lying east of the Echovald Forest and south of the Great Turtle Highlands. Centuries ago, before the Jade Wind, the region was navigable for the Luxon ships, and animal life thrived. However, after the Jade Wind, the sea and creatures within were petrified, rendering navigation and fishing impossible.
Although some remnants of marine life and features of the ecosystem, such as petrified waves and occasional fish, can still be observed, the petrified state of the sea has been viewed positively in some ways. The hardened jade has been extensively mined and quarried, becoming a vital resource for the development of the dragonjade technology that sustains the Dragon Empire. The region now hosts numerous mines and quarries, such as the Xunlai Jade Quarry. However, the intensive extraction of jade has significantly altered the landscape, with some areas undergoing terraforming.
In recent years, parts of the sea have begun to melt, slowly returning to their watery form. Despite this, the majority of the Jade Sea remains petrified. Following the death of the Elder Dragon Zhaitan, magical energy struck the sea, altering its appearance. The sea's original bluish-turquoise color transformed into a vibrant green, further changing the character of this unique region.
Interactive map[edit]
Gallery[edit]
- Screenshots
The Jade Sea still mostly petrified.
Flooded caves under the Jade Sea
Petrified fish that can still be seen.
One of the mines
The Xunlai Jade quarry in northern Dragon's End.
Jade infused by ley lines on the wall.
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- Concept art
Concept art from Guild Wars Factions by Daniel Dociu.
Concept of Destiny's Edge in the Jade Sea by Neal Hanson.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons concept art by Levi Hopkins.
- Map
Appearance the Jade Sea in Guild Wars.
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See also[edit]
- Associated items
Block of the Solid Ocean
Chunk of the Solid Ocean
Crystal Block of the Solid Ocean
Fragments of the Solid Ocean
External links[edit]
- Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons - The Jade Sea, YouTube.com
- Guild Chat - Jade Sea Map Tour, YouTube.com
References[edit]
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The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on The Jade Sea. |
