#Commander Rhudain

[grasping-earth]

GW2 Ask Meme:

1 - Skoria Smokeheart

6 - Mjora Suitorsbane

15 - This new commander lad you teased (Rhudain)

1. Your character is now the leader of their species, whatever that looks like for them. How do they govern and what sorts of changes would they make, if any?

Hoo boy, what a time to become Imperator of the Iron Legion eh? I don't think she'd ever go for Khan-Ur, a legion is more than enough to worry about. But she's a good leader and she wouldn't make a bad imperator, whatever she might say. If this was after Icebrood Saga her priority would be projecting an impression of solidarity and getting back to normal. In the pursuit of that she'd be well allied with Crecia, even though I think Skoria would remain a little wary of her. She'd also reach out to the Vigil and/or Pact and invite them to help deal with the Dragonbrand, just to ease the number of threats Iron is having to personally stay on top of (same logic as the Ebonhawke truce). She'd be concerned with Iron's pride in relation to the other legions and outside races, but she sees that pride being better served by showing their strength to the rest of the world rather than being insular. She just won't be shy to retaliate if anyone insults the legion, which other races would have to learn.

6. They're now a heart NPC/part of a string of quests. What does that involve?

Occupation-wise Mjora is a hunter, and I can see her having a event chain in which she invites players to accompany her in finding traces of a great beast that's been rumoured in her part of the Shiverpeaks, then track it as an escort. The final event would reveal that it's a big dragon minion of some slightly unusual kind that meant it was mistaken for something else, and you'd kill it (leaving Mjora to complain there's no trophy to show for it, dragon minions aren't very good for that).

On the other hand, a "Suitorsbane" event could be fun. Have her somewhere in the mountains near her sister's house, perhaps asking you to distract or waylay some guy at first so he doesn't go and bother her and you end up helping her fend off a variety of norn and a couple of charr/others who want to come prove themselves worthy of Driffa's attention, while Mjora (and players) beat them up until they leave. Driffa comes out afterwards to ask what the fuss was and Mjora blatantly lies 😆

15. What is their favourite and least favourite part of being the commander?

Hmm, this is tough because I haven't written a lot of him as Commander yet (more how he gets there). I think the admiration for his skill and achievements really would please him at first - but Rhudain is sylvari and I think Heart of Thorns puts a stop to any sense that this is a fun adventure into fame and glory. The "correct" answer is that he cares about helping people, and he does, sure, but I think his favourite part of being the Commander might be that it gives him the power to change things. He can step up and people listen; if he believes something is necessary he can, when it comes down to it, take steps to make it happen. As stressful as responsibility is it beats feeling powerless. His least favourite part might be that people have started to assume he can always fix things, always find a way through impossible situations, and that means he's going to let people down - but he can't control the faith other people put in his legend.