[X]

[Alonmy]

Q:Can the races interbreed? Or, specifically, can humans and norn interbreed?


A:No. Despite the quest text in GW1 that suggested that it might be possible, Jeff Grubb has stated otherwise. None of the races can interbreed with one another; there are no human-norn hybrids.


There is no definitive evidence as to how a cross-species romantic relationship would be commonly thought of in Tyria; there are no currently known examples for or against them.


Q:Are there any devices for speaking longer distances than face to face established in the lore?


A:Yes. According to Jeff Grubb, the asura have relay golems and other devices that can send audio messages over long distances, fuctionally similar to short-wave radios or walkie-talkies.


For reference, should one want to base their IC long-range communications on real-world examples: Shortwave radio can, in some cases and with sufficient training and optimal conditions, manage to send a signal hundreds or thousands or miles, but it is also sensitive to interference/disruptions, cannot be encrypted (anyone with the ability to hear the signal could recieve the message) and is more akin to picking up a radio signal as opposed to calling someone directly or having a teleconference.


Q:Do waypoints exist ICly?


A:The answer to this is unknown, and there is no RP-community consensus on how they should be treated.


Arguments for its existence ICly include that there is a reference made in an asura lore article by ArenaNet to a personal teleportation device created by Snaff, and a charr scout just outside the citadel that explains the use of waypoints as being "asura-created"; and there are no visible mounts such as horses.


Arguments against its existence ICly (and that it is instead an OOC game mechanic) include that all other NPCs do not seem aware of the ability to waypoint, both heroes and enemies alike; waypoints are not staffed by anyone and it is never explained to whom the fee to use them is being paid to; and they are built all over the world, even in improbable places or enemy territory and for some reason no one ever uses these waypoints to sneak behind enemy lines in a wartime situation; trade routes are still highly traveled and are guarded at great expense in spite of waypoint existence whereas waypoints are only occasionally guarded at all; there is no reference to them outside of tutorial areas.


Q:Can sylvari do <normal life function>?


A:Sylvari can, and do, participate in just about everything that the other races can do. This includes eating and drinking (and getting drunk!), sleeping, engaging in sexual activity, etc. Their bodies do not work exactly the same way, being made of plant material, but they perform the same functions in a roughly equivalent way.


There are only two things that sylvari cannot do that others can: sylvari cannot procreate, and they cannot be corrupted by the dragons' magic.


Q:Do all humans and charr hate one another?


A:No. The human-charr conflict has gone on for centuries, but there is currently a cease-fire, and there are individuals and groups on both sides, for and against the war.


There are likely to be varying attitudes about the war depending on where the characters are from. For example, a human from Ebonhawke, which has been under seige for many years, is much more likely to be hostile to charr than a human that grew up around Lion's Arch, with is a multi-cultural city. Similarly, a charr that has suffered losses from the war against the humans may be more bitter about the cease-fire than one that has mostly served away from the front lines or is more interested in other, more serious threats.