The Fallen God of Secrets: Unmasking Abaddon
The fallen god of secrets is Abaddon, a prominent figure in the Guild Wars universe. Once revered as the God of Water and Secrets, he eventually fell from grace due to his opposition to the other gods’ decision to reduce magic on Tyria, leading to a rebellion and his subsequent imprisonment and corruption. His influence continues to ripple throughout the games, shaping events and serving as a major antagonist.
Abaddon’s History: From God to Fallen
Abaddon’s initial role was one of beneficence. As the God of Water and Secrets, he held sway over knowledge hidden from mortals and the life-giving seas. However, a pivotal moment shifted his destiny: the decision by the other gods to reduce the amount of magic readily available on Tyria. Abaddon, believing this would stifle progress and innovation, vehemently opposed this plan. This dissent escalated into open rebellion, leading to a cataclysmic conflict that ended with his defeat and imprisonment within the Realm of Torment.
This imprisonment, rather than subduing him, twisted Abaddon. The constant torment and isolation fueled his hatred and drove him mad. He became a being of pure chaos, seeking to unleash his corrupted power upon Tyria and reshape it in his twisted image. He used his remaining influence, even from within his prison, to subtly manipulate events, corrupting individuals like Vizier Khilbron and Shiro Tagachi through his loyal servants. These actions set the stage for the events of the original Guild Wars campaigns, painting a picture of a meticulous and vengeful deity.
The Nightfall Campaign and Abaddon’s Ultimate Defeat
The culmination of Abaddon’s machinations occurs in the Guild Wars: Nightfall campaign. Here, the player characters confront the consequences of his long-term schemes and ultimately face Abaddon himself. The narrative reveals the extent of his corrupting influence and the devastating potential of his unleashed power. Even after his defeat, Abaddon’s residual energy threatened to plunge Tyria into eternal darkness, an event known as Nightfall.
The only solution lay in absorbing his raw power, a task undertaken by Spearmarshal Kormir. In a climactic act of sacrifice and ascension, Kormir became the new Goddess of Truth and Order, preventing Abaddon’s former power from destroying the world. This transformation marked the definitive end of Abaddon’s reign of terror, though the scars of his influence remain a permanent part of Tyria’s history. The story highlights the importance of understanding complex narratives in video games, a topic actively researched and discussed by the Games Learning Society. You can learn more about their work at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Abaddon
1. What were Abaddon’s powers as a god?
Abaddon possessed dominion over water, secrets, and forbidden knowledge. He could control the seas, uncover hidden truths, and manipulate the flow of information. He was also incredibly powerful, capable of wielding immense magical energy.
2. Why did Abaddon rebel against the other gods?
Abaddon believed the decision to reduce magic on Tyria was a mistake that would stifle progress and innovation. He saw it as a betrayal of the natural order and a detriment to the potential of mortals.
3. What is the Realm of Torment?
The Realm of Torment is a nightmarish dimension, a prison created by the other gods to contain Abaddon after his defeat. It is a place of eternal suffering and madness, designed to break the will of even the most powerful beings.
4. How did Abaddon influence Vizier Khilbron and Shiro Tagachi?
Abaddon used his servants, Terick and the Fortune Teller, respectively, to manipulate Khilbron and Shiro. He subtly guided their actions, exploiting their weaknesses and desires to further his own goals of chaos and destruction.
5. What is Nightfall?
Nightfall is a cataclysmic event that threatened to engulf Tyria after Abaddon’s defeat. It was caused by the uncontrolled release of his corrupted power, which would have plunged the world into eternal darkness and chaos.
6. How did Kormir become a goddess?
Kormir absorbed Abaddon’s residual power to prevent Nightfall. The other gods had bestowed a mysterious “gift” upon her which allowed her to perform this feat. This act transformed her into the Goddess of Truth and Order.
7. Is Abaddon truly dead?
In the traditional sense, yes. Kormir’s absorption of his power effectively ended his existence. However, the consequences of his actions and the lingering traces of his influence continue to affect Tyria.
8. What is Abaddon’s legacy in Guild Wars 2?
While Abaddon himself does not directly appear in Guild Wars 2, his legacy continues to impact the world. The consequences of his actions and the knowledge gained during the original campaigns inform the present-day narrative.
9. What role did the Forgotten play in Abaddon’s defeat?
The Forgotten, ancient beings dedicated to maintaining balance, played a key role in providing knowledge and assistance to the heroes who opposed Abaddon. They understood the threat he posed and guided the players towards the means of defeating him.
10. How did Abaddon try to spread his influence?
Besides direct servants, Abaddon used corrupted water sources to spread his influence and twisted creatures into monstrous forms known as Abominations. This widespread corruption weakened the land and its inhabitants, making them more susceptible to his control.
11. Was Abaddon the only god to rebel against the others?
While the other gods stripped Balthazar of his power, no other god has attempted to lead a war against the other gods like Abaddon did.
12. What caused the gods to leave Tyria in the first place?
The departure of the gods, known as the Exodus of the Gods, was partly influenced by the events surrounding Abaddon’s rebellion. However, the primary reason for their departure was the realization that they could not defeat the Elder Dragons without destroying the world itself.
13. Who are the other gods of Tyria besides Abaddon and Kormir?
The original six gods of Tyria included Dwayna (Goddess of Air and Healing), Melandru (Goddess of Nature and Earth), Balthazar (God of War and Fire), Lyssa (Goddess of Beauty and Illusion), and Grenth (God of Death and Ice).
14. What is the significance of water in relation to Abaddon?
Water, initially representing life and secrets, became corrupted under Abaddon’s influence. It symbolized the perversion of knowledge and the spread of his twisted will.
15. Is Abaddon based on any real-world mythology?
The name Abaddon originates from Hebrew, meaning “destruction” or “place of destruction,” and appears in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, often associated with the angel of the abyss. While the Guild Wars character draws inspiration from this, his specific lore and motivations are largely original creations.