Cutthroat Politics
23rd July, 2013
An assassination has created a vacancy on the Captain’s Council of Lion’s Arch. Two candidates —war hero Ellen Kiel and prominent merchant Evon Gnashblade —both want to occupy that empty seat, but they can’t do it without your support!
To prove they have what it takes to sit on the powerful ruling council, Kiel and Gnashblade will compete to secure a lucrative trade agreement with the merchants of the Zephyr Sanctum. Support your favorite candidate as you experience two weeks of new events, activities, features and rewards beginning 23rd July!
Events
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Support Your Candidate – 23rd July to 5th August
Evon Gnashblade and Ellen Kiel are trying to work out a trade agreement with the Zephyr Sanctum in order to help them secure a spot on the Captain’s Council of Lion’s Arch. Use Support Tokens and coins to help out your candidate of choice!
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New Activity – Southsun Survival – Begins 23rd July
Scheme, kill, and scavenge your way to the top in this new competitive activity! Armed with only a bow and whatever supplies you can find, you’ll face off against other players in a battle to be the last one standing. Earn karma and coins for each round you play, plus a rare chance at an exclusive Back Item!
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New PvP Activity – Aspect Arena – Begins 23rd July
Pick one of the Aspects of Sun, Wind, or Lightning, and face off in teams to collect crystals. Each Aspect will grant you different skills with which to maneuver and fight. Earn karma and coins for each round you play, plus a rare chance at an exclusive Back Item!
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Candidate Trials Challenge – Begins 23rd July
Enter into the Candidate Trials alone or with a group in support of your chosen candidate. You’ll test your battle skills by facing off against waves of Aetherblade pirates – hold out for as long as you can to earn Support Tokens and loot! The challenge is great, but so are the rewards – you may even earn a rare chance at an Aetherized weapon!
Meet the Candidates
Evon Gnashblade
As owner and proprietor of the Black Lion Trading Company, I have the proven leadership skills and business acumen that is sorely needed on the Captain’s Council. With your support, I will secure a trade agreement with the Zephyrites that benefits us all.
If I am elected to the Captain’s Council, I’ll show my gratitude for your support in the following ways:
- I’ll slash prices on Black Lion Keys for four whole weeks
- I’ll sponsor important Fractals of the Mist research into the Fall of Abaddon, to be completed by the end of the year
- I’ll host a rotation of popular activities like Crab Toss and Southsun Survival.
You can find me in the Zephyr Sanctum, working for the best interest of Lion’s Arch.
Ellen Kiel
I’ve stood by the people of Lion’s Arch in good times and bad, defending her from all manner of threat. Now I want to ensure the security of our beloved city in a different capacity, as a member of the Captain’s Council. I’ll need your support to establish a fair trade treaty between Zephyr Sanctum and Lion’s Arch.
If I’m fortunate enough to earn a position on the Captain’s Council, here’s what you can expect from Ellen Kiel:
- I’ll reduce waypoint travel prices for four weeks’ time
- I’ll support important Fractals of the Mists research into the Thaumanova Reactor explosion by the end of the year
- I’ll introduce a rotating schedule of activities such as Crab Toss and Southsun Survival.
Come find me in Zephyr Sanctum; let’s work together for
a brighter future!
New Rewards
Exclusive New Back Items
Two new exclusive back items, the Desert Rose and Zephyr Rucksack, are available as rare drops from the Southsun Survival and Aspect Arena activities respectively.
Mini Ellen Kiel and Mini Evon Gnashblade
Complete the Gnashblade Supporter and Kiel Supporter meta achievements to unlock a miniature Evon Gnashblade and Ellen Kiel of your very own!
A Guide to Cutthroat Politics
Want to know how to get started? Check out our spoiler-free mini-guide to this release!
New Gem Store Items
Aetherized Weapon Skins
We’re updating our Black Lion Chests with tickets for Aetherblade weapon skins for a limited time! Collect a ticket or ticket scraps to trade in for one of the Aetherblade’s trendy weapon skins.
Candidate Support Packs
You can pick up a Support Pack to help out your candidate of choice; each pack comes with 5 banners that you can use to proudly display your support and a buff that makes Support Tokens you turn in count double!
New Armor Skins
Three new armor skins have been added to the Gem Store: Braham’s Heavy Armor Skin, the Magitech Medium Armor Skin, and the Phoenix Light Armor Skin!
Banker Golems
You can now pick up a Banker Golem that lasts for two full weeks! Take these faithful aids with you to have instant Bank access wherever you roam.
New Features
New World vs. World Ability Line – Catapult Mastery
This month’s World vs. World ability line addition is Catapult Mastery! Invest points in Catapult Mastery to increase damage done to walls, extra damage against other siege, increase your attack radius, and unlock a new, powerful skill.
Screenshots
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