PvE
Setting
Warning: The following text contains spoilers relating to the plot of Eye of the North.
The Guild Wars 2 story is set about 250 years after the events in the Eye of the North expansion. As reported by PC Gamer magazine in a special issue, the world of Tyria will be drastically changed from its original form. These changes will be caused by an ancient race of powerful dragons resurfacing after millenia of slumber. The first of the dragons, called Primordus, was already debuted in Eye of the North, whose main antagonist, The Great Destroyer, was one of his generals. This dragon arises and takes over the underground network of Asuran tunnels under Tyria, driving the Asuras to the surface. Subsequently a number of other dragons resurface; one rises about the sunken holy city of Arah in the ruined kingdom of Orr, simultaneously raising the entire region from below the water level and creating an undead armada that severs the sea route between continent of Tyria and the Factions continent of Cantha; another arises to the south of the Crystal Desert, cutting off the link to the Nightfall continent of Elona; a third arises in the Far Shiverpeaks and uses its icy minions to push the Norn south into the land previously occupied by the Dwarves.
The resurfacing of Orr causes massive floods that destroy many coastal cities in Kryta, including its capital city, Lion's Arch. The Krytans move north, away from the coast, and establish a new capital, Divinity's Reach, in the former holy village of Divinity's Coast; there, they set up a republic that ends the years of feuds between the Shining Blade, a faction loyal to the Krytan royalty in waiting, and the rebel White Mantle. Many refugees flock to Kryta from the rest of Tyria; most importantly, the humans from Ascalon, which now belongs entirely to the Charr. Those Ascalons who did not flee to Kryta move southwards and barricade themselves in a fortress called Ebonhawke. Ascalon City itself becomes a ghost town, populated by the vengeful spirits of its former citizens who slay all who dare enter. A legend says that if one of the two relics of Ascalon's sundered royal line, the flaming swords of Prince Rurik and King Adelbern, are returned to Ascalon, then the spirits will finally be at rest. Lion's Arch is eventually rebuilt and becomes the new portal into the Mists with the blessing of the god of war, Balthazar; it takes the place of the Battle Isles, which also sinks in the floods.
In Cantha, the successor of emperor Emperor Kisu defeats the warring Kurzick and Luxon factions and reunites Cantha under one banner. Under his strong leadership, Cantha forces all non-human races off their lands and fortifies its borders, becoming much more isolationist than before. The few Canthans who oppose the new empire are exiled to Kryta. When Arah resurfaces, the Corsair ships that used to take refuge in that archipelago are corrupted by the dragon to form a deadly fleet of black ships that seal off all trade routes between Cantha and the other continents. At the start of the Guild Wars 2 story, there has been no contact with mainland Canthans for a generation.
In Elona, the undead general Palawa Joko, who had briefly formed an alliance with the Order of the Sunspear to defeat the fallen god Abaddon in Nightfall, successfully reconstitutes his undead army and begins a long siege on the Elonian provinces of Vabbi, Kourna and Istan. Vabbi is all but destroyed, its former splendor ruined by a ravaging famine when the river Elon is diverted by Joko. The Sunspears are eventually broken by Joko's armies, and many of their former leaders are converted to his service, some alive, some undead. The land bridge between Elona and the Crystal Desert is blocked by Joko's minions and the Desert Dragon, and the only news that slips through is carried by the mysterious and secretive Order of Whispers, who are now spread over all of Tyria.
Besides the humans, the other sentient races have a comparatively better time. The Norns and the Charr continue to honor their peace formed from a mutual respect. The Asuras spread through all cities, maintaining a network of teleportation gates but also remaining strictly neutral. The Charr achieve total victory over Ascalon and settle into the former human capital of Rin. A new race, the Sylvari, appear fully formed from the mysterious tree that the centaur Ventari tended to until his death. The Dwarves, who pursued the Destroyers deep and long at the end of Eye of the North, are now deathless creatures of stone; the few who remain watch the ages go by, interacting little with the other sentient races, if at all.
Characters
Characters and items from the original Guild Wars campaign will not be migrated to play in Guild Wars 2. Some items and titles will be available to players of Guild Wars 2 through a Hall of Monuments created as part of Guild Wars Eye of the North.
The level cap will be raised. It has been suggested that the cap could be 100 or infinite but it is clear that this has not been finalized. Whether a high level cap will significantly change the mechanics of weapons and armor in the original Guild Wars game has not been specified. In a recent interview, it was stated that the power curve will be flattened, with diminishing returns for higher levels.
The professions are being designed so that they are all viable for both solo and group play.
Companions
The system of companions and allies is being reworked. Companions will be customizable similar to Heroes. Players will be allowed to bring a single companion with them who will not take up a party slot. When a player chooses not to bring a companion, their character will instead be buffed so that they will not be disadvantaged by not bringing a companion.
Antagonists
It is currently known, according to the special Guild Wars edition of PC gamer, released in October, that the Ancient Dragons will be the primary antagonist of the PvE campaign. Other minor antagonists that are known at this time are the White Mantle and Palawa Joko and his army of the undead and fallen Sunspears.
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