Here at Guild Wars Insider we’ve been trying to help the newcomers get comfortable with the game that we all know and love. Last time I gave a brief overview of the humans and where they stand in the world of Tyria. While the humans can be great, there are four other races that you may want to consider when stepping into the world. Today, let’s take a look at the charr, the ferocious antagonists to the humans in Guild Wars 1.

Back in the first Guild Wars game the charr originally worshiped beings known as the Titans. It was through their worship of these mighty creatures that their society centralized around a caste of shamans who in the long run, did more harm to the people than good. Through the shaman female charr were removed from the field of battle and relegated to more domestic roles while the males of the species focused on taking back their lands from the humans. In the events of the Searing the charr conjured powerful magic that enabled them to destroy the Great Northern Wall and overrun the kingdom of Ascalon.

As the events continued to progress the charr paid a horrible price when their gods where destroyed right in front of them as a result of the Flameseeker Prophecies. It was a tragic day for these mighty people as everything they had placed their trust in came to ruin. The shaman attempted to find a new god for the people to worship in order to maintain their control and so they turned to the destroyers. This would prove to be the final nail in the coffin though as the destroyers were ultimately defeated as well! Charr society began to change then and many charr abandoned the idea of worshiping gods in favor of relying on their own strength.

Over the next 250 years charr society developed into a well oiled machine. Female charr, previously relegated to more menial roles, proved to be the turning point in a civil war with the Flame Legion and as a result were incorporated back into the warbands as valuable members.

In modern Tyrian society the charr live and breath for battle. Every aspect of their culture, from “family units” to profession, is centered around the warband and your brother/sister in arms. Charr children are even given over to their own “fahrar”, which is a warband in training, in which they learn the skills that are necessary for their daily survival.

Three of the four legions are currently allied together (the Flame Legion being outcasts) and as a player you will choose one of these legions to join. They are:

Ash Legion: members of this legion are renowned for their skills as stalkers and assassins. Preferring to strike from the shadows this is the legion that works behind enemy lines to disrupt their foe instead of facing them head on. They are led by Malice Swordshadow.

Iron Legion: these are the engineers and craftsman of the legions. They are skilled in the development of weapons of war, working on technology that will help them in their constant struggle against their enemies. Smodur the Unflinching is the leader of this legion.

Blood Legion: this legion is the traditional warriors, they prefer to meet a foe head on, charging into battle with swords raised! Preferring tactics over stealth or technology the Blood Legion is not afraid of any fight. Rytlock Brimstone is a member of the blood legion, but Bangar Ruinbringer is the imperator.

Fierce, resilient, and always ready for a fight, the charr are a very unique race among the peoples of Tyria and one that you very much should consider playing! Next time we’ll look at the norn who share some similarities to the charr society, look almost human, but are very unique as well!