Dessa
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Dessa
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Interactive map (floor 10) |
“Oh, I've always been fascinated by the Mists. We know so little about them, yet they contain the history of the world.
— Dessa
Dessa is the enthusiastic young asura in charge of the Fractals Project. Her voice guides adventurers and often comments on the events of the fractals themselves.
Biography[edit]
Early years[edit]
As a progeny Dessa studied at Rata Sum, but it "didn't work out". Her friends Greeza and Chibb were Inquest technicians at the Thaumanova Reactor, but it is not known if she herself is affiliated with the Inquest. At some point, she "lost" her boyfriend to the Consortium. Dessa does not like to leave her lab, out of a fear that she will not be able to return to Mistlock Observatory.[1]
Although Dessa seems genuine, much of her story is fraught with contradiction. The fractals were marketed as a Consortium tourist attraction, but Dessa denies any connection to the Consortium and becomes angered when they are mentioned. She does not appear to be aware that the fractals are accessible from Lion's Arch, and as an additional complication she has no awareness of the sylvari, suggesting that she has not left her lab in over a quarter of a century. Indeed, she does not seem aware that any disaster has taken place at the Thaumanova Reactor at all.
Living World Season 1[edit]
In 1326 AE, Captain Ellen Kiel entered the Fractals of the Mists in order to commandeer the equipment therein and aid in the investigation of Scarlet Briar's connection to the Thaumanova Reactor disaster. Dessa was able to stabilize an instance of the disaster, but when the events there raised more questions than answers, Kiel attempted to place her under arrest.
When Dessa entered the asura gate back to Lion's Arch, she immediately reappeared in Mistlock Observatory with no memory of the previous events, revealing that the observatory is subject to the same rules as all the other fractals, and that Dessa is just as locked in the same loop as all the other creatures in the fractals.
Chaos Fractal[edit]
During the events in Chaos Fractal, a Mysterious Asura, printed in the dialogue box as “Mysterious Voice” is first introduced to the players. He claims that he’s been in the Chaos Isles for some time and is irritated because of the adventurers presence. He poses resistance and summons a chain of enemies that the adventurers have to defeat. After that, he teleports away after threatening to kill the players.
Nightmare Fractal[edit]
In the Nightmare Fractal, the Asura reveals that his name is Arkk, and claims to be chased by (and having a debt toward) the Inquest. After the end of this fractal, he warns the adventurers not to follow him.
Shattered Observatory[edit]
In the Shattered Observatory Fractal, Arkk is revealed to be Dessa's son, and explains that he has been trying to break himself and his mother out of the fractal loop for an undetermined time. However, he ultimately realizes both him and his mom are fractal echoes of their former selves, no different than the creatures the adventurers have been encountering all along.
Coming to terms with his existence, Arkk assists Dessa with stopping his machine from destroying the fractals and shares one last moment with her before the fractal eventually loops again and puts them right back where they started. With no memory of this chain of events, the cycle repeats itself each time the players enter the fractals of the mists.
Location[edit]
Story involvement[edit]
Living World Season 1[edit]
- Episode 13: Fractured
Dialogue[edit]
- (If sylvari)
- I...oh, what an interesting specimen. I don't mean to fix my oculars on you for so long, but what are you?
Enough about me. You need help here. What is it? (same as "What do I need to do?" below)- I am sylvari. Surely you've seen one of my kind before.
- No, but then I don't leave the lab much. Why leave when I've performed the greatest feat in all of science?
- But who are you?
Feat? Try being dropped fully formed from a tree.
- But...oh yes, the fractals. My krewe and I solidified pieces of the Mists. Not as amazing as a tree sprouting talking plants, I admit...
- Why are you studying the Mists?
- Oh, I've always been fascinated by the Mists. We know so little about them, yet they contain the history of the world.
- Tell me more about this place.
- It's my first full lab...with a krewe! From here, we'll study the fractals.
- Tell me more about you.
- Are the fractals safe now?
- Why are you studying the Mists?
- A lab you got from the Consortium?
- What? Those small-time hooligans and thugs? Never! This is my lab, and I'd sooner die than give them one sliver of my hard-earned data!
- Okay, another subject. Are the fractals safe now?
- Tell me more about this place.
- Tell me more about you.
Heard loud and clear. Good-bye.
- Good-bye.
- Are the fractals safe now?
- For now. Fractals operate like a loop. They reset and hostile elements return. I haven't yet cracked how to permanently pacify them.
- So, you do this over and over again? Sounds pointless.
- It certainly isn't! Every iota of data we gather is one step closer to understanding the Mists. If we stop, that'll be the true waste.
- Tell me more about this place.
- Tell me more about you.
- Good-bye.
- Tell me more about this place.
- Tell me more about you.
- So, this is a Consortium operation?
- Good luck.
- Tell me more about you.
- Flattering, but there's not much to tell. I studied at Rata Sum, but it didn't work out. Then came this opportunity.
- Tell me more about this place.
- Are the fractals safe now?
- Why are you studying the Mists?
- With a lab from the Consortium, I'm guessing?
- Good-bye.
- Good-bye.
- Who are you?
- Good-bye.
You have my full attention. Tell me all about your feat.
- Oh...public speaking. (ahem) My krewe...well, me and my krewe...all of us, we made explorable chunks of reality from the Mists.
- Who are you?
- Why are you studying the Mists?
- Good-bye.
- Good-bye.
- (Otherwise)
- Ah, a volunteer. I'm Dessa, and I'll be your experiment manager. You've been briefed on the fractals?
- (If Shattered Observatory Fractal (achievements) is completed)
- You're...you're here!
- Of course, research is my-- You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you all right?
- I...it's just...
- Did something happen? I should've seen if--
- Everything's fine. I'm just glad to see you.
- Hmm, well, always happy to have good help. Should we get to work now?
- Of course, Dessa. You're right. Let's get to it.
- What do I need to do?
- I hate to ask, but I need combat specialists to dispose of the hostile elements we acquired in the fractals during Mistlock. Can you do this?
- You can count on me. What do I do now?
- Outstanding! Use the portal to enter a fractal. Once it's stable, I'll transport you to the next one. Eventually, you'll loop back here.
- What's waiting for me inside?
- The Mistlock gathered a motley menagerie of everything cruel and lethal. I urge you to tread carefully.
- Why don't you do it?
- Sounds dangerous. What will you give me in return?
- Thanks for the warning.
- Why don't you go in and do this?
- That sounds dangerous. What will you give me in return?
- And if I refuse to go in?
- Got it.
- Why don't you go in and perform this task?
- I'm a scientist, not a fighter. I can teleport you between fractals, but I need experienced combatants to ensure stabilization.
- What's waiting for me inside?
- And I'm doing this for free?
- I'll think about it.
- That sounds rather dangerous. What will you give me in return?
- Oops. I thought you knew. I can't pay you, but you may keep any treasure you find.
- Why don't you go in and do it?
- What's waiting for me inside?
- Let me think about this.
- And if I refuse to perform this task?
- That would be a disaster! The fractals need to be pacified. Please, reconsider. I require your assistance.
- What's waiting for me inside?
- And in return?
- I'll think about it.
- I shall think about it.
- I'd rather inquire about this place. Where am I?
- My laboratory, but it's dangerous until the fractals are stable. Thank the Alchemy you volunteered.
- Wait, volunteered? For what?
- Who are you?
- I'm Dessa, krewe chief of the fractals project. We have chunks of the Mists for study, and that's where you come in.
- What do you need me to do?
- How did you get connected to that gate in Lion's Arch?
- Lion's Arch? No, there must be a misunderstanding. We'd never launch this lab from that pirate haven.
- But...never mind. What do you need me to do?
- Good-bye.
- Why don't you get some Consortium help? Aren't you with them?
- Those money-grabbing connivers? It's bad enough I lost my boyfriend to those shady "businessmen." Take my advice: reject their advances. Nothing good will come from their machinations.
- What do you need me to do?
- How did you get connected to that gate in Lion's Arch?
- Thanks for the advice.
- Good-bye.
- Good-bye.
- (if The Dreamer I: The Experimental Short Bow is active and with a Letter to Dessa)
I recovered this, which appears to be meant for you. (Ends dialogue and gives Dessa's Sadness.)- (if reached Skywatch Archipelago)[verification requested]
- A group called the Wizard's Court creates fractals for research.
- Fabricated fractals? That's...fascinating. If only I could reach out to them to share data... Oh, forget it. I assure you, though—the fractals we've been studying are as real as it gets.
- See you around.
- Goodbye.
Quotes[edit]
- Greets
- So much research to pursue. So much data to acquire.
- Are you prepared to traverse the fractals?
- Ah, have you been waiting for a prolonged period?
- Please peruse my supply golems. They should have anything you require.
- My brain, your brawn. We'd make the perfect krewe.
Related achievements[edit]
The Dreamer I: The Experimental Short Bow: 
Dessa's Sadness — Find the letter meant for Dessa in the Raving Asura's chest in the Uncategorized Fractal, and bring it to Dessa.
Notes[edit]
- Had
overhead icon in the past.
Trivia[edit]
- Dessa is voiced by Kari Wahlgren.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ TowerTalk LoreSpecial: Closeup Flame&Frost and Fractals, TowerTalk
- ^ Post by Bobby Stein in "Who voices Dessa?", Old Guild Wars 2 Forums (Archived)
