Nightmare Court

Grand Duchess Faolain.

“

A true sylvari should have two hearts: one soft and pliable as hot wax, and the other as hard and impenetrable as an icy diamond. The first, he should show to his companions, the second, to his enemy. Woe to the one for whom the two are the same.

— Dagonet

The Nightmare Court is a sylvari-only organisation whose members reject the teachings of Ventari that shape their race. Opposing the tenets of Ventari's Tablet, the Courtiers embrace the Nightmare encountered within the Dream of Dreams, giving life to it with acts of evil in an attempt to understand it and feed yet more horror to the Dream. The primary goal of the Nightmare Court is to corrupt the Pale Tree herself, bringing her around to their twisted ideals so that the sylvari may be freed from the shackles of Ventari's Tablet, and replace this Centaur-Human philosophy that has perverted the true nature of the Pale Tree and its children by one which is uniquely sylvari.

The Courtiers do not consider themselves perverse or evil. In their eyes, they are merely freeing the sylvari from a tainted outside influence, it is their noble purpose to bring others of their race away from that forced behavior and into darkness.

Description

Concept art for Nightmare Court armor (light).

“

Ah, freshly awakened and already you've been lied to. Your eyes should be open! Yet they are closed to all but the teachings of long-dead philosophers. The centaur, Ventari. The human, Ronan. Neither were sylvari! Why do we lend their words such credence? Ventari's tablet shackles us. In its shadow, we're slaves to an imposed morality, rooted in foreign ground and trapped forever. I say no, and so should you! Look within yourself. The Dream is many things. It is light and dark, love and anger, good and evil. So are we.

— Nightmare Court Recruit

The sylvari in the Nightmare Court do not unanimously share the same mentality. Some courtiers preach their way is about balancing the Dream and the Nightmare, and only convert those willing to join; while others seek for the Nightmare to overcome the Dream and will forcefully convert captives to their cause. In the end, however, all converts believe the Nightmare's path is correct, even if forced upon them, and are all more than willing to convince other sylvari to choose the same path, regardless of how they go about it.

Initiates to the Court are forced to commit dreadful acts that contribute to the growing Nightmare within the Dream in order to destroy all the sympathy, empathy, or compassion they might have had left. To achieve this, the Nightmare Court holds Dark Vigils: things of legend, filled with regal depravity; twisted courtliness and sadistic tournaments that pervert sylvari chivalry.

The Nightmare Court is a hierarchy, low-ranking members become servants to higher-ranking ones. Initiates gain ranks as they begin to spread the Nightmare, becoming Knights and often taking on titles, such as Knight of Decay or Knight of Embers.The hierarchy is respected by all Courtiers, although there have been known cases of infighting between members of the same rank. The highest ranks within the Nightmare Court are known as the Retinue, elevated to such a position by the leader and given new ranks: baron, count, countess, duke, and duchess. The highest rank is that of Grand Duchess.

Where Dreamers receive Wyld Hunts from the Dream of Dreams, Courtiers claim to receive Dark Hunts from the Nightmare.

The Nightmare Court has taken root in Twilight Arbor, which has bloomed into their headquarters, although several smaller encampments have sprouted throughout Tyria.

History

Early history

“

The elders follow without thinking. This tablet, it's a farce. They cling to it because it tells them how to behave. But we, we have our own minds. We do not swallow whole the old philosophies. We...are better than that.

— Cadeyrn

The Nightmare Court was founded by the Secondborn Cadeyrn in circa 1309 AE after several events made him question the teachings of Ventari. After winning a fight against krait where other sylvari died, he was denied the chance to kill their defenseless children, as Niamh cited "all things have a right to grow". When the asura nearly killed Malomedies and left him scarred forever physically and mentally, the Firstborn quelled his thirst for vengeance, citing "the only lasting peace is the peace within your soul". Cadeyrn slowly became convinced that Ventari's Tablet was holding the sylvari back and that, if the sylvari were truly to defeat the Elder Dragons, they would have to use any means necessary. He voiced these concerns to the Pale Tree, who tried in vain to reason with him, and ultimately fell silent. Cadeyrn was furious, he demanded answers, he was the first of his generation of secondborn. But it was Caithe who answered: "Why should she care? She has thousands of children now, Cadeyrn. You are either firstborn...or you are simply sylvari."

This catharsis led him to create the Nightmare Court and forcefully make the Pale Tree listen to his views. "I will make you hear me, Mother, like it or not. When I am finished and you are free at last, then I will be first in your heart!". Caithe would later deeply regret her words.

Eventually, Cadeyrn managed to bring Firstborn Faolain into his fold, though this was after Faolain had first touched the Nightmare herself, and she later replaced him as leader, titling herself the Grand Duchess. Since then, Faolain has attempted multiple times to bring Caithe into the Nightmare.

Personal story

A Nightmare Tree. The Nightmare Court would try time and again to spread their evil and turn dreamers to their cause of corrupting the Pale Tree herself to Nightmare. Their most notable attempt occurred in 1325 AE, when the Court tried to turn to Nightmare a powerful creature with influence over the Dream, the White Stag, but were ultimately stopped by Caithe and the Valiant. Later that year, Caithe decided to finally confront Faolain for good, and put an end to the Nightmare Court. She travelled to the Nightmare Court headquarters, Twilight Arbor, near which some sylvari had recently been kidnapped. In the arbor, Caithe's resolve was tested. She was confronted by her past mistakes: the failure of Destiny's Edge, and Faolain's descent to Nightmare. With the aid of the Valiant, Caithe was able to kill Faolain's champions: Sariel, Brangoire, and Cadeyrn; and faced Faolain herself. The fight against the Grand Duchess was strenuous both physically and mentally, as Faolain used mesmer illusions to further torment Caithe by the failure of Destiny's Edge. Faolain was defeated, but she did not die, and she portalled herself away from the Arbor. Although Faolain had left the Arbor, the Court had not. The Grand Duchess had left behind her most nightmarish creation. In the centre of the Arbor, Faolain had nurtured a Nightmare Tree, a source of power that grants whoever possesses it their darkest desires. Fueled by their own interests, three high ranking courtiers: Fyonna, Leurent, and Vevina, sought the tree for their own twisted purposes. Fyonna: Countess of Spiders, longing for a family, she sought the power of the Nightmare Tree to grow her "family" of spiders to entangle and devour the world. Leurent: Count of Blood, blinded by rage after failing his Wyld Hunt, he wanted the power of the Nightmare Tree to wage war and burn down all of Tyria. Vevina: Countess of Obedience, in her vanity, she lusted for the power of the Nightmare Tree to mind-control everyone into worshipping her. The courtiers conspired and betrayed each other, and were eventually defeated, along with the Nightmare Tree, by Morrigu and a group of adventurers. This debacle led some courtiers to believe that Duchess Chrysanthea and her more "liberal" faction would try a move for power.

Living World Season 1

Scarlet Briar's machinations led to the birth of the Toxic Alliance, a splinter group of Nightmare Courtiers that allied with Krait to fulfil Scarlet's plans. Most notably, the Toxic Alliance was behind the Tower of Nightmares, which birthed the Champion Toxic Hybrid. In 1326 AE, some Nightmare Courtier groups worked out a deal with Scarlet Briar, allowing the Aetherblades to set up a base within Twilight Arbor. What the Court gained from this deal was never known. The Aetherblades used this base to build Aetherblade airships. Eventually, Caithe and the Lionguard, aided by a group of adventurers, were able to defeat them and shut down the facility, although Scarlet herself was not within the Arbor so she continued with her plans. In 1327, Scarlet waged war in Lion's Arch. Using an enormous drill known as The Breachmaker, Scarlet perforated into Lion's Arch bay, Sanctum Harbor. Although she was killed, she posthumously completed her plans. The drill diverted a ley line, sending it west, and a loud roar was heard. Mordremoth was stirring from his slumber.

Living World Season 2

Following a sudden change of character and apparently betraying the Pact Commander, Caithe disappeared. The Commander sought guidance from the Pale Tree to uncover Caithe's motivation and reasoning. The Pale Mother provided them with four memory seeds, which could be planted in key locations to bring the planter into the Dream and relive an essential moment of Caithe's life. The first memory seed was planted in the Grove, and showed a young Cadeyrn recruiting like-minded sylvari, including Faolain, into what would become the Nightmare Court. Faolain also discussed with Caithe about Wynne, the former having eavesdropped on a conversation between Wynne and the Pale Mother in which Wynne mentioned she was keeping a secret that could "hold sway over all sylvari". Faolain became obsessed with this, and pestered Wynne to make her share her secret, but Wynne refused. The third memory seed was planted in the Far Silverwastes. This time, the seed showed that Wynne had gone to a centaur encampment in the Far Silverwastes, seeking to know more about Ventari, and Caithe and Faolain had followed her. Faolain, who had brought Nightmare Court reinforcements "in case [they] need backup", confronted Wynne. A fight broke, and the conflict ended with Faolain, Caithe, and the Courtiers, wiping out the centaurs, and a horrified Wynne ran away into the The Sealed Cavern. Back in the present, all sylvari eventually became aware of what the Dream had revealed to Wynne before her awakening. All sylvari, including Nightmare Courtiers, are minions of Mordremoth, and are meant to serve it. The Elder Dragon had sway over the sylvari, and the Nightmare Court had to fight yet another outside influence who threatened the free will of their race.

Heart of Thorns

When Mordremoth awoke in 1328 AE, Faolain and a group of Nightmare Courtiers journeyed to the Heart of Maguuma. Courtiers, according to Faolain, wanted nothing to do with Mordremoth despite his promises, finding his influence even worse than that of the Pale Tree's. While there, Faolain was taken away by a Mordrem Vinetooth and mutated into a powerful Mordrem beast with her face. Eventually, the beast was felled by the Commander and their party, including her former lover, Caithe. This left the Nightmare Court with no clear leader. Whatever became of the Court following these events remains a mystery, although Duchess Chrysanthea was seen celebrating Mordremoth's defeat and expressing hope to team up with the Commander in the future again.

Known camps

Brisban Wildlands

• Beldame's Rise
• Joy's End
• Unnamed prison to the west of Vandal's Claim

Caledon Forest

• Banshee's Keen
• Briarthorn Den
• Dolorous Vale
• Dreamdark Enclave
• Hemlock Coil
• Twilight Arbor (headquarters)

Mount Maelstrom

• Evisomancer's Resort
• Venomblight

Sparkfly Fen

• Brokenhope Village
• Unnamed camp within Shimmerstone Cave

Members

Concept art for Nightmare Court weapons.

See also: Category:Nightmare Court

• Apprentice Toindra
• Attendant of Sorrows
• Bercilak
• Brangoire
• Cadeyrn
• Champion Toxic Alchemist
• Champion Toxic Assassin
• Champion Toxic Knight
• Courtier Elisaid
• Diplomat Tarban
• Duchess Chrysanthea
• Ebon Knight Cariaddar
• Elite Nightmare Court Archer
• Elite Nightmare Court Cultist
• Elite Nightmare Court Duelist
• Elite Nightmare Court Knight
• Elite Nightmare Court Sorcerer
• Elite Nightmare Hound
• Elite Nightmare Initiate
• Elite Nightmare Warder
• Elite Toxic Assassin
• Elite Toxic Bulwark
• Elite Toxic Knight
• Emissary Gift Carrier
• Executioner Eorana
• Faolain
• Fyonna
• Gavin
• Houndmaster Rienne
• Kennelmaster Marm
• Knight of Embers
• Knight of Rot
• Lania the Feathered Death
• Leurent
• Meinir of the Beasts
• Nightmare Alpha Hound
• Nightmare Consort
• Nightmare Corrupter
• Nightmare Corruptor
• Nightmare Court Ambusher
• Nightmare Court Apprentice
• Nightmare Court Black Widow
• Nightmare Court Bowman
• Nightmare Court Ebon Knight
• Nightmare Court Executioner
• Nightmare Court Guard
• Nightmare Court Kennelmaster
• Nightmare Court Knight
• Nightmare Court Marquis
• Nightmare Court Noble
• Nightmare Court Pack Trainer
• Nightmare Court Page
• Nightmare Court Recruiter
• Nightmare Court Scout
• Nightmare Court Slaver
• Nightmare Court Spider Tamer
• Nightmare Court Squire
• Nightmare Court Thorn Wolf
• Nightmare Court Tormentor
• Nightmare Courtier
• Nightmare Dancer
• Nightmare Defiler
• Nightmare Duelist
• Nightmare Hound
• Nightmare Huntsman
• Nightmare Jailer
• Nightmare Minstrel
• Nightmare Pup
• Nightmare Recruit
• Nightmare Spellbinder
• Nightmare Warder
• Noxia
• Renvari
• Sariel
• Shadowy Bulwark
• Shadowy Guard
• Shadowy Poisoner
• Shadowy Sorcerer
• Shadowy Warrior
• Sinister Nightmare Hound
• Soira the Dreameater
• Spellbinder Aillithe
• Sylvari Emissary
• The Spider Queen
• Thorn Wolf
• Toxic Assassin
• Toxic Baron
• Toxic Baroness
• Toxic Bulwark
• Toxic Courtier
• Toxic Knight
• Toxic Sorcerer
• Veteran Ebon Knight Moith
• Veteran Knight of Sorrows
• Veteran Mordrem Wolf
• Veteran Nightmare Courtier
• Veteran Nightmare Guardian
• Veteran Nightmare Jailer
• Veteran Nightmare Spellbinder
• Veteran Nightmare Wolfmaster
• Veteran Toxic Assassin
• Veteran Toxic Baron
• Veteran Toxic Baroness
• Veteran Toxic Bulwark
• Veteran Toxic Courtier
• Veteran Toxic Knight
• Vevina
• Ysvelta
• Champion Toxic Courtier (historical)
• Dark Count (historical)
• Elite Toxic Courtier (historical)
• Nightmare Apprentice (historical)

Gallery

Loading screens

• 

  Loading screen for the story mode of Twilight Arbor.

Concept art

• 

  Summoned Husk concept art.

• 

  Nightmare Hound concept art.

• 

  "Evil sylvari" concept art.

Discarded concept art

• 

  "Jungle Minion" concept art.

• 

  "Evil sylvari" concept art.

• 

  "Evil sylvari" concept art.

• 

  "Evil sylvari" concept art.

• 

  "Evil sylvari" concept art.

• 

  "Evil sylvari" concept art.

• 

  "Evil sylvari" concept art.

Related achievements

• Slayer: Nightmare Court's Bane — Kill 1000 members of the Nightmare Court. (16)

Notes

• It has been stated that the Nightmare Court consists of approximately 1/6 to 1/8 (or 10-15 percent) of the Sylvari population.

Trivia

• The concept for the Nightmare Court was derived from the Unseelie Court of Scottish folklore and other dark faerie lore.
• The Nightmare Court has its own theme song, titled "The Nightmare Court", composed by Maclaine Diemer. The song plays during a key turning point of Living World Season 2, and can also be found on ArenaNet's official Soundcloud here, being the most played song by a large margin.
• Nighmare Courtiers appear to have their own perverted version of some of Ventari's tennets, as heard from some of the Courtiers at Briarthorn Den:
  • "Hard ground makes for broken roots".
  • "The only lasting peace is in the grave".

See also

• Dream and Nightmare

Associated equipment

• Twilight Arbor armor
• Nightmare weapons
• Aetherized Nightmare weapons

Associated objects

• Nightmare Courtiers