User:Zerebruin/Exploring Tyria (book)
Exploring Tyria or Going Into the Wild, Surviving and Having Fun is a series of books written by the Asura explorer and inventor Zerebruin. He traveled, and still does travel, throughout Tyria for years, exploring, documenting and most of all, surviving in and out of civilization. He fought the Centaurs, Ogres and minions of the Elder Dragons but his focus always lay in exploration. Geography, Flora and Fauna are neatly documented in his books together with anecdotes and helpful guidance.
The following excerpts are quoted with permission of the author.
Volume I:[edit]
Chapter 1: Into the Wild (without a Golem)[edit]
It was a fine spring morning, and I was feeling adventurous. Having settled all my affairs to my satisfaction, I had said my goodbyes during the last weeks. It was the first time I was going out into the wilderness of the Metrica Province without the protection of at least one Golem. Most would call that foolish at best, irresponsible at worst, but I felt sure that I knew enough about the forest and with my superior intellect would be able to outwit any creature out there.
Volume II : The Maguuma Wastes - The Forests of Home[edit]
This volume contains everything there is to know about the home regions of the Asura and the Sylvari, from the lush
Volume III: The Shiverpeak Mountains and the Lands of the Norn[edit]
Travelling through Lornar's Pass to the Norn capital of Hoelbrak, then going into the Far Shiverpeak mountains the author braves the icy perils of the north.
Volume IV: Kryta and the Sea of Sorrows[edit]
From Divinity's Reach to glorious Lion's Arch the author travels through Kryta, fighting the Centaurs in the Gendarran Fields and Harathi Hinterlands, then continuing along the coast of the Sea of Sorrows down to the Ruins of Orr.
Volume V: Ascalon and the Lands of the East[edit]
The fallen realm of Ascalon, once mighty, now a bitter field of struggle between Charr and Ascalonian Ghosts.
On the Difficulties of Animal Observation in the Wild[edit]
Observing an animal in its natural habitat is always the most rewarding work an explorer can do. It does, however, come hand in hand with certain difficulties and perils that were never as clear to me as when I studied Hawkeye Griffons in the mountains around Behem Gauntlet. I had woken early and had made a good start from my camp at Splintercrest Fort, avoiding the local Rock Dogs and Minotaurs as best as I could, so not to waste time. My target was Griffonclaw Peak, around which the Charr scouts had reported massive Griffon sightings. None of them had gone up, though. I approached the mountain from the south-west and stood at its foot facing a steep cliff. It was impossible to scale with all the equipment I was carrying. A hyena was howling close by as I started looking for a better way up that didn't require wings.
To sum it up: The Hawkeye Griffon is probably one of the most difficult creatures in Tyria to observe. It is extremely aggressive and quick to react to disturbances. Getting close without a fight is almost impossible.
Volume VI: The Dragonbrand and the Crystal Desert[edit]
Along the path of the Elder Dragon lies destruction. Zerebruin was fascinated by this incredible blight and spent months helping researchers working on effective countermeasures.
