The Kodan is a new race being introduced into Guild Wars 2. They are a race of polar-bear like humanoids that are very spiritualistic and reside within the far Northerner Shiverpeaks within their “Sanctuaries.” ArenaNet has decided to share a wealth of information about this new and exciting non-playable race in their latest blog post. The Kodan will likely be central to the plot in the Shiverpeaks and provide us with some insight on some of the new characters we will likely meet in the game.

Koda, the Founder and their Belief System

The Kodan live within vast floating cities each acting a spiritual center for their worship of Koda.

The Kodan are not much different than other races in the Guild Wars universe in so much that they have an unyielding need to worship something. The Kodan worship “Koda the Founder,” their version of the god who created the world. We don’t have a lot of information about Koda, who he is, and what not but I’m sure that kind of good stuff will be delivered straight into our minds when we begin playing the game.

The basic idea appears to be that Koda created the world and assumingly the spirits that inhibited it. They ran wild for a while until they eventually took a physical form. One of these forms was the bear, something we’re all familiar with from the Norn. One of the bears stood up and asked why the world worked the way it did and unto that Koda responded, “If you would watch and learn, then watch and learn, and you shall protect and guide the spirits of this world.” Those who accepted Koda’s offer became the Kodan.

This seems like a belief that might be connected more so to another mythology then be the answer to the true creation of Tyria (the world as a whole). Those familiar with the lore know that the Humans and other races believe the “Old Gods” were the creator of the world, which conflicts greatly with this idea. However, it is possible that Koda could be related to one of the “Old Gods” or be an entirely different god that we’ve yet to hear of. Remember that in the GW universe that it is not odd to have gods speak directly with the mortals.

Their belief system is quite simple, on top of that. Everyone gets reincarnated as the same race that they were when they died. If you become greatly enlightened during your life you’ll move up to the next race and continue to advance until you read the Kodan, which is at the top of the “spiritual foodchain.”

Relationship to the Norn

Of course one might want to ask who is at the bottom and the Kodan possibly believe that the Norn are. The Norn have a deep connection to the animal spirits and seem like they have some vague connection to their northern brothers, the Kodan. However, the Kodan believe that the Norn may be the lost Kodan from a story that they tell that speaks of some of the Kodan leaving during a storm to find better hunting grounds and turning their back on their tribe to go hunt.

Finding Sanctuary

Actual gameplay footage of what is presumed to be an Sanctuary, which we should be able to explore.

The Kodan live within giant floating fortresses known as Sanctuaries which rest atop large icebergs. Within these Sanctuaries reside the Kodan. It can be assumed from the concept art that they use boats to travel to and from their Sanctuary. Within each Sanctuary is the “Claw” who is the military leader and the tangible leader while the “Voice” communes with Koda and is more of their spiritual leader.

Of course, living on a floating iceberg may not be the smartest idea when Jormag awoken, destroying many of these large cities and driving some to the far north and some southward into the newly created areas by the flooding. It would make a lot of sense that GW2 will feature adventuring in a capsized Sanctuary and focus a lot on Jormag’s destruction and their relationship with the Norn.

The Claw, The Voice, and Koda

Each tribe has a “Voice” that is their spiritual leader who resides deep within the bowels of their Sanctuary. Attended by Shamans, the Voice works to maintain the history of their tribe within his or her memories and interpreting Koda’s will while the Claw works to help run the city, work to connect the Voice to the people, and bring about Koda’s will. They appear to work in a combination to keep the Sanctuary running smoothly while fulfilling the spiritual need of their people.

Should the Voice or the Claw die then the other will forfeit their position for a new team. Additionally, the Voice can become sick with the “Rage of Koda” which drives them insane. This is known as the “Time of Trial” which the Kodan interpret as Koda testing their will. Eventually the Voice perishes from the strain and insanity, at which point the Sanctuary is purged of its sin.

Within Guild Wars 2

It would make sense that in Guild Wars 2 we, as players, will need to visit a Sanctuary and work to either help strengthen the bond of a Voice and the Claw. A lot of importance was given on these two leaders and it would make sense that the only reason why would be if they were somehow integral to the story as some point. After all, isn’t it the adventurers job to bring two people together all too often?

It would also make a lot of sense that part of this may be exploring a capsized or destroyed Sanctuary. We’ll probably spelunk through spooky remains of a Sanctuary that is filled with ghosts or similar enemies that you have to recover something or achieve something within. The idea of the Sanctuary sounds really cool to me and I could already see having to go within a ruined chamber that a “Voice” resided within and trying to commune with his spirit in order to retrieve his memories.

One last note, it is mentioned often that they judge others and seek spirital balance. This means that we may also have to deal with them judging someone unfairly or trying to war against something that they shouldn't with their unrelenting zeal.

Whatever we do with the Kodan I’m sure it’ll be really interesting. What are your thoughts about this new non-playable race? Come joins us on the Ten Ton Hammer community forums and share your thoughts and opinions about this latest reveal.