Mad King Oswald Thorn is a prominent antagonist in the Guild Wars franchise, infamous for his cruel and eccentric rule over Kryta in the 9th century AE and for his continued existence as a powerful spectral entity. Each year during the Halloween season, his spirit returns to Tyria in the Shadow of the Mad King event, spreading chaos, horror, and twisted humor throughout the land.
Biography[]
Early Life and Reign[]
Oswald Thorn rose to power as the King of Kryta in the 9th century AE. His rule quickly became infamous for cruelty, lavish excess, and bizarre, sadistic forms of punishment. He heavily taxed his people, starved them while hosting feasts, and orchestrated deadly games and public executions for entertainment. His madness and penchant for dark comedy earned him the title Mad King Thorn.
Death and Afterlife[]
Thorn’s reign ended violently in 825 AE when he was assassinated by a rebellious mob. However, death only transformed his rule. His spirit found its way into the Mad Realm, a twisted dominion within the Underworld shaped by madness and necromancy. There, he became an even greater threat, ruling over the dead and delighting in tormenting both spirits and the living.
Return in Guild Wars 2[]
In Guild Wars 2, Mad King Thorn returns each year during the Halloween season when the barrier between Tyria and the Mad Realm weakens. He emerges to play dangerous games with the living, summon his minions, and mock heroes with riddles and jokes. Chief among his games is “Your Mad King Says,” a deadly parody of the childhood game. Thorn is not merely a spectral prankster—his influence is a real and growing danger, as he continues to expand his domain and terrorize the living.
Personality[]
Mad King Thorn is a sadistic showman who revels in cruelty wrapped in comedy. He’s theatrical, egotistical, and unpredictable. His sense of humor is dark, often deadly, and he delights in puns, wordplay, and tormenting his victims psychologically before unleashing physical harm. Despite his jovial tone, he is remorseless and power-hungry.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Necromantic Magic – As a ghostly monarch, Thorn possesses powerful dark magic drawn from the Underworld.
- Realm Manipulation – He can open rifts between Tyria and the Mad Realm, allowing his forces to invade.
- Summoning – Commands spectral minions, including skeletons, ghosts, and festive horrors.
- Illusion and Deception – Capable of crafting false images, disorienting enemies, and luring victims into traps.
- Immortality – Though dead, Thorn exists as an enduring spirit with no known way to destroy him permanently.
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 Villains
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