Cantha

Cantha is a continent in the world of Tyria that was first introduced in Guild Wars Factions. It is located to the southwest of the continents of Tyria and Elona. The northern coastline of Cantha is the earliest known location of human settlements, dating back to the late pre-imperial era, 276 years before the beginning of the Canthan calendar, and predating the earliest known human presence in Tyria and Elona by 581 years.

The Empire of the Dragon
The Empire of the Dragon is the sole human nation on the southern continent and it shares its second name with the continent it was founded on. Despite the Kurzicks and Luxons being vassals of the empire, the two factions are hardly bothered by the empire and its demands. The Empire of the Dragon is currently the oldest known human nation.

The empire was formed by the warlord Kaineng Tah when he united the coastal tribes on the continent. Records claim that he was given a message by the Gods of Tyria. When he was killed, his son, Yian Zho took the throne and waged war on the Luxons and later Kurzicks, subjugating them to mass executions until they surrendered into becoming vassals.

After Factions
Five years after Shiro's return, the Ministry of Purity was formed in order to combat the continued threat of the Afflicted. In 1079 AE, the Afflicted were finally destroyed, though Cantha's citizens remained threatened by the relentless "terf wars" between the Am Fah and the Jade Brotherhood, inadvertently inflicting collateral and terror among the innocent. The continued focus on paperwork over actions by the Celestial Ministry held no benefit to the people either, creating a disdain for the government. Though previously able to help the people without being restricted by laws as they worked directly under Emperor Kisu, the Imperial Guards have now become hindered by the regulations and paperwork over the past seven years. Along with this, they are threatened by lingering Shiro'ken, who only assault the royal palace after Shiro's defeat.

Major Regions
Cantha and the surrounding islands can be divided into four major regions:
 * Shing Jea Island: A large island off the west coast of the continent that has been declared an imperial national park, it is a farmland that produces the food for the entire Empire and is the home of the Shing Jea Monastery; a haven for those who are gifted and have no noble title. Aspiring students from throughout all Cantha are trained within this institution's secluded walls by the Empire of the Dragon's greatest Masters. The island is filled with the Angchu and Sensali Tengu along with Naga and Yeti.
 * Kaineng City: A gigantic and sprawling Metropolitan area-sized city with an overcrowded population density that covers nearly a third of the continent's land mass, it is the political capital of Cantha.
 * Echovald Forest: A petrified forest in the center of the main land; this is where the secluded Kurzicks live and practice conservative politics as dictated by a culture of house ancestry, isolated from the Empire of the Dragon.
 * The Jade Sea: A large solidified sea in the center of the main land, this is the home of the nomadic Luxons who enjoy liberal politics that favors a culture of tribal allegiance, independent of the Empire of the Dragon.

Getting to Cantha
Once a valid Guild Wars Factions access key to has been added to your account you can either create a new Factions character via the character selection screen, or take an existing character over by completing one of the following quests:

From Tyria

 * Take the quest Mhenlo's Request from Firstwatch Sergio in Lion's Arch.

From Elona

 * Take the quest Plague in Cantha from Funwa Shento in Kamadan, Jewel of Istan.
 * Note: You must have reached the Consulate Docks outpost (by completing The Time is Nigh) for this quest to be obtainable.

Once you have unlocked travel to the respective continents, you can map travel at anytime from any continent to Kaineng Center.

Trivia

 * Cantha may have been derived from the name Canton, which is a country subdivision of China.
 * It also may have derived it's name from the word Cathay, an alternate name for China.
 * Cantha is heavily based upon Eastern Asia and its cultures.