Elona

Elona is an ancient human kingdom that tried to conquer the Crystal Desert and achieve Ascension.

More than two hundred years ago, a group of people calling themseleves the Elonians under the leadership of the champion Turai Ossa tried to attain glory by achieving Ascension. They built towering monuments and great cities in the desert hoping to draw the attention of the Gods of Tyria.

The Elonians, like their predecessors, the Margonites, failed. Their pride caused mistrust to spread amongst them and their disregard for the Forgotten Ones caused them to engage them in battle. Both factors lead to the hasty demise of the once great state.

According to an acolyte of the Zaishen Order, the Crystal Desert is a part of the land of Elona.

Contentious Issues
The first interpretation seems to have the most weight in light of the two new professions revealed in Guild Wars Nightfall which are described as heroes of the Elonian people.
 * There are references in the game to Elona as Elonia and it is unclear at this moment if those designate different entities or simply two names for the same nation.
 * In the quest Luxury Goods, an official in one of the Canthan ministries mentions that his land imports goods (mostly ornamental) from Elona. It is unknown what he means by that. Possible interpretations include:
 * 1) Elona as a nation exists somewhere outside the Crystal Desert (and "the nation of Elonia was no more" refers to only to those that perished in the desert, a nation named in honor of the kingdom the Elonians came from). The acolyte's words could indicate it is the area south of Ascalon that encompasses the desert.
 * 2) The Canthans are importing ancient artifacts found in the desert (there are Canthan traders in the Amnoon Oasis) and the official is simply referring to the desert as Elona;
 * 3) The official (who is depicted as not being fully aware of events, giving mirrors to homeless people), is simply assuming that Elonian Mirrors must come from a land called Elona.
 * 4) Based on the acolyte's words, the land of Elona could be the name that Canthans use to refer to the continent of Tyria.

Related Articles

 * Paragon - A Guild Wars Nightfall profession that is called "the guardian angel of the Elonian people"

The Fall of Elona
The three ghosts Lord Valodor, Commander Joziah and General Mendoza at Augury Rock by the entrance to the mesa reveal many of the details of the demise of their nation. The Elonians split into at least two teams as they tried to reach Ascension:
 * One team went to Elona Reach, trying to assemble the Vision Crystal to focus the gaze of the gods. However, the Elonians did not trust each other and split into three camps, each with a Vision Crystal shard, under the care of priests Hehmnut, Nahtem, and Kahdat. That was their downfall as no group would trust the others with their crystals. Those that did not die of thirst and starvation were easy prey for the Forgotten army and their Enchanted.
 * Another team went to the Dunes of Despair, and built the Temple of Ascension, where the gods will be looking . However, they were also killed by the Forgotten.