Quote Originally Posted by Vyrerus View Post
Ardbert and his companions didn't need to have their power tested, though in all of the memory reliving, that comes before the test of character anyway. Even so, they were all talented powerhouses before they were WoLs, except for Ardbert. Renda-Rae realm renowned hunter. Nyaalbert, a sorcerer unparalleled. Brendan, one of the best knights of Voeburt. Also bear in mind that Cylva shepherded them towards deeds that would net them Crystals of Light as well, meaning it wasn't fully something they did by guidance like we do.

Also you bring up FATEs like that matters. As if they aren't, from a story stand point, something the WoL does mostly by themself as well. The primals only go on to become more powerful, BECAUSE the WoL bested them. The Ascians stepped their game up, giving the Beastmen the secrets of sacrificing an individual to be the primal's core. The WoL doesn't canonically defeat more powerful foes until after the events of the MSQ, and in the few cases that they do, those certain FATE monsters that you are thinking of are in close proximity to that timeframe.

Anyway, my point is that the WoL's character never needed to be tested. Hydaelyn knew from first Echo that we'd be the one to carry out her will and bear the crystals. Our power is ever tested, because we are immutably good.
The FATES aren't done solo. They are done by adventurers. Every other player you see is just another adventurer in your story, as what makes you unique isn't being an adventurer its the fact you're the WOL.

Also the crystals are a reward for proving yourself. Each of them are earned by your WOL or by Ardbert and company. In Heavensward Midgardsormr cuts off the blessing of light provided by the crystals and again the WOL earns them back.