Quote Originally Posted by Clover_Blake View Post
I'm actually also a bit worried that Eden isn't a part of the MSQ. The quest is about restoring the First, which is no small thing and could be lore changing. However, since they turned such a mission into side content, it likely means that Eden's quest can only have a minimal impact in the main story and the world. So my guess is that we'll never see the First restored per se, it might just end as "it'll never be restored" or "it might be restored but it'll take time".

Side content has never impacted or changed the main world, so far, so I have to agree with OP when they say that it's a bit of a waste.
We'll never see major changes in the current zones, because they don't need restoring.
It's only 'the empty' that needs restoring, and we never see that outside of the Eden quests anyway.
It's tied to the MSQ, but it's still entirely side content, as the restoration of the empty has no direct bearing on the rest of Norvrandt.

As for previous raids impacting the world:
Alexander has obviously drastically changed the Dravania Hinterlands.
Alpha and Omega wander the world and can be found in various places by chance.
Minor changes, but a nice touch to show that they have had an impact.