Here is the history of Shandalar, the moving plane, featured in M-201X core sets and elsewhere.
"Shandalar is a rogue plane, drifting through the multiverse instead of retaining a steady position or course. It is a relatively small plane and incredibly rich in mana. The magical energy is so prevalent, that it all is sentient, and the common people use minor spells as an everyday convenience.
Shandalar was the setting of MicroProse's 1997 Magic: The Gathering computer game." -mtgsalvation wiki.
Shandalar was the plane used to enable the mending of the Ice Age by Freyalise, (see the book: Shattered Alliance) to the rest of the Multiverse, where Lim Dul was taken once Shandalar came close enough to The Shard of the 12 Worlds by Leshrac, where he also interacted with Tevesh Szat.
Here is the basis of the Microprose story, as well as the 2 part comic miniseries: http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/Shandalar
M13: Now, recently, two planeswalkers visited Shandalar, and battled, one on a demonic mission to get the Chain veil; the other now hunting her. They were Liliana and Garruk and they fought in the Onnake Catacombs.
Liliana later returns, to try to deposit what she has taken from the Onnake.
Now, we have a new tale from the wandering plane, of Sentos, and his choice not to execute a man, who was once the False King. And his meeting with a Xathrid Gorgon.
We also know that Talrand is from Shandalar, and his reign begins with his tale.
M14 updates: Shandalar has a unique brand of slivers, found out from this report from Hastric, Thunian Scout.
A side story possibly on Shandalar, about the "Blessed life".
M15 update: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arcana/welcome-shandalar-2014-07-16
Welcome to Shandalar!
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/arc/arc/spells-shandalar-2014-07-23
The Bard and the Biologist
He'eia
Monday, May 16, 2016
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
The Return to Ravnica
Welcome to an all new, yet very familiar Ravnica, with its plots, twists, and synopses. Here you can find all the Magic Story articles, videos, and guides to Ravnica and beyond. First, you can find a brief history of what came before: Original Ravnica block, written here on this blog. There is also an official description about then and now.
So, please enjoy, peruse, and realize that these stories are put together as chronologically as possible.
Planeswalker’s Guide to Ravnica:
Selesnya, Izzet and Golgari, and Rakdos and Azorius
Gatecrash!
Dimir and Boros
Simic, Gruul, and Orzhov
Novel, The Secretist Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3.
Released as an e-book, this is a novel depicting the story of Jace deciphering what Niv Mizzet is up to. Part 1 of 3 sets up the story, and Jace's interest in the guilds. Definitely a worthy read (for once, for magic novels). Part 2 explains the guilds and the maze (sort of). Part 3 runs the maze, and reveals the true nature of the Forum of Azor.
RETURN TO RAVNICA STORIES
The Shadow of Pravh- Part 1 - Part 2: Golgari's got a new shadow, one that might see beyond the world of Ravnica. (Vraska Origin story)
Krenko, Mob Boss and his interactions with Vinrenn (Feather) and Boros.
Epic Experiments
Izzet's choose your own experiment story: Die Trying. Features Krenko.
Slaughter Games: Rakdos' Games and celebrations.
The Great Concourse: The rebirth of the Selesnya guild after Old Ravnica.
In Praise of the Worldsoul: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3: The start of a Guild Feud.
Gruul Ingenuity: The Gruul strike first in the Guild Feud started in "In Praise of the Worldsoul".
The Seven Bells- Part 1- Part 2:The firemind has an experiment for someone to work on...
The Rogue's Passage: An unaligned thief sees the guild interactions, and maybe more...
GATECRASH STORIES
Zegana's Public Address: The Simic announce their reformation.
The Absolution of the Guildpact Theater Performance: What the dissension storyline meant to people of Ravnica, and what may yet come.
The Persistence of Memories: The Dimir switch agents, switch memories, switch lives!
Domri Rade's intro, The Burying! Part 1- Part 2
The Guild of Deals
Gideon Jura comes to Ravnica and joins with Boros for the greater good. His quest takes a detour... (see the Battle for the Ninth below for conclusion)
The 1st Experiment (1)
Totally Lost = Fblthp
The Bilagru (Orzhov)
The Hard Sell (Dimir)
DRAGON'S MAZE, The Race begins!
The Vital Orzhov Message
Ruric Thar, unstoppable
Teysa Karlov: Here Teysa begins to plot against the Obzedat. Her story continues below, in 2015, in Family Values.
Jace Beleren not Dimir.
Expectations of debt.
The Pursuit: Part 1 - Part 2
Life in the Ring!
The origins of an officer of Azorius.
Riddlekeeper
Evolution, aka: Paper Trail
Battle for the Ninth District: Gideon Jura completes his work on Ravnica.
Some minor stories have filled in information beyond the Return to Ravnica of 2012. You can find each year's updates below.
2013- Commander 2013:
Shattergang Bros - In Ravnica, if you want something destroyed, call the Shattergang Brothers. No job is too small or person too important for this goblin family. They are sought after by thieves and priests alike, and even the Rakdos have been known the hire them for jobs that need a bombastic finesse. These goblins can take out—or blow up—any problem you might have. An Izzet mage giving you trouble? Gargoyle spying on you? Pesky curse upon your house? The Shattergangs will bring the destructiveness you need for a (mostly) reasonable price. The Boros and Azorius have both put prices on their heads, but the Shattergangs have eluded capture time and time again. These brothers take pride in their work and joy in the destruction of others.
2014-The Gorgon and the Guildpact
2015-
Project Lightning bug
Limits of Gideon Jura
Catching up with Jace and Liliana
Family Values- Karlov of the Obzedat and Teysa's Story
2017- Mazirek of the Kraul begins a plot to rule the Golgari. He has also met with Vraska.
Other important info:
Agyrem, the Ghost Quarter, was created by the Shism/Timespiral Rifts. Ravnica as a plane was separated from the rest of the multiverse, cutting it off from Planeswalkers. But with The Mending event, Ravnica rejoined the multiverse, and Agyrem began to vanish.
“The overlay of Agyrem remains on Ravnica until the Mending, which causes it to become distinct and removed from Ravnica—a kind of ‘metaplane.’ Little is known about Agyrem now; its whereabouts in the Multiverse are a mystery.” –Adam Lee, 8/29/12
Notes on The Mending:
The Multiverse-changing event that occurred when the last of the planar temporal rifts was closed during the Time Spiral plot. The Mending healed the fractures that spread outward from Dominaria across the Multiverse. These fractures were caused by the actions of powerful planeswalkers, and only planeswalkers could seal them. The Mending altered the nature of the planeswalker spark itself.
Pieces of style of Ravnica:
Azorius Most Wanted: Ties in with some of the stories. Many people are dangerous on Ravnica: Krenko, Vraska, Massacre Girl...
Guild Descriptions: Description of Ravnica: http://magic.wizards.com/en/story/planes/ravnica
Last edited: 5/31/17 - Mazirek of the Kraul!
So, please enjoy, peruse, and realize that these stories are put together as chronologically as possible.
Planeswalker’s Guide to Ravnica:
Selesnya, Izzet and Golgari, and Rakdos and Azorius
Gatecrash!
Dimir and Boros
Simic, Gruul, and Orzhov
Novel, The Secretist Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3.
Released as an e-book, this is a novel depicting the story of Jace deciphering what Niv Mizzet is up to. Part 1 of 3 sets up the story, and Jace's interest in the guilds. Definitely a worthy read (for once, for magic novels). Part 2 explains the guilds and the maze (sort of). Part 3 runs the maze, and reveals the true nature of the Forum of Azor.
Videos:
Ravnica: City of Guilds Trailer
Return to Ravnica Trailer
Dragon's Maze Trailer
Forgotten lore on Ravnica.
RETURN TO RAVNICA STORIES
The Shadow of Pravh- Part 1 - Part 2: Golgari's got a new shadow, one that might see beyond the world of Ravnica. (Vraska Origin story)
Krenko, Mob Boss and his interactions with Vinrenn (Feather) and Boros.
Epic Experiments
Izzet's choose your own experiment story: Die Trying. Features Krenko.
Slaughter Games: Rakdos' Games and celebrations.
The Great Concourse: The rebirth of the Selesnya guild after Old Ravnica.
In Praise of the Worldsoul: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3: The start of a Guild Feud.
Gruul Ingenuity: The Gruul strike first in the Guild Feud started in "In Praise of the Worldsoul".
The Seven Bells- Part 1- Part 2:The firemind has an experiment for someone to work on...
The Rogue's Passage: An unaligned thief sees the guild interactions, and maybe more...
GATECRASH STORIES
Zegana's Public Address: The Simic announce their reformation.
The Absolution of the Guildpact Theater Performance: What the dissension storyline meant to people of Ravnica, and what may yet come.
The Persistence of Memories: The Dimir switch agents, switch memories, switch lives!
Domri Rade's intro, The Burying! Part 1- Part 2
The Guild of Deals
Gideon Jura comes to Ravnica and joins with Boros for the greater good. His quest takes a detour... (see the Battle for the Ninth below for conclusion)
The 1st Experiment (1)
Totally Lost = Fblthp
The Bilagru (Orzhov)
The Hard Sell (Dimir)
DRAGON'S MAZE, The Race begins!
The Vital Orzhov Message
Ruric Thar, unstoppable
Teysa Karlov: Here Teysa begins to plot against the Obzedat. Her story continues below, in 2015, in Family Values.
Jace Beleren not Dimir.
Expectations of debt.
The Pursuit: Part 1 - Part 2
Life in the Ring!
The origins of an officer of Azorius.
Riddlekeeper
Evolution, aka: Paper Trail
Battle for the Ninth District: Gideon Jura completes his work on Ravnica.
Some minor stories have filled in information beyond the Return to Ravnica of 2012. You can find each year's updates below.
2013- Commander 2013:
Shattergang Bros - In Ravnica, if you want something destroyed, call the Shattergang Brothers. No job is too small or person too important for this goblin family. They are sought after by thieves and priests alike, and even the Rakdos have been known the hire them for jobs that need a bombastic finesse. These goblins can take out—or blow up—any problem you might have. An Izzet mage giving you trouble? Gargoyle spying on you? Pesky curse upon your house? The Shattergangs will bring the destructiveness you need for a (mostly) reasonable price. The Boros and Azorius have both put prices on their heads, but the Shattergangs have eluded capture time and time again. These brothers take pride in their work and joy in the destruction of others.
2014-The Gorgon and the Guildpact
2015-
Limits of Gideon Jura
Catching up with Jace and Liliana
Family Values- Karlov of the Obzedat and Teysa's Story
2017- Mazirek of the Kraul begins a plot to rule the Golgari. He has also met with Vraska.
Other important info:
Agyrem, the Ghost Quarter, was created by the Shism/Timespiral Rifts. Ravnica as a plane was separated from the rest of the multiverse, cutting it off from Planeswalkers. But with The Mending event, Ravnica rejoined the multiverse, and Agyrem began to vanish.
“The overlay of Agyrem remains on Ravnica until the Mending, which causes it to become distinct and removed from Ravnica—a kind of ‘metaplane.’ Little is known about Agyrem now; its whereabouts in the Multiverse are a mystery.” –Adam Lee, 8/29/12
Notes on The Mending:
The Multiverse-changing event that occurred when the last of the planar temporal rifts was closed during the Time Spiral plot. The Mending healed the fractures that spread outward from Dominaria across the Multiverse. These fractures were caused by the actions of powerful planeswalkers, and only planeswalkers could seal them. The Mending altered the nature of the planeswalker spark itself.
Pieces of style of Ravnica:
Azorius Most Wanted: Ties in with some of the stories. Many people are dangerous on Ravnica: Krenko, Vraska, Massacre Girl...
Guild Descriptions: Description of Ravnica: http://magic.wizards.com/en/story/planes/ravnica
Last edited: 5/31/17 - Mazirek of the Kraul!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
RGD- Ravnica, Guildpact, Dissension
For those new here- these are story compilations, writing describing or compiling the story for the various blocks of plot for Magic: the Gathering.
This is a republished guide from reddit, about the Ravnica, Guildpact, and Dissension storylines!
Ranvica: City of Guilds' novel synopsis:
Major Players:
Ravnica:
Agrus Kos- A wojek veteran. He’s a good cop, but over 100 years old, and the decimillenial is coming.
He’s trying to fight the tide. He’s also an alcoholic.
Feather- A Boros angel, who is serving her punishment with the legion as a wojek officer with her wings bound. She is Kos’ sometime partner.
Fonn Zunich- A new Selesnya recruit wolf-rider. She’s protecting the Saint Bayul of the conclave.
Jarad vod Savo- The Elvish Huntsmaster of Golgari, brother of Savra, the Matka (priestess) of Golgari.
Savra: Matka priestess leader of the necromantic casting elves of Golgari.
Sisters of Stone Death- The current leaders of Golgari, leading it to decay and decadence.
Szadek- Parun of Dimir, who’s whole guild is supposed to be fake, he’s enlisted Savra to retake Golgari.
Svogthir- The original parun of Golgari, released by Savra to help retake Golgari from the Sisters.
Mycil Zunich- Kos’ old dead partner. Now a ghost. Leads him places. Father of Fonn.
Borca- Kos’ new parter. Not a very good cop.
Basic plot:
Ravnica: 23rd of Zuun, 9999.
Argus Kos and partner/deputy investigate some crimes, and show off the world. Murder, for instance, is not illegal, unless it’s a guild member. He’s investigating various cases, and has been promoted to a semi-desk job. Fonn, meanwhile, is protecting Saint Bayul entering the main part of the city (known as the City of Ravnica) for the Decimillenial. Savra meets her brother Jarad and gives him a mission, then speaks with Szadek to find Svogthir and overthrow the Gorgon sisters of Golgari, by killing 2 of the 3 [Sisters of Stone Death]( http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=83746). Kos sees the ghost of Mycil Zunich, who leads him to witnesses a bombing attack on Saint Bayul and Fonn at a restaurant, and Kos and Borca are caught in the blast. Borca and Saint Bayul are killed, and Kos wakes up in a hospital, and is informed of Fonn’s disappearance.
Three days later Fonn wakes up with her captor, Jarad, who tells her he was hired to save her from the blast. Jarad and Fonn, while talking, are attacked by harpies, and the last one tells him Savra sent them to kill them both. Meanwhile, Kos sees Borca’s ghost, who tells him he had a avenger contract in case of his death, that Kos must avenge Borca’s death. Feather comes back to help Kos, and they set out to a Orzhov friend of Kos’, Pivlic. Kos and Feather find Fonn and Jarad at Pivlic’s arena restaurant, and they form an alliance when Selesnya quietmen attack the arena. Kos receives a falcon that the Saint is actually not dead, and they need him/Fonn there. The Golgari attack the Boros legion’s headquarters, and it’s war. Fonn hears Saint Bayul’s last words, and learns that Savra was trying to join the Selesnya conclave and to do so, she needed the gem in Bayul’s forehead. The Dimir Lupul worms attack (similar to a Dimir Doppleganger/Mindleech Mass), and quietmen (Selesnya) fight Wojeks (Boros).
Savra had been invited with the Devkarin elves to return to Selesnya, since the City tree had become corrupted (Savra was behind the corruption, and so actually controls the quietmen) and is about to join the conclave (and still control Golgari, and eventually all the guilds). Szadek appears, and tells her it’s time to join the conclave. She places Bayul’s stone on her forehead, and when she’s part of the conclave, Szadek snaps her neck. Szadek announces the end of the guildpact, while Jarad gains control of the Lupul with Savra’s staff, and Fonn saves her mount by putting Bayul’s stone in her mount’s forehead. The battle ends with Kos arresting Szadek for crimes against the guildpact.
End of Ravnica's book 1.
Guildpact
Major players (carried over from Ravnica):
Agrus Kos- A wojek veteran. He’s a good cop, but over 100 years old, and the decimillenial is coming.
He’s trying to fight the tide. He’s also an alcoholic.
Feather- A Boros angel, who is serving her punishment with the legion as a wojek officer with her wings bound. She is Kos’ sometime partner.
Fonn- A new Selesnya recruit wolf-rider. She’s protecting the Saint Bayul of the conclave.
Jarad- The Elvish Huntsmaster of Golgari, brother of Savra, the Matka (priestess) of Golgari.
Sisters of Stone Death- The current leaders of Golgari, leading it to decay and decadence.
Szadek- Parun of Dimir, who’s whole guild is supposed to be fake, he’s enlisted Savra to retake Golgari.
Svogthir- The original parun of Golgari, released by Savra to help retake Golgari from the Sisters.
Mycil- Kos’ old dead partner. Now a ghost. Leads him places. Father of Fonn.
Borca- Kos’ new parter. Not a very good cop.
New Characters to Guildpact:
Teysa- A Orzhov lawyer, she’s inherting Utvara.
Crix- An Izzet goblin, she gets captured by the Gruul and is a courier.
Zomaj Hauc - A master mage in Izzet
Guildpact
15 MOKOSH 9965 Z.C. (35 years before the end of Ravnica book 1) The Izzet use a mana bomb to wipe out the Utvara area. It was a Kuga plague area, and the mana bomb didn’t quite work, so Selesnyans have cured some of it with a tree. But a Schism was created, and something happened to all of Ravnica.
14 PAUJAL 10012 Z.C. (12 years after the end of Ravnica book 1) Teysa Karlov inherits the Utvara district, and will become baroness once her uncle passes away and joins the Ghost Council. They travel to Utvara and Uncle reveals that he had Hauc drop the mana bomb to destroy all the beings infected by the Kuga in Utvara, thus being allowed to reclaim the valley sooner. Something went wrong though and the explosion created the Schism, a tear in the fabric of existence, and caused the plague to mutate. On the Lokopede train, they are attacked by Gruul, and her uncle dies. The come to the bar where Argus Kos now works with Pilvic under Orzov. Her contract states that she has to clean up Utvara to habitable conditions before a deadline, or it’ll go back to the Selesnyans. Problem is, that there’s a Yore-Tiller Nephilim there from before the Guildpact (10000 years ago). Kos, meanwhile, is still hoping to find the Angels who never showed up 12 years ago. Teysa meets with the Simic doctor Nebun, and finds out that he can cure the Kuga plague and hires him to do so.
Meanwhile, the Ghost Council and someone in Izzet have a deal about Utvara, something with the mana bomb created a Schism in the sky, which both guilds are very interested in.
Kos and Pivlic meanwhile go looking for Crix as they need her courier spell to fix the valley. They get into a fight with Gruul, and get ambushed by a different Nephilim. They escape and run to rejoin the waiting Izzet guild members. Crix’s master, Zomaj Hauc’s plan is to destroy the Guildpact, with the Ghost Council by overthrowing Niv Mizzet, with the three dragon eggs in the cauldron area of Utvara he’s trying to hatch for his master, Niv Mizzet. They are dragon eggs from before the guildpact, as there are no true dragons in Ravnica proper left anymore.
Teysa quickly hires an army of mixed guild members, and heads to the cauldron to stop them from doing whatever it is they’re doing. They attack, and in the chaos, the eggs are hatching. One dragon is killed and Hauc controls the second with his draconic spell. Teysa and crew get the spell from Hauc when Crix quits his services and steals it, and so Teysa gains control of the third dragon. She orders it to attack Hauc and his dragon, and in the fight, both dragons and Hauc die. In the final battle, Argus Kos is killed, and he sees Feather (the angel) just at his death. We learn that ghosts are stuck in Ravnica when people die, because of the Schism in the sky. Feather has returned to speak at Kos’ funeral.
End of Guildpact, Ravnica: City of Guilds Book 2.
Dissension
A few new characters are introduced in this novel, mostly guild leaders; this book rushes through everything...
29 CIZARM 10012 Z.C.
A thief steals some of the cerebral fluid of the dead dragons in the Cauldron. Nephilim are feasting on their corpses. Crix (now Crixizix) is watching the Nephilim grow, she alerts Niv Mizzet. Teysa is requested by Feather, now an inmate under Azorius to be her lawyer. She is charged with abandoning Ravnica, Boros, and guild-matricide. Fonn is investigating a murder and has to pick up her son, Myc from Jarad, the Devkarin Guildmaster of Golgari, who is teaching his son to hunt. Niv Mizzet flies to Utvara, and with dragonfire kills two (Witch-maw and Dune Brood). He is injured, but claims to be leaving to let mortals deal with the remaining three, and retreats. Crixizix is disappointed in her guildleader. Fonn and Myc are attacked by Rakdos cultists, and Myc and her companions are taken. Jarad mistrusts Simic’s cytoplast enhancements, and refuses their offer.
Argus Kos is now a spectral guard outside the senate, and he sees Feather go in. The Parhelion (floating Angel Sunhome of Boros) returns, and the Skyjeks notice it, and send word that it is on a collision course with Prahv (the Azorius Guildhall). The Rakdos buy the dragon cerebral fluid, and Lyzolda meets with Szadek, Savra, and Momir Vig. Fonn wakes and alerts Jarad that their son has been kidnapped. They give chase. Feather takes a stand and tells what happened on her 10 year search. She reveals that Ravnica was cut off from the rest of the multiverse, trapping ghosts on the plane. Planeswalkers were kept out. The Parhelion was investigating this, but was trapped in the schism created by Zomaj Hauc in Guildpact, creating Agyrem the Ghost Quarter, where all the ghosts live. She also reports that Razia was killed by the ghost of Szadek.
Kos is called to find and destroy Szadek, and as a ghost is put inside the body of Obez Murzeddi, an Azorius ectomancer. By arresting Szadek twelve years ago, he broke the guildpact, with a paradox (because he was arrested for crimes against the guildpact). Szadek purposefully let down his guard in order to break the guildpact, but because of this, Kos may be the only person able to harm Szadek. A messenger arrives to warn them that there is a plan to destroy the other guilds by Momir, Rakdos, and Svogthir (inhabiting Savra’s body).
Myc’s blood (as the son of a guildleader) and the cerebral fluid are used by Lyzolda to raise Rakdos the demon, who attacks Vitu-Ghazi and kills a Nephilim. The Parhelion crashes into Prahv. Jarad and Fonn fight their way into Rix Maadi, but Jarad is killed by Lyzolda.
Kos, searching for Svogthir in Simic, finds Momir, who is releasing the Kraj. In the fight, Kos’ temporary body is thrown out a window, so he transfers to Savra’s body, and overpowers Svogthir’s mind. The Kraj is activated to stop Rakdos, but Kos kills Momir before he can take control of the Kraj. The Kraj goes nuts, and kills Svogthir (again), and Kos transfers back to Obez’s body. Fonn and her now freed scouts kill a Nephilim. She is reunited with Kos, Pivlic, and her son, Myc who escaped. Feather comes to bring Kos to the Senate.
Kraj vs. Rakdos! Kraj wins by absorbing Rakdos into its body, and putting Rakdos into a coma. The Kraj stops moving, however. Lyzolda is in the middle of the cultist frenzy, and is eaten alive by her own cultists. When Kos and Feather return to the Senate, Augustin has taken martial law over all of Ravnica. Augustin reveals that he killed Szadek in prison, and wants to take full control over all of Ravnica. Kos, horrified, flees to the Parhelion. They mess with the controls for it to explode, and Kos saves Feather, and Teysa from Szadek by trapping him in a grounder. The Selesnyan conclave’s quietmen, tired of this treachery, attack the Senate, and the Parhelion explodes over the Senate as Kos and crew escape. Szadek’s grounder is thrown at Augustin, and when Szadek escapes, his ghost kills Augustin, then flees.
Epilogue Fonn brings Myc to Jarad, now self-reanimated to let him learn to become a Golgari hunter. Crixizix is still waiting for Niv Mizzet to return. Two years later, the new guild leaders have founded a new guild pact, one not based on balancing magic guilds against each other, but more on laws has been founded. Agyrem is now a full section of Ravnica, and Szadek has hidden himself there. Kos is assigned to hunt down Szadek. In the explosion, it is believed that the Schism has been closed, and so Ravnica returned to the multiverse.
Note: There are tons of plot holes, many things were glossed over, but this is the generic plot-line, for those interested in what happened in preparation for Return to Ravnica.
Thank you for reading, Soon there will be a full Return to Ravnica guide for the story compilation here shortly!
This is a republished guide from reddit, about the Ravnica, Guildpact, and Dissension storylines!
Ranvica: City of Guilds' novel synopsis:
Major Players:
Ravnica:
Agrus Kos- A wojek veteran. He’s a good cop, but over 100 years old, and the decimillenial is coming.
He’s trying to fight the tide. He’s also an alcoholic.
Feather- A Boros angel, who is serving her punishment with the legion as a wojek officer with her wings bound. She is Kos’ sometime partner.
Fonn Zunich- A new Selesnya recruit wolf-rider. She’s protecting the Saint Bayul of the conclave.
Jarad vod Savo- The Elvish Huntsmaster of Golgari, brother of Savra, the Matka (priestess) of Golgari.
Savra: Matka priestess leader of the necromantic casting elves of Golgari.
Sisters of Stone Death- The current leaders of Golgari, leading it to decay and decadence.
Szadek- Parun of Dimir, who’s whole guild is supposed to be fake, he’s enlisted Savra to retake Golgari.
Svogthir- The original parun of Golgari, released by Savra to help retake Golgari from the Sisters.
Mycil Zunich- Kos’ old dead partner. Now a ghost. Leads him places. Father of Fonn.
Borca- Kos’ new parter. Not a very good cop.
Basic plot:
Ravnica: 23rd of Zuun, 9999.
Argus Kos and partner/deputy investigate some crimes, and show off the world. Murder, for instance, is not illegal, unless it’s a guild member. He’s investigating various cases, and has been promoted to a semi-desk job. Fonn, meanwhile, is protecting Saint Bayul entering the main part of the city (known as the City of Ravnica) for the Decimillenial. Savra meets her brother Jarad and gives him a mission, then speaks with Szadek to find Svogthir and overthrow the Gorgon sisters of Golgari, by killing 2 of the 3 [Sisters of Stone Death]( http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=83746). Kos sees the ghost of Mycil Zunich, who leads him to witnesses a bombing attack on Saint Bayul and Fonn at a restaurant, and Kos and Borca are caught in the blast. Borca and Saint Bayul are killed, and Kos wakes up in a hospital, and is informed of Fonn’s disappearance.
Three days later Fonn wakes up with her captor, Jarad, who tells her he was hired to save her from the blast. Jarad and Fonn, while talking, are attacked by harpies, and the last one tells him Savra sent them to kill them both. Meanwhile, Kos sees Borca’s ghost, who tells him he had a avenger contract in case of his death, that Kos must avenge Borca’s death. Feather comes back to help Kos, and they set out to a Orzhov friend of Kos’, Pivlic. Kos and Feather find Fonn and Jarad at Pivlic’s arena restaurant, and they form an alliance when Selesnya quietmen attack the arena. Kos receives a falcon that the Saint is actually not dead, and they need him/Fonn there. The Golgari attack the Boros legion’s headquarters, and it’s war. Fonn hears Saint Bayul’s last words, and learns that Savra was trying to join the Selesnya conclave and to do so, she needed the gem in Bayul’s forehead. The Dimir Lupul worms attack (similar to a Dimir Doppleganger/Mindleech Mass), and quietmen (Selesnya) fight Wojeks (Boros).
Savra had been invited with the Devkarin elves to return to Selesnya, since the City tree had become corrupted (Savra was behind the corruption, and so actually controls the quietmen) and is about to join the conclave (and still control Golgari, and eventually all the guilds). Szadek appears, and tells her it’s time to join the conclave. She places Bayul’s stone on her forehead, and when she’s part of the conclave, Szadek snaps her neck. Szadek announces the end of the guildpact, while Jarad gains control of the Lupul with Savra’s staff, and Fonn saves her mount by putting Bayul’s stone in her mount’s forehead. The battle ends with Kos arresting Szadek for crimes against the guildpact.
End of Ravnica's book 1.
Guildpact
Major players (carried over from Ravnica):
Agrus Kos- A wojek veteran. He’s a good cop, but over 100 years old, and the decimillenial is coming.
He’s trying to fight the tide. He’s also an alcoholic.
Feather- A Boros angel, who is serving her punishment with the legion as a wojek officer with her wings bound. She is Kos’ sometime partner.
Fonn- A new Selesnya recruit wolf-rider. She’s protecting the Saint Bayul of the conclave.
Jarad- The Elvish Huntsmaster of Golgari, brother of Savra, the Matka (priestess) of Golgari.
Sisters of Stone Death- The current leaders of Golgari, leading it to decay and decadence.
Szadek- Parun of Dimir, who’s whole guild is supposed to be fake, he’s enlisted Savra to retake Golgari.
Svogthir- The original parun of Golgari, released by Savra to help retake Golgari from the Sisters.
Mycil- Kos’ old dead partner. Now a ghost. Leads him places. Father of Fonn.
Borca- Kos’ new parter. Not a very good cop.
New Characters to Guildpact:
Teysa- A Orzhov lawyer, she’s inherting Utvara.
Crix- An Izzet goblin, she gets captured by the Gruul and is a courier.
Zomaj Hauc - A master mage in Izzet
Guildpact
15 MOKOSH 9965 Z.C. (35 years before the end of Ravnica book 1) The Izzet use a mana bomb to wipe out the Utvara area. It was a Kuga plague area, and the mana bomb didn’t quite work, so Selesnyans have cured some of it with a tree. But a Schism was created, and something happened to all of Ravnica.
14 PAUJAL 10012 Z.C. (12 years after the end of Ravnica book 1) Teysa Karlov inherits the Utvara district, and will become baroness once her uncle passes away and joins the Ghost Council. They travel to Utvara and Uncle reveals that he had Hauc drop the mana bomb to destroy all the beings infected by the Kuga in Utvara, thus being allowed to reclaim the valley sooner. Something went wrong though and the explosion created the Schism, a tear in the fabric of existence, and caused the plague to mutate. On the Lokopede train, they are attacked by Gruul, and her uncle dies. The come to the bar where Argus Kos now works with Pilvic under Orzov. Her contract states that she has to clean up Utvara to habitable conditions before a deadline, or it’ll go back to the Selesnyans. Problem is, that there’s a Yore-Tiller Nephilim there from before the Guildpact (10000 years ago). Kos, meanwhile, is still hoping to find the Angels who never showed up 12 years ago. Teysa meets with the Simic doctor Nebun, and finds out that he can cure the Kuga plague and hires him to do so.
Meanwhile, the Ghost Council and someone in Izzet have a deal about Utvara, something with the mana bomb created a Schism in the sky, which both guilds are very interested in.
Kos and Pivlic meanwhile go looking for Crix as they need her courier spell to fix the valley. They get into a fight with Gruul, and get ambushed by a different Nephilim. They escape and run to rejoin the waiting Izzet guild members. Crix’s master, Zomaj Hauc’s plan is to destroy the Guildpact, with the Ghost Council by overthrowing Niv Mizzet, with the three dragon eggs in the cauldron area of Utvara he’s trying to hatch for his master, Niv Mizzet. They are dragon eggs from before the guildpact, as there are no true dragons in Ravnica proper left anymore.
Teysa quickly hires an army of mixed guild members, and heads to the cauldron to stop them from doing whatever it is they’re doing. They attack, and in the chaos, the eggs are hatching. One dragon is killed and Hauc controls the second with his draconic spell. Teysa and crew get the spell from Hauc when Crix quits his services and steals it, and so Teysa gains control of the third dragon. She orders it to attack Hauc and his dragon, and in the fight, both dragons and Hauc die. In the final battle, Argus Kos is killed, and he sees Feather (the angel) just at his death. We learn that ghosts are stuck in Ravnica when people die, because of the Schism in the sky. Feather has returned to speak at Kos’ funeral.
End of Guildpact, Ravnica: City of Guilds Book 2.
Dissension
A few new characters are introduced in this novel, mostly guild leaders; this book rushes through everything...
29 CIZARM 10012 Z.C.
A thief steals some of the cerebral fluid of the dead dragons in the Cauldron. Nephilim are feasting on their corpses. Crix (now Crixizix) is watching the Nephilim grow, she alerts Niv Mizzet. Teysa is requested by Feather, now an inmate under Azorius to be her lawyer. She is charged with abandoning Ravnica, Boros, and guild-matricide. Fonn is investigating a murder and has to pick up her son, Myc from Jarad, the Devkarin Guildmaster of Golgari, who is teaching his son to hunt. Niv Mizzet flies to Utvara, and with dragonfire kills two (Witch-maw and Dune Brood). He is injured, but claims to be leaving to let mortals deal with the remaining three, and retreats. Crixizix is disappointed in her guildleader. Fonn and Myc are attacked by Rakdos cultists, and Myc and her companions are taken. Jarad mistrusts Simic’s cytoplast enhancements, and refuses their offer.
Argus Kos is now a spectral guard outside the senate, and he sees Feather go in. The Parhelion (floating Angel Sunhome of Boros) returns, and the Skyjeks notice it, and send word that it is on a collision course with Prahv (the Azorius Guildhall). The Rakdos buy the dragon cerebral fluid, and Lyzolda meets with Szadek, Savra, and Momir Vig. Fonn wakes and alerts Jarad that their son has been kidnapped. They give chase. Feather takes a stand and tells what happened on her 10 year search. She reveals that Ravnica was cut off from the rest of the multiverse, trapping ghosts on the plane. Planeswalkers were kept out. The Parhelion was investigating this, but was trapped in the schism created by Zomaj Hauc in Guildpact, creating Agyrem the Ghost Quarter, where all the ghosts live. She also reports that Razia was killed by the ghost of Szadek.
Kos is called to find and destroy Szadek, and as a ghost is put inside the body of Obez Murzeddi, an Azorius ectomancer. By arresting Szadek twelve years ago, he broke the guildpact, with a paradox (because he was arrested for crimes against the guildpact). Szadek purposefully let down his guard in order to break the guildpact, but because of this, Kos may be the only person able to harm Szadek. A messenger arrives to warn them that there is a plan to destroy the other guilds by Momir, Rakdos, and Svogthir (inhabiting Savra’s body).
Myc’s blood (as the son of a guildleader) and the cerebral fluid are used by Lyzolda to raise Rakdos the demon, who attacks Vitu-Ghazi and kills a Nephilim. The Parhelion crashes into Prahv. Jarad and Fonn fight their way into Rix Maadi, but Jarad is killed by Lyzolda.
Kos, searching for Svogthir in Simic, finds Momir, who is releasing the Kraj. In the fight, Kos’ temporary body is thrown out a window, so he transfers to Savra’s body, and overpowers Svogthir’s mind. The Kraj is activated to stop Rakdos, but Kos kills Momir before he can take control of the Kraj. The Kraj goes nuts, and kills Svogthir (again), and Kos transfers back to Obez’s body. Fonn and her now freed scouts kill a Nephilim. She is reunited with Kos, Pivlic, and her son, Myc who escaped. Feather comes to bring Kos to the Senate.
Kraj vs. Rakdos! Kraj wins by absorbing Rakdos into its body, and putting Rakdos into a coma. The Kraj stops moving, however. Lyzolda is in the middle of the cultist frenzy, and is eaten alive by her own cultists. When Kos and Feather return to the Senate, Augustin has taken martial law over all of Ravnica. Augustin reveals that he killed Szadek in prison, and wants to take full control over all of Ravnica. Kos, horrified, flees to the Parhelion. They mess with the controls for it to explode, and Kos saves Feather, and Teysa from Szadek by trapping him in a grounder. The Selesnyan conclave’s quietmen, tired of this treachery, attack the Senate, and the Parhelion explodes over the Senate as Kos and crew escape. Szadek’s grounder is thrown at Augustin, and when Szadek escapes, his ghost kills Augustin, then flees.
Epilogue Fonn brings Myc to Jarad, now self-reanimated to let him learn to become a Golgari hunter. Crixizix is still waiting for Niv Mizzet to return. Two years later, the new guild leaders have founded a new guild pact, one not based on balancing magic guilds against each other, but more on laws has been founded. Agyrem is now a full section of Ravnica, and Szadek has hidden himself there. Kos is assigned to hunt down Szadek. In the explosion, it is believed that the Schism has been closed, and so Ravnica returned to the multiverse.
Note: There are tons of plot holes, many things were glossed over, but this is the generic plot-line, for those interested in what happened in preparation for Return to Ravnica.
Thank you for reading, Soon there will be a full Return to Ravnica guide for the story compilation here shortly!
Thursday, March 17, 2016
That which drives us
“When you
were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life
so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is
crying.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Recently, I've taken on a new endeavor, being a co-owner for a small business. A hobby shop. What a task, a struggle, many think. I get people telling me "congratulations" as if I won an award, instead of risking my credit, thousands of dollars, and my name and social security number on contracts. I did this to do what was necessary, to help my community, not for any personal achievement, though that will be part of a long term goal.
Today's blog isn't about my personal struggles and goals, here, but on goals and purpose itself.
I have observed so many people in both the oyster world and the gaming industry searching for a drive and purpose. While working as a judge on the Magic: the Gathering Grand Prix circuit events, I see a lot of loyalty, enthusiasm, and hard work being done by people who are by all accounts considered volunteers at best.
What drives people to fly across the country and the world to work for three days among thousands of people in a convention center room? What is the goal that makes them stand for volunteer work for 10 hours straight and still be smiling at the end of the day? What makes working that hard worth it?
On the other side of things, oyster work is not the most glamorous of jobs. We get up early, the work is wet, often cold, and we're cleaning oyster feces, often in slimy or murky tanks. Oyster work involves a lot of walking and movement around facilities, a high amount of knowledge on how systems work, the ability to scrub tanks, clean systems, fix pumps, make sure things aren't going dry, setting up pvc piping, moving heavy loads of oysters, etc. We get dirty, covered in oyster slime, deal with rotting objects at the bottom of tanks, and have often wet clothes from the work.
What purpose do people find in growing and producing oysters? To make a living on these small bivalves that people like to eat so much, despite them growing on the bottom of the sea and coastline? Why work so hard, in smelly wet conditions?
The answer to both these questions, to both sides of long hours and hard work is multifaceted, but can be distilled down to a few concepts: Community, Purpose, and Ehrgeiz.
Now some of you may not be familiar with the concept of the German word: Ehrgeiz, so bear with me, I'll explain below.
Community and purpose, the first two drivers for people in these positions, are some of the most important human conditions. There are thousands, if not millions of people out in the world seeking both purpose in their daily lives, in the meaning behind their existence, and the membership in some form of community. People want to belong, to be know that there is some greater meaning behind their actions, their lives, and a need for them to personally work together and do good, to do well. To be needed in your community, and to be doing work towards a greater goal and ideal is often vital for everyone- it's being seen at even low level jobs, taught to managers of retails stores, explained to construction workers, given to the leaders in a volunteer community, in order to find ways to instill community and idealism into employees- to build loyalty and appreciation for the organization in which people work.
And now, Ehrgeiz. The German word for ambition- but it means a little more in in this context. The form of the word ehrgeiz in this context is used in order to convey a drive towards better things, to have ambition, but not only personal or individual ambition, but ehrgeiz towards a community purpose, towards goals. To strive to higher things within a community group, to improve not only oneself, but the community as a whole is what brings the term ehrgeiz into this context at least.
For volunteers working long hours, this can mean recognition, involvement in larger things, and building a community with like minded people. For workers in difficult or dirty jobs, this can often mean purpose or striving towards larger goals within the organization and personally.
So how do these concepts lead to you? It's nice to be able to describe great things for people to strive for, but how does this affect people in their every day lives?
For any person, find what parts of your life are inspiring, or can help you set goals, and work towards accomplishing those.
A retail worker may find more love for their work if they see themselves as a part of a community of employees, or a church volunteer sees their connection to the church grow stronger. Inspiration in every day life can come from small things.
Another part of the judge community which is very important- evaluate yourself and the program! As you become part of a workforce, watch what work you're doing, what is worthwhile, or what could be done better. Being able to give constructive suggestions and feedback can make you a valuable part of whatever community you're becoming a part of, and can make you feel more valued within it as well! Make sure too, that what you're doing fits within your worldview- is the program doing good or causing harm? What about my actions? These are excellent questions to ask yourself as you join in with something!
But above all: Do good. Do well. Make the world a better place, no matter how small your actions. If you can seek and find some purpose and belonging in your daily life, in your workplace and community, you will hopefully see and feel a change and greater satisfaction in everything you do.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
The Tomes and Lore Shadowing Innistrad
Welcome to the guide for the lore of Shadows over Innistrad block, for Magic: The Gathering.
Follow the clues to reveal the story beneath the shadows looming over the plane. Updates come as they are released.
Here all the stories, pages, hints and clues will be compiled for your pleasure!
If you want to find the stories from the original Innistrad block, read here: http://changevoyage.blogspot.com/2016/02/vorthos-guide-to-innistrad.html
There are things happening in Hanweir
Read the Hanweir Chronicle AR game story. This tells the fate of Hanweir during Shadows over Innistrad.
You can find the original tumblr page here: Hanweir Chronicle.
Hanweir Recap on 5/31: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/hanweir-chronicle-recap-2016-05-31
We start with two trackers, searching for a werewolf.
Avacyn begins to hear a buzzing noise which leads quickly to darker things.
Jace arrives in the plane, and finds his way to an old 'friend'.
The Gitrog menace.
Jace delves into the mystery of Markov Manor.
Following the clues in the journal, Jace finds his way to the Drownyard Temple.
Having discovered Markov Manor, Sorin visits Castle Voldaren, where he remembers the past.
Jace returns to visit Liliana for some accusations.
Gisa and Geralf revisit their....relations as siblings.
Stories and Endings. Jace and Tamiyo finally meet.
Conclusions: Sorin is anguished in his decisions.
Full (SOI) story compilation as a ebook: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/magic-story-shadows-over-innistrad-e-book-collection-2016-06-01
Eldritch Moon
In person events:
Follow the clues to reveal the story beneath the shadows looming over the plane. Updates come as they are released.
Here all the stories, pages, hints and clues will be compiled for your pleasure!
If you want to find the stories from the original Innistrad block, read here: http://changevoyage.blogspot.com/2016/02/vorthos-guide-to-innistrad.html
Videos:
Teaser Trailer!
Shadows over Innistrad Trailer.
Eldritch Moon Trailer.
There are things happening in Hanweir
Read the Hanweir Chronicle AR game story. This tells the fate of Hanweir during Shadows over Innistrad.
You can find the original tumblr page here: Hanweir Chronicle.
Hanweir Recap on 5/31: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/hanweir-chronicle-recap-2016-05-31
Main story:
Shadows over InnistradWe start with two trackers, searching for a werewolf.
Avacyn begins to hear a buzzing noise which leads quickly to darker things.
Jace arrives in the plane, and finds his way to an old 'friend'.
The Gitrog menace.
Jace delves into the mystery of Markov Manor.
Following the clues in the journal, Jace finds his way to the Drownyard Temple.
Having discovered Markov Manor, Sorin visits Castle Voldaren, where he remembers the past.
Jace returns to visit Liliana for some accusations.
Gisa and Geralf revisit their....relations as siblings.
Stories and Endings. Jace and Tamiyo finally meet.
Conclusions: Sorin is anguished in his decisions.
Full (SOI) story compilation as a ebook: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/magic-story-shadows-over-innistrad-e-book-collection-2016-06-01
Eldritch Moon
 |
| Warped Landscape, art by Cliff Childs |
In the absence of an angel, new alliances must begin, with the Archmages of Goldnight.
Nahiri, for 1000 years.
The true villain RISES!
Innistrad's last hope!
A fight to end friendships.
Thalia rallies to battle for Thraben, in order to retake the city for humanity.
The battle of Thaben for the Gatewatch!
The planeswalkers come together and form the full Gatewatch.
The end??
In person events:
Grand Prix Detroit had an interactive Thraben Cathedral game, to survive and escape!
Recap video of all three escape rooms around the world!
Side stories:
A map has been found of Innistrad. Dare you explore it's paths?
Planeswalkers: Arlinn Kord, a walker from Innistrad.
Guides: The Ecology of the Vampire
Story pages:
Shadows over Innistrad
Eldritch Moon
As always, please comment if there are any errors, or things to be added to the guide. The aim is to be a complete guide to the lore, world, and stories of Innistrad.
Friday, February 19, 2016
The Plane of Fiora, a place to conspire
This day, we tell you the tale of a far off plane, known as Fiora. Home to Dack Fayden, and containing a city on pillars, the elite conspire against each other. Welcome to the conspiracy!
With the new King Brago "Betrayal" Story, we have a new link to the puzzle right at the top: Nik Davidson authored:
Far from Theros, on the plane of Fiora, the High City of Paliano is home to countless intrigues and plots. The high lords of the city vie for supremacy. Move is met with countermove, and trust with betrayal, all under the auspices of the immortal King Eternal. But the king was a living man, once, and a friend to the elf explorer Selvala...
So Paliano is the city on the world of Fiora, the same as Dack Fayden's homeworld. We've seen it in
the comics once or twice, both a
live town and Drakeston, the now ghost town of Dack's origins.
http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/Fiora
Announcing! GVYJTHQXGR
(conspiracy)
Another interesting connection, which was suspected from the Dack Fayden card reveal code type in article: The Perfect Gift, in which is mentioned a character, "The Black Rose". In it, the revelation comes that Sydri, too, is on Fiora, which would match the renaissance architecture of the world, similar to the Fiora we saw in the Dack Fayden comics.
The Black Rose, being referenced, is the underworld figure of Marchesa, whom we see the machinations of in the rivals of the Black Rose.
A week later, a University meeting is called to order with a movement made by Professor Muzzio to gain what he feels he rightfully has earned.
But from betrayal come consequences, and we find that Selvala was arrested for regicide. She finds herself in prison. What is Selvala to do, but trust Grenzo, the dungeon warden.
And so we set the stage to conspire!
A newconspiracy announcement was made! There are goals now to take the crown. Come to Conspiracy: Take the Crown.
Other tales and characters:
Daretti: On his home plane of Fiora, Daretti was known as a goblin of uncommon intellect, talent, and ambition. His goal was both simple and audacious: to become a master artificer at the Academy in the High City of Paliano. As he rose through the ranks, the city’s mage elite tittered, then scoffed, then protested. In the end, it was not their plotting but Daretti’s own experiments that proved his downfall.
One of Daretti’s famed creations exploded, apparently killing him. In
reality, the shock ignited Daretti’s latent Planeswalker spark, and he
planeswalked to relative safety.
His legs were gone, but he was alive—and now had many worlds of knowledge and artifice to explore. He built himself an elaborate cogwork conveyance and continued his experiments in artifice, both on Fiora and beyond.
Dack Fayden: Dack grew up on Fiora, in a small town: Drakeston. While he was away on thieving adventures, a planeswalker named Sifa Grent came to Drakeston with an army of vampires and wiped out the entire population. This began the comic story saga, with Dack hunting after Sifa. He has rarely returned to Fiora in the comics.
With the new King Brago "Betrayal" Story, we have a new link to the puzzle right at the top: Nik Davidson authored:
Far from Theros, on the plane of Fiora, the High City of Paliano is home to countless intrigues and plots. The high lords of the city vie for supremacy. Move is met with countermove, and trust with betrayal, all under the auspices of the immortal King Eternal. But the king was a living man, once, and a friend to the elf explorer Selvala...
So Paliano is the city on the world of Fiora, the same as Dack Fayden's homeworld. We've seen it in
http://wiki.mtgsalvation.com/article/Fiora
Announcing! GVYJTHQXGR
(conspiracy)
Another interesting connection, which was suspected from the Dack Fayden card reveal code type in article: The Perfect Gift, in which is mentioned a character, "The Black Rose". In it, the revelation comes that Sydri, too, is on Fiora, which would match the renaissance architecture of the world, similar to the Fiora we saw in the Dack Fayden comics.
The Black Rose, being referenced, is the underworld figure of Marchesa, whom we see the machinations of in the rivals of the Black Rose.
A week later, a University meeting is called to order with a movement made by Professor Muzzio to gain what he feels he rightfully has earned.
But from betrayal come consequences, and we find that Selvala was arrested for regicide. She finds herself in prison. What is Selvala to do, but trust Grenzo, the dungeon warden. And so we set the stage to conspire!
A new
Other tales and characters:
Daretti: On his home plane of Fiora, Daretti was known as a goblin of uncommon intellect, talent, and ambition. His goal was both simple and audacious: to become a master artificer at the Academy in the High City of Paliano. As he rose through the ranks, the city’s mage elite tittered, then scoffed, then protested. In the end, it was not their plotting but Daretti’s own experiments that proved his downfall.
His legs were gone, but he was alive—and now had many worlds of knowledge and artifice to explore. He built himself an elaborate cogwork conveyance and continued his experiments in artifice, both on Fiora and beyond.
Dack Fayden: Dack grew up on Fiora, in a small town: Drakeston. While he was away on thieving adventures, a planeswalker named Sifa Grent came to Drakeston with an army of vampires and wiped out the entire population. This began the comic story saga, with Dack hunting after Sifa. He has rarely returned to Fiora in the comics.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Vorthos Guide to Innistrad
 |
| art by James Paick, (c) Wizards of the Coast |
We saw many questions about the story/flavor behind the cards, well, here's everything compiled!
Welcome to the new site for the complete collection of all the stories for the Innistrad block, and stories relating to the plane. For those that don't know, Innistrad is a Gothic horror setting of a world, one with werewolves, zombies, ghosts, vampires, and humans. Dread is at every corner, and the moon rules all.
Planeswalkers guides to Innistrad:
 |
| Mountain, by James Paick (c) Wizards of the Coast |
Gavony and Humans
Kessig and
Werewolves
Nephalia and the Undead
Stensia and Vampires
Set up for the Dark Ascension
Avacyn Restored: Angels (part 1)
Avacyn Restored: Humans (part 2)
Devils
 |
| Swamp by James Paick (c) Wizards of the Coast |
Innistrad's trailer
Dark Ascension's Trailer
Avacyn Restored Trailer
Lore and Planeswalkers:This section covers the lore of the Innistrad card set block, from the rise of the monsters to the dark ascension, to Garruk hunting down Liliana to remove his curse, to the fight between Liliana and Thalia, and the release of Avacyn!
The Dark Ascension
 |
| Art by Ryan Yee, (c) Wizards of the Coast |
Sorin's Homecoming Sorin returns to the Innistrad he knew, but things have changed.
Cathars (and Liliana vs. Garruk) Repeated from above, this article tells the story of the confrontation between Garruk and Liliana.
The Prison of Silver
Here is the tale of the Helvault, and how Avacyn began collecting Demons to be trapped inside- and what became of her final attempt at it.
The Church’s response Mikeaus, the Lunarch of the Church of Avacyn, makes a hard decision on what to do, having seen Avacyn defeated and imprisoned in the Helvault.
The Fall of Mikeaus (Gisa vs. Geralf) Gisa and Geralf are having a war of zombie-calling, and decide to take the fight directly to Innistrad's greatest city, Thraben.
The Guardian, the Witch and the Angel The fight between Liliana and Thalia, in front of the Helvault.
Avacyn Returns and Griselbrand’s Release This story covers how Avacyn and Griselbrand are released. Liliana faces off with Thalia, to break the Helvault.
Stories from 2013:
Odric, master Tactician, and the fate of Garruk (part 1) Odric encounders a planeswalker.
Sorin, while cleaning up Innistrad, has come across Tibalt, and the duel begins!
Stories from 2014:
Garruk awakens from his curse (part 2). What is not described in the lore anywhere is the plotline of the Duels of the Planeswalkers 2015 version. In the game, you follow Garruk's murders and hunts of other planeswalkers, eventually meeting Jace, who removes the sealing hedron from Ob Nixilus (on Zendikar), to implant it into Garruk (on Shandalar), stifling the curse from the Chain Veil. Garruk, thereafter, sees himself as a monster. Ob Nixilus, begins his journey to reignite his spark.
 |
| Vronos, Planeswalker Cathar |
Avacyn, restored, is cleaning up her areas, and asks a Cathar, Dovid, to help restore part of a loft.
2016: The Shadows gather over Innistrad. See the new blog post!
The "world of" Articles:
The Plane of Innistrad, a quick comprehensive look-in for the world and its denizen.
Archived: The world of Innistrad articles.
Stories: (Individual lore set on Innistrad)
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| The Journal of Raben, Cathar. Image of the "Bloodletter" |
(AR game explained) [Both links are dead, please instead use the reprinting link here:
https://changevoyage.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-cursed-blade-retelling-arg-game.html
Death Trap A story set in Innistrad.
The Tale of Saint Traft
The Fall of Mikeaus (Gisa vs. Geralf)
Post Cards from Innistrad (part 1)
Post cards from Innistrad (part 2)
Worldbuilding descriptions of Dark Ascension:
The darkness rises against the humans, in Dark Ascension.
Sorin Markov returning to Innistrad.
Specific points of plotline in Avacyn Restored:
Thalia vs. Liliana and the Helvault This (at the bottom) article tells the tale of Thalia facing off against Liliana, and why Liliana wants to see the Helvault destroyed.
Tamiyo the Moon Sage Tamiyo's Biography, and what she's doing on Innistrad.
Tibalt the Fiend blooded Tibalt's biography, a native of Innistrad.
Other random clips and look ins:
The Champion of the Parish A side tale.
Inboxing Day: Dark Ascension- some explanations of faith and angels.
Character Blurbs from supplementary sets and releases:
"Jeleva, Nephalia's Scourge – Commander (2013 Edition). Back before Avacyn was restored (yay Avacyn!), the good folk of Nephalia often served as lunch for the not-so-good folk of Nephalia. Even today, after the Helvault was opened, Jeleva remains a constant threat to the province."
2013: Dack Fayden visited Innistrad in his chase after the planeswalker, Sifa Grent. She was controlling vampires with a dagger artifact known as the "Ancient Fang", which Dack found on Ravnica. After saving some townsfolk and Cathars (Ingrid) from Vampires, they help him track down Sifa's base, but she had just left. The vampires are horrified to find that Dack brought the dagger, and Sifa takes Hermann, the Cathar Ingrid's father, hostage along with the entire town using zombies. In the ensuing battle between Dack and Sifa, Dack summons a Sturmgeist to defeat the zombie, saving most of the townsfolk, but Sifa escapes. Tracking her off world, Dack eventually loses the trail, and returns to Innistrad. Meeting with Hermann and Ingrid, Dack gets some clues as to a "Malfegor" and is about to tell them about planeswalkers, but the two Innistrad natives are suddenly frozen- by Sorin Markov. Sorin demands the Ancient Fang from Dack, in exchange for sparing Ingrid and Hermann, but also gives Dack the location of Sifa's homeworld, Grixis.
Updated 7/6/16- Links and cleanup.
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