Theros and a world of Gods

Theros World Lore Guide

Welcome to Theros, Planeswalker! This world is rich with legend and story, as the Gods perform their tales for mortals each night in the sky of Nyx. Mortal dreams enter Nyx as well, helping shape it to reality, and causing some new beings known as Nyx-born. Here you will find a compilation of all the planeswalker guides and Uncharted realms tales of Theros. More will be added as more is revealed. Have fun discovering!

Planeswalkers guides: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Inside R&D video and the The plane of Theros description Theros Trailer

Stories:
Elspeth’s Farewell to New Phyrexia: Dear Ajani…
Anax Begins his training, part 1 and proves himself, part 2
The Nymphs of Theros!
Siren’s Song
Tragedy of a Hero Sung by the fates.
Ode to Iroas
The Sea God’s Labyrinth Part 1 and Part 2
Building toward a Dream Part 1 and Part 2 (Featuring Ashiok!)
To Asphodel

Born of the Gods
Planeswalker Guide, Part 2: The intro to the STORY and the tale of Kiora Atua, native of Zendikar.
Trailer Stories:
A lesson in Identity
The cowardice of the Hero
Fates
Minor Gods of Born of the Gods
Kiora's Followers
Pseudamma
The Walls of Akros
The Hero of Iroas
Ephara's Oracle
Seasons in Setessa

Journey into Nyx
Planeswalker Guide, Part 3: Gods and Walkers
Trailer
Ajani returns!

Journey into the Labyrinth
A desperate stand
Dreams of the City The plots of Ashiok, and the rise of a cacophony!
The son of Raissa
The Journey or the Stone
Kruphix knows the Multiverse



Novel:
Some talk and thoughts on Elspeth's fate, from Jenna Helland
All the Theros trailers with bonus content of the fate of Elspeth at the end!
Ajani's Vengence
Full synopsis for those who are too lazy to read it all.



2015: Kiora's battle is described against the god of the sea, Thassa.

Update from 2016: Commander 2016 features a large number of characters from Theros, some never seen before. 
Their names:  Kynaios and Tiro, Kydele, Thrasios, Tymna, and Ravos
You can find the article here.


Characters:
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Some notes on Ashiok
Ashiok also appears against Dack Fayden in the comics.
Elspeth 
Xenagos, the Reveler
Kiora
Ajani Goldmane


Last updated – 11/13/16- New Legendary stories from Commander 2016

The Nature of Magic is Change

Change is a hard thing to handle for humans, because we're creatures of habit. 

Much like Magic, life is full of change.  Standard rotates.  The tier decks of Modern change or get banned.  Reprints are happening more frequently now. 

But we still are the same people, we're still learning, growing, surviving the day to day.  So why don't we like change? 

Well, because it brings with it the unknown, and the chance of failure, suffering, and loss.

But change is constant, and essential, for a fulfilling experience in life.  I'm following a quote that Steve Jobs said at a graduation, you can find the video about it here:

Stay hungry, stay foolish.

To keep striving, to keep growing, we can't give up and settle if we want to grow, to expand, to see more of this beautiful experience we call life.  

And so it is in magic, magic stories, and life.  Stay hungry.  Stay foolish. Try new things.  Adopt new strategies. Be friendly to different people, and never stop reading and learning!

Reading and the worlds books contain

I'm going to ramble a bit, mainly because the Magic Storyline has been very good in recent months, but also because I'm taking part in a reading competition this year.

You can find it at: http://supercleartape.blogspot.com/p/the-great-read-thon-book-bonanza.html


So many people don't take the time to read these days, and that worries me. 

Many of the readers her are Magic players, people who go to social events to compete in a game of strategy, luck, reading, math, and fantasy.  The storyline is told in articles, and develops entire worlds for us to experience.

And that sort of reading is just something I feel that games, movies, and TV simply cannot convey as well in my experiences in the recent months.

Reading lets people engage with worlds and thoughts and characters on so much deeper of a level than I've felt with movies and games.

And people always say: the book is better than the movie.   Don't take that lightly- if you don't enjoy reading, I don't blame you- everyone has their own likes and dislikes.

And if you need inspiration to read, try some incentives, follow your passion in stories, or get recommendations of good authors you may like.  A book can truly be a portal to another world. 

Come and battle for Zendikar

Four planeswalkers come to Zendikar to battle the Eldrazi menace, after searching for help for years.

Here is their story.

The Distant Past
5000 Years ago, the Eldrazi were imprisoned.

1000 years ago, the Eldrazi nearly escaped.

Recent Events

The Eldrazi escaped, seen in the original Zendikar Block, and in the Teeth of Akoum Novel.  Nissa chose to release them, hoping they would leave Zendikar.  Sorin cursed her for a fool, and left.  The Eldrazi menace remains. 

Gideon sees Emrakul, and goes to search for aid.

Some time ago, the Lithomancer fought Ob Nixilis, trapping his spark with a hedron embedded in his skull.  Now he waits.  


Nissa begins her journey as a worldwaker.


Prologue

Jace and Ral are working together, and find another planeswalker, through Project Lightning bug.
Gideon has found himself fighting two battles on two planes.  But he has limits.

As the Guildpact, Jace finds himself catching up with his friends...

Liliana has her own ravens to face.

Chandra's training grounds on Kephalai. 

Nissa continues to fight on.


The Battle begins(Main story page): http://magic.wizards.com/en/content/battle-zendikar-story


Slaughter at the Refuge

The silent cry. A torn apart world.

The pilgrimage of the believers. 


Gideon Jura helps the survivors of Sky Rock.

Memories of Blood, seen though Drana.

Nissa's quest to find her friend.

Kiora returns home.

Nissa finds her goal, and faces off with a demon.

Remember this, they came as three.  Revelations at the Eye.


Noyan Dar's shapers.

The Liberation of Sea Gate.

Jace's plan of Hedron alignment begins.

Ob Nixilis wants off Zendikar, at any cost.

Chandra Nalaar has promises to keep.

(Full story synopsis for Battle for Zendikar)

Oath of the Gatewatch!

(Main story page): http://magic.wizards.com/en/content/oath-gatewatch-story

The Rise of Kozilek

Ob Nixilis retaliates against our planeswalkers.

Mina and Denn begin their quest for reclamation.  (side story)

The blight that Tazri was born for.

Things can go up in flames.

Jori En and Kiora regroup

The Oath of the Gatewatch.  The four friends decide what's best for the multiverse, and what they can do. The are on the brink of extinction for Zendikar.

And so begins Zendikar's attempt at a last stand.

This means, that Zendikar, damaged, but intact, and become resurgent.

(Oath of the Gatewatch full story summary.)




Other Pages:
Planes of Zendikar Page

Battle for Zendikar Story Page

Story synopsis:
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/battle-zendikar-story-summary-2015-12-23

Kaladesh Inventor's Fair!

Welcome to Kaladesh!  World of artificial enchantment! Do watch out for the flying thopters, and remember to register with the fair's local consulate.

We begin with a fresh new Gatewatch.  Liliana Vess has joined their party, and they rest after their battle with Emrakul on Innistrad.  We find them in Jace's Sanctum, on the plane of Ravnica, when an interesting request comes from a planeswalker managing the Inventor's Fair.

The consulate of Kaladesh is hosting the Inventor's fair.  It seems some rebels are trying to disrupt or destroy it.  Yet invitations are still being delivered!

You are invited!

Kaladesh Trailer

An inventor gives it her all with her partner, to do the unthinkable!


Chandra returns to her homeworld, and she and Liliana begin to explore the fair.

The story of Renegade Prime.

Born of the Aether, and Chandra and Nissa search for answers.

Bottled Up, the search for Renegade Prime continues.

Some backstory and a release.

The Gatewatch confronts Tezzeret in this very Arena!

The consulate is grateful for your attendance of the Inventor's Fair!


Aether Revolt


Trailer

Some time has passed, and we find Yahenni in the dead of night.

Gideon's considerations in some Quiet Moments.

While all of this continues, Rashmi has her breakthrough.

The Revolution Begins!

The decisive battle for the Aether Hub commences, and things do burn. 

Skies over Kaladesh!

Things are coming to a head, and some parts of the revolt are coming to a breaking point.




When it comes down to it for Liliana, most people seem like puppets. 

The Gatewatch, sucessful, goes through some renewal. 


Guides, notices, and Making ofs:


Planeswalker's Guide to Kaladesh

Making of Kaladesh: Here

The Consulate released announcements for the people of the fair. 


Bios:
Dovin Baan - a native vedalken planeswalker from Kaladesh.

Saheeli Rai - a native of Kaladesh, she is a prime inventor and competitor for invention battles!

Kaladesh exploration site.

Notes: In the Magic Story Podcast, it was talked about how the Mending occured around 60 years prior to events in this saga- similarly, around 60 years ago in Kaladesh, the great aether expansion and industrialization occurred.

Story pages:

Kaladesh
Aether Revolt

Real concerns with the court of Paliano

A new declaration was made:

The Reign of Brago! Conspiracy 2!


All hail the King and lord of Paliano.  The Eternal, the just, the undying!

...

...do you hear that?  ...

...

Wait! Assassins! King Brago has been slain!

Apparently, we have an empty Throne!  Conspiracy 2: The Empty Throne!


...

...

...

But this doesn't end there.  A new heir has been appointed.  Conspiracy 2: Take the Crown.

And so we again begin to conspire.



The story begins, with Kaya,
who is very good at her job.


A message was found on the back of the Eternal Masters tokens... lead to two proclamations!

Proclamation of the new Queen.

Response of Adriana, Captain of the Guard.

Daretti has returned to Fiora, and found himself in league with Grenzo.

An envoy from the city state of Trest has been appointed to Paliano, and he writes back with some dossiers.



You can find the original Paliano lore from Conspiracy 1 here.


Notes:
Edric, Spymaster of Trest was no revealed to be part of the plane of Fiora.  Trest is a port city state, ruled by elves. 
His original description was here. 

Tarkir Times twist with Dragons and Khans

The storyline article guide to Tarkir.  Follow the path of Sarkhan Vol on the return to his home plane, following the whispers he has heard in his head since the visit to the Eye of Ugin on Zendikar.

World description: http://magic.wizards.com/node/354031

Prelude:

Sarkhan spent time in they Eye of Ugin, where he heard voices. This can be seen in Part 2 of "Journey to the Eye".



Welcome to Tarkir.  A world without dragons, where Khans rule the land. Sarkhan Vol, home again, being led here by whispers...








The Khans of Tarkir (Present)


Planeswalkers Guides to Tarkir (Timeline Khans).
Part 1 
Part 2

The Madness of Sarkhan.

The bear awakens.  (side story, Timeline Khans)

Sorin arrives in Tarkir (Timeline Khans), and searches for Ugin.

Taigam schemes. (side story, Timeline Khans)

The way of the mantis. (side story, Timeline Khans)


The Chensal Twins (side story, Timeline Khans)

Narset, leader of the Jeskai, searches for answer.  (Timeline Khans)

The Salt Road (side story, Timeline Khans)

Sidisi broods about her loss. (Timeline Khans)

Zurgo hunts after Sarkhan, hearing he had returned to Mardu lands.  (Timeline Khans)

Anafenza proves her loyalty to family. (Timeline Khans)

Journey to the Nexus (Timeline Khans)







The Past.  1280 years ago.
Planeswalker's guide to Tarkir (Fate Reforged)

A new Tarkir of Old.  (Past)


Time is unwritten. (Past)

The battle between Ugin and Nicol Bolas. (Past)

The truth of Names of Alesha (Past)

Doom of the Golden Fang (Past)

Abzan has no end and no beginning. (Past)

Khanfall (Past)



The Present.  Sarkhan returns to the Tarkir he knows. But things are different...

Planeswalker's Guide to Tarkir (Dragons Timeline)
Part 1.
Part 2.


A Tarkir of Dragons (Dragons Timeline)

The great teacher's student Transcends (Dragons Timeline)

Sorin arrives in Tarkir (Dragons Timeline), and searches for Ugin.

Anafenza is a guardian (side story, Dragons Timeline)

Sidisi has a poisoned heart. (side story, Dragons Timeline)

Surrak calls for the hunt. (side story, Dragons Timeline)

Unbroken now, Sarkhan is unbowed. He meets a potential ally, and they go to find the Spirit Dragon.  (Dragons Timeline)


Full Story Synopsis.

Notes:
Vraska apparently has visited Tarkir.  In the Mazirek story of the Kraul, there is a purple flag, which was confirmed to be a Silumgar flag by Alison Luhrs.

Updated 7/19/16.  Ugin has left Tarkir for Zendikar, during the events of Battle for Zendikar.   The status of Narset and Sarkhan are unknown, but are believed to still be on Tarkir. 

Update 2018: The backstory for Core 2019 has a frame story set 18 years after Yasova and Sarkhan interacted in Fate Reforged.  It takes place on Tarkir of old, after the battles between Ugin and Bolas.