When Savor the Flavor temporarily went away, I told you all it was just that: a hiatus. I chose the word hiatus thinking it carried the least ominous connotations and would soothe people's fears. But quickly I found out I was quite wrong and that the word carried a more sinister feeling to some readers. I did my best to assuage fears and let people know that we'd have creative Vorthos content back on DailyMTG.com; it just was going to take a little time.
Dragonskull Summit | Art by Jon Foster
One reason that I did not simply have a new creative-focused column up and running immediately was that we wanted to take time to evaluate Savor the Flavor. I sat down and studied the traffic stats for the column, I met with the creative team, and then I wrote down a business case for the column outlining my desired goals for it.
One thing you might not think about is that the creative team is part of R&D. So once it had my desired ingredients for the new column, the team did some brainstorming and came back with two options.
Codename Saffron
Jenna Helland
Saffron was the codename for this process as I worked with the creative team to develop the new column. I'm jumping ahead slightly, but I want to go ahead and lay out details for Uncharted Realms, the name for Saffron. It will be a weekly column that kicks off this Wednesday and will be written by Jenna Helland with help from the creative team.
Uncharted Realms Mapped Out
Uncharted Realms is a different column from Savor the Flavor. Savor the Flavor was largely about our creative process and what went into making the characters, stories, and—ultimately—cards. It explored different types of content, including fiction and art, but largely it was about the creative
process.
First Uncharted realms is now out, and I think it was a home run.
Jenna has a lot of love flowing around the story community, so this should be very well received.
It'll be an interesting experience regardless.
I will admit, Brady Dommermuth shared with us that data suggested the story articles did not get a substantially higher number of hits than the regular StF articles, and that they apparently took a lot more work than a regular article.
So I find it interesting that we have moved to this. I think Trick might have had something to do with it, and I can only thank both him and Brady for it. As well as Jenna, of course.
I'm very excited about this, though i was hoping that the column would be passed around from different members of Creative.
Jenna's columns are always nice. And hopefully her first or second column will cover the planes of Planechase II.
I would hope, but at the same time, I'd have really really liked a definitive planes of planechase like the last time.
Well, maybe we will get enough flavor snippets about them to piece somethng together anyways.
I approve. I just hope they don't apply the "one card per story" thing too strictly. I also enjoyed those encyclopedia-esque articles describing every new plane card in a few words.
I didn't expect Garruk to show up, I thought the mayor was a skirsdag cultist.
Overall, a great first read and I hope for more to come. I wonder if Jenna is continuting the story on Innistrad next week or if she's following the M13 legends. Either way, I'd be pleased
In Jenna's Article she details the story of Odric.
Spoiler Warning!
This summarizes the events of the story,
to see it from the source go to the link.
Odric Lost his son to a werewolf, and is a tactician in post Helvault Innistrad.
He doubts the oaths taken by Wolfirs, and hunts the remaining werewolf's.
His main lieutenant is a woman named Grete.
He encounters Garruk, who has been ravaging the towns.
Odric cracked a bit of Garruks skull as he was about to kill him.
Grete convinced Odric to take Garruk Prisoner to Thraben.
And thats where we know Garruk is as of now.
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Avid teacher of Magic to new players.
Flavor enthusiast, Storyteller, and Illustrator
Red Blue aligned Mage
I play limited, casual modern, and keep several standard decks on hand.
In process of writing articles about MTG as a subculture delving into it from a sociological standpoint. If you know of a mtg site looking for a column like that, please private message me. Thanks
It seems as if we'd get a continuation next week rather than a new legend from M13, no? I enjoy how Jenna manages to tie together some plot points while crafting a new story. Her writing does the job, and on a tight timetable, it's pretty good. She seems to have struck a nice balance between card references, characters, and overall continuity. I like her mention of Ludevic and Gisa, the moon, wolfirs, and so on. It seems very cohesive.
I think we could get a nice collection of short stories from her--especially if they are all so plot-driven! Really, we could end up with another anthology of her work (not actually printed), but a Colors of Magic-type approach for each block.
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Dominian Scholar of the Old Guard, specializing in pre-revisionist (Armada comics) and revisionist (Brothers' War through Apocalypse)history
It looks like they are finally going to remove Garruks curse. What will happen when he is presented to Avacyn and she sees the same spark her creator has?
It looks like they are finally going to remove Garruks curse. What will happen when he is presented to Avacyn and she sees the same spark her creator has?
We've been told that Avacyn holds no special regard for Sorin, so I don't see why Garruk being a planeswalker would matter to her.
And it's not guaranteed that she'll cure Garruk... she only "cured" the Wolfir after they'd sworn to be her loyal servants and protectors of her flock, after all. Garruk isn't exactly the type to swear his loyalty to another even when he's fully sane. And it's entirely possible that the Veil's curse is beyond Avacyn's capability to remove, anyway.
We've been told that Avacyn holds no special regard for Sorin, so I don't see why Garruk being a planeswalker would matter to her.
And it's not guaranteed that she'll cure Garruk... she only "cured" the Wolfir after they'd sworn to be her loyal servants and protectors of her flock, after all. Garruk isn't exactly the type to swear his loyalty to another even when he's fully sane. And it's entirely possible that the Veil's curse is beyond Avacyn's capability to remove, anyway.
So they're going to kill off Garruk? Considering Odric wants to kill him right now. Instead they're going to take him to Avacyn first and get her judgment. If she won't cure Garruk or see anything special in him why would she just let him go? He's plainly cursed and she knows he will just cause more havoc on Innistrad.
The only other option they may use instead of being cured or killed is a sudden moment of focus and energy and Garruk planeswalks safely off Innistrad at the last moment!!! (that would be lame).
Garruk will survive this; he is a major character and I don't think he'll die outside of a set. Further, we know his story is linked too closely to Liliana's--the two of them will meet up again, eventually. Also, I expect his curse to remain; otherwise, his chase of Liliana is not as compelling. Of course, he has now lost her trail--good thing he's a Hunter.
I feel these short stories (I am hoping the next one will be somewhat of a sequel) will serve to "wrap up" Innistrad a bit (give us a post-Cursemute world from which we feel comfortable leaving for now--instead of the uncertainty of Zendikar and New Phyrexia--even Alara to an extent, but Test of Metal allowed for some resolutions/images) and move Garruk on from it so he is ready to appear wherever Continuity decides they need him next.
I find it relatively likely that while Jenna may provide stories of random cards, these short fictions could replace the content we were given in the web comics, highlighting the Planeswalkers through the eyes of some legends.
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Dominian Scholar of the Old Guard, specializing in pre-revisionist (Armada comics) and revisionist (Brothers' War through Apocalypse)history
It is also possible that she just changes the "nature" of his curse a bit so they can have a good excuse to make his card work differently next time we see it.
Well the web comics were just snippets of the books. Since the books don't exist anymore; Jennas stories are canon and the only place we can get new information.
If they killed a planeswalker, Uncharted Realms, the offical hasbro/ wotc fiction home would be a great place to do it.
It looks like they are finally going to remove Garruks curse. What will happen when he is presented to Avacyn and she sees the same spark her creator has?
She shouldn't be able to sense a spark given that walkers cannot do so anymore.
Well the web comics were just snippets of the books. Since the books don't exist anymore; Jennas stories are canon and the only place we can get new information.
If they killed a planeswalker, Uncharted Realms, the offical hasbro/ wotc fiction home would be a great place to do it.
There are IMMENSE marketing issues with killing characters. They had to convince the higher ups that it was worth it to write off Venser, but they aren't about to do that to one of the Lorwyn 5, which for all intents and purposes are the main faces of their game.
There are IMMENSE marketing issues with killing characters. They had to convince the higher ups that it was worth it to write off Venser, but they aren't about to do that to one of the Lorwyn 5, which for all intents and purposes are the main faces of their game.
Hopefully they will kill a walker off once in a while. It's impossible to feel for a hero character that has 0 risk of being in danger.
I'm glad that this article gives me hope that Ludevic may still be alive. Gisa is captured but no mention of whether Geralf is still alive or not. (I know in AVR he was stated as being captured).
Red should be burn, Goblins, Dragons, draw/discard, and Standard-unplayable 5CMC cards with insane, lengthy effects that take 10 minutes to figure out what they do and another 20 to actually make their effects work on the field.
The only other option they may use instead of being cured or killed is a sudden moment of focus and energy and Garruk planeswalks safely off Innistrad at the last moment!!! (that would be lame).
So if Avacyn won't sense/care he's a 'walker and they won't kill Garruk then they'll probably go with the lame "planeswalks to safety" conclusion?
zemogFC--My speculation would be "Yes." As readers, I imagine we'll at least get to see some personality from Avacyn, some more world-building elements, and perhaps at least something that will help Garruk cope for a bit with his insanity. Then he can meander through the Eternities looking for Liliana in whichever set they show up in next. While this may seem inadequate (if this happens to be the case), it does show off Innistrad and some locales, characters, and other cards, which seemed to be the focus of the column. It seems to be a nice balance to provide character face-time, a semblence of plot, and entertaining links between cards and between a card and its art.
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Dominian Scholar of the Old Guard, specializing in pre-revisionist (Armada comics) and revisionist (Brothers' War through Apocalypse)history
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http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/201
First Uncharted realms is now out, and I think it was a home run.
It'll be an interesting experience regardless.
I will admit, Brady Dommermuth shared with us that data suggested the story articles did not get a substantially higher number of hits than the regular StF articles, and that they apparently took a lot more work than a regular article.
So I find it interesting that we have moved to this. I think Trick might have had something to do with it, and I can only thank both him and Brady for it. As well as Jenna, of course.
Jenna's columns are always nice. And hopefully her first or second column will cover the planes of Planechase II.
I would hope, but at the same time, I'd have really really liked a definitive planes of planechase like the last time.
Well, maybe we will get enough flavor snippets about them to piece somethng together anyways.
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
If they didn't, I would've hurt them.
By the lovely AWOL of Damnation Studios.
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
I am very excited for this, especially since Ravnica is too important a plane to glaze over story like the did with Avacyn Restored.
B Lover Since '09 ~
Standard:
meh.
Modern:
Urzatron GR
Vintage:
Contol-Slaver UBR
EDH:
Drana B
Jhoira UR
Savra BG
Turned into:
Adun Oakenshield BGR
Sharuum BUW
Turned into:
Memnarch U
KiKi-Jiki R
Turned into:
Godo R
Turned into:
Aurelia RW
The Mimeoplasm UBG
Rasputin Dreamweaver UW
Turned into:
Geist of Saint Traft -French 1v1 UW
Nekusar UBR
I approve.
Now, let's show her some love by making it THE most visited feature on the site!
Click the pic for more info.
Overall, a great first read and I hope for more to come. I wonder if Jenna is continuting the story on Innistrad next week or if she's following the M13 legends. Either way, I'd be pleased
In Jenna's Article she details the story of Odric.
Spoiler Warning!
This summarizes the events of the story,
to see it from the source go to the link.
Odric Lost his son to a werewolf, and is a tactician in post Helvault Innistrad.
He doubts the oaths taken by Wolfirs, and hunts the remaining werewolf's.
His main lieutenant is a woman named Grete.
He encounters Garruk, who has been ravaging the towns.
Odric cracked a bit of Garruks skull as he was about to kill him.
Grete convinced Odric to take Garruk Prisoner to Thraben.
And thats where we know Garruk is as of now.
Avid teacher of Magic to new players.
Flavor enthusiast, Storyteller, and Illustrator
Red Blue aligned Mage
I play limited, casual modern, and keep several standard decks on hand.
In process of writing articles about MTG as a subculture delving into it from a sociological standpoint. If you know of a mtg site looking for a column like that, please private message me. Thanks
Spam Infraction.
-Stardust
I think we could get a nice collection of short stories from her--especially if they are all so plot-driven! Really, we could end up with another anthology of her work (not actually printed), but a Colors of Magic-type approach for each block.
B Lover Since '09 ~
Standard:
meh.
Modern:
Urzatron GR
Vintage:
Contol-Slaver UBR
EDH:
Drana B
Jhoira UR
Savra BG
Turned into:
Adun Oakenshield BGR
Sharuum BUW
Turned into:
Memnarch U
KiKi-Jiki R
Turned into:
Godo R
Turned into:
Aurelia RW
The Mimeoplasm UBG
Rasputin Dreamweaver UW
Turned into:
Geist of Saint Traft -French 1v1 UW
Nekusar UBR
We've been told that Avacyn holds no special regard for Sorin, so I don't see why Garruk being a planeswalker would matter to her.
And it's not guaranteed that she'll cure Garruk... she only "cured" the Wolfir after they'd sworn to be her loyal servants and protectors of her flock, after all. Garruk isn't exactly the type to swear his loyalty to another even when he's fully sane. And it's entirely possible that the Veil's curse is beyond Avacyn's capability to remove, anyway.
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
So they're going to kill off Garruk? Considering Odric wants to kill him right now. Instead they're going to take him to Avacyn first and get her judgment. If she won't cure Garruk or see anything special in him why would she just let him go? He's plainly cursed and she knows he will just cause more havoc on Innistrad.
The only other option they may use instead of being cured or killed is a sudden moment of focus and energy and Garruk planeswalks safely off Innistrad at the last moment!!! (that would be lame).
B Lover Since '09 ~
Standard:
meh.
Modern:
Urzatron GR
Vintage:
Contol-Slaver UBR
EDH:
Drana B
Jhoira UR
Savra BG
Turned into:
Adun Oakenshield BGR
Sharuum BUW
Turned into:
Memnarch U
KiKi-Jiki R
Turned into:
Godo R
Turned into:
Aurelia RW
The Mimeoplasm UBG
Rasputin Dreamweaver UW
Turned into:
Geist of Saint Traft -French 1v1 UW
Nekusar UBR
I feel these short stories (I am hoping the next one will be somewhat of a sequel) will serve to "wrap up" Innistrad a bit (give us a post-Cursemute world from which we feel comfortable leaving for now--instead of the uncertainty of Zendikar and New Phyrexia--even Alara to an extent, but Test of Metal allowed for some resolutions/images) and move Garruk on from it so he is ready to appear wherever Continuity decides they need him next.
I find it relatively likely that while Jenna may provide stories of random cards, these short fictions could replace the content we were given in the web comics, highlighting the Planeswalkers through the eyes of some legends.
If they killed a planeswalker, Uncharted Realms, the offical hasbro/ wotc fiction home would be a great place to do it.
B Lover Since '09 ~
Standard:
meh.
Modern:
Urzatron GR
Vintage:
Contol-Slaver UBR
EDH:
Drana B
Jhoira UR
Savra BG
Turned into:
Adun Oakenshield BGR
Sharuum BUW
Turned into:
Memnarch U
KiKi-Jiki R
Turned into:
Godo R
Turned into:
Aurelia RW
The Mimeoplasm UBG
Rasputin Dreamweaver UW
Turned into:
Geist of Saint Traft -French 1v1 UW
Nekusar UBR
She shouldn't be able to sense a spark given that walkers cannot do so anymore.
There are IMMENSE marketing issues with killing characters. They had to convince the higher ups that it was worth it to write off Venser, but they aren't about to do that to one of the Lorwyn 5, which for all intents and purposes are the main faces of their game.
Hopefully they will kill a walker off once in a while. It's impossible to feel for a hero character that has 0 risk of being in danger.
So if Avacyn won't sense/care he's a 'walker and they won't kill Garruk then they'll probably go with the lame "planeswalks to safety" conclusion?
B Lover Since '09 ~
Standard:
meh.
Modern:
Urzatron GR
Vintage:
Contol-Slaver UBR
EDH:
Drana B
Jhoira UR
Savra BG
Turned into:
Adun Oakenshield BGR
Sharuum BUW
Turned into:
Memnarch U
KiKi-Jiki R
Turned into:
Godo R
Turned into:
Aurelia RW
The Mimeoplasm UBG
Rasputin Dreamweaver UW
Turned into:
Geist of Saint Traft -French 1v1 UW
Nekusar UBR