I'm really liking Uncharted Realms so far. Jenna Helland is a great writer.
I also really like how soon Wizards is providing info about the storyline on Ravnica. It really seems that they're trying to put an emphasis on good story-telling and making it more important to the block (and, ultimately, to the players).
It was very refreshing to see a smart, Red-aligned character. I really like how Krenko isn't just a random legendary creature any more. Hope they do more interesting characters like this across the color pie; maybe even a story on each of the M13 legends when the characters become relevant.
It's nice to see that they have not completely shelved Feather off, and seemingly actually used her as some sort of "mystery device" of sorts. This Aurelia, I'm seeing a demise in the near futuor.
For one thing though, putting Boros in consideration, it seems that these "rebuilt" guilds are much more shakier than I imagined they would be.
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Serra Stan - Angel Enthusiast - Garruk and Tyvar thirsty follower - Flavor and Art Enthusiast
Taz could be Tezzeret and he's still working for Nicol Bolas in some capacity. Maybe they're trying to sow chaos in Ravnica as part of some master plan to unseat the Infinite Consortium.
It's not implausible Nicol Bolas united the remaining Dmir under Tezzeret's leadership to undermine the work Jace is trying to do on Ravnica. After all wasn't Tezzeret U/B last we saw him?
Taz could be Tezzeret and he's still working for Nicol Bolas in some capacity. Maybe they're trying to sow chaos in Ravnica as part of some master plan to unseat the Infinite Consortium.
It's not implausible Nicol Bolas united the remaining Dmir under Tezzeret's leadership to undermine the work Jace is trying to do on Ravnica. After all wasn't Tezzeret U/B last we saw him?
Probably not, seeing as the last time we saw him, Tezzeret was still in New Phyrexia.
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Lapsed DCI Rules Advisor - Retired from playing but still hanging around
Chaos is the best cover, and Krenko went about setting fires and kicking down doors. Floor 1: an incendiary rumor in a willing ear; Floor 2: punched yesterday's pompous goblin on his fat nose; Floor 3: spark bombs; Floor 4: actual bombs.
That little touch is so Red it hurts.:D
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The wedding is over. Now it's time for the honeymoon.
Very clever of Wizards, actually. They probably knew there'd be a lot of... er... outrage from the Vorthos community over the retcons - "How come the guilds are back!?", "Why are there Merfolk!?" "What happened to Feather!?" - and them answering this question leaves most of us satisfied for now in the knowledge they probably do have answers and they haven't involved major retcons yet.
Anyway, another nice piece of work from Jenna. Krenko feels very goblin-y but not stupid, which is cool.
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If you're having creature problems I feel bad for you son
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
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If I had to guess at the identity of Mr. Taz... I'd say it's the new Dimir guildleader, the shapeshifter. Can't remember his name at the moment.
I definitely wasn't expecting information about Feather this quickly. I assumed it would be something tucked into an infodump or in the Planeswalker's Guide.
He definitely comes off as Dimir (shapeshifers have been known to wear others faces or skin in different lores). They also say how he has influence or at least money to be in certain places.
For one thing though, putting Boros in consideration, it seems that these "rebuilt" guilds are much more shakier than I imagined they would be.
Well, it seems that the Boros are at the very verge of intraguild "civil war". Interesting. If the lawkeepers themselves are so shaky, what about the law in the rest of the world?
It's nice to see that they have not completely shelved Feather off, and seemingly actually used her as some sort of "mystery device" of sorts. This Aurelia, I'm seeing a demise in the near futuor.
It is good to see her, yes. What I do not like that after so much crap she had to endure in the first RAV block, now she is going to be robbed of guild leadership by some upstart angel claiming stupid pseudo-honor reasons for that (who, if I am not mistaken, HAD to be created by Feather, who was the last angel at the end of the last RAV block, and should therefore be grateful to Feather for her own existence).
If Aurelia bites the dust, I will be very glad.
I would be VERY annoyed if this is the last time we saw Feather alive. But heck, with no books, we won't probably get much of a detailed story anyway. If that's the case, she at least got some stage light before being killed offscreen, something that cannot be said about Slobad or Jaya...
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Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Most likely the result of one of the fights he had started.
I can buy that explanation but its a little bland. It would be nice if Mr Taz has other operatives in the area, as Krenko himself says who trusts a goblin. Or a rival that is after the same or similar items.
Either way it has me hooked and waiting for the next installment as I am very curious what he wants from the Orhoz and what he wants them for.
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Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and start slitting throats.
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
It is good to see her, yes. What I do not like that after so much crap she had to endure in the first RAV block, now she is going to be robbed of guild leadership by some upstart angel claiming stupid pseudo-honor reasons for that (who, if I am not mistaken, HAD to be created by Feather, who was the last angel at the end of the last RAV block, and should therefore be grateful to Feather for her own existence).
Some Razia must have rubbed off at her :p... or maybe Aurelia is even using that to gain favor over the new angels over at NeoBoros.
I really hope that in Sinker, Feather kicks Aurelia's ass and becomes the Boros Guildmaster...again.
Seriously. I dunno if they were trying to make us feel the "Oh look Feathers! Yay!" but I think I speak for all of us when I say we feel the above statement...
But an awesome article. Im really impressed. HOWEVER... if Feathers doesnt show up again in card form or another story were ganna have to go Krenko on their butts.
edit: When me and my friend read this we assumed that the explosion was either civil war erupting in boros or Feathers escaping.
Both would sound good to me, so long as they continued those angles during the RtR
He definitely comes off as Dimir (shapeshifers have been known to wear others faces or skin in different lores). They also say how he has influence or at least money to be in certain places.
I'm assuming that Mr. Taz isn't actually wearing a "skin-suit" as Krenko believes, but that the loose skin and such is just the natural appearance of the Dimir guildleader. It doesn't seem like his description was too far off from the card art we have:
What is Gideon doing in Ravnica? Last I heard he was going to try and find a way to help the denizens of Zendikar? If I am wrong please correct me. He definitely feels Boros though.
What is Gideon doing in Ravnica? Last I heard he was going to try and find a way to help the denizens of Zendikar? If I am wrong please correct me. He definitely feels Boros though.
Short answer is we don't know exactly yet. You are correct that we last saw him leaving Zendikar to get help it is strongly implied if not outright stated Ravnica was his first stop on that quest.
Due to one of the art pictures over in the mill it does look like there will at least be some reference to him in the block even if we don't get Gideon 2.0 in one of the 3 sets.
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Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and start slitting throats.
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
So I just started reading the story and was completely thrown by the use of the word "epidermis" in the first paragraph. I don't care if you're a goblin or a human, some poor wretch who's spent his life fighting in street gangs and grubbing in sewers does not talk like that.
EDIT: And done. I didn't read the Ravnica novels, so the reference to Feather didn't resonate with me. The plotting was pretty good, though I still found it unbelievable that Krenko could just waltz into Sunhome without the guards demanding some way to verify his identity.
I love it when they create a goblin who isn't limited to being comic relief.
Oh, and from what I've read here, some people seem to have the impression that Aurelia is another angel. This piece of Krenko's article says otherwise:
Quote from Jenna Helland »
The goblin looked smug. "Yeah, I knew you were Gruul. Well, it's crazy around here. Aurelia's gonna be our new master, 'cause she says that no disgraced angel's got the right to rule. Vinrenn's gonna be banished. As long as she makes no trouble, she'll keep her life. Now, no more talking or I'll report you. Got it?"
Also, how long will it be before we discover Mr. Taz has ties to Bolas?
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Commander:GB Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord (list) - U Talrand, Sky Summoner - GRU Maelstrom Wanderer
I'm glad Uncharted Realms is getting better. This week was actually pretty good, in spite of the inevitable "uncommonly smart goblin" writing style every Magic writer has been forced to adopt when a story focuses on the little red guys.
I'm assuming that Mr. Taz isn't actually wearing a "skin-suit" as Krenko believes, but that the loose skin and such is just the natural appearance of the Dimir guildleader. It doesn't seem like his description was too far off from the card art we have:
That's very possible and either way would fit and be perfectly acceptable. I just really hope we have a U/B guy who isn't as...just isn't Szadek.
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
I also really like how soon Wizards is providing info about the storyline on Ravnica. It really seems that they're trying to put an emphasis on good story-telling and making it more important to the block (and, ultimately, to the players).
It was very refreshing to see a smart, Red-aligned character. I really like how Krenko isn't just a random legendary creature any more. Hope they do more interesting characters like this across the color pie; maybe even a story on each of the M13 legends when the characters become relevant.
For one thing though, putting Boros in consideration, it seems that these "rebuilt" guilds are much more shakier than I imagined they would be.
Serra Stan - Angel Enthusiast - Garruk and Tyvar thirsty follower - Flavor and Art Enthusiast
It's not implausible Nicol Bolas united the remaining Dmir under Tezzeret's leadership to undermine the work Jace is trying to do on Ravnica. After all wasn't Tezzeret U/B last we saw him?
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Probably not, seeing as the last time we saw him, Tezzeret was still in New Phyrexia.
Chaos is the best cover, and Krenko went about setting fires and kicking down doors. Floor 1: an incendiary rumor in a willing ear; Floor 2: punched yesterday's pompous goblin on his fat nose; Floor 3: spark bombs; Floor 4: actual bombs.
That little touch is so Red it hurts.:D
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
Anyway, another nice piece of work from Jenna. Krenko feels very goblin-y but not stupid, which is cool.
You got 99 attackers but I'm blocking with 1.
The Winner is Judge | 7
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- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Crafters' Rules Guru
He definitely comes off as Dimir (shapeshifers have been known to wear others faces or skin in different lores). They also say how he has influence or at least money to be in certain places.
Well, it seems that the Boros are at the very verge of intraguild "civil war". Interesting. If the lawkeepers themselves are so shaky, what about the law in the rest of the world?
It is good to see her, yes. What I do not like that after so much crap she had to endure in the first RAV block, now she is going to be robbed of guild leadership by some upstart angel claiming stupid pseudo-honor reasons for that (who, if I am not mistaken, HAD to be created by Feather, who was the last angel at the end of the last RAV block, and should therefore be grateful to Feather for her own existence).
If Aurelia bites the dust, I will be very glad.
I would be VERY annoyed if this is the last time we saw Feather alive. But heck, with no books, we won't probably get much of a detailed story anyway. If that's the case, she at least got some stage light before being killed offscreen, something that cannot be said about Slobad or Jaya...
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
I can buy that explanation but its a little bland. It would be nice if Mr Taz has other operatives in the area, as Krenko himself says who trusts a goblin. Or a rival that is after the same or similar items.
Either way it has me hooked and waiting for the next installment as I am very curious what he wants from the Orhoz and what he wants them for.
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Crafters' Rules Guru
Some Razia must have rubbed off at her :p... or maybe Aurelia is even using that to gain favor over the new angels over at NeoBoros.
When was the last time a dubious angel character survived anyway? I do not remember any.
Serra Stan - Angel Enthusiast - Garruk and Tyvar thirsty follower - Flavor and Art Enthusiast
Seriously. I dunno if they were trying to make us feel the "Oh look Feathers! Yay!" but I think I speak for all of us when I say we feel the above statement...
But an awesome article. Im really impressed. HOWEVER... if Feathers doesnt show up again in card form or another story were ganna have to go Krenko on their butts.
edit: When me and my friend read this we assumed that the explosion was either civil war erupting in boros or Feathers escaping.
Both would sound good to me, so long as they continued those angles during the RtR
I'm assuming that Mr. Taz isn't actually wearing a "skin-suit" as Krenko believes, but that the loose skin and such is just the natural appearance of the Dimir guildleader. It doesn't seem like his description was too far off from the card art we have:
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
Short answer is we don't know exactly yet. You are correct that we last saw him leaving Zendikar to get help it is strongly implied if not outright stated Ravnica was his first stop on that quest.
Due to one of the art pictures over in the mill it does look like there will at least be some reference to him in the block even if we don't get Gideon 2.0 in one of the 3 sets.
- H.L Mencken
I Became insane with long Intervals of horrible Sanity
All Religion, my friend is simply evolved out of fraud, fear, greed, imagination and poetry.
- Edgar Allan Poe
The Crafters' Rules Guru
EDIT: And done. I didn't read the Ravnica novels, so the reference to Feather didn't resonate with me. The plotting was pretty good, though I still found it unbelievable that Krenko could just waltz into Sunhome without the guards demanding some way to verify his identity.
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Oh, and from what I've read here, some people seem to have the impression that Aurelia is another angel. This piece of Krenko's article says otherwise:
Pauper: UR some horrible homebrew izzet deck
Or, that could be Feather. If Aurelia is an angel, how exactly do you explain the piece of text on my post?
Pauper: UR some horrible homebrew izzet deck
That's very possible and either way would fit and be perfectly acceptable. I just really hope we have a U/B guy who isn't as...just isn't Szadek.
That's not Feather.
When we were shown the art, MaRo explicitly told us this was Aurelia.
In case you were unaware, Feather was disgraced and was serving pennance in the Wojek League until all the angels vanished.
Then... Was Jenna's text inaccurate? Because if Aurelia is an angel, she wouldn't say angels have no right to rule, would she?
Edit: Oh, I get it. The emphasis was on the "disgraced" part rather than in the "angel." I feel stupid.
Pauper: UR some horrible homebrew izzet deck