I'm sure other people are wondering what exactly Ashiok is. Is (s)he a Horror? A nightmare? A human or Returned with some magical deformation? I hope there's a flavor article about this.
Sorry if this isn't in quite the right place. I wasn't sure if this should go in speculation or not.
I think its a male (boob test and all). Evocative of a Returned. If tha'ts the case, it makes more sense to make him look ambiguous, since sex is an identifiable trait.
I've already sent off a tumblr note to Doug pestering him about it.
And expressing our displeasure that notables such as Ashiok and Xenagos are being revealed WITHOUT ANY DAMN RELEVANT INFO besides the card strategy.
Yeah, he does lack breasts, which is a feature even inhuman females with female torsos tend to have in magic. Sheoldred, Whispering One probably doesn't need those other than to identify her as female.
No matter how or where you choose to play Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, it's going to be a wild ride. There's a big element of random when we're flipping cards for value off the top of our opponent's library, but it's clear that the numbers favor Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, especially if he gets to sit around for more than a single turn.
Male, presumably.
The interesting part is that there's only one "he" used to refer to Ashiok. The rest of the article uses "it" for Ashiok. It's as if Ashiok was meant to be gender-ambiguous but the author accidentally let slip a "he."
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I think its a male (boob test and all). Evocative of a Returned. If tha'ts the case, it makes more sense to make him look ambiguous, since sex is an identifiable trait.
I don't think he's related to the Returned because the bottom half of his face still looks "normal", where the Returned have no faces.
Being a planeswalker he's not necessarily from Theros, and the name "Ashiok" does not strike me as sounding Greek (although I could be wrong).
The interesting part is that there's only one "he" used to refer to Ashiok. The rest of the article uses "it" for Ashiok. It's as if Ashiok was meant to be gender-ambiguous but the author accidentally let slip a "he."
A lot of players refer to every card/creature as a he, regardless of flavor, so it would make sense that story-wise this character really is an it.
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"Until you have lived as a statue, do not talk to me of pigeons."
—Karn, silver golem
One other thing to note: Ashiok is not referred to as a "he" in Doug's explanation either. Or, for that matter, an "it." Ashiok is referred to as "Ashiok", "the mage", "this otherworldly mage", and "the nightmare weaver".
Would there be any credence behind the notion that the -iok suffix lends to some Mirrodin connection?
There really wouldn't be.
First, unless Ashiok had a nim's mantle that's been ripped off, there's no trace of metal on any place common amongst any of the races.
Aside from that, Mirran names really don't follow that kind of pattern. Just look at all the various Mirran names we have.
Ashiok... Sounds pseudo Indian (as in the country).
It's clothing seems to have some mid-eastern, central Asian influences.
Ashiok could be from a world loosely based on the middle east or India. This is purely speculation of course, but he does remind me of the dark aspects of Indian, Sumerian, and Babylonian mythology.
Edit: My guess appears to be correct to an extent. Ashiok is an Indian name.
Yeah, he does lack breasts, which is a feature even inhuman females with female torsos tend to have in magic. Sheoldred, Whispering One probably doesn't need those other than to identify her as female.
Just a note, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite from the same set lacks breasts, so it's not like every female non-human has them.
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The wedding is over. Now it's time for the honeymoon.
Nah, you are no worse than the rest of us, unless you're secretly a serial killer or something.
Fate. I feel like it has been tempted.
As for Ashiok, I know our need for information is insatiable, but I think we might be scrutinizing the name origin a bit too much. After all, I believe Elspeth is English and Jace is Greek.
I love the design and art, though. Honestly, if Ashiok is just a one-off planeswalker like Tibalt, I don't think I'd be too disappointed. I liked the design of the Dapper Devil as well.
As for Ashiok, I know our need for information is insatiable, but I think we might be scrutinizing the name origin a bit too much. After all, I believe Elspeth is English and Jace is Greek.
I love the design and art, though. Honestly, if Ashiok is just a one-off planeswalker like Tibalt, I don't think I'd be too disappointed. I liked the design of the Dapper Devil as well.
I doubt Tibalt is one of.
The thing with planeswalkers is that they can reuse them whenever and wherever they like. We will see Tibalt again, the question is not if, but when.
The sole exception to the re-usability of planeswalkers is if they kill them off in a block. (Like they did with Venser), and even that is no 100% guarantee if they feel they can tell a good enough story by bringing them back (Like Taysir in Homelands).
Of course, the lack of recoverable body in the case of Venser, kinda makes it hard for them to resurrect him as a planeswalker (Now, phyrexian zombie on the other hand...).
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It's about time for the reserved list to die, for the sake of Vintage and Legacy (And Commander).
I love the design and art, though. Honestly, if Ashiok is just a one-off planeswalker like Tibalt, I don't think I'd be too disappointed. I liked the design of the Dapper Devil as well.
With that we can imagine a fashion battle. Tibalt vs Ashiok, Zoolander style.
The sole exception to the re-usability of planeswalkers is if they kill them off in a block. (Like they did with Venser), and even that is no 100% guarantee if they feel they can tell a good enough story by bringing them back (Like Taysir in Homelands).
It was a different administration back then. They're pretty intent on the "dead is dead" thing now.
Sorry if this isn't in quite the right place. I wasn't sure if this should go in speculation or not.
And expressing our displeasure that notables such as Ashiok and Xenagos are being revealed WITHOUT ANY DAMN RELEVANT INFO besides the card strategy.
Male, presumably.
The interesting part is that there's only one "he" used to refer to Ashiok. The rest of the article uses "it" for Ashiok. It's as if Ashiok was meant to be gender-ambiguous but the author accidentally let slip a "he."
Cōnservātum album delenda est.
I don't think he's related to the Returned because the bottom half of his face still looks "normal", where the Returned have no faces.
Being a planeswalker he's not necessarily from Theros, and the name "Ashiok" does not strike me as sounding Greek (although I could be wrong).
A lot of players refer to every card/creature as a he, regardless of flavor, so it would make sense that story-wise this character really is an it.
—Karn, silver golem
Cōnservātum album delenda est.
So Ashiok's not a native.
Voldemort comes to mind.
Cōnservātum album delenda est.
From Doug blog it seems like it could have been a Oldwalker once and after the Mending it stayed in that form...
UBBreya's Toybox (Competitive, Combo)WR
RGodzilla, King of the MonstersG
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UBLazav, Dimir Mastermind (Competitive, UB Voltron/Control)UB
"Knowledge is such a burden. Release it. Release all your fears to me."
—Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
There really wouldn't be.
First, unless Ashiok had a nim's mantle that's been ripped off, there's no trace of metal on any place common amongst any of the races.
Aside from that, Mirran names really don't follow that kind of pattern. Just look at all the various Mirran names we have.
It's clothing seems to have some mid-eastern, central Asian influences.
Ashiok could be from a world loosely based on the middle east or India. This is purely speculation of course, but he does remind me of the dark aspects of Indian, Sumerian, and Babylonian mythology.
Edit: My guess appears to be correct to an extent. Ashiok is an Indian name.
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Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
EDIT: By the way, I really like the little figure in the smoke next to Ashiok.
Also, damn, I really want to learn more about this character.
Just a note, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite from the same set lacks breasts, so it's not like every female non-human has them.
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
el oh el
matches the wardrobe at any rate
Then why would you bring it up. >:I
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Nah, you are no worse than the rest of us, unless you're secretly a serial killer or something.
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Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
Fate. I feel like it has been tempted.
As for Ashiok, I know our need for information is insatiable, but I think we might be scrutinizing the name origin a bit too much. After all, I believe Elspeth is English and Jace is Greek.
I love the design and art, though. Honestly, if Ashiok is just a one-off planeswalker like Tibalt, I don't think I'd be too disappointed. I liked the design of the Dapper Devil as well.
I doubt Tibalt is one of.
The thing with planeswalkers is that they can reuse them whenever and wherever they like. We will see Tibalt again, the question is not if, but when.
The sole exception to the re-usability of planeswalkers is if they kill them off in a block. (Like they did with Venser), and even that is no 100% guarantee if they feel they can tell a good enough story by bringing them back (Like Taysir in Homelands).
Of course, the lack of recoverable body in the case of Venser, kinda makes it hard for them to resurrect him as a planeswalker (Now, phyrexian zombie on the other hand...).
---
Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
With that we can imagine a fashion battle. Tibalt vs Ashiok, Zoolander style.
I'd concede to that. But with Elly here, hips don't lie.
It was a different administration back then. They're pretty intent on the "dead is dead" thing now.
There is no doubt in my mind that Ashiok is a Returned. Check the figure on the right in this picture.
The gender, however, is unknown. No curves, but the face is rather feminine. Unless we get some lore, I'm undecided.