I don't know if anyone else picked up on this, or its significance.
In a video on MtG's Facebook, two women whose names escape me now are discussing the reward for completing the trials card in the prerelease box.
You get a blue-ish pyramidal die, and one of the women talks about the laborer mummies and how they "mine a mysterious substance called 'Lazotep.'"
Is Lazotep a creation solely to describe a fun die? Is it instead something very important, if Bolas is having the mummies mine this specific "mysterious" substance? Was this substance explained before and I am just an unaware bum?
Just thought his was interesting, if others didn't notice it.
I also noticed this. It reminds me of Naquadriah Mining in Stargate SG-1, that false gods had much of their interplanetary slaves harvest for them.
While I'm unsure if it is all that significant I also thought it unusual. Perhaps the mineral has some sort of magical properties?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Wizards. listen. The Vorthos community will await the consequences of the Eldrazi Titans' deaths/sealing. We will keep the watch.
“The wind whispers, ‘come home,’ but I cannot.”
— Teferi
You get a blue-ish pyramidal die, and one of the women talks about the laborer mummies and how they "mine a mysterious substance called 'Lazotep.'"
Is Lazotep a creation solely to describe a fun die? Is it instead something very important, if Bolas is having the mummies mine this specific "mysterious" substance? Was this substance explained before and I am just an unaware bum?
Just thought his was interesting, if others didn't notice it.
Lazotep seems to be an actual thing on Amonkhet: it's referenced in the flavor texts of Stone Quarry and Shimmerscale Drake, and, based on what it looks like in the Quarry art, also seems to be depicted in Sacred Excavation.
If it had actual story significance - even if it was just in Hour of Devastation - it probably would have gotten more references than that. But at the very least, it's not something that was made up purely for the dice.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The true measure of all heroes is not what they achieve, but who they inspire." —Triumph of Gerrard
So I noticed a weird thing on Cartouche Of Zeal. Apparently the trials have to be completed in a particular order? Or at least the Trial of Zeal is the final trial. I'm not sure why it would be setup that way. Given that Deem Worthy also shows Hazoret it seems that Hazoret's judgement is held is especially high esteem by Bolas.
Also has it been confirmed that if you complete the trials you get always get killed? That seems to be the implication of Deem Worthy but it also doesn't really make a lot of sense.
So I noticed a weird thing on Cartouche Of Zeal. Apparently the trials have to be completed in a particular order? Or at least the Trial of Zeal is the final trial. I'm not sure why it would be setup that way. Given that Deem Worthy also shows Hazoret it seems that Hazoret's judgement is held is especially high esteem by Bolas.
Also has it been confirmed that if you complete the trials you get always get killed? That seems to be the implication of Deem Worthy but it also doesn't really make a lot of sense.
It's been said before but yes it goes WUGBR order;
The Trial of Solidarity— Tests your ability to work with others.
The Trial of Knowledge—Tests your mental capacity.
The Trial of Strength—Tests your physical capacity.
The Trial of Ambition—Tests your willingness to do whatever it takes.
The Trial of Zeal—Trial is a fight to the death.
The winner is then killed in a honorable death by Hazoret and is put on a boat and sent through the Gate to the Afterlife. It considered the highest and best type of death on Amonkhet.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
What if the Gate to the Afterlife leads to a staging area of Bolas'? Maybe his Pools of Becoming?
That would not make much sense, given that Rashmi inventing Planar Portals again for the first time post-mending was the big thing Tezzeret was looking for on Kaladesh. Since this Gate to the Afterlife must be at least 30 years old and the Gatewatch just stopped Tezzeret a few weeks ago tops, the timeline does not work out.
It could very well be what Bolas planned to do with the technology, but it cannot be what the Gate is doing now.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The secret to enjoyable Commander games is not winning first, but losing last.
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
So I noticed a weird thing on Cartouche Of Zeal. Apparently the trials have to be completed in a particular order? Or at least the Trial of Zeal is the final trial. I'm not sure why it would be setup that way. Given that Deem Worthy also shows Hazoret it seems that Hazoret's judgement is held is especially high esteem by Bolas.
Also has it been confirmed that if you complete the trials you get always get killed? That seems to be the implication of Deem Worthy but it also doesn't really make a lot of sense.
It's been said before but yes it goes WUGBR order;
The Trial of Solidarity— Tests your ability to work with others.
The Trial of Knowledge—Tests your mental capacity.
The Trial of Strength—Tests your physical capacity.
The Trial of Ambition—Tests your willingness to do whatever it takes.
The Trial of Zeal—Trial is a fight to the death.
The winner is then killed in a honorable death by Hazoret and is put on a boat and sent through the Gate to the Afterlife. It considered the highest and best type of death on Amonkhet.
Okay, thanks I completely missed that. Where was it explained?
So I noticed a weird thing on Cartouche Of Zeal. Apparently the trials have to be completed in a particular order? Or at least the Trial of Zeal is the final trial. I'm not sure why it would be setup that way. Given that Deem Worthy also shows Hazoret it seems that Hazoret's judgement is held is especially high esteem by Bolas.
Also has it been confirmed that if you complete the trials you get always get killed? That seems to be the implication of Deem Worthy but it also doesn't really make a lot of sense.
It's been said before but yes it goes WUGBR order;
The Trial of Solidarity— Tests your ability to work with others.
The Trial of Knowledge—Tests your mental capacity.
The Trial of Strength—Tests your physical capacity.
The Trial of Ambition—Tests your willingness to do whatever it takes.
The Trial of Zeal—Trial is a fight to the death.
The winner is then killed in a honorable death by Hazoret and is put on a boat and sent through the Gate to the Afterlife. It considered the highest and best type of death on Amonkhet.
Okay, thanks I completely missed that. Where was it explained?
I can't remember where they first said it but they talk abut on the Amonkhey preview show (its on youtube) and Maro's design articles on Amonkhet.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Def a good story today. I like how they are weaving Liliana's plot in with the overarching Bolas story line. Also, I enjoyed the dialogue between Lily and the Raven Man, it's short, but satisfying.
Amonkhet is getting more intriguing with each chapter. I def want to know more about this plane, how its magic works, and its history.
Well... that just got worse. Jace & Lil just got the entire Gatewatch exposed.
Still, Amonkhet gets more chilling by the week. No we find out Razaketh is on the other side of that gate to the afterlife (something I kinda feel I shoulda figured out on my own). So, essentially- is everyone just competing in these death trials for the right to pass through the gate- and be immediately consumed by a demon?
I don't think Razaketh is a god per se, although Demon God would be a fun creature type to see.
My money is still on the Raven Man being Lim-Dul, who has been known to act as a mind-parasite/possessing force in the past, and also has connections to both Dominaria and Shandalar where the Raven Man first began interacting with Liliana. I'm really happy that they're keeping the secret of his real identity a long-term mystery, though.
As to the Gatewatch -- looks like their cover is blown for real now, as flimsy as it was in the first place. I'm glad it didn't take too long, because I was starting to seriously wonder why Bolas wouldn't have left behind some specific anti-planeswalker countermeasures when he set up his little factory operation. I mean, there doesn't seem to be much of a reason why he couldn't have simply mind-programmed the gods to preemptively kill any strangers who show up in the city without some kind of password.
So I noticed a weird thing on Cartouche Of Zeal. Apparently the trials have to be completed in a particular order? Or at least the Trial of Zeal is the final trial. I'm not sure why it would be setup that way. Given that Deem Worthy also shows Hazoret it seems that Hazoret's judgement is held is especially high esteem by Bolas.
Also has it been confirmed that if you complete the trials you get always get killed? That seems to be the implication of Deem Worthy but it also doesn't really make a lot of sense.
It's been said before but yes it goes WUGBR order;
The Trial of Solidarity— Tests your ability to work with others.
The Trial of Knowledge—Tests your mental capacity.
The Trial of Strength—Tests your physical capacity.
The Trial of Ambition—Tests your willingness to do whatever it takes.
The Trial of Zeal—Trial is a fight to the death.
The winner is then killed in a honorable death by Hazoret and is put on a boat and sent through the Gate to the Afterlife. It considered the highest and best type of death on Amonkhet.
Just adding (for Vorthospike) - we know the order of trials from the cartouche arts (see attachment).
ATTACHMENTS
cartouches_complete
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
100% Vorthos Spike and Storyline Expert
Former Fact Prospector of the Greek Alliance.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Really great story today, good world-building and fun character interaction. It's cool that it looks like Temmet isn't going to be just a one-off character and may actually be one of the main antogonists (for this first set anyway).
Some notes:
We get confirmation that Lili was able to kill Griselbrand with such ease due to him still being weakened and confused from his imprisonment.
The raven man can apparently take full control of Liliana when he needs to.
Jace and Lili have been hooking up again I guess?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My Decks:
UG Merfolk RG 8-Whack BWG Abzan midrange GRB Living End UWB Spirit Control
GU Kruphix's "Hug Assassin" RW Kalemne's "Play Fatties and Hope for the Best!" BUGW Atraxa's "All counters, all the time"
Today's story was likely the best and my favorite of all of then so far.
I still want to know more about the Raven Man. He can't be there physically, so is he tied into the Veil? But he appeared before the Veil. Who knows!
Also, very excited to see more of Razaketh. The author did a great job of helping me visualize just how creepy and powerful Razaketh must be.
And Razaketh comes after Hazoret? Unlikely, but might he be one of the other three gods?
The raven man has been appearing long before Liliana had the chain veil. Even before she was a necromancer, even. I imagine it'll eventually be a major plot point, but for now I'm happy learning a bit more.
On a whole, while I liked this story, and the dynamic between Jace and Liliana is indeed showcased well, this story didn't do much to make me like them as characters. Liliana and Jace's motives are both painfully obvious, and while I'm interested in seeing how this plays out, the fact that Jace himself is guessing things that we as readers have mused with for years, isn't doing their characterizations any favors.
I'm still annoyed about Raven Man being a mysterious enigmatic voice in head kind of deal, but eh, I guess his story will have to wait. Interesting to see that he has control of the Veil, at least.
And nice worldbuilding story. Razaketh in charge of the so-called dishonored afterlife.... hmmm. Probably I'll have to wait until we see him in person before we can say more about him.
As to the Gatewatch -- looks like their cover is blown for real now, as flimsy as it was in the first place. I'm glad it didn't take too long, because I was starting to seriously wonder why Bolas wouldn't have left behind some specific anti-planeswalker countermeasures when he set up his little factory operation. I mean, there doesn't seem to be much of a reason why he couldn't have simply mind-programmed the gods to preemptively kill any strangers who show up in the city without some kind of password.
As shown with the Gatewatch unless a walker knew about Naktamun (and for all we know Hekma stop walking) or any other safe places, the would most likely die in the desert. The Gatewatch survived since they had skills (like Liliana necromancy) that helped them survive long enough to be noticed and saved by the gods.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Part of me wonders if the Raven Man is Liliana's version of Tezzeret's Dr. Jest. A mind spike put in there by Bolas to keep her from deviating too far.
The Raven Man gave me a lot of Doctor Jest vibes in this article (as opposed to his other appearances), but taking into account the way both of them (Raven and Jest) articulate themselves, he might be functionally like Jest, but I'm quite confident he has nothing directly to do with Bolas (or at least, his existence within Liliana isn't). He doesn't as much as drop a hint (or outright mention Bolas) while Jest was constantly reminding Tezz of. I personally doubt Bolas has much to benefit from a subtle Doctor Jest (especially when Bolas was very unlikely to know Liliana all the way back then, let alone of her future exploits past that point), so if it was Bolas I'd expected a lot more blatant interference from the Raven Man on Amonkhet.
What they're similar though (ever since Emrakul made it obvious) is that the Raven Man's survival is entirely dependent on Liliana as well, the same way Jest was reliant on Tezz. He might have boasted about using the Veil to blast through the wurm, but from the Emrakul encounter I'm quite confident he's was simply acting on survival instincts then and certainly not out of any goodwill. Jest was just a lot more direct about admitting (and reminding Tezz) about it because Tezz already knew that link from the start, whereas while I suppose Liliana could figure that out as well, she doesn't have any direct evidence (and their "save my own face" bantering they have mentally isn't going to tell us that anytime soon).
I can tell they're trying very hard to make Razaketh threatening, but I'm not entirely convinced for now. I mean, considering how the major population is pretty much under the thumb of the Gods (and literally every rule and beast under their control as well), Razaketh might be just a back-door guard. A brutal back-door guard, but the real danger comes from he's in collation with pretty much every higher-being in the plane (and in awe by the lower-beings), so basically yes the threat is from what assistance he can get, not what he personally is yet (in fairness we have not seen that, so I won't judge that). They haven't actually found him yet, which is a point, but if they do, I'm not entirely convinced he can no-sell the Gatewatch/Chain Veil by himself, it's more of he gets attacked (or killed) in an attack, you have an entire plane mobilized against you immediately. Mere trespassing already blew their flimsy cover, a direct attack will ask for greater retaliation. Add that to "the rest of the Gatewatch was here for Bolas", meaning they won't just leave immediately and since Liliana has a fourth demon (and is softening somewhat), I don't think she wants to waste all that effort manipulating the Gatewatch for one demon (and having to find another group of planeswalkers to do the same, and Emrakul knows if she can even find a group like them in the first place).
In fact, I think the Gatewatch's best plan is to screw up all of Amonkhet (by virtue of not knowing exactly what Bolas is up to), hoping they do screw up Bolas's plans on the way. Bolas gets angry and Razaketh gets talon'ed to oblivion for his failure (he got the "in-charge stand-in" vibe anyway) and the Gatewatch could only flee from a furious Bolas (but Liliana doesn't care beyond that point already).
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I also noticed this. It reminds me of Naquadriah Mining in Stargate SG-1, that false gods had much of their interplanetary slaves harvest for them.
While I'm unsure if it is all that significant I also thought it unusual. Perhaps the mineral has some sort of magical properties?
The Vorthos community will await the consequences of the Eldrazi Titans' deaths/sealing. We will keep the watch.
“The wind whispers, ‘come home,’ but I cannot.”
— Teferi
If it had actual story significance - even if it was just in Hour of Devastation - it probably would have gotten more references than that. But at the very least, it's not something that was made up purely for the dice.
Also has it been confirmed that if you complete the trials you get always get killed? That seems to be the implication of Deem Worthy but it also doesn't really make a lot of sense.
It's been said before but yes it goes WUGBR order;
The Trial of Solidarity— Tests your ability to work with others.
The Trial of Knowledge—Tests your mental capacity.
The Trial of Strength—Tests your physical capacity.
The Trial of Ambition—Tests your willingness to do whatever it takes.
The Trial of Zeal—Trial is a fight to the death.
The winner is then killed in a honorable death by Hazoret and is put on a boat and sent through the Gate to the Afterlife. It considered the highest and best type of death on Amonkhet.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
It could very well be what Bolas planned to do with the technology, but it cannot be what the Gate is doing now.
If my post has no tags, then i posted from my phone.
Okay, thanks I completely missed that. Where was it explained?
I can't remember where they first said it but they talk abut on the Amonkhey preview show (its on youtube) and Maro's design articles on Amonkhet.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Click the pic for more info.
Amonkhet is getting more intriguing with each chapter. I def want to know more about this plane, how its magic works, and its history.
Still, Amonkhet gets more chilling by the week. No we find out Razaketh is on the other side of that gate to the afterlife (something I kinda feel I shoulda figured out on my own). So, essentially- is everyone just competing in these death trials for the right to pass through the gate- and be immediately consumed by a demon?
Gonna be a long wait til next week!
I still want to know more about the Raven Man. He can't be there physically, so is he tied into the Veil? But he appeared before the Veil. Who knows!
Also, very excited to see more of Razaketh. The author did a great job of helping me visualize just how creepy and powerful Razaketh must be.
And Razaketh comes after Hazoret? Unlikely, but might he be one of the other three gods?
My money is still on the Raven Man being Lim-Dul, who has been known to act as a mind-parasite/possessing force in the past, and also has connections to both Dominaria and Shandalar where the Raven Man first began interacting with Liliana. I'm really happy that they're keeping the secret of his real identity a long-term mystery, though.
As to the Gatewatch -- looks like their cover is blown for real now, as flimsy as it was in the first place. I'm glad it didn't take too long, because I was starting to seriously wonder why Bolas wouldn't have left behind some specific anti-planeswalker countermeasures when he set up his little factory operation. I mean, there doesn't seem to be much of a reason why he couldn't have simply mind-programmed the gods to preemptively kill any strangers who show up in the city without some kind of password.
Makes his presence significantly more exciting.
Just adding (for Vorthospike) - we know the order of trials from the cartouche arts (see attachment).
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Some notes:
We get confirmation that Lili was able to kill Griselbrand with such ease due to him still being weakened and confused from his imprisonment.
The raven man can apparently take full control of Liliana when he needs to.
Jace and Lili have been hooking up again I guess?
RG 8-Whack
BWG Abzan midrange
GRB Living End
UWB Spirit Control
GU Kruphix's "Hug Assassin"
RW Kalemne's "Play Fatties and Hope for the Best!"
BUGW Atraxa's "All counters, all the time"
The raven man has been appearing long before Liliana had the chain veil. Even before she was a necromancer, even. I imagine it'll eventually be a major plot point, but for now I'm happy learning a bit more.
On a whole, while I liked this story, and the dynamic between Jace and Liliana is indeed showcased well, this story didn't do much to make me like them as characters. Liliana and Jace's motives are both painfully obvious, and while I'm interested in seeing how this plays out, the fact that Jace himself is guessing things that we as readers have mused with for years, isn't doing their characterizations any favors.
And nice worldbuilding story. Razaketh in charge of the so-called dishonored afterlife.... hmmm. Probably I'll have to wait until we see him in person before we can say more about him.
As shown with the Gatewatch unless a walker knew about Naktamun (and for all we know Hekma stop walking) or any other safe places, the would most likely die in the desert. The Gatewatch survived since they had skills (like Liliana necromancy) that helped them survive long enough to be noticed and saved by the gods.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Modern:R 8Whack R|W White Knights W
What they're similar though (ever since Emrakul made it obvious) is that the Raven Man's survival is entirely dependent on Liliana as well, the same way Jest was reliant on Tezz. He might have boasted about using the Veil to blast through the wurm, but from the Emrakul encounter I'm quite confident he's was simply acting on survival instincts then and certainly not out of any goodwill. Jest was just a lot more direct about admitting (and reminding Tezz) about it because Tezz already knew that link from the start, whereas while I suppose Liliana could figure that out as well, she doesn't have any direct evidence (and their "save my own face" bantering they have mentally isn't going to tell us that anytime soon).
I can tell they're trying very hard to make Razaketh threatening, but I'm not entirely convinced for now. I mean, considering how the major population is pretty much under the thumb of the Gods (and literally every rule and beast under their control as well), Razaketh might be just a back-door guard. A brutal back-door guard, but the real danger comes from he's in collation with pretty much every higher-being in the plane (and in awe by the lower-beings), so basically yes the threat is from what assistance he can get, not what he personally is yet (in fairness we have not seen that, so I won't judge that). They haven't actually found him yet, which is a point, but if they do, I'm not entirely convinced he can no-sell the Gatewatch/Chain Veil by himself, it's more of he gets attacked (or killed) in an attack, you have an entire plane mobilized against you immediately. Mere trespassing already blew their flimsy cover, a direct attack will ask for greater retaliation. Add that to "the rest of the Gatewatch was here for Bolas", meaning they won't just leave immediately and since Liliana has a fourth demon (and is softening somewhat), I don't think she wants to waste all that effort manipulating the Gatewatch for one demon (and having to find another group of planeswalkers to do the same, and Emrakul knows if she can even find a group like them in the first place).
In fact, I think the Gatewatch's best plan is to screw up all of Amonkhet (by virtue of not knowing exactly what Bolas is up to), hoping they do screw up Bolas's plans on the way. Bolas gets angry and Razaketh gets talon'ed to oblivion for his failure (he got the "in-charge stand-in" vibe anyway) and the Gatewatch could only flee from a furious Bolas (but Liliana doesn't care beyond that point already).