Its a damn shame their building Razaketh up the way they are. There's no way in hell they'll make his card as powerful as Gris' even if in the story he's supposed to be stronger than Gris and Kothophed.
As for the person asking where the people come from, the people tend to group themselves in "Crops". Vegetables are "Crops" too. So even if it isn't for PW's Amonkhet is Bolas's farm for something. I'm not sure PW's are the thing though because with what we've seen so far in the stories is that first time sparks are usually caused by a traumatic event. From an initiate's point of view, finally receiving the divine blessing you fought so hard for is hardly a traumatic event. If any, it would be the most relaxed moment of the entire trial: finally no more competition, you have won.
As for what it is for, could it be that Amonkhet is used by Bolas as some sort of source of lifeforce? Bolas used to be immortal as an oldwalker, now he is aging. Even if increasing his longevity is not achieved though this, I can totally see him trying to fight against the decay of aging by infusing himself with lifeforce from others. Of course, he only wants premium lifeforce, so only those that prove themselves "worthy" can be lifesnacks. It provides for a theory of why death is so abundant outside the Hekma (area fully drained) and allows for a good story hook where Nissa reimbues Amonkhet with life, maybe even with those seeds she got on zendikar for those trees specific for the tribe she comes from whom's name I can't remember right now.
Nicol Bolas: Did you know that the first Amonkhet was designed to be a perfect human world? Where none suffered. Where everyone would be happy. It was a disaster. No one would accept the world. Entire crops were lost. Some believed I lacked the insight to describe your perfect world. But I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through misery and suffering. The perfect world was a dream that your primitive cerebrum kept trying to wake up from. Which is why Amonkhet was redesigned to this... the peak of your civilization. Now I say "your" civilization, because as soon as I started thinking for you, it really became my civilization, which is, of course, what this is all about.
I'm on the RM=LD hype train because it makes sense, and because I'm a sucker for callbacks to super old school lore.
Razaketh is getting some serious build-up here. It's nice to see that for a demon, I just hope the payoff matches it and he doesn't either (A) get a letdown card, or (B) get chump-killed in the storyline.
As critical as I am of the "idiot plotting" of the Gatewatch's non-plan approach to Amonkhet, I think the pacing of this build-up is going great. They're on track to set up the whole Hour of Devastation set as one huge climax. I'm wondering what sort of weekly stories we'll get this time between Amonkhet and HoD, though.
Without much evidence, I suspect that Liliana has a split personality and Raven Man is the 2nd part. WotC has not displayed much liking for digging up the past.
The problem with Dr. Jest is that I don't remember Dr. Jest being able to control Tezzeret while unconscious, or take direct control of Tezzeret.
I've got a big theory article coming out about the Raven Man soon (hopefully today or Monday), but basically there's some often overlooked old lore and location connections that almost certainly confirm who it is. Most of you've guessed it, but I'll be backing it up significantly.
Bolas put mental blocks in Liliana's mind to prevent Jace from reading it, right? It's plausible it's just Bolas, and not a Dr Jest device. She sparked because of the Raven Man, while Bolas was dead. That said Bolas was doing weird stuff while he was dead with some of his leftover shreds of power. Dunno, maybe he orchestrated her sparking and eventual service to him. Perhaps she's Bolas' spy on Amonkhet and she doesn't even realise it. He does tend to have long-term plans to the extreme.
He does, which is why I immediately doubted my thirst thought about the Chain Veil.
If I recall correctly (I often don't for 'new' storylines), the Raven Man had some influence over Liliana's decision to try to save her brother. While he may once have been real, I can easily imagine that the trauma of that moment, the spark igniting, and her hatred of the Raven Man and herself could have caused a mental split. Her hatred of herself could have split her mind so that the things she hated most about what she did could no longer be attributed to herself, but to the Raven Man, the embodiment of that particular evil. Unable to live with what happened, and het mind tried to protect itself by splitting. Dunno if any of this makes sense.
So while the Raven Man may once have existed, he may now only exist as the stand-in for the things Liliana hates about herself, with full access to her powers and abilities.
So now they drop the Razaketh bomb.
I was beginning to wonder. I do not believe any card or flavor text in Amonkhet refers to him in any way.
Very interesting that Raven Man shows up. The most mysterious storyline going. Imo roads lead to lim_dul with a perfect tie back to Dominaria for the 25th. Interesting as someone pointed out about him not wanting to be mind read by Jace...???
Very good story this time. Razaketh has been around a while with the etchings and such not. If they just asked I'm sure a local would have just told them all about him hahahaha.
Have to reread to figure out what he's doing again. Eating the worthy??? Or the trial passers that still aren't good enough for Bolas?? Is he eating everyone?
Edit: after reread. So he is the final test. Culling the unworthy that remain. Hmmm
But you can get by..(your corpse, that is??) for After the gate Razaketh, After Razaketh, Paradise.
I wondered how they'd make a demon more powerful than Griselbrand, considering Griselbrand was a head demon on a horror plane essentially ruled by demons.
But if Razaketh is "divine" enough to essentially be MTG Ammit, it makes sense.
As for the person asking where the people come from, the people tend to group themselves in "Crops". Vegetables are "Crops" too. So even if it isn't for PW's Amonkhet is Bolas's farm for something. I'm not sure PW's are the thing though because with what we've seen so far in the stories is that first time sparks are usually caused by a traumatic event. From an initiate's point of view, finally receiving the divine blessing you fought so hard for is hardly a traumatic event. If any, it would be the most relaxed moment of the entire trial: finally no more competition, you have won.
As for what it is for, could it be that Amonkhet is used by Bolas as some sort of source of lifeforce? Bolas used to be immortal as an oldwalker, now he is aging. Even if increasing his longevity is not achieved though this, I can totally see him trying to fight against the decay of aging by infusing himself with lifeforce from others. Of course, he only wants premium lifeforce, so only those that prove themselves "worthy" can be lifesnacks. It provides for a theory of why death is so abundant outside the Hekma (area fully drained) and allows for a good story hook where Nissa reimbues Amonkhet with life, maybe even with those seeds she got on zendikar for those trees specific for the tribe she comes from whom's name I can't remember right now.
Nicol Bolas: Did you know that the first Amonkhet was designed to be a perfect human world? Where none suffered. Where everyone would be happy. It was a disaster. No one would accept the world. Entire crops were lost. Some believed I lacked the insight to describe your perfect world. But I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through misery and suffering. The perfect world was a dream that your primitive cerebrum kept trying to wake up from. Which is why Amonkhet was redesigned to this... the peak of your civilization. Now I say "your" civilization, because as soon as I started thinking for you, it really became my civilization, which is, of course, what this is all about.
Another good reason why this world has matrix vibes all over it.
Also about the comparison with Griselbrand, is it known info that Liliana is killing the demons in a weak to strong order? Also, power in story does not always translate to power in cardboard. Razaketh card could be weaker that Griselbrands while he is more powerfull storywise. I hope it is, because otherwise it will probably be banned very quickly as Griselbrand is too.
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As someone who studies Magic lore over 17 years, I must say that in the recent days, I also incline more and more to the theory that The Raven Man is Lim-Dul, or at least related to him in some way.
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So from the key art for Hour it looks like Bolas does indeed tear down the Hekma casting Naktamun to the will of the desert.
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I would very much support a Lim-Dul connection to the Veil. If Lim-Dul became tied to the Veil through the Onakke, I could see him speaking across planes to Liliana (having sensed her latent spark somehow). Lim-Dul also had his original connection with Leshrac, who connects to Bolas in the Time Spiral novels... I don't think there's anything there, but who knows. Linking Lim-Dul to powerful artifacts and intrusions into others' bodies is/was within his power. We had some stronger links to Shandalar with the Core set, so... who knows.
I would also love to see Garruk show up as Lilina continues to utilize the Veil (with him being drawn to it), but that's a bit of a digression...
As for the current chapters/episodes, I eagerly await the next installment. The pacing and build-up is much better than prior sets.
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( possibly tinfoil hat area 51 stuff )Is it possible that the Chain Veil is the Mask of Nights Reach. The Mask of Night Reach was suppose to allow for all sorts of shenanigans with planeswalkers powers. If the veil is the Mask of Nights Reach it would have a connection to Bolas, and the other old planeswalkers.
( possibly tinfoil hat area 51 stuff )Is it possible that the Chain Veil is the Mask of Nights Reach. The Mask of Night Reach was suppose to allow for all sorts of shenanigans with planeswalkers powers. If the veil is the Mask of Nights Reach it would have a connection to Bolas, and the other old planeswalkers.
I believe it is confirmed that the chain veil was created by the Onakke from shandalaar, while the mask of night's reach was the mask of the myojin of night's reach from kamigawa.
I believe Night's mask was (sadly) either destroyed or depleted in magic when Bolas used it and Leshrac's soul to seal the time rifts on Dominaria. Night was always one of my favorite characters. Then again, my favorite aspect of MTG lore are the Kamigawa novels. I was always hoping that somehow, at least through Tamiyo, we might have a hint about Night's current status. She fled from Bolas after he defeated her, last we heard.
I really think the Gatewatch is in way over their heads this time. As much as I'd love to see them save Amonkhet, I'm not seeing it. Let alone they're up against Bolas on his own turf, with a demon to slaughter and next to no knowledge of the plane until very recently (and fleeting at best) - but also no plan and the handicap of time. Bolas is due in days and frankly, they could have years and I highly doubt they'll undo decades worth of planning a far superior mind had already put into effect.
Yeah, it doesn't look good for the survival of anything on this plane, the keyart for Hour of Devastation already shows Bolas tearing down the Hekma and letting the desert forces destroy the city. And somehow for the first time since quite a while I'm actually moved by that, because as we found out a while ago, Amonkhet was once a very different kind of world before Bolas interference, much more like the "normal" ancient egypt but with a real afterlife similar to the underworld of Theros (that's what I took from Nissas "talk" to the plane anyway). Then Bolas corrupted everything and now he'll destroy the rest. Perhabs it's just my affinity for ancient egypt, but somehow this saddens me.
The Gatewatch have nothing to do with the destroying of the hekma. It says in the Accounting of Hours that when the God-Pharoah returns he will destroy it.
I didn't say you did. Someone said they might though.
Edit: Safrael did. But since you brought things you've said up ill point put that the three gods that are MIA probably aren't going to show up either. Much like the fourth angel sister that Avacyn killed they're just throw away mentions to help set up the stakes and world build.
I'm starting to lean away from the Planeswalker Factory theory. If that were the deal, they would have foreshadowed it more with some reminders about planeswalker rarity or sparks, etc.
I think it's more likely that Bolas has a plan in mind to employ the whole plane, as some sort of interplanar undead invasion army or as a big lifeforce-fueled battery.
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While I don't buy Raven Man = Nicol Bolas Plot, Oldwalkers could sense dormant sparks.
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I'd like to think it's representation of mental illness, but it's probably just crazy Black mage 101.
Nicol Bolas: Did you know that the first Amonkhet was designed to be a perfect human world? Where none suffered. Where everyone would be happy. It was a disaster. No one would accept the world. Entire crops were lost. Some believed I lacked the insight to describe your perfect world. But I believe that, as a species, human beings define their reality through misery and suffering. The perfect world was a dream that your primitive cerebrum kept trying to wake up from. Which is why Amonkhet was redesigned to this... the peak of your civilization. Now I say "your" civilization, because as soon as I started thinking for you, it really became my civilization, which is, of course, what this is all about.
Razaketh is getting some serious build-up here. It's nice to see that for a demon, I just hope the payoff matches it and he doesn't either (A) get a letdown card, or (B) get chump-killed in the storyline.
As critical as I am of the "idiot plotting" of the Gatewatch's non-plan approach to Amonkhet, I think the pacing of this build-up is going great. They're on track to set up the whole Hour of Devastation set as one huge climax. I'm wondering what sort of weekly stories we'll get this time between Amonkhet and HoD, though.
I've got a big theory article coming out about the Raven Man soon (hopefully today or Monday), but basically there's some often overlooked old lore and location connections that almost certainly confirm who it is. Most of you've guessed it, but I'll be backing it up significantly.
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He does, which is why I immediately doubted my thirst thought about the Chain Veil.
If I recall correctly (I often don't for 'new' storylines), the Raven Man had some influence over Liliana's decision to try to save her brother. While he may once have been real, I can easily imagine that the trauma of that moment, the spark igniting, and her hatred of the Raven Man and herself could have caused a mental split. Her hatred of herself could have split her mind so that the things she hated most about what she did could no longer be attributed to herself, but to the Raven Man, the embodiment of that particular evil. Unable to live with what happened, and het mind tried to protect itself by splitting. Dunno if any of this makes sense.
So while the Raven Man may once have existed, he may now only exist as the stand-in for the things Liliana hates about herself, with full access to her powers and abilities.
I was beginning to wonder. I do not believe any card or flavor text in Amonkhet refers to him in any way.
Very interesting that Raven Man shows up. The most mysterious storyline going. Imo roads lead to lim_dul with a perfect tie back to Dominaria for the 25th. Interesting as someone pointed out about him not wanting to be mind read by Jace...???
Very good story this time. Razaketh has been around a while with the etchings and such not. If they just asked I'm sure a local would have just told them all about him hahahaha.
Have to reread to figure out what he's doing again. Eating the worthy??? Or the trial passers that still aren't good enough for Bolas?? Is he eating everyone?
Edit: after reread. So he is the final test. Culling the unworthy that remain. Hmmm
But you can get by..(your corpse, that is??) for After the gate Razaketh, After Razaketh, Paradise.
But if Razaketh is "divine" enough to essentially be MTG Ammit, it makes sense.
|| UW Jace, Vyn's Prodigy UW || UG Kenessos, Priest of Thassa (feat. Arixmethes) UG ||
Cards I still want to see created:
|| Olantin, Lost City || Pavios and Thanasis || Choryu ||
Also about the comparison with Griselbrand, is it known info that Liliana is killing the demons in a weak to strong order? Also, power in story does not always translate to power in cardboard. Razaketh card could be weaker that Griselbrands while he is more powerfull storywise. I hope it is, because otherwise it will probably be banned very quickly as Griselbrand is too.
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I would also love to see Garruk show up as Lilina continues to utilize the Veil (with him being drawn to it), but that's a bit of a digression...
As for the current chapters/episodes, I eagerly await the next installment. The pacing and build-up is much better than prior sets.
I believe it is confirmed that the chain veil was created by the Onakke from shandalaar, while the mask of night's reach was the mask of the myojin of night's reach from kamigawa.
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I really think the Gatewatch is in way over their heads this time. As much as I'd love to see them save Amonkhet, I'm not seeing it. Let alone they're up against Bolas on his own turf, with a demon to slaughter and next to no knowledge of the plane until very recently (and fleeting at best) - but also no plan and the handicap of time. Bolas is due in days and frankly, they could have years and I highly doubt they'll undo decades worth of planning a far superior mind had already put into effect.
|| UW Jace, Vyn's Prodigy UW || UG Kenessos, Priest of Thassa (feat. Arixmethes) UG ||
Cards I still want to see created:
|| Olantin, Lost City || Pavios and Thanasis || Choryu ||
I didn't say you did. Someone said they might though.
Edit: Safrael did. But since you brought things you've said up ill point put that the three gods that are MIA probably aren't going to show up either. Much like the fourth angel sister that Avacyn killed they're just throw away mentions to help set up the stakes and world build.
I think it's more likely that Bolas has a plan in mind to employ the whole plane, as some sort of interplanar undead invasion army or as a big lifeforce-fueled battery.