Tymna seems familiar to me. I feel like we've heard of an Arachne variant from Theros before. I know Callaphe was the one who squared off with Thassa before Kiora essentially did again. But I can't remember. I feel like her story involved Nylea or Karametra but my memory is hazy on this.
Tana and Tymna don't seem to be from any existing lore. Anyone have anything? Tymna seems like Theros, Tana who knows.
No, I don't think we've heard of any of them before.
Well, there goes the excited mood I've been in since MaRo promised us the fifteen partner legends would represent previously known characters. It seems we're back to filler legends nobody cares about (just like last year). I was really hoping for Belbe and Feather and other frequently-asked-for characters, you know...
What? Two unknown legends and "we are back to filler legends nobody cares about"? Way to exaggerate, eh?
You probably failed to notice we are getting Ludevic. Vial Smasher and Reyhan are minor Tarkir characters, but featured in recent stories, so no problem there. Bruse Tarl is essentially Norin the Wary v2. Yeah, I would like to see RW Feather, BW Pivlic the imp or others, but Tymna and Tana are really just two, and there is still more to come.
You probably failed to notice we are getting Ludevic. Vial Smasher and Reyhan are minor Tarkir characters, but featured in recent stories, so no problem there. Bruse Tarl is essentially Norin the Wary v2. Yeah, I would like to see RW Feather, BW Pivlic the imp or others, but Tymna and Tana are really just two, and there is still more to come.
Damn, Feather and a young version of Kos (both with partner) would have been amazing even just for flavour
My suspicion is that they are holding onto Feather is case they want to use her in the inevitable Return to Return to Ravnica. Just like I expect they are holding onto Taigam for a return to Tarkir. Conversely, it might be many years before we return to Innistrad again, so there is no harm in giving us a Ludevic card now. Likewise, characters like Sidar Kondo are perfect for this product, because outside of a hypothetical Time Spiral 2.0, they can't show up in a return set. (In that vein, some of my most wanted legends include Gix, Ashnod and Tawnos, because where else are we ever going to get cards for them?)
My suspicion is that they are holding onto Feather is case they want to use her in the inevitable Return to Return to Ravnica.
That is such a tease considering she actually played a minor (yet story significant) role in a magic story piece relating to krenko and that the general RTR block story was resoundingly "meh".
I'm not completely sold on Reyhan being BG. Personally the leaders of the clans should have the same colour identity as the clans. And if she REALLY had to be two-colour, she should have been WB, white because the Abzan's primary colour is white and black because she opposed Dromoka's decree of purging the black part out of the clan.
Personally though, I would have prefered if they waited to print her in a wedge-commander set in the future. I'd rather wait for a character than have them being rushed or shoehorned into somewhere.
I do however throroughly enjoy Khanfall being depicted in her artwork, though they could have put that on some epic sorcery or something. (Like that sweeper they spoiled.) Infact, similar to how they like to bring back characters of the past they could use commander to otherwise reference events from the past by printing spells that depict a certain moment in Magic's past.
I think she's fine as Green-Black. She's not the 'true' Abzan Khan anyway, she's the leader of a splinter faction, and because she's a rebel, she loses white (community).
Honestly, this product is awesome because there are a TON of character who would never have gotten cards, at least not in our lifetimes, suddenly getting represented. The Partner Cards are a vorthos treasure, IMO.
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
Are you arguing that Reyhan's card doesn't fit the character? Because I think it's a decent fit - she (mechanically) cares about +1/+1 counters and (thematically) is about maintaining continuity with the dead and retaining their gifts, which seems to fit what little we know about her. She's certainly no worse than half the Legends and Planeswalkers out there when it comes to fitting the character concept. (I'd argue she's a better fit than Dovin Baan was for his concept, for example.)
Or are you arguing that, in general, you'd rather see Legendary Creatures organically built around their character concept, top-down, instead of creating them a Legendary Creature bottom-up and then applying a pre-existing name to it? Because if that is your argument, then I agree - and don't think you are in the minority with that opinion, either. (We just might disagree on the suitability of specific cards, though.)
Tana screams Jund to me. Alternatively Dominaria, with those mushroom covered saprolings.
Possibly Neo-Sarpadian, or maybe she's Gruul and the Gruul have their own version of Saprolings now.
I was thinking she might be Gruul, but are there heavily forested areas like that on Ravnica?
Doubtful. There are a few artworks that could be 'forest' but it's rare.
I think the "forests" of Ravnica are sections of the city that got abandoned. The second book of the First Ravnica block implied that while the entire plane is a "City" there are some large parts where development had fallen apart, which are where the Gruul make their territory.
What? Two unknown legends and "we are back to filler legends nobody cares about"? Way to exaggerate, eh?
You probably failed to notice we are getting Ludevic. Vial Smasher and Reyhan are minor Tarkir characters, but featured in recent stories, so no problem there. Bruse Tarl is essentially Norin the Wary v2. Yeah, I would like to see RW Feather, BW Pivlic the imp or others, but Tymna and Tana are really just two, and there is still more to come.
Sorry if my comment upset you, I don't want to argue here. It's just that I really got on the hype train when MaRo's Monday article claimed all the fifteen two-color legends would be known characters from Magic's past. My mind was literally swirling with possibilities, each more exciting than the last, so I'm really upset to see these filler legends now. I know it's just two of them (so far), but they still occupy the place that could've been taken by someone far more deserving.
On top of that, even the "known" characters have mostly been a disappointment so far. Yes, we've heard of them before, but often just through a few lines of flavor text or a single short story. I can't believe they took Reyhan over Belbe (who was the main character of a novel, and one of very few such important figures who still don't have cards) or Vial Smasher over Ashnod (similar situation).
I apologize. There are too many people tossing strong statements and complaints recently that I did not realize you are one of the decent ones at first.
I would very much like to see Belbe, Ashnod, Feather, Pivlic, or, for example, Crixizix. Though C15 a bit disappointed me in making legends very close to known characters, but just so (Karlov being other Karlov than Uncle, Mizzix being a super-smart Izzet goblin other than Crixizix).
I can see why they take those over the ones you suggested. The reason is that they divide attention between the old players and the new ones. I can imagine that they do not make Ashnod or Belbe simply because "not enough people know about them". But both of them at least had cards with their name in it.
It is Time Spiral again. They did not make Jodah or Sidar Kondo cards back then - because Jodah's name never appeared on a card, only in books, and the same for Kondo (see the present article that spoils Kondo). But then they needed to fill a RG gap in the legendary cycle, so they made a friggin' Stonebrow, who was the same case, just more recent.
So why Reyhan (who is, btw, sharing a name with a Samite alchemist from Ulgrotha), Vial Smasher, or Bruse Tarl? This is, on the other hand, aimed at the new players who enjoy flavor and stories, who can now say - hey, they made this funny guy from the flavortexts into card, or the guy/girl from that cool story I read! - essentially allowing them the same joy as we gain from the old ones they do not know about.
Last but not least...they have to save something for the future, well? If we got all of these now, what to be looking forward to the next time?
Well, assuming Tymna is from Theros (which is most likely), I'm already quite salty over Theros getting two Color Pairings (4 cards in total). Sure, Theros was similar to the way Kamigawa was in that both planes had more Legendary Creatures than usual, but we got Kaseto, Orochi Archmage last year so they weren't afraid of bringing back Kamigawa in supplementary products at least (and I don't really take Tamiyo bring present this year as "too much Kamigawa for the year", although knowing me, there's no such thing as "too much Kamigawa" to begin with...)
Just venting my salty gripe here, nothing to really get angry over, life moves on as usual.
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
How are they random? They have abilities that fit the characters. Would you rather a bunch of characters with zero lore or just blurbs that never get expanded on? These are characters who never would have otherwise gotten cards. Reyhan was never getting a card otherwise. These are minor characters whose only hope was exactly this product.
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
How are they random? They have abilities that fit the characters. Would you rather a bunch of characters with zero lore or just blurbs that never get expanded on? These are characters who never would have otherwise gotten cards. Reyhan was never getting a card otherwise. These are minor characters whose only hope was exactly this product.
Yeah. Arjun or Anya from last year were far worse and far more random. Mazirek was at least interesting thanks to its creature type. And Kalemne was just bad in almost every aspect - design, flavor and deck...
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Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
I assume today's story will be used to reveal a commander. Most likely candidates are the remaining 4 color commander, Yidris and the Kings. Yidris has the upside of possibly including Breya (and maybe Silas?).
They could also reveal the UW commander. If the UW commander is Taigam they might use this story to sow the seeds of an eventual return to Tarkir.
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
How are they random? They have abilities that fit the characters. Would you rather a bunch of characters with zero lore or just blurbs that never get expanded on? These are characters who never would have otherwise gotten cards. Reyhan was never getting a card otherwise. These are minor characters whose only hope was exactly this product.
Were people really clamoring for a random Triton on 2 flavor texts as a card? This set is great in some aspects but in others it just misses the mark.
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
How are they random? They have abilities that fit the characters. Would you rather a bunch of characters with zero lore or just blurbs that never get expanded on? These are characters who never would have otherwise gotten cards. Reyhan was never getting a card otherwise. These are minor characters whose only hope was exactly this product.
Were people really clamoring for a random Triton on 2 flavor texts as a card? This set is great in some aspects but in others it just misses the mark.
Well, I take back some of what I said. Ludevic is uninspiring.
But yes, random flavor text characters are cool, because they'd otherwise not have cards, and they're minor enough that you can fit them to cards rather than otherwise. Only having some flavor text references isn't great, but it's better than being complete mysteries.
So, I don't know if you've read today's Story Column so far.
But, one thing that stuck out was that only Saskia and Tana didn't have their home plane mentioned. All the others have.
I'm suspecting it's from the plane we're going to after Amonkhet, and if Saskia is Balduvian...then the long-awaited Return to Dominaria?
Especially since Maro said it's from know planes. Either that or it's Valla or the other barbarian one, can't remember. But the guys who trashed Saskia's home might as well be Keldons, they're pretty famous for that sort of brutality.
Can't wait.
Yea I noticed that as well. I am personally thinking that Valla is where Saskia comes from and it has technically been seen before... in Planechase. The other location that might make sense is the plane of Kaldheim, again from Planechase.
Though I think with all the Theros stuff it might be a hint that the next return set would be Theros, but only WoTC knows.
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
How are they random? They have abilities that fit the characters. Would you rather a bunch of characters with zero lore or just blurbs that never get expanded on? These are characters who never would have otherwise gotten cards. Reyhan was never getting a card otherwise. These are minor characters whose only hope was exactly this product.
Were people really clamoring for a random Triton on 2 flavor texts as a card? This set is great in some aspects but in others it just misses the mark.
Yes, people were. I think Thrasios getting a card is absolutely phenomenal and amazing, honestly. I am floored with how amazing this set is. And notice I am rejoicing at Thasios having a card but not complaining it isn't Arixmethes (who I'm sure will come in time) because of how excited I am to see this Triton get a card at last, too! I really love how many Theros themed cards are in this product. Then again, Theros was so amazing for Commander and casual play in general, and if there's any subject that's magical and mythic, it's Greek myth for sure. I adore C16 as my absolute favorite Commander product AND one of the absolute best MTG products of all time IMO.
Kyanios and Tiro - still wish we knew which was which. Their bio didn't mention that Ephara enchanted the kings and their soldiers with the magic necessary to defeat Agnomakhos which is a detail I always admired as she's the Theros Athena analog. Their art is so gorgeous, and I love that they weren't just powerful ancient warriors once in love, but also the first kings of Meletis! And just like true Greek myth passed down through oral tradition and bards, their story was mutated along the way and changed, so they're not remembered accurately, but are still immortal in stories. FINALLY GAY MEN IN MAGIC and not only that, homosexual THEROS men! KINGS EVEN! GAY KINGS I LOVE IT!
Ludevic - disappointing card, but so happy to see his fans finally have him printed at long last! Poor Jenrik killed off
Kydele - I've been praising this character getting a card all week. Search my posts if you must tbh.
Thrasios - Now this caught me by surprise. I'm utterly stunned. Brilliant selection and going into SO MANY of my EDH decks. Any Theros card would, let alone a Triton serving THASSA. Seeing his spear made me sad though - I miss Thassa wielding Dekella. Here's to hoping Purphoros has forged her a Trident by now. That said, anyone catch the mention of Olantin? At the seas on the edge of the world, no less. So Theros does indeed seem to have two lost, sunken cities - Arixmethes AND Olantin. Arixmethes is known to the Tritons based on Kiora learning of it (and him) from them. But Olantin appears to be even more mythical, and even to the tritons themselves. Here's to hoping for a Legendary Land in return to Theros, and a Legendary Kraken in Arixmethes so we can have all the Atlantis.
Tymna - Another elegant and truly mythical card to admire. I literally have so much to pursue in this set. Also, I love how her craft is related to the Fates. Very nice touch. Beautiful artwork as well. Ahh Theros, getting a taste of it again is such a relief after I've been longing for it all this time! Thank GOD it's as popular as it is so I can see glimpses of its unprecedented themes. It truly is a place that legendaries should be from. Original Theros didn't have enough Legendaries IMO so now they are being delivered.
Ravos - I was hoping this card would be Mono-White. Anyway, another character which took me delightfully by surprise. Such elegant lore too - a young Orpheus trope! I adore this card and this set more and more. An oracle of Athreos no less. The artwork is brilliant, too. I actually almost confused him for Pavios, who was one of the gay lovers in Emonberry Red - I hope those characters each get a card (or a joint card) in Return to Theros as well, or at least a Sorcery like Cathartic Reunion for example, which references their story in the art and name/theme.
Ishai, Ojutai Speaker - Hate Tarkir but this is a pretty cool card with nice artwork. If I wasn't already so spoiled in this set I would have been disappointed that this wasn't Iris, the Oracle of Ephara instead. I do hope Iris gets a card in the future as well. But the way her story trailed off I expect she will appear in Return to Theros and perhaps even serve a role there. The wandering Oracle atop a Pegasus trope is too mysterious not to love and explore again someday on a card and in the story of course.
I'm actually a little disappointed that we didn't get an actual story this week. I mean, I like knowing more about the various commanders, but I feel like the little blurbs we got could have been part of any other article or column, so I feel a bit deprived.
Ravos - I was hoping this card would be Mono-White. Anyway, another character which took me delightfully by surprise. Such elegant lore too - a young Orpheus trope! I adore this card and this set more and more. An oracle of Athreos no less. The artwork is brilliant, too. I actually almost confused him for Pavios, who was one of the gay lovers in Emonberry Red - I hope those characters each get a card (or a joint card) in Return to Theros as well, or at least a Sorcery like Cathartic Reunion for example, which references their story in the art and name/theme.
Something I noticed when I read at Ravos is that he might be a hook to help get Elspeth from the Underworld. After all he is trying to get his lover freed from the Underworld and we know Elspeth is there.
Ravos - I was hoping this card would be Mono-White. Anyway, another character which took me delightfully by surprise. Such elegant lore too - a young Orpheus trope! I adore this card and this set more and more. An oracle of Athreos no less. The artwork is brilliant, too. I actually almost confused him for Pavios, who was one of the gay lovers in Emonberry Red - I hope those characters each get a card (or a joint card) in Return to Theros as well, or at least a Sorcery like Cathartic Reunion for example, which references their story in the art and name/theme.
Something I noticed when I read at Ravos is that he might be a hook to help get Elspeth from the Underworld. After all he is trying to get his lover freed from the Underworld and we know Elspeth is there.
This is making me excited for a return to theros!
Good catch! I hadn't made this connection being as excited and stunned as I am, but you may be onto something here! I CAN'T WAIT TO RETURN TO THEROS. But we knew that. This glimpse into Theros through these legends has been so exhilarating for me. I absolutely adore these new cards.
Woow im mad about Ludevic's card. Sutch a garbage representation of a mad scientest. I like if he get characters represented but it needs to be represenetd flavourfully atleast, wich in Luvedic isn't.
Honestly he could have easilly been the UBRG general since hes a mixture of Izzet and Simic with black because he creates zombies and sutch.
Kynaios and Tiro are cool, love that their art has their statues being constructed in the background. I didn't notice the scaffolding until the larger sized pics were available. I will be interested in building with them. Echo the sentiment that we don't know which is which, but very small concern that will prob be addressed soon.
I like most of the other legends' stories and abilities, except Tymna and Akiri feel the most like fluff. They don't feel that interesting to me, both storywise and their abilities.
I am curious to see how Ravos turns out. A character tied to Athreos was def unexpected, and like the Orpheus spin. Just hoping he gets a decent card.
I do like that Breya tied together the carmot/sangrite concern for Etherium. It's cool to see that the characters are now learning what we knew.
Kynaios and Tiro are cool, love that their art has their statues being constructed in the background. I didn't notice the scaffolding until the larger sized pics were available. I will be interested in building with them. Echo the sentiment that we don't know which is which, but very small concern that will prob be addressed soon.
I like most of the other legends' stories and abilities, except Tymna and Akiri feel the most like fluff. They don't feel that interesting to me, both storywise and their abilities.
I am curious to see how Ravos turns out. A character tied to Athreos was def unexpected, and like the Orpheus spin. Just hoping he gets a decent card.
I do like that Breya tied together the carmot/sangrite concern for Etherium. It's cool to see that the characters are now learning what we knew.
Check the Rumor Mill, Ravos has a pretty good card IMO. Ideally he'd have cost 4 CMC instead of 5 but I still admire the design.
I really hope return to Theros not only has card for Arixmethes and Olantin, but also clears up the differences. I'm guessing Olantin is the actual Polis struck by Heliod and cast into the sea, and Arixmethes is also a sunken city-state, but only by virtue of being built on a Kraken?
The Arachne reference in Theros was Renowned Weaver.
What? Two unknown legends and "we are back to filler legends nobody cares about"? Way to exaggerate, eh?
You probably failed to notice we are getting Ludevic. Vial Smasher and Reyhan are minor Tarkir characters, but featured in recent stories, so no problem there. Bruse Tarl is essentially Norin the Wary v2. Yeah, I would like to see RW Feather, BW Pivlic the imp or others, but Tymna and Tana are really just two, and there is still more to come.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
My suspicion is that they are holding onto Feather is case they want to use her in the inevitable Return to Return to Ravnica. Just like I expect they are holding onto Taigam for a return to Tarkir. Conversely, it might be many years before we return to Innistrad again, so there is no harm in giving us a Ludevic card now. Likewise, characters like Sidar Kondo are perfect for this product, because outside of a hypothetical Time Spiral 2.0, they can't show up in a return set. (In that vein, some of my most wanted legends include Gix, Ashnod and Tawnos, because where else are we ever going to get cards for them?)
That is such a tease considering she actually played a minor (yet story significant) role in a magic story piece relating to krenko and that the general RTR block story was resoundingly "meh".
Personally, I don't think that slapping a name of a character on a random card is satisfying. But I might be in the minority here.
Are you arguing that Reyhan's card doesn't fit the character? Because I think it's a decent fit - she (mechanically) cares about +1/+1 counters and (thematically) is about maintaining continuity with the dead and retaining their gifts, which seems to fit what little we know about her. She's certainly no worse than half the Legends and Planeswalkers out there when it comes to fitting the character concept. (I'd argue she's a better fit than Dovin Baan was for his concept, for example.)
Or are you arguing that, in general, you'd rather see Legendary Creatures organically built around their character concept, top-down, instead of creating them a Legendary Creature bottom-up and then applying a pre-existing name to it? Because if that is your argument, then I agree - and don't think you are in the minority with that opinion, either. (We just might disagree on the suitability of specific cards, though.)
I think the "forests" of Ravnica are sections of the city that got abandoned. The second book of the First Ravnica block implied that while the entire plane is a "City" there are some large parts where development had fallen apart, which are where the Gruul make their territory.
Dragons of Legend, Lead by Scion of the UR-Dragon
The Gitrog Monster
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Shogun Saskia
Hive World
Atraxa hates fun
Abzan
I apologize. There are too many people tossing strong statements and complaints recently that I did not realize you are one of the decent ones at first.
I would very much like to see Belbe, Ashnod, Feather, Pivlic, or, for example, Crixizix. Though C15 a bit disappointed me in making legends very close to known characters, but just so (Karlov being other Karlov than Uncle, Mizzix being a super-smart Izzet goblin other than Crixizix).
I can see why they take those over the ones you suggested. The reason is that they divide attention between the old players and the new ones. I can imagine that they do not make Ashnod or Belbe simply because "not enough people know about them". But both of them at least had cards with their name in it.
It is Time Spiral again. They did not make Jodah or Sidar Kondo cards back then - because Jodah's name never appeared on a card, only in books, and the same for Kondo (see the present article that spoils Kondo). But then they needed to fill a RG gap in the legendary cycle, so they made a friggin' Stonebrow, who was the same case, just more recent.
So why Reyhan (who is, btw, sharing a name with a Samite alchemist from Ulgrotha), Vial Smasher, or Bruse Tarl? This is, on the other hand, aimed at the new players who enjoy flavor and stories, who can now say - hey, they made this funny guy from the flavortexts into card, or the guy/girl from that cool story I read! - essentially allowing them the same joy as we gain from the old ones they do not know about.
Last but not least...they have to save something for the future, well? If we got all of these now, what to be looking forward to the next time?
Spealking of what, the rare RW legend is not Bruse's named pet ox either, but Akiri, kor line-slinger from BFZ flavor texts.
So we can assume that the enemy-pair partner legends being thematically related means that they would be from the same world and time.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Just venting my salty gripe here, nothing to really get angry over, life moves on as usual.
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
Yeah. Arjun or Anya from last year were far worse and far more random. Mazirek was at least interesting thanks to its creature type. And Kalemne was just bad in almost every aspect - design, flavor and deck...
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
They could also reveal the UW commander. If the UW commander is Taigam they might use this story to sow the seeds of an eventual return to Tarkir.
Are Ravos and Thrasios known characters? I've barely read any of the Theros stories.
Here is a link: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/magic-story/its-time-talk-commander-2016-edition-2016-10-26
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Were people really clamoring for a random Triton on 2 flavor texts as a card? This set is great in some aspects but in others it just misses the mark.
But yes, random flavor text characters are cool, because they'd otherwise not have cards, and they're minor enough that you can fit them to cards rather than otherwise. Only having some flavor text references isn't great, but it's better than being complete mysteries.
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
Yea I noticed that as well. I am personally thinking that Valla is where Saskia comes from and it has technically been seen before... in Planechase. The other location that might make sense is the plane of Kaldheim, again from Planechase.
Though I think with all the Theros stuff it might be a hint that the next return set would be Theros, but only WoTC knows.
You sure? I'm pretty sure they didn't want him to be such a bad card.
Kyanios and Tiro - still wish we knew which was which. Their bio didn't mention that Ephara enchanted the kings and their soldiers with the magic necessary to defeat Agnomakhos which is a detail I always admired as she's the Theros Athena analog. Their art is so gorgeous, and I love that they weren't just powerful ancient warriors once in love, but also the first kings of Meletis! And just like true Greek myth passed down through oral tradition and bards, their story was mutated along the way and changed, so they're not remembered accurately, but are still immortal in stories. FINALLY GAY MEN IN MAGIC and not only that, homosexual THEROS men! KINGS EVEN! GAY KINGS I LOVE IT!
Ludevic - disappointing card, but so happy to see his fans finally have him printed at long last! Poor Jenrik killed off
Kydele - I've been praising this character getting a card all week. Search my posts if you must tbh.
Thrasios - Now this caught me by surprise. I'm utterly stunned. Brilliant selection and going into SO MANY of my EDH decks. Any Theros card would, let alone a Triton serving THASSA. Seeing his spear made me sad though - I miss Thassa wielding Dekella. Here's to hoping Purphoros has forged her a Trident by now. That said, anyone catch the mention of Olantin? At the seas on the edge of the world, no less. So Theros does indeed seem to have two lost, sunken cities - Arixmethes AND Olantin. Arixmethes is known to the Tritons based on Kiora learning of it (and him) from them. But Olantin appears to be even more mythical, and even to the tritons themselves. Here's to hoping for a Legendary Land in return to Theros, and a Legendary Kraken in Arixmethes so we can have all the Atlantis.
Tymna - Another elegant and truly mythical card to admire. I literally have so much to pursue in this set. Also, I love how her craft is related to the Fates. Very nice touch. Beautiful artwork as well. Ahh Theros, getting a taste of it again is such a relief after I've been longing for it all this time! Thank GOD it's as popular as it is so I can see glimpses of its unprecedented themes. It truly is a place that legendaries should be from. Original Theros didn't have enough Legendaries IMO so now they are being delivered.
Ravos - I was hoping this card would be Mono-White. Anyway, another character which took me delightfully by surprise. Such elegant lore too - a young Orpheus trope! I adore this card and this set more and more. An oracle of Athreos no less. The artwork is brilliant, too. I actually almost confused him for Pavios, who was one of the gay lovers in Emonberry Red - I hope those characters each get a card (or a joint card) in Return to Theros as well, or at least a Sorcery like Cathartic Reunion for example, which references their story in the art and name/theme.
Ishai, Ojutai Speaker - Hate Tarkir but this is a pretty cool card with nice artwork. If I wasn't already so spoiled in this set I would have been disappointed that this wasn't Iris, the Oracle of Ephara instead. I do hope Iris gets a card in the future as well. But the way her story trailed off I expect she will appear in Return to Theros and perhaps even serve a role there. The wandering Oracle atop a Pegasus trope is too mysterious not to love and explore again someday on a card and in the story of course.
|| 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 ||
Something I noticed when I read at Ravos is that he might be a hook to help get Elspeth from the Underworld. After all he is trying to get his lover freed from the Underworld and we know Elspeth is there.
This is making me excited for a return to theros!
|| 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 ||
Honestly he could have easilly been the UBRG general since hes a mixture of Izzet and Simic with black because he creates zombies and sutch.
Kynaios and Tiro are cool, love that their art has their statues being constructed in the background. I didn't notice the scaffolding until the larger sized pics were available. I will be interested in building with them. Echo the sentiment that we don't know which is which, but very small concern that will prob be addressed soon.
I like most of the other legends' stories and abilities, except Tymna and Akiri feel the most like fluff. They don't feel that interesting to me, both storywise and their abilities.
I am curious to see how Ravos turns out. A character tied to Athreos was def unexpected, and like the Orpheus spin. Just hoping he gets a decent card.
I do like that Breya tied together the carmot/sangrite concern for Etherium. It's cool to see that the characters are now learning what we knew.
I really hope return to Theros not only has card for Arixmethes and Olantin, but also clears up the differences. I'm guessing Olantin is the actual Polis struck by Heliod and cast into the sea, and Arixmethes is also a sunken city-state, but only by virtue of being built on a Kraken?
|| 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 ||