Quoting from the fat pack booklet:
"Based on what Liliana had learned from Tezzeret, the Gatewatch determine that he is working for the evil dragon Planeswalker Nicol Bolas. Ajani believes Nicol Bolas is hiding something on the plane of Amonkhet, but he warns the Gatewatch that Bolas is extremely dangerous and recommends that they regroup on Dominaria and secure additional aid before facing him. After Ajani leaves, however, the Gatewatch decide that they cannot wait any longer to free a world from the clutches of Bolas. They set their sights on Amonkhet and brace themselves for battle with the dragon."
Some bad assumptions made by Gatewatch here. One, they need no backup to take him on. Two, that Amonkhet is a world that needs saving from his clutches.
If hour of devastation isn't a member dying and the Gatewatch losing.......Just wow
I really doubt anyone is dying. Just doesn't make sense with how they've done things so far. In general I think the core five Gatewatch are about as immune from death as possible.
You're absolutely right about Amonkhet though. We don't know Bola's relationship with the plane. We know it's ruled by him, but we don't know anything about the people there. Even if they do want to be saved from his clutches, it doesn't change the fact that Amonkhet is Bolas's home turf.
I think it's more likely that they actually like Bolas. Wouldn't that be a culture shock?
Yeah, that'd be a subversion, wouldn't it, if the people of Amonkhet actually view Bolas as a good guy.
I would be sooo thrilled if we got something that was thematically like the end of Superman's fight with Darkseid: even when the good guys win, they lose.
Quoting from the fat pack booklet:
"Based on what Liliana had learned from Tezzeret, the Gatewatch determine that he is working for the evil dragon Planeswalker Nicol Bolas. Ajani believes Nicol Bolas is hiding something on the plane of Amonkhet, but he warns the Gatewatch that Bolas is extremely dangerous and recommends that they regroup on Dominaria and secure additional aid before facing him. After Ajani leaves, however, the Gatewatch decide that they cannot wait any longer to free a world from the clutches of Bolas. They set their sights on Amonkhet and brace themselves for battle with the dragon."
Some bad assumptions made by Gatewatch here. One, they need no backup to take him on. Two, that Amonkhet is a world that needs saving from his clutches.
If hour of devastation isn't a member dying and the Gatewatch losing.......Just wow
I really doubt anyone is dying. Just doesn't make sense with how they've done things so far. In general I think the core five Gatewatch are about as immune from death as possible.
And that's exactly the point and problem people have with the Gatewatch.
They go charging off to fight something way more powerful than them with no backup and under false or unsubstantiated premises and the plot armor protects them again? Ridiculous.
Aside from a few hiccups, some being bigger than others, I'm personally enjoying the story articles and cannot wait till the next one is brought fourth. Seeing as how it is the last article as well, that means lots of character development pieces which makes me a happy camper.
Quoting from the fat pack booklet:
"Based on what Liliana had learned from Tezzeret, the Gatewatch determine that he is working for the evil dragon Planeswalker Nicol Bolas. Ajani believes Nicol Bolas is hiding something on the plane of Amonkhet, but he warns the Gatewatch that Bolas is extremely dangerous and recommends that they regroup on Dominaria and secure additional aid before facing him. After Ajani leaves, however, the Gatewatch decide that they cannot wait any longer to free a world from the clutches of Bolas. They set their sights on Amonkhet and brace themselves for battle with the dragon."
Some bad assumptions made by Gatewatch here. One, they need no backup to take him on. Two, that Amonkhet is a world that needs saving from his clutches.
If hour of devastation isn't a member dying and the Gatewatch losing.......Just wow
I really doubt anyone is dying. Just doesn't make sense with how they've done things so far. In general I think the core five Gatewatch are about as immune from death as possible.
And that's exactly the point and problem people have with the Gatewatch.
They go charging off to fight something way more powerful than them with no backup and under false or unsubstantiated premises and the plot armor protects them again? Ridiculous.
I would argue that trying to kill any of the members off is ridiculous and amounts to shoddy writing if its purely done to "up the ante". If it is solely done to create drama and tension, then it is amateurish trite passing as writing. Badly wounded, splitting up or an unwinnable fight is fine. If Gideon's story is resolved and he dies in a heroic manner that is respectful to his character, that is good storytelling.
Killing off one of the gatewatch at random does not add to a story and only ends a character's story arc and also with it any meaningful stories that could be told beyond that. As death shouldn't be used as a revolving door system in order to introduce new members to the gatewatch like Koth or Elspeth. Its even horrible storytelling when you consider that if you get too trigger happy with offing characters that its hard to feel invested in the Gatewatch if none of the founding members are around at all and the members of the Gatewatch in that current state are completely different
Also a bit early to wish death, don't you think? The Gatewatch is in its infancy. The set Oath of the Gatewatch, which is the foundation for it, was released in January 22, 2016. Meaning we have only had them around for 1 Year and 9 Days or just 374 days as of writing this post. The spoiler season for Oath of the Gatewatch didn't even start till December 28, meaning an extra 26 days at most is added to how long we have had them and totaling to 1 Year and 33 Days which is 400 Days at most. To put that into actual perspective, from the moment Urza was a boy to Yawgmoth's death span over time from 1998 of May to 2001 of June which is 4 Years and 1 Month. What you are asking for is basically 1/4th that time for our heroes to start dying and falling apart. THAT would be some seriously weak buildup time for a character of the gatewatch dying within that short amount of time.
I don't even think in their book time that they have been together for even Three Months. At most I would say they been together for about: Two-to-three weeks and a single month. Which is only about 45-to-52* days. Now lets stack that up against the actual timeline in the Urza storyline shall we? That story takes place over 4205+ years. 45-52 DaysVs4205 Years. To me the Yawgmoth/Urza storyline seems more reasonable as it did its job in worldbuilding for almost ten thousand years of time. How absolutely anticlimactic would it be if Urza, after having become a planeswalker, died after 52 days time? Even if we throw Liliana's Age as a comparable measuring stick, that is only 229** Years versus the 4205 that he lived for.
I am willing to buy that Hour of Devastation (July 14th, 2017) is the "villain's win" set as Nicol Bolas is even getting Archenemy cards around that time. As the last one we had a set like that was with New Phyrexia (May 13th, 2011). Which is a time gap of 6 Years, 2 Months and 1 Day.
How did the Gatewatch do their tasks? Its not plot armor. They actually earned their victories. If it weren't ultimately for Nissa & Chandra, Zendikar was doomed. If it weren't for Liliana, Jace, Tamiyo and Emrakul*** then Innistrad was doomed. If it weren't for Liliana, Chandra and Gideon then Kaladesh would be invaded by Nicol Bolas's forces from Amonkhet. Calling what they did and how they got to that point as Plot Armor, is just unacceptable and shrinks their accomplishments.
Recent examples of a brush with death is with just Chandra, quite a few times. She, Nissa and Oviya was dying of poisoning in Baral's deadlock trap and the person who came to their rescue was Ajani Goldmane. She nearly committed suicide and was only stopped by Nissa who helped calm her down. If Gideon's protective magics failed or he didn't join her, Chandra would have died. Is that too "plot armory" for you? That she didn't actually die or someone close to her like Oviya Pashiri or Nissa Revane didn't? Why does death have to be the only way to show weight? I was more moved when Oviya protected Chandra from Baral. I was invested in wondering if Oviya would be alright after being critically injured by Baral. I was happy that Ajani saved Oviya's life with his healing magic. Oviya dying would have left me feeling empty on the matter and I wouldn't have been as invested in the story. As you know what? I barely know Oviya Pashiri and her dying wouldn't have nearly have as much weight to the story. Which you know what is interesting to me about Baral? He actually posed a threat and he wasn't some elder god. He didn't have plot armor either, he was just a blue wizard that focused on counterspells and he also wasn't a planeswalker either.
* The amount of time passed is given multiples time in the Kaladesh article "Homesick".
** 229 is Liliana's age. Citation is from Kaladesh article "Homesick".
*** Emrakul rewrote Tamiyo's scroll and changed it from planar destruction to abundant mana. She literally sealed herself in the moon. Which wasn't possible at all for the Gatewatch to do without Emrakul's help.
Anyone think things would be better if most, if not all, of the stories for a block were written by one person, assuming said writer was good.
Yes and no, some of there writers are better at certain area over others. If they had only their best writer then it would probably be a total positive. However if you look at their pool of writers there are some who do good character work but you might not want for the battle scenes and so on.
Anyone think things would be better if most, if not all, of the stories for a block were written by one person, assuming said writer was good.
Personally? No. No in that would not give us certain treats to read. One of my favorite story articles is games from SOI. If we had only one writer, I know that it wouldn't have turned out the same way as it did. Its actually a pleasant joy, at least for my reading experience, to see different writing styles employed.
You're absolutely right about Amonkhet though. We don't know Bola's relationship with the plane. We know it's ruled by him, but we don't know anything about the people there. Even if they do want to be saved from his clutches, it doesn't change the fact that Amonkhet is Bolas's home turf.
I think it's more likely that they actually like Bolas. Wouldn't that be a culture shock?
This seems more likely with the latest story and Liliana saying that Amonkhet isn't just ruled by Bolas. He created it before The Mending.
Anyone think things would be better if most, if not all, of the stories for a block were written by one person, assuming said writer was good.
No. While there are benefits, mostly in consistency in writing characters, since Chandra and Nissa in particular seem to vary a lot depending on the writer, the current model of Magic has more in common with a TV series than a novel despite the written form. I love having different authors, especially when it gives us little side episodes like "Games", "Shaping an Army", or "In the Dead of Night" (which are among my favorite stories they've put out so far). They seem to slowly but surely be getting better about consistently writing characters, so while there's been some growing pains the current model is working well.
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Yahenni and Nissa's conversation pulled at my heartstrings. It channeled Carl Sagan so much. Kaladesh and Yahenni being the pale blue dot; Yahenni and the Aetherborn being made of star stuff.
You're absolutely right about Amonkhet though. We don't know Bola's relationship with the plane. We know it's ruled by him, but we don't know anything about the people there. Even if they do want to be saved from his clutches, it doesn't change the fact that Amonkhet is Bolas's home turf.
I think it's more likely that they actually like Bolas. Wouldn't that be a culture shock?
This seems more likely with the latest story and Liliana saying that Amonkhet isn't just ruled by Bolas. He created it before The Mending.
Have they ever said what is going on with Created Planes post mending in regards to them self destructing? Did the mending stabilize them all?
Overall Kaladesh was quite a fun ride, having the Gatewatch face enemies that do this thing, talking and actually having character as opposed to Generic Lovecraft-lite tentacle beasts. Pia and Yaheenei were fun to have around and the Reverse "super long lifespan" that most fantasy species have being reversed with Aetherborn was one of the better things WOTC has done in a long time.
Amonkhet being created by Nicol is interesting, one of the Demons that Liliana is bound too is also there. I wonder if that Demon is a natural one or one created by Nicol. The former would make for a very interesting situation as it likely would not want Nicol's rule to last forever.
You're absolutely right about Amonkhet though. We don't know Bola's relationship with the plane. We know it's ruled by him, but we don't know anything about the people there. Even if they do want to be saved from his clutches, it doesn't change the fact that Amonkhet is Bolas's home turf.
I think it's more likely that they actually like Bolas. Wouldn't that be a culture shock?
This seems more likely with the latest story and Liliana saying that Amonkhet isn't just ruled by Bolas. He created it before The Mending.
Have they ever said what is going on with Created Planes post mending in regards to them self destructing? Did the mending stabilize them all?
There are only two that matter right now, I think: New Phyrexia and now Amonkhet. Give the set title for the second block of Amonkhet, I wouldn't have high hopes for it lasting. As for New Phyrexia, I think the five suns give it a color balance that most others lack (which is typically why they would collapse on their own).
There are only two that matter right now, I think: New Phyrexia and now Amonkhet. Give the set title for the second block of Amonkhet, I wouldn't have high hopes for it lasting. As for New Phyrexia, I think the five suns give it a color balance that most others lack (which is typically why they would collapse on their own).
Now that you've raised it, it gives me some fear that they might be going for a "We didn't defeat Bolas, but we destroyed the plane he created, victory for the Gatewatch!" line... without consideration that the creatures on Amonkhet are probably still actual living beings (whether they are outright Bolas Pawns or not shouldn't be too relevant in a planar collapse).
Then again, perhaps Amonkhet was already collapsing, which is why Bolas needs a Planar Bridge - he doesn't (and wouldn't) care for his pawns, but to lose a plane's worth of them would probably inconvenience him to some degree. I know this is more of speculation, but it's still the most logical one considering our knowledge that the plane is artificial and Tezzeret's plan on Kaladesh.
The real headscratcher is the Gatewatch now - if Bolas is indeed on the "defensive", then literally nothing but a loss would make the Gatewatch look "good" now.
There are only two that matter right now, I think: New Phyrexia and now Amonkhet. Give the set title for the second block of Amonkhet, I wouldn't have high hopes for it lasting. As for New Phyrexia, I think the five suns give it a color balance that most others lack (which is typically why they would collapse on their own).
Now that you've raised it, it gives me some fear that they might be going for a "We didn't defeat Bolas, but we destroyed the plane he created, victory for the Gatewatch!" line... without consideration that the creatures on Amonkhet are probably still actual living beings (whether they are outright Bolas Pawns or not shouldn't be too relevant in a planar collapse).
Then again, perhaps Amonkhet was already collapsing, which is why Bolas needs a Planar Bridge - he doesn't (and wouldn't) care for his pawns, but to lose a plane's worth of them would probably inconvenience him to some degree. I know this is more of speculation, but it's still the most logical one considering our knowledge that the plane is artificial and Tezzeret's plan on Kaladesh.
The real headscratcher is the Gatewatch now - if Bolas is indeed on the "defensive", then literally nothing but a loss would make the Gatewatch look "good" now.
Here's a though for you: What if Hour of Devestation is actually the next step in the Chain Veil's story, and it does to Amonkhet what it did to the Onakke?
Here's a though for you: What if Hour of Devestation is actually the next step in the Chain Veil's story, and it does to Amonkhet what it did to the Onakke?
What did it do again? I think I got mixed up and was under the impression it's functionally a phylactery object the Onakke are depending on to resurrect themselves from. Considering Liliana's stress from keeping them achieving that using her as the vessel, I doubt she could take it if an entire plane's worth of spirits was absorbed into it as well... unless they (Amonkhet and Onakke) realize that it's outright impossible for their numbers to be resurrected from a single vessel, so they fight an "internal war" in the Chain Veil, which helps Liliana somewhat...
Here's a though for you: What if Hour of Devestation is actually the next step in the Chain Veil's story, and it does to Amonkhet what it did to the Onakke?
What did it do again? I think I got mixed up and was under the impression it's functionally a phylactery object the Onakke are depending on to resurrect themselves from. Considering Liliana's stress from keeping them achieving that using her as the vessel, I doubt she could take it if an entire plane's worth of spirits was absorbed into it as well... unless they (Amonkhet and Onakke) realize that it's outright impossible for their numbers to be resurrected from a single vessel, so they fight an "internal war" in the Chain Veil, which helps Liliana somewhat...
The entire Onakke people were wiped out by surprise by a mysterious devastation. My thinking is 'the vessel of destruction' makes that happen again.
This discussion of an artificial plane's stability made me think: what if Bolas is sustaining the plane by himself, taxing him and making him vulnerable. The GW shows up, "defeats" him or sends him packing, and this causes the Hour of Devastation, aka, planar collapse?
It would certainly echo Ajani's words, and there's no way this situation could be classified as a win, especially if not all the people of the plane are mindless evil Bolas worshipping troops (which does not seem likely)
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Karn created the fabric of the world itself; but, the space it occupies existed prior to his creation. He chose to transform the empty plane rather than attempt to create a fully artificial world.-Will McDermott
Which means Amonkhet might have already been a plane or "free space" that helps keep it stable.
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I think it would be hilarious if the story of Hour of Devastation involves the Gatewatch helping Bolas protect his plane from some cataclysm.
(I mean "hilarious" in a neutral manner. I don't think it would be the best story choice for the Gatewatch's first encounter with Bolas, but neither would I complain.)
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A neat little factoid: Apparently when an Aetherborn dies, they are reincarnated elsewhere on the plane of Kaladesh. This fits in line with the Hindu philosophy of the concept of Samsara in India. The word Samsara means: Wandering, World and Cyclic Change. A person reincarnated within this manner appears elsewhere based on their karma. Death for the Aetherborn is not the end, its just the closing of one door and the opening of a new door. If you have a hard time believing me that Yahenni was reincarnated, let me just give a piece that basically solidifies this:
Down in the shadows, between glittering towers, the aether moved strangely.
An eddy formed, sinking and coiling into an alley away from the revelry. She let herself dance downward around it and poured her awareness into the weeds pressing earnestly through cracked cobbles. They surged into a carpet of night-flowers.
Wisps of aether streamed in from distant reaches of the city, far shores of the sky, and the blinding immensity that lay beyond Kaladesh. The energies blended, compacted, then puffed outward in a luminous cloud of blues—mid-morning sky, lagoon water, mountain root, sea ice, infant's eye. An exhalation of the world, a new young star throbbing quick, fierce, and steady.
The edges of the cloud darkened, solidified.
The crackling static within it quieted to a sizzle.
The aetherborn looked at their hands, then at Nissa's flowers.
Hello, child. Welcome to the world. She had no idea if vibrations of root and leaf could be understood by the newborn.
They held their new hands over a bloom, as if it were a candle's flame. From the sizzle of energy, patterns emerged, spontaneous and oddly familiar. Y-you. You? Are scented. You smell as if— smell like...neroli. They paused, flickers of lightning-thought shivering through their limbs. What's neroli?
Vertiginous déjà vu washed over Nissa. You have a wonderful adventure ahead of you, she told them.
The aetherborn considered. What should I do? they asked.
What would she do, if she had the time again? If she didn't flinch at light, noise, and touch, or speak in gestures and movements strange and off-putting to others?
How could she tell this new life to laugh and weep without reservation or regret; to sing to the stars and waters, or to nothing at all; to love unreserved and unguarded; to treasure every moment with those beloved; to forgive any regretted trespass; to dance when moved to; to savor long silences in warm company; to greet each dawn, each face with the thought, this will be an adventure; to be brave, and kind, and trusting, and...
...like Chandra.
The aetherborn waited, flickering. But why would anyone find her thoughts on the matter of value, anyway?
Don't be afraid to follow your heart, Nissa told them.
...Why would that be scary?
Halfway across Ghirapur, her body exhaled a laugh into the deepening twilight. May it ever puzzle you.
Vibrations came from the end of the alley; she could feel them through the fine white web of her roots. The child looked to them. There are others like me!
Other aetherborn surrounded them, lifted them to unsteady new feet, embraced. The alley trembled with greetings, vibrations of scent and colorless energies, each body's radiance stirring the others in sympathy. You're welcome, you're loved, there are marvelous days to come, and you're just in time to see them!
The group led them away, conversing in quicksilver flashes of thought. At the end of the alley, the child turned and looked back to her flowers.
You...you have...they tilted their head, trying to shake loose a thought. You have gorgeous eyes...sweetheart. Half-familiar laughter shivered the air.
Karn created the fabric of the world itself; but, the space it occupies existed prior to his creation. He chose to transform the empty plane rather than attempt to create a fully artificial world.-Will McDermott
Which means Amonkhet might have already been a plane or "free space" that helps keep it stable.
Having gone and read the wiki's source on that, I don't think that is a fully formed idea.
I believe Karn created the fabric of the world itself, but the blinkmoths were either already there (in a relatively unformed plane) or he imported them from somewhere else. They were the only organic creatures on the world before Memnarch began bringing lifeforms in from other planes. My guess is that Karn (knowing that manufactured planes have a limited lifespan, transformed an existing (and nearly desolate) plane for his home, taking great care not to upset the balance of the blinkmoth's existence.
I hope that Maro clarifies exactly what effect the Mending had on artificial planes with this next block, even just a hand wave of "Oh it stabilized artificial planes so they won't collapse any further than they already have" would be a nice thing. Eh heck with it I will tweet at Maro see if he gives some clarification.
So, if they are looking for Interpanar Allies, why not approach Saheeli Rai who is like right there?
Do they know That the werewolf ally they had on Innistrad was a Planeswalker? I'm guessing not.
Tamiyo could come around but I'm guessing best to leave that to Ajani.
Why not mention to Ajani the possibility of recruiting Kiora? The fact that they haven't mentioned The interplanar allies they know of Ajani is strange.
All of these issues are easily explainable I'm sure but the biggest issue I have is that they seem to not consider it useful to inform or trade intel with Ugin about Bolas's whereabouts and doings. Ugin, while inscrutable, is no ally of Bolas...
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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
Karn created the fabric of the world itself; but, the space it occupies existed prior to his creation. He chose to transform the empty plane rather than attempt to create a fully artificial world.-Will McDermott
Which means Amonkhet might have already been a plane or "free space" that helps keep it stable.
Having gone and read the wiki's source on that, I don't think that is a fully formed idea.
What are you meaning about this? Seems pretty clear that Karn made Mirrodin in already existing space,as oppose to creating a space within the blind eternities, which helped keep it stable.
I hope that Maro clarifies exactly what effect the Mending had on artificial planes with this next block, even just a hand wave of "Oh it stabilized artificial planes so they won't collapse any further than they already have" would be a nice thing. Eh heck with it I will tweet at Maro see if he gives some clarification.
Maro is design and not creative so what he knows tends to come with a grain of salt. To give it an guess, most probity fell apart since the planeswalkers help keeping them going de-powered and many died.
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I really doubt anyone is dying. Just doesn't make sense with how they've done things so far. In general I think the core five Gatewatch are about as immune from death as possible.
Yeah, that'd be a subversion, wouldn't it, if the people of Amonkhet actually view Bolas as a good guy.
I would be sooo thrilled if we got something that was thematically like the end of Superman's fight with Darkseid: even when the good guys win, they lose.
And that's exactly the point and problem people have with the Gatewatch.
They go charging off to fight something way more powerful than them with no backup and under false or unsubstantiated premises and the plot armor protects them again? Ridiculous.
I would argue that trying to kill any of the members off is ridiculous and amounts to shoddy writing if its purely done to "up the ante". If it is solely done to create drama and tension, then it is amateurish trite passing as writing. Badly wounded, splitting up or an unwinnable fight is fine. If Gideon's story is resolved and he dies in a heroic manner that is respectful to his character, that is good storytelling.
Killing off one of the gatewatch at random does not add to a story and only ends a character's story arc and also with it any meaningful stories that could be told beyond that. As death shouldn't be used as a revolving door system in order to introduce new members to the gatewatch like Koth or Elspeth. Its even horrible storytelling when you consider that if you get too trigger happy with offing characters that its hard to feel invested in the Gatewatch if none of the founding members are around at all and the members of the Gatewatch in that current state are completely different
Also a bit early to wish death, don't you think? The Gatewatch is in its infancy. The set Oath of the Gatewatch, which is the foundation for it, was released in January 22, 2016. Meaning we have only had them around for 1 Year and 9 Days or just 374 days as of writing this post. The spoiler season for Oath of the Gatewatch didn't even start till December 28, meaning an extra 26 days at most is added to how long we have had them and totaling to 1 Year and 33 Days which is 400 Days at most. To put that into actual perspective, from the moment Urza was a boy to Yawgmoth's death span over time from 1998 of May to 2001 of June which is 4 Years and 1 Month. What you are asking for is basically 1/4th that time for our heroes to start dying and falling apart. THAT would be some seriously weak buildup time for a character of the gatewatch dying within that short amount of time.
I don't even think in their book time that they have been together for even Three Months. At most I would say they been together for about: Two-to-three weeks and a single month. Which is only about 45-to-52* days. Now lets stack that up against the actual timeline in the Urza storyline shall we? That story takes place over 4205+ years. 45-52 Days Vs 4205 Years. To me the Yawgmoth/Urza storyline seems more reasonable as it did its job in worldbuilding for almost ten thousand years of time. How absolutely anticlimactic would it be if Urza, after having become a planeswalker, died after 52 days time? Even if we throw Liliana's Age as a comparable measuring stick, that is only 229** Years versus the 4205 that he lived for.
I am willing to buy that Hour of Devastation (July 14th, 2017) is the "villain's win" set as Nicol Bolas is even getting Archenemy cards around that time. As the last one we had a set like that was with New Phyrexia (May 13th, 2011). Which is a time gap of 6 Years, 2 Months and 1 Day.
How did the Gatewatch do their tasks? Its not plot armor. They actually earned their victories. If it weren't ultimately for Nissa & Chandra, Zendikar was doomed. If it weren't for Liliana, Jace, Tamiyo and Emrakul*** then Innistrad was doomed. If it weren't for Liliana, Chandra and Gideon then Kaladesh would be invaded by Nicol Bolas's forces from Amonkhet. Calling what they did and how they got to that point as Plot Armor, is just unacceptable and shrinks their accomplishments.
Recent examples of a brush with death is with just Chandra, quite a few times. She, Nissa and Oviya was dying of poisoning in Baral's deadlock trap and the person who came to their rescue was Ajani Goldmane. She nearly committed suicide and was only stopped by Nissa who helped calm her down. If Gideon's protective magics failed or he didn't join her, Chandra would have died. Is that too "plot armory" for you? That she didn't actually die or someone close to her like Oviya Pashiri or Nissa Revane didn't? Why does death have to be the only way to show weight? I was more moved when Oviya protected Chandra from Baral. I was invested in wondering if Oviya would be alright after being critically injured by Baral. I was happy that Ajani saved Oviya's life with his healing magic. Oviya dying would have left me feeling empty on the matter and I wouldn't have been as invested in the story. As you know what? I barely know Oviya Pashiri and her dying wouldn't have nearly have as much weight to the story. Which you know what is interesting to me about Baral? He actually posed a threat and he wasn't some elder god. He didn't have plot armor either, he was just a blue wizard that focused on counterspells and he also wasn't a planeswalker either.
* The amount of time passed is given multiples time in the Kaladesh article "Homesick".
** 229 is Liliana's age. Citation is from Kaladesh article "Homesick".
*** Emrakul rewrote Tamiyo's scroll and changed it from planar destruction to abundant mana. She literally sealed herself in the moon. Which wasn't possible at all for the Gatewatch to do without Emrakul's help.
If the shoe fits...
This seems more likely with the latest story and Liliana saying that Amonkhet isn't just ruled by Bolas. He created it before The Mending.
No. While there are benefits, mostly in consistency in writing characters, since Chandra and Nissa in particular seem to vary a lot depending on the writer, the current model of Magic has more in common with a TV series than a novel despite the written form. I love having different authors, especially when it gives us little side episodes like "Games", "Shaping an Army", or "In the Dead of Night" (which are among my favorite stories they've put out so far). They seem to slowly but surely be getting better about consistently writing characters, so while there's been some growing pains the current model is working well.
RCRDaretti: Superfriends Forever RCR
WGBDoran: Ent-mootWBG
GGGMultani: Group Bear HugGGG
GB(B/G)The Gitrog Monster: Dredgefall DurdleGB(B/G)
RGWGahiji, the Honored Group Hug MonsterRGW
UB(U/B)Yuriko, Ninja Trinket AggroUB(U/B)
WUBRGAtogatog: Assembling a OHKOWUBRG
(Also known as Xenphire)
Have they ever said what is going on with Created Planes post mending in regards to them self destructing? Did the mending stabilize them all?
Overall Kaladesh was quite a fun ride, having the Gatewatch face enemies that do this thing, talking and actually having character as opposed to Generic Lovecraft-lite tentacle beasts. Pia and Yaheenei were fun to have around and the Reverse "super long lifespan" that most fantasy species have being reversed with Aetherborn was one of the better things WOTC has done in a long time.
Amonkhet being created by Nicol is interesting, one of the Demons that Liliana is bound too is also there. I wonder if that Demon is a natural one or one created by Nicol. The former would make for a very interesting situation as it likely would not want Nicol's rule to last forever.
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
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
Now that you've raised it, it gives me some fear that they might be going for a "We didn't defeat Bolas, but we destroyed the plane he created, victory for the Gatewatch!" line... without consideration that the creatures on Amonkhet are probably still actual living beings (whether they are outright Bolas Pawns or not shouldn't be too relevant in a planar collapse).
Then again, perhaps Amonkhet was already collapsing, which is why Bolas needs a Planar Bridge - he doesn't (and wouldn't) care for his pawns, but to lose a plane's worth of them would probably inconvenience him to some degree. I know this is more of speculation, but it's still the most logical one considering our knowledge that the plane is artificial and Tezzeret's plan on Kaladesh.
The real headscratcher is the Gatewatch now - if Bolas is indeed on the "defensive", then literally nothing but a loss would make the Gatewatch look "good" now.
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
What did it do again? I think I got mixed up and was under the impression it's functionally a phylactery object the Onakke are depending on to resurrect themselves from. Considering Liliana's stress from keeping them achieving that using her as the vessel, I doubt she could take it if an entire plane's worth of spirits was absorbed into it as well... unless they (Amonkhet and Onakke) realize that it's outright impossible for their numbers to be resurrected from a single vessel, so they fight an "internal war" in the Chain Veil, which helps Liliana somewhat...
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
This discussion of an artificial plane's stability made me think: what if Bolas is sustaining the plane by himself, taxing him and making him vulnerable. The GW shows up, "defeats" him or sends him packing, and this causes the Hour of Devastation, aka, planar collapse?
It would certainly echo Ajani's words, and there's no way this situation could be classified as a win, especially if not all the people of the plane are mindless evil Bolas worshipping troops (which does not seem likely)
Modern - Cheeri0s (building), Belcher (building), Lantern (building), UW Control (building)
RIP Magic Duels. Wizards will regret what they did to you.
Which means Amonkhet might have already been a plane or "free space" that helps keep it stable.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
(I mean "hilarious" in a neutral manner. I don't think it would be the best story choice for the Gatewatch's first encounter with Bolas, but neither would I complain.)
Cōnservātum album delenda est.
An eddy formed, sinking and coiling into an alley away from the revelry. She let herself dance downward around it and poured her awareness into the weeds pressing earnestly through cracked cobbles. They surged into a carpet of night-flowers.
Wisps of aether streamed in from distant reaches of the city, far shores of the sky, and the blinding immensity that lay beyond Kaladesh. The energies blended, compacted, then puffed outward in a luminous cloud of blues—mid-morning sky, lagoon water, mountain root, sea ice, infant's eye. An exhalation of the world, a new young star throbbing quick, fierce, and steady.
The edges of the cloud darkened, solidified.
The crackling static within it quieted to a sizzle.
The aetherborn looked at their hands, then at Nissa's flowers.
Hello, child. Welcome to the world. She had no idea if vibrations of root and leaf could be understood by the newborn.
They held their new hands over a bloom, as if it were a candle's flame. From the sizzle of energy, patterns emerged, spontaneous and oddly familiar. Y-you. You? Are scented. You smell as if— smell like...neroli. They paused, flickers of lightning-thought shivering through their limbs. What's neroli?
Vertiginous déjà vu washed over Nissa. You have a wonderful adventure ahead of you, she told them.
The aetherborn considered. What should I do? they asked.
What would she do, if she had the time again? If she didn't flinch at light, noise, and touch, or speak in gestures and movements strange and off-putting to others?
How could she tell this new life to laugh and weep without reservation or regret; to sing to the stars and waters, or to nothing at all; to love unreserved and unguarded; to treasure every moment with those beloved; to forgive any regretted trespass; to dance when moved to; to savor long silences in warm company; to greet each dawn, each face with the thought, this will be an adventure; to be brave, and kind, and trusting, and...
...like Chandra.
The aetherborn waited, flickering. But why would anyone find her thoughts on the matter of value, anyway?
Don't be afraid to follow your heart, Nissa told them.
...Why would that be scary?
Halfway across Ghirapur, her body exhaled a laugh into the deepening twilight. May it ever puzzle you.
Vibrations came from the end of the alley; she could feel them through the fine white web of her roots. The child looked to them. There are others like me!
Other aetherborn surrounded them, lifted them to unsteady new feet, embraced. The alley trembled with greetings, vibrations of scent and colorless energies, each body's radiance stirring the others in sympathy. You're welcome, you're loved, there are marvelous days to come, and you're just in time to see them!
The group led them away, conversing in quicksilver flashes of thought. At the end of the alley, the child turned and looked back to her flowers.
You...you have...they tilted their head, trying to shake loose a thought. You have gorgeous eyes...sweetheart. Half-familiar laughter shivered the air.
Having gone and read the wiki's source on that, I don't think that is a fully formed idea.
I hope that Maro clarifies exactly what effect the Mending had on artificial planes with this next block, even just a hand wave of "Oh it stabilized artificial planes so they won't collapse any further than they already have" would be a nice thing. Eh heck with it I will tweet at Maro see if he gives some clarification.
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
Do they know That the werewolf ally they had on Innistrad was a Planeswalker? I'm guessing not.
Tamiyo could come around but I'm guessing best to leave that to Ajani.
Why not mention to Ajani the possibility of recruiting Kiora? The fact that they haven't mentioned The interplanar allies they know of Ajani is strange.
All of these issues are easily explainable I'm sure but the biggest issue I have is that they seem to not consider it useful to inform or trade intel with Ugin about Bolas's whereabouts and doings. Ugin, while inscrutable, is no ally of Bolas...
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
What are you meaning about this? Seems pretty clear that Karn made Mirrodin in already existing space,as oppose to creating a space within the blind eternities, which helped keep it stable.
Maro is design and not creative so what he knows tends to come with a grain of salt. To give it an guess, most probity fell apart since the planeswalkers help keeping them going de-powered and many died.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"