I really hope the Raven Man is a separate entity (whether Lim-Dul or not) and not just Doctor Jest 2.0. As I said before, I feel Liliana's story (and character) rather cliche and while it was initially fun to speculate, Bolas himself and his plans (being behind almost everything) is also starting to feel cliche and if the Raven Man is both of those combined I think the Raven Man will become the most boring thing I've actually read in hindsight. I'd rather the Raven Man be an impediment to Bolas's control over Liliana, but not to the Gatewatch's benefit either. Also, the Chain Veil is probably irrelevant "demon #5" at this point, Bolas has demonstrated it is effectively worthless against him and it has been proven both the Veil and the Raven Man were terrified (and most likely outmatched) of Emrakul. So basically Liliana is being "controlled" by a power-level of Veil < Raven Man < Bolas, but in three different directions at once... unless Emrakul did hijack into Liliana as well.
It's a bit sad to say, but I think Jodah got the oldwalker treatment due to his immortality (yes I know he wasn't one and in fact hated them, but it just makes it even more ironic), except he's less arrogant and more of complacent instead (at least he went "Oh no" and was listening to solutions rather then "It's not my fault it's theirs" like some Sphinx did...), but it still seems all out-of-place.
The whole artifact debacle is also rather confusing, because we don't have the timeline for Blackblade's arrival and there's a lot of dementia magic involved. Was Thom sent in after Blackblade arrived and he had the knowledge of Blackblade, or did he successfully sneak Blackblade out (to New Argive) and got abandoned, or did he sneak something else out (or failed to sneak something out) and had Blackblade overwritten as a disguise, or was he sent in before Blackblade, was mentally transmitted of Belzenlok acquiring the Blade and since he didn't sneak the artifact out, Blackblade was the only memory they could see? I feel like blaming Jodah for just saying "it's missing" without specifying what it is, because the wand could also just be anything...
The story is well structured, but I can feel the missing-information-rifts when it comes to trying to associate old characters with new plotlines (Karn's refusal to speak to Jhoira, Jodah's relative carelessness, the artifact confusion), but even with that I really like Gideon & Liliana feel like they're two kids when placed beside these ageless characters. In a way it almost feels like they're saying "even complacent confused older characters are somewhat more mature than the young Gatewatch". Only Raff felt even younger, but hey the new Weatherlight crew are the actual kids of the story to start with...
(emphasis mine)
Occam's Razor would suggest that simply taking the stories in chronological order (with the timelines of Jhoira's recruitment mission and Tiana/Arvad's story overlapping) puts the delivery of the Blackblade to Belzenlok 2-3months ago, which is a good amount of time for Thom to know about it before infiltrating Tolaria West (particularly given that Belzenlok definitely doesn't seem the type to hide that he has it in his possession).
The artifact Thom was stealing reasonably was the thus-far-unnamed wand. Because again, if Thom has succeeded in his mission of stealing Blackblade from Tolaria West why would he come back?
He would go back to get another artifact, and act as a spy. That’s what spies do. Do you really think that Sorcerer’s Wand is the ancient, famous artifact Bolas wants to aggrandize himself? No, it’s Blackblade.
Sure he might come back to the academy, but why would he come back to the scene of the crime? To the very room the investigation is going to take place in? There's no evidence pointing to his identity. Once you make a get away you don't go messing around the crime scene.
And again, we know that the Blackblade was recovered from New Argive, not Tolaria West.
Can someone explain AMARANTHINE Walll to me? Should that have been ADAMANTINE?
Honestly, I'm about as baffled as you. Apparently it was named after the flowers it's sitting next to, except actual Amaranth flowers are more magenta than purple.
I really hope the Raven Man is a separate entity (whether Lim-Dul or not) and not just Doctor Jest 2.0. As I said before, I feel Liliana's story (and character) rather cliche and while it was initially fun to speculate, Bolas himself and his plans (being behind almost everything) is also starting to feel cliche and if the Raven Man is both of those combined I think the Raven Man will become the most boring thing I've actually read in hindsight. I'd rather the Raven Man be an impediment to Bolas's control over Liliana, but not to the Gatewatch's benefit either. Also, the Chain Veil is probably irrelevant "demon #5" at this point, Bolas has demonstrated it is effectively worthless against him and it has been proven both the Veil and the Raven Man were terrified (and most likely outmatched) of Emrakul. So basically Liliana is being "controlled" by a power-level of Veil < Raven Man < Bolas, but in three different directions at once... unless Emrakul did hijack into Liliana as well.
It's a bit sad to say, but I think Jodah got the oldwalker treatment due to his immortality (yes I know he wasn't one and in fact hated them, but it just makes it even more ironic), except he's less arrogant and more of complacent instead (at least he went "Oh no" and was listening to solutions rather then "It's not my fault it's theirs" like some Sphinx did...), but it still seems all out-of-place.
The whole artifact debacle is also rather confusing, because we don't have the timeline for Blackblade's arrival and there's a lot of dementia magic involved. Was Thom sent in after Blackblade arrived and he had the knowledge of Blackblade, or did he successfully sneak Blackblade out (to New Argive) and got abandoned, or did he sneak something else out (or failed to sneak something out) and had Blackblade overwritten as a disguise, or was he sent in before Blackblade, was mentally transmitted of Belzenlok acquiring the Blade and since he didn't sneak the artifact out, Blackblade was the only memory they could see? I feel like blaming Jodah for just saying "it's missing" without specifying what it is, because the wand could also just be anything...
The story is well structured, but I can feel the missing-information-rifts when it comes to trying to associate old characters with new plotlines (Karn's refusal to speak to Jhoira, Jodah's relative carelessness, the artifact confusion), but even with that I really like Gideon & Liliana feel like they're two kids when placed beside these ageless characters. In a way it almost feels like they're saying "even complacent confused older characters are somewhat more mature than the young Gatewatch". Only Raff felt even younger, but hey the new Weatherlight crew are the actual kids of the story to start with...
(emphasis mine)
Occam's Razor would suggest that simply taking the stories in chronological order (with the timelines of Jhoira's recruitment mission and Tiana/Arvad's story overlapping) puts the delivery of the Blackblade to Belzenlok 2-3months ago, which is a good amount of time for Thom to know about it before infiltrating Tolaria West (particularly given that Belzenlok definitely doesn't seem the type to hide that he has it in his possession).
The artifact Thom was stealing reasonably was the thus-far-unnamed wand. Because again, if Thom has succeeded in his mission of stealing Blackblade from Tolaria West why would he come back?
He would go back to get another artifact, and act as a spy. That’s what spies do. Do you really think that Sorcerer’s Wand is the ancient, famous artifact Bolas wants to aggrandize himself? No, it’s Blackblade.
Sure he might come back to the academy, but why would he come back to the scene of the crime? To the very room the investigation is going to take place in? There's no evidence pointing to his identity. Once you make a get away you don't go messing around the crime scene.
And again, we know that the Blackblade was recovered from New Argive, not Tolaria West.
It’s common knowledge that often times criminals return to the scene of the crime. Have you never heard that before?
All that we know if that Needle was instructed to infiltrate New Argive. She could have gotten information there about Blackblade in Tolaria or had the academy spy bring Blackblade to New Argive. They talked about a legendary artifact for Bezelnok to aggrandize himself. That’s Blackblade, not sorcerer’s Wand.
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I dislike that Liliana doesn't feel diferent after encountering her brother, the source of her greatest trauma. She still feels braty and basically the same as before. The story is so rushed aswell that i think its at fault, because of it characters are been properlly developed, and doesn't enough time to setup the wprld or scene. I was expecting more time in the Weatherlight, interactions between The Gatewatch and the Weatherlight crew. More time in Tolaria West, more interacting between the characters.
I assaume Ajani knows about Karn through Elspeth? But how does he know Karn is in Dominaria? Kinda sucks that he left already.
"Golden shadows formed around him as he turned away, as if he stalked through a field of high grass. Then a heartbeat later he vanished as he walked from the plane."
Am i the only one who thought about Theros during this passage
"Golden shadows formed around him as he turned away, as if he stalked through a field of high grass. Then a heartbeat later he vanished as he walked from the plane."
Am i the only one who thought about Theros during this passage
I thought that was just "he's a lion so his planeswalking is reminiscent of lions moving around in their habitat", but I suppose it's possible.
Can someone explain AMARANTHINE Walll to me? Should that have been ADAMANTINE?
Honestly, I'm about as baffled as you. Apparently it was named after the flowers it's sitting next to, except actual Amaranth flowers are more magenta than purple.
Amaranthine is also a more generalized adjective for "lasts forever." The flowers are just a visual pun.
In Bolas's Clutches - yeap, we all saw it coming, how in the name of holy **** did Lili not? This even happens when you get a loan, that's what guarantors are. Idiot. She might be a strong necromancer, but she ain't clever.
I knew Chandra wasn't gone entirely, too. I assume she finds Karn, sees him reanimate Multani, finds the rest of her gang and brings Karn into the fold again so he can have an awkward conversation with Jhoira that she already knows the conclusion of.
Goddamn home run for the set flavour wise, power wise, stoked to be grabbing a box.
It's not the matter of how clever you are; when you have no options, people will go to loan sharks as a desperate move even if they know it's dangerous. Lili really didn't want to die, and any alternative was better (to her and many people in the world probably; if you knew they could gain eternal youth and nearly unlimited power, wouldn't you bet it all on shady deals with cosmic beings who do not have your best interests at heart, and give up something as opaque as your soul?). This also plays into Lili's character flaw, which is her pride and belief in her own power; she always thought she could get out of any situation. It's actually good characterization for a pre-mending planeswalker IMO. If you were a walker who was formerly nearly omnipotent, that has to do something to one's ego.
One could argue that Bolas suffers the same arrogance; sure he's incredibly intelligent and powerful, but given Liliana's success rate at killing things that have bound her to contracts, surely it'd be smarter to dangle a carrot in front of her along with the stick? Bind her to his service for now, but create a really believable promise to free her from it if she accomplishes certain tasks for him (and even teach her a little something; he's supposed to be this fountain of knowledge after all, he can give out a tiny morsel of power). And if Lili accomplishes the task, keep the promise, it costs him nothing and he can keep a powerful necromancer on retainer knowing she doesn't want to betray him if she can keep getting more power for herself by serving him loyally. If Bolas is smart, he should know that finding out a person's true motivation, then using it as a leash for that person is the best way to manipulate them; they can be aware of it, but they'll still help you as long as their goals align with yours.
It's not the matter of how clever you are; when you have no options, people will go to loan sharks as a desperate move even if they know it's dangerous. Lili really didn't want to die, and any alternative was better (to her and many people in the world probably; if you knew they could gain eternal youth and nearly unlimited power, wouldn't you bet it all on shady deals with cosmic beings who do not have your best interests at heart, and give up something as opaque as your soul?). This also plays into Lili's character flaw, which is her pride and belief in her own power; she always thought she could get out of any situation. It's actually good characterization for a pre-mending planeswalker IMO. If you were a walker who was formerly nearly omnipotent, that has to do something to one's ego.
Beings who thus far have not shown an ability to command you unless you are standing right near them, as I said before. The Smart thing to do would have been to find a plane quite far away from the center of the Multiverse..and just stayed far away from all 4 planes and enjoy that you are effectively Immortal. Heck her killing Giselbrand was dumb because He was sealed away in the Healivault.
It's not the matter of how clever you are; when you have no options, people will go to loan sharks as a desperate move even if they know it's dangerous. Lili really didn't want to die, and any alternative was better (to her and many people in the world probably; if you knew they could gain eternal youth and nearly unlimited power, wouldn't you bet it all on shady deals with cosmic beings who do not have your best interests at heart, and give up something as opaque as your soul?). This also plays into Lili's character flaw, which is her pride and belief in her own power; she always thought she could get out of any situation. It's actually good characterization for a pre-mending planeswalker IMO. If you were a walker who was formerly nearly omnipotent, that has to do something to one's ego.
Beings who thus far have not shown an ability to command you unless you are standing right near them, as I said before. The Smart thing to do would have been to find a plane quite far away from the center of the Multiverse..and just stayed far away from all 4 planes and enjoy that you are effectively Immortal. Heck her killing Giselbrand was dumb because He was sealed away in the Healivault.
That would be like being a hermit; the very act would be an admission of defeat. For someone who has a great deal of pride or even foresight, that is simply not a solution. You would never know if the demons will eventually gather other minions of their own (via making deals with other planeswalkers) to hunt you down and force you to comply at a time when they have all the information they need, and you have no idea that they're coming. By going into hiding, you surrender the ability to strike preemptively (also robs you of agency, something that black as a color would naturally despise).
Besides, remember that Lili was used to near omnipotency, so there is strong bias towards action on her side; it's innate human psychology (and one can see this kind of psychology in nations as well; great powers are generally fond of preemptive action in order to secure their best interests ahead of time). If you're used to getting your way, you aren't going to run from problems, you try to solve them. If she did do as you say, she wouldn't be true to character; she's used to people saying that she's evil and she revels in the fact that name-calling is about the most that practically anyone can do to her. Being driven into hiding by a few demons would be a direct attack on her view of herself, and practically every single human in the world hates it when that happens (we all just have different ideas about our ideal selves).
You have, an entire infinite Multiverse except for a small group of worlds in the Dominarian Shard area of the Multiverse to play in.
; the very act would be an admission of defeat.
Or it is cheating a bunch of schlubs who think they are a big deal because they are a major power on a single world.
Besides, remember that Lili was used to near omnipotency,
Yes she has hundreds of years of experience and doesn't apparently understand basic concepts like. "If I can see this easily visible loophole the guy who made the contract and the 4 demons." and can't think far ahead enough to understand that even if killing the 4 demons worked that all she did was trade them 4 for the chain veil.
If you're used to getting your way, you aren't going to run from problems, you try to solve them. If she did do as you say, she wouldn't be true to character;
You assume the Demons -are a problem- for her. In the entirety of the Lore there has been -ONE SINGULAR EXAMPLE- of the Demons calling in on her debt..which was when she tried to kill one. She already had her way because she could planeswalk to a world across the Multiverse in a Shard of worlds that the Demons have no access too. What are they going to do..tattle and call Nicol Bolas to fetch you? Cause he would totally do that, and even if you wanted them to not be able to call on you at all..The first one you offed already could not do that so you could just kill the other 3 and leave the last stuck in the HeliVault, thus completely negating the Bolas Clause of the Contract.
Yes she is being true to her character, and that is my problem..her character is a massive idiot who should know better and they chose her as the "black rep" in the Gatewatch despite her not fitting into it, if the writing staff were remotely competent Liliana would get killed at some point between now and Vraska shanking Nicol with The Blackblade.
Soooo. Traxos is an OG Phyrexian right? He's been stuck on Dominaria ever since the Brother's War. Sure he was dormant, but he still functions. That's pretty cool to be honest.
Also, Multani was dormant too. So i guess we're gonna see his "rebirth" in the story somewhere sometime.
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“I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them.” —Volrath
I really don't want to start complaining, because scramming more references to old or obscure lore is hardly possible, but does anyone else miss certain things? Not a single dwarf, viashino, kor, nantuko or cephalid or at least their fate (considering the Rift Era they could have totally gotten away with making the otarian races extinct), no mention of Sarpadia outside of the homarid, which was a historic piece of information, not something about the continent's modern state. Also poor Caliman was completely ignored both in flavour text, art and supplementary materials.
Like, again, I don't mean to complain, but it felt a bit odd for such a rich setting like Dominaria to go through the card gallery and see 95% benalish cards in white and 90% tolarian cards in blue. It feels like Jamuura, the largest continent, specifically was largely left out apart from the odd reference here and there.
I really don't want to start complaining, because scramming more references to old or obscure lore is hardly possible, but does anyone else miss certain things? Not a single dwarf, viashino, kor, nantuko or cephalid or at least their fate (considering the Rift Era they could have totally gotten away with making the otarian races extinct), no mention of Sarpadia outside of the homarid, which was a historic piece of information, not something about the continent's modern state. Also poor Caliman was completely ignored both in flavour text, art and supplementary materials.
Like, again, I don't mean to complain, but it felt a bit odd for such a rich setting like Dominaria to go through the card gallery and see 95% benalish cards in white and 90% tolarian cards in blue. It feels like Jamuura, the largest continent, specifically was largely left out apart from the odd reference here and there.
I do miss the viashino, but maro seems to think they're a mistake.
There is apparantly s Carthalion hiding out in the woods. Wich was a fun little reference.
Jamuraa's influence is still there though. There are lots of black people everywhere. My guess is that the Zhalfiran survivors blended in on the other continents.
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“I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them.” —Volrath
I really don't want to start complaining, because scramming more references to old or obscure lore is hardly possible, but does anyone else miss certain things? Not a single dwarf, viashino, kor, nantuko or cephalid or at least their fate (considering the Rift Era they could have totally gotten away with making the otarian races extinct), no mention of Sarpadia outside of the homarid, which was a historic piece of information, not something about the continent's modern state. Also poor Caliman was completely ignored both in flavour text, art and supplementary materials.
Like, again, I don't mean to complain, but it felt a bit odd for such a rich setting like Dominaria to go through the card gallery and see 95% benalish cards in white and 90% tolarian cards in blue. It feels like Jamuura, the largest continent, specifically was largely left out apart from the odd reference here and there.
Yeah the whole story so far as been in the far west of the ma; Aerona, Urborg, Borgadan, Tolaria West, with only a token nod to New Argive. Given that Shiv was untouched by the Phirexian War, was mostly unaffected by the Rift crisis( as it came back because its local rift was closed) and had the Mana Rig to produce powerstones and Thran Metal, why hasn't it become the world superpower?
I really don't want to start complaining, because scramming more references to old or obscure lore is hardly possible, but does anyone else miss certain things? Not a single dwarf, viashino, kor, nantuko or cephalid or at least their fate (considering the Rift Era they could have totally gotten away with making the otarian races extinct), no mention of Sarpadia outside of the homarid, which was a historic piece of information, not something about the continent's modern state. Also poor Caliman was completely ignored both in flavour text, art and supplementary materials.
Like, again, I don't mean to complain, but it felt a bit odd for such a rich setting like Dominaria to go through the card gallery and see 95% benalish cards in white and 90% tolarian cards in blue. It feels like Jamuura, the largest continent, specifically was largely left out apart from the odd reference here and there.
Yeah the whole story so far as been in the far west of the ma; Aerona, Urborg, Borgadan, Tolaria West, with only a token nod to New Argive. Given that Shiv was untouched by the Phirexian War, was mostly unaffected by the Rift crisis( as it came back because its local rift was closed) and had the Mana Rig to produce powerstones and Thran Metal, why hasn't it become the world superpower?
Because the mana rig is runned by viashino and goblins.
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“I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them.” —Volrath
I do miss the viashino, but maro seems to think they're a mistake.
Context is key buddy, Maro thinks it was a mistake to make viashino creature type instead of just using Lizard not that the race was a mistake.
I think Dominaria is simply too big to show off everything (interview revealed creative and design has a ton more ideas for futures sets). Plus didn't old Dominarai sets just focus on certain places anyways?
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I do miss the viashino, but maro seems to think they're a mistake.
Yet Nagas were not given the snake creature type.
So either Maro's opinion on creature types is not important or the opinion has changed since then.
Yes, they decided when they brought in Naga in Tarkir that creature types with mythological standing (Minotaur, Werewolf, ect) get that creature type and magic original creatures have mundane creature type (Leonin are cats, Aven are birds). Things like viashino and homarid got their own creature types before they set this system up and thus the creature types are though of as a mistake.
“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I really don't want to start complaining, because scramming more references to old or obscure lore is hardly possible, but does anyone else miss certain things? Not a single dwarf, viashino, kor, nantuko or cephalid or at least their fate (considering the Rift Era they could have totally gotten away with making the otarian races extinct), no mention of Sarpadia outside of the homarid, which was a historic piece of information, not something about the continent's modern state. Also poor Caliman was completely ignored both in flavour text, art and supplementary materials.
Like, again, I don't mean to complain, but it felt a bit odd for such a rich setting like Dominaria to go through the card gallery and see 95% benalish cards in white and 90% tolarian cards in blue. It feels like Jamuura, the largest continent, specifically was largely left out apart from the odd reference here and there.
There is a mention of the Talas attacking Tolaria West ;-)
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Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Yes, they decided when they brought in Naga in Tarkir that creature types with mythological standing (Minotaur, Werewolf, ect) get that creature type and magic original creatures have mundane creature type (Leonin are cats, Aven are birds). Things like viashino and homarid got their own creature types before they set this system up and thus the creature types are thought of as a mistake.
That is a pretty good way of tearing away the originality from Magic and put it in the same bog of standard fantasy tropes we have seen so many times before... a perfect idea!
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Sure he might come back to the academy, but why would he come back to the scene of the crime? To the very room the investigation is going to take place in? There's no evidence pointing to his identity. Once you make a get away you don't go messing around the crime scene.
And again, we know that the Blackblade was recovered from New Argive, not Tolaria West.
Honestly, I'm about as baffled as you. Apparently it was named after the flowers it's sitting next to, except actual Amaranth flowers are more magenta than purple.
It’s common knowledge that often times criminals return to the scene of the crime. Have you never heard that before?
All that we know if that Needle was instructed to infiltrate New Argive. She could have gotten information there about Blackblade in Tolaria or had the academy spy bring Blackblade to New Argive. They talked about a legendary artifact for Bezelnok to aggrandize himself. That’s Blackblade, not sorcerer’s Wand.
JundBGR
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I assaume Ajani knows about Karn through Elspeth? But how does he know Karn is in Dominaria? Kinda sucks that he left already.
Am i the only one who thought about Theros during this passage
I thought that was just "he's a lion so his planeswalking is reminiscent of lions moving around in their habitat", but I suppose it's possible.
Amaranthine is also a more generalized adjective for "lasts forever." The flowers are just a visual pun.
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
It's not the matter of how clever you are; when you have no options, people will go to loan sharks as a desperate move even if they know it's dangerous. Lili really didn't want to die, and any alternative was better (to her and many people in the world probably; if you knew they could gain eternal youth and nearly unlimited power, wouldn't you bet it all on shady deals with cosmic beings who do not have your best interests at heart, and give up something as opaque as your soul?). This also plays into Lili's character flaw, which is her pride and belief in her own power; she always thought she could get out of any situation. It's actually good characterization for a pre-mending planeswalker IMO. If you were a walker who was formerly nearly omnipotent, that has to do something to one's ego.
One could argue that Bolas suffers the same arrogance; sure he's incredibly intelligent and powerful, but given Liliana's success rate at killing things that have bound her to contracts, surely it'd be smarter to dangle a carrot in front of her along with the stick? Bind her to his service for now, but create a really believable promise to free her from it if she accomplishes certain tasks for him (and even teach her a little something; he's supposed to be this fountain of knowledge after all, he can give out a tiny morsel of power). And if Lili accomplishes the task, keep the promise, it costs him nothing and he can keep a powerful necromancer on retainer knowing she doesn't want to betray him if she can keep getting more power for herself by serving him loyally. If Bolas is smart, he should know that finding out a person's true motivation, then using it as a leash for that person is the best way to manipulate them; they can be aware of it, but they'll still help you as long as their goals align with yours.
Beings who thus far have not shown an ability to command you unless you are standing right near them, as I said before. The Smart thing to do would have been to find a plane quite far away from the center of the Multiverse..and just stayed far away from all 4 planes and enjoy that you are effectively Immortal. Heck her killing Giselbrand was dumb because He was sealed away in the Healivault.
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
That would be like being a hermit; the very act would be an admission of defeat. For someone who has a great deal of pride or even foresight, that is simply not a solution. You would never know if the demons will eventually gather other minions of their own (via making deals with other planeswalkers) to hunt you down and force you to comply at a time when they have all the information they need, and you have no idea that they're coming. By going into hiding, you surrender the ability to strike preemptively (also robs you of agency, something that black as a color would naturally despise).
Besides, remember that Lili was used to near omnipotency, so there is strong bias towards action on her side; it's innate human psychology (and one can see this kind of psychology in nations as well; great powers are generally fond of preemptive action in order to secure their best interests ahead of time). If you're used to getting your way, you aren't going to run from problems, you try to solve them. If she did do as you say, she wouldn't be true to character; she's used to people saying that she's evil and she revels in the fact that name-calling is about the most that practically anyone can do to her. Being driven into hiding by a few demons would be a direct attack on her view of herself, and practically every single human in the world hates it when that happens (we all just have different ideas about our ideal selves).
You have, an entire infinite Multiverse except for a small group of worlds in the Dominarian Shard area of the Multiverse to play in.
Or it is cheating a bunch of schlubs who think they are a big deal because they are a major power on a single world.
Yes she has hundreds of years of experience and doesn't apparently understand basic concepts like. "If I can see this easily visible loophole the guy who made the contract and the 4 demons." and can't think far ahead enough to understand that even if killing the 4 demons worked that all she did was trade them 4 for the chain veil.
You assume the Demons -are a problem- for her. In the entirety of the Lore there has been -ONE SINGULAR EXAMPLE- of the Demons calling in on her debt..which was when she tried to kill one. She already had her way because she could planeswalk to a world across the Multiverse in a Shard of worlds that the Demons have no access too. What are they going to do..tattle and call Nicol Bolas to fetch you? Cause he would totally do that, and even if you wanted them to not be able to call on you at all..The first one you offed already could not do that so you could just kill the other 3 and leave the last stuck in the HeliVault, thus completely negating the Bolas Clause of the Contract.
Yes she is being true to her character, and that is my problem..her character is a massive idiot who should know better and they chose her as the "black rep" in the Gatewatch despite her not fitting into it, if the writing staff were remotely competent Liliana would get killed at some point between now and Vraska shanking Nicol with The Blackblade.
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
Also, Multani was dormant too. So i guess we're gonna see his "rebirth" in the story somewhere sometime.
“I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them.”
—Volrath
Like, again, I don't mean to complain, but it felt a bit odd for such a rich setting like Dominaria to go through the card gallery and see 95% benalish cards in white and 90% tolarian cards in blue. It feels like Jamuura, the largest continent, specifically was largely left out apart from the odd reference here and there.
I do miss the viashino, but maro seems to think they're a mistake.
There is apparantly s Carthalion hiding out in the woods. Wich was a fun little reference.
Jamuraa's influence is still there though. There are lots of black people everywhere. My guess is that the Zhalfiran survivors blended in on the other continents.
“I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them.”
—Volrath
Because the mana rig is runned by viashino and goblins.
“I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them.”
—Volrath
Context is key buddy, Maro thinks it was a mistake to make viashino creature type instead of just using Lizard not that the race was a mistake.
I think Dominaria is simply too big to show off everything (interview revealed creative and design has a ton more ideas for futures sets). Plus didn't old Dominarai sets just focus on certain places anyways?
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Yet Nagas were not given the snake creature type.
So either Maro's opinion on creature types is not important or the opinion has changed since then.
Yes, they decided when they brought in Naga in Tarkir that creature types with mythological standing (Minotaur, Werewolf, ect) get that creature type and magic original creatures have mundane creature type (Leonin are cats, Aven are birds). Things like viashino and homarid got their own creature types before they set this system up and thus the creature types are though of as a mistake.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I'm still waiting for enemy colored Atogs. Maybe in M2019..
“I once had an entire race killed just to listen to the rattling of their dried bones as I waded through them.”
—Volrath
Now as for In Bolas's Clutches
And that contract was that bolas would break the deals for her now that's in default
Didn't think this threw kiddo
There is a mention of the Talas attacking Tolaria West ;-)
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
That is a pretty good way of tearing away the originality from Magic and put it in the same bog of standard fantasy tropes we have seen so many times before... a perfect idea!