I realize this is probably wrong. In fact, the biggest hole here is that we're already seeing two walkers with blue (Tamiyo and Jace) and two with black (Sorin and Liliana) in the block, but I figure there needs to be a decent counter-theory to it being the Emrakul, so why not?
Right, so Ashiok. The nightmare planeswalker. The one who, by Word of God, "travels the Multiverse in search of designs for the perfect embodiment of fear." Yeah, Ashiok went to Theros, but if that is true, Innistrad is just a treasure trove for them. The sheer amount of Gothic Horror here is brutal. These people should have the most inherent fear out of all of them. But they also have hope in the form of Avacyn and her angel army. For all we know, Ashiok got their desire for inflicting terror by being an initial Innistrad resident (though their clothing, name, and biology don't fit very well).
Now, who do we know who's on Innistrad right now? Sorin, and, from art, Nahiri. Both of these planeswalkers are very old, and have seen some nightmarish things, the Eldrazi being one of them. Each of them have their own major fears about their home plane breaking down as well. Sorin only cares that his Innistrad survives, while Nahiri has shown concern for Zendikar's well-being. Based on the flavor text of Structural Distortion, Nahiri believes that Zendikar has been destroyed by the Eldrazi. Given that we saw nothing of her on Zendikar during BfZ, though, how would she know anything of the extent of the damage caused? Instead, I would surmise that Ashiok allowed those latent fears about Zendikar's use as a prison for the monsters to fester, creating an illusion that it was consumed for her. She believes this to be fact, and is now attacking Innistrad in vengeance.
Similarly, Sorin is concerned first and foremost about the possibility of the Eldrazi coming to Innistrad. Ashiok can take that fear and use it as their weapon. Notice how, in every sighting of "Emrakul", it's in a rather shadowy form? Such as, perhaps, Ashiok's shadow-head? There is no Emrakul on Innistrad. The entire monster is a nightmare concocted from Sorin's worries. Of course, Ashiok likely cannot comprehend anything of the titan, and as a result can't make a more physical copy of her. They can only assume, based on what they have gathered from Sorin, that they have the ability to warp reality. Thus, the turning of the angels.
So that's my theory. Feel free to ridicule or contribute, depending on your preference.
That seems like a reasonable enough explanation, though its/their magic seems to be more related to manipulating nightmares, which doesn't quite explain some of the weird things like Red-aligned angels and mutant vampires.
My only grievance is that Ashiok, last time we've seen it/them, was focused on twisting Theros and creating the perfect Cacophony. Unless it/they got bored with it it'd come across as very random for them/it to just appear.
I'd love to se Ashiok return and I look forward to him being a major villain in a future set, but I don't know if they would mix up planes like that. Return to Innistrad featuring the villain last seen on Theros?
Private Mod Note
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Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
----- "I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." - Themistocles
I agree Ashiok is a good fit for Innistrad but their presence seems unlikely being tied up on Theros. I'm actually leaning toward Marit Lage being the sea god that was once worshiped on Innistrad.
I agree Ashiok is a good fit for Innistrad but their presence seems unlikely being tied up on Theros. I'm actually leaning toward Marit Lage being the sea god that was once worshiped on Innistrad.
Wait do we have confirmation of stories of sea gods worshiped on Innistrad?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
----- "I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." - Themistocles
I agree Ashiok is a good fit for Innistrad but their presence seems unlikely being tied up on Theros. I'm actually leaning toward Marit Lage being the sea god that was once worshiped on Innistrad.
Wait do we have confirmation of stories of sea gods worshiped on Innistrad?
Yes. The Stromkirk vampires worshiped a sea god in pre-Avacynian times.
I think this is a bit of a stretch. Not necessarily because there is anything wrong with this theory, but Ajani, Dack Fayden, Elspeth and Ashiok were all on Theros last time we saw them, and I feel like they're being reserved for 'Return to Theros'.
Right, so Ashiok. The nightmare planeswalker. The one who, by Word of God, "travels the Multiverse in search of designs for the perfect embodiment of fear." Yeah, Ashiok went to Theros, but if that is true, Innistrad is just a treasure trove for them. The sheer amount of Gothic Horror here is brutal. These people should have the most inherent fear out of all of them. But they also have hope in the form of Avacyn and her angel army. For all we know, Ashiok got their desire for inflicting terror by being an initial Innistrad resident (though their clothing, name, and biology don't fit very well).
Now, who do we know who's on Innistrad right now? Sorin, and, from art, Nahiri. Both of these planeswalkers are very old, and have seen some nightmarish things, the Eldrazi being one of them. Each of them have their own major fears about their home plane breaking down as well. Sorin only cares that his Innistrad survives, while Nahiri has shown concern for Zendikar's well-being. Based on the flavor text of Structural Distortion, Nahiri believes that Zendikar has been destroyed by the Eldrazi. Given that we saw nothing of her on Zendikar during BfZ, though, how would she know anything of the extent of the damage caused? Instead, I would surmise that Ashiok allowed those latent fears about Zendikar's use as a prison for the monsters to fester, creating an illusion that it was consumed for her. She believes this to be fact, and is now attacking Innistrad in vengeance.
Similarly, Sorin is concerned first and foremost about the possibility of the Eldrazi coming to Innistrad. Ashiok can take that fear and use it as their weapon. Notice how, in every sighting of "Emrakul", it's in a rather shadowy form? Such as, perhaps, Ashiok's shadow-head? There is no Emrakul on Innistrad. The entire monster is a nightmare concocted from Sorin's worries. Of course, Ashiok likely cannot comprehend anything of the titan, and as a result can't make a more physical copy of her. They can only assume, based on what they have gathered from Sorin, that they have the ability to warp reality. Thus, the turning of the angels.
So that's my theory. Feel free to ridicule or contribute, depending on your preference.
Art is life itself.
My only grievance is that Ashiok, last time we've seen it/them, was focused on twisting Theros and creating the perfect Cacophony. Unless it/they got bored with it it'd come across as very random for them/it to just appear.
"I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." - Themistocles
Wait do we have confirmation of stories of sea gods worshiped on Innistrad?
"I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." - Themistocles
Yes. The Stromkirk vampires worshiped a sea god in pre-Avacynian times.
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/savor-flavor/planeswalkers-guide-innistrad-stensia-and-vampires-2011-11-02
I believe there's a mention that people in Nephalia or Stensia still worship such a being.
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