So, with the news that the Theros block shall be inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, I wonder if there shall be block inspired by Norse mythology at some point in the future? How awesome would such a block as that be? In my mind, the only ancient myths that can rival the awesomeness of Greek myths in the realms of epic heroes embarking upon epic quests and performing deeds of superhuman might are the Norse myths (I know that it is not fair to compare myths from two different sections of the world that originated centuries apart, but many people inevitably do so, nevertheless). Plus, it would be an opportunity to make references to heavy metal music with a "Viking" theme, or even to play such music when playing with cards from such a block.
What does everyone else have to say on this subject? Do you believe that WotC may eventually make a block inspired by Norse mythology, and would you be excited for/about such a block?
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“Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither.”-Benjamin Franklin
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Ice Age was kind of that, I think. They might try a more explicit take in the future, but still it's been done. Plus the entire genre of modern fantasy is based more on Norse mythology than on any other mythology.
no, it was gothic horror/1920's-40's classic horror movies
dude movies didnt make up werewolves, vampires, spirits, and zombies. The werewolves and spirits are german, vampires are from old british literature.
werewolf is from the german "weriuuolf" and geist is a german word, which most if not all the innistrad spirits were.
no, it was gothic horror/1920's-40's classic horror movies
Actually, it was based on the Gothic literary genre, as in Frankenstein, Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, the Invisible Man, etc.
It also drew inspiration from horror movies, including the old Hammer Horror movies, Night of the Living Dead, and of course, Friday the 13th. As well as the classic American B-Movie horror. There where also some inspiration from Poe, Lovecraft, and King, but it was very minor. Basically, they tried to hit as many horror tropes as they could within the confines of the block.
dude movies didnt make up werewolves, vampires, spirits, and zombies. The werewolves and spirits are german, vampires are from old british literature.
werewolf is from the german "weriuuolf" and geist is a german word, which most if not all the innistrad spirits were.
There is so much wrong with that statement I don't even know where to begin, oh, wait, yes I do.
Werewolf: There origins of the werewolf can be traced as far back as the Roman empire (and probably has origins quite a bit earlier), with the first mention being made (in writing) by Patronius during the reign of Nero. It then became more wildly spread in central and eastern Europe during the dark ages, spread in part due to the efforts of people such as Gervase of Tilbury. The oldest origins of the word comes from early Old English (werwulf), while the Old High German word (Weriuuolf) is a couple of centuries younger, but it is not clear if the German word refers to werewolves or not as it was not used in fiction (I.e. stories and myth). The werewolf wasn't actually used in German stories/myth until the 15th century, almost a millenia after it firsts recorded usage in the British Isles.
Spirits: Have pretty much existed in human myth since the beginning of time, with various forms of spirit worship appearing in such different places as Native American culture, African tribes, and the far east. The reason why WotC used "Geist" as the word for the spirits was because the cultural flavor of Innistrad was Germanic. Had it been different, the spirits would have been called something else.
Vampires: Have also pretty much existed throughout human myth and history since the dawn of time, and variations thereof have appeared in effectively all mythologies and folklore throughout the world. The term "Vampire" as applied to these creatures became popular in the West first during the 18th century thanks in part to writers such as Lord Byron, John Polidori, and of course Bram Stoker. The word itself however, has its origins in eastern Europe.
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It's about time for the reserved list to die, for the sake of Vintage and Legacy (And Commander).
dude movies didnt make up werewolves, vampires, spirits, and zombies. The werewolves and spirits are german, vampires are from old british literature.
werewolf is from the german "weriuuolf" and geist is a german word, which most if not all the innistrad spirits were.
Innstrad was specifically designed as a Gothic Horror block. Those draw a bit on Germanic mythology, but that's about it. And Geist may originate as a german word but it's been kicked around in D&D for so long that it's lost it's attachment to Germany in pop culture.
Moreover, werewolves don't trace their origin to Germany. It's a german word, yes, but the common concept of Werewolf traces itself to British literature right along side Vampires and Frankenstein. Which, outside of Geists and Humans, were the other races from Innstrad.
Also Innstrad being german (or not, since it's not) is irrelevant. Germany isn't Nordic.
The term "Vampire" as applied to these creatures became popular in the West first during the 18th century thanks in part to writers such as Lord Byron, John Polidori, and of course Bram Stoker. The word itself however, has its origins in eastern Europe.
Also James Malcolm Rymer's Varney the Vampire which set up the whole 'repentant angsty vampire' and predates Dracula by fifty years. There's also Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla which predates Dracula by 27 years and gives us the first Sex Crazed Lesbian Vampire.
Always nice to be reminded that Laurel K Hamilton and Twilight are more accurate to the original Vampire literature than Nosferatu ever was.
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Seeing as Theros is a Greek Mythology block, I think it's rather unlikely we'll get a Norse Mythology at least anytime in the forseeable future. It would just feel to much the same, hopping from one mythos to the next.
The fact that we've seen cards already from a plane that appears to be very similar to Norse mythology (Immersturm from Valla) indicates to me that they realize this and instead of giving us a full block set on the plane, are going to slip in the odd card here and there that is flavored from that plane.
Innstrad was specifically designed as a Gothic Horror block. Those draw a bit on Germanic mythology, but that's about it. And Geist may originate as a german word but it's been kicked around in D&D for so long that it's lost it's attachment to Germany in pop culture.
Moreover, werewolves don't trace their origin to Germany. It's a german word, yes, but the common concept of Werewolf traces itself to British literature right along side Vampires and Frankenstein. Which, outside of Geists and Humans, were the other races from Innstrad.
Also Innstrad being german (or not, since it's not) is irrelevant. Germany isn't Nordic.
Also James Malcolm Rymer's Varney the Vampire which set up the whole 'repentant angsty vampire' and predates Dracula by fifty years. There's also Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla which predates Dracula by 27 years and gives us the first Sex Crazed Lesbian Vampire.
Always nice to be reminded that Laurel K Hamilton and Twilight are more accurate to the original Vampire literature than Nosferatu ever was.
To be honest I think it's fair to say there's a lot of influence from the non-bowdlerized brother's grim fairy tale style horror which has definite Germany roots, which adds to the gothic and Victorian horror elements.
Seeing as Theros is a Greek Mythology block, I think it's rather unlikely we'll get a Norse Mythology at least anytime in the forseeable future. It would just feel to much the same, hopping from one mythos to the next.
The fact that we've seen cards already from a plane that appears to be very similar to Norse mythology (Immersturm from Valla) indicates to me that they realize this and instead of giving us a full block set on the plane, are going to slip in the odd card here and there that is flavored from that plane.
I maintain that the Red God will be Thor. And that we will have no explanation for why.
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Cyme we inne frið, fram the grip of deaþ to lif inne ðis smylte land.
Saying that Innistrad was Norse mythology it's very very wrong.
Norse mythology it's Valkiries, trolls, giants, dragons, faeries, heroes, gods, legendary weapons...not vampires, zombies and werewolves...
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Huey, Dewey and Louie are always dressed in RUG. it is CLEARLY going to be the wedges block Pioneer: WURFaerie fires BRGDragons ModernBGElves WRBurn UR Fires Turns URGift Storm UG Twiddle Storm
If we ever have a block on Valla, that will be our Norse block.
If they were ever to do a Norse block, what I would speculate would be that the block was going to end in a bad way for the Plane, and we'd know it from the start. Norse mythology is all about fatalism. The Gods know their fates at the end of time, like Thor knowing he'll die killing the World Serpent.
Continuing with this idea, human warriors and the like would have some abilities that go off when they die, but not undying, as it doesn't fit. I'd imagine this keyword would have to do with dying during the combat phase, dying in battle and all that.
Valkyries would be the main name for most angels in the block, and there would be plenty. Frost Giants would pretty much have to be their own tribe, and elves would be more like the Lorwyn elves (Nazis by any other name). Goblins also easily fit, as do trolls.
So, therefore,
White: Angels
Blue: Frost Giants?
Black: Frost Giants?, Elves?
Red: Goblins
Green: Trolls, Elves?
Humans: Everywhere. Just about all of the 'dies in combat' triggers would be on Red and White Humans. I cold see this set being about the five enemy color combos.
White/Black: Angels
Red/White: Humans
Green/Blue: Norse Elves
Black/Green: Trolls
Red/Blue: Giants
Of course, these combinations either try to fit in the norms of design, or expand greatly beyond normal design conventions. Blue Giants would be hard to work in, but it could theoretically work. The main problem is blue giants at lower rarities. The other tribes seem like they'd work pretty easily.
I wouldn't imagine a set/block with this sort of design would be in until MaRo's next 7-year-plan. The idea of tribes having assigned colors, including humans being a considered tribe with colors, is a little fresh from Innistrad. But who knows?
On the subject of Valkyries, I agree that they are often associated with angels, although the two beings originally are from different mythologies from different parts of the world, but which have since merged together, but they are, from what I know of Norse mythology, usually fierce warriors who tend to draw their power from their rage and passion for fighting, rather than from discipline and strict training, so I imagine that the Valkyries from Norse mythology would be best portrayed as red/white angels in this game.
Biarg: that does make sense; I nearly forgot about Valla, as what little has been shown of that plane has a strong "Norse/Nordic" theme about it, so I am certain that if a block ever focuses on that plane, it shall be a Norse mythology-theme block. Do not forget about fire giants, to oppose the frost giants, as well.
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“Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither.”-Benjamin Franklin
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Nope. It'll be Thor. Without even a name change or a retooling. In fact every red card relating to the gods will just be Glamor Shots of various Thor Incarnations.
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Cyme we inne frið, fram the grip of deaþ to lif inne ðis smylte land.
Has anyone here asked Mark Rosewater on his Twitter page if WotC may ever make a block inspired by Norse Mythology? I would have done so, myself, by now, but I do not have a Twitter account, and have no intention of making one simply for that reason.
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“Those who would trade their freedoms for security will have neither.”-Benjamin Franklin
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
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What does everyone else have to say on this subject? Do you believe that WotC may eventually make a block inspired by Norse mythology, and would you be excited for/about such a block?
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
No it doesn't.
I mean look at that!
It's so cool looking!
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But if Kaldeheim isn't vikingesque and featuring long boats, horned helms and raping, pillaging, looting and raping I will eat my trusty battleaxe.
no, it was gothic horror/1920's-40's classic horror movies
You said "rape" twice.
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dude movies didnt make up werewolves, vampires, spirits, and zombies. The werewolves and spirits are german, vampires are from old british literature.
werewolf is from the german "weriuuolf" and geist is a german word, which most if not all the innistrad spirits were.
Note to self, If in doubt my memory is ALWAYS wrong.
Actually, it was based on the Gothic literary genre, as in Frankenstein, Dracula, Jekyll and Hyde, the Invisible Man, etc.
It also drew inspiration from horror movies, including the old Hammer Horror movies, Night of the Living Dead, and of course, Friday the 13th. As well as the classic American B-Movie horror. There where also some inspiration from Poe, Lovecraft, and King, but it was very minor. Basically, they tried to hit as many horror tropes as they could within the confines of the block.
There is so much wrong with that statement I don't even know where to begin, oh, wait, yes I do.
Werewolf: There origins of the werewolf can be traced as far back as the Roman empire (and probably has origins quite a bit earlier), with the first mention being made (in writing) by Patronius during the reign of Nero. It then became more wildly spread in central and eastern Europe during the dark ages, spread in part due to the efforts of people such as Gervase of Tilbury. The oldest origins of the word comes from early Old English (werwulf), while the Old High German word (Weriuuolf) is a couple of centuries younger, but it is not clear if the German word refers to werewolves or not as it was not used in fiction (I.e. stories and myth). The werewolf wasn't actually used in German stories/myth until the 15th century, almost a millenia after it firsts recorded usage in the British Isles.
Spirits: Have pretty much existed in human myth since the beginning of time, with various forms of spirit worship appearing in such different places as Native American culture, African tribes, and the far east. The reason why WotC used "Geist" as the word for the spirits was because the cultural flavor of Innistrad was Germanic. Had it been different, the spirits would have been called something else.
Vampires: Have also pretty much existed throughout human myth and history since the dawn of time, and variations thereof have appeared in effectively all mythologies and folklore throughout the world. The term "Vampire" as applied to these creatures became popular in the West first during the 18th century thanks in part to writers such as Lord Byron, John Polidori, and of course Bram Stoker. The word itself however, has its origins in eastern Europe.
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Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
Naw, it was Hammer Horror. 1930s-1960s.
Innstrad was specifically designed as a Gothic Horror block. Those draw a bit on Germanic mythology, but that's about it. And Geist may originate as a german word but it's been kicked around in D&D for so long that it's lost it's attachment to Germany in pop culture.
Moreover, werewolves don't trace their origin to Germany. It's a german word, yes, but the common concept of Werewolf traces itself to British literature right along side Vampires and Frankenstein. Which, outside of Geists and Humans, were the other races from Innstrad.
Also Innstrad being german (or not, since it's not) is irrelevant. Germany isn't Nordic.
Also James Malcolm Rymer's Varney the Vampire which set up the whole 'repentant angsty vampire' and predates Dracula by fifty years. There's also Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla which predates Dracula by 27 years and gives us the first Sex Crazed Lesbian Vampire.
Always nice to be reminded that Laurel K Hamilton and Twilight are more accurate to the original Vampire literature than Nosferatu ever was.
The fact that we've seen cards already from a plane that appears to be very similar to Norse mythology (Immersturm from Valla) indicates to me that they realize this and instead of giving us a full block set on the plane, are going to slip in the odd card here and there that is flavored from that plane.
To be honest I think it's fair to say there's a lot of influence from the non-bowdlerized brother's grim fairy tale style horror which has definite Germany roots, which adds to the gothic and Victorian horror elements.
I maintain that the Red God will be Thor. And that we will have no explanation for why.
Norse mythology it's Valkiries, trolls, giants, dragons, faeries, heroes, gods, legendary weapons...not vampires, zombies and werewolves...
Pioneer: WURFaerie fires BRGDragons
ModernBGElves WRBurn UR Fires Turns URGift Storm UG Twiddle Storm
i don't think anyone has said innistrad was nordse/nordic
If they were ever to do a Norse block, what I would speculate would be that the block was going to end in a bad way for the Plane, and we'd know it from the start. Norse mythology is all about fatalism. The Gods know their fates at the end of time, like Thor knowing he'll die killing the World Serpent.
Continuing with this idea, human warriors and the like would have some abilities that go off when they die, but not undying, as it doesn't fit. I'd imagine this keyword would have to do with dying during the combat phase, dying in battle and all that.
Valkyries would be the main name for most angels in the block, and there would be plenty. Frost Giants would pretty much have to be their own tribe, and elves would be more like the Lorwyn elves (Nazis by any other name). Goblins also easily fit, as do trolls.
So, therefore,
White: Angels
Blue: Frost Giants?
Black: Frost Giants?, Elves?
Red: Goblins
Green: Trolls, Elves?
Humans: Everywhere. Just about all of the 'dies in combat' triggers would be on Red and White Humans. I cold see this set being about the five enemy color combos.
White/Black: Angels
Red/White: Humans
Green/Blue: Norse Elves
Black/Green: Trolls
Red/Blue: Giants
Of course, these combinations either try to fit in the norms of design, or expand greatly beyond normal design conventions. Blue Giants would be hard to work in, but it could theoretically work. The main problem is blue giants at lower rarities. The other tribes seem like they'd work pretty easily.
I wouldn't imagine a set/block with this sort of design would be in until MaRo's next 7-year-plan. The idea of tribes having assigned colors, including humans being a considered tribe with colors, is a little fresh from Innistrad. But who knows?
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Biarg: that does make sense; I nearly forgot about Valla, as what little has been shown of that plane has a strong "Norse/Nordic" theme about it, so I am certain that if a block ever focuses on that plane, it shall be a Norse mythology-theme block. Do not forget about fire giants, to oppose the frost giants, as well.
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Not the God of War, or the God of Love, or the God of the Forge, or the God of Drunken Sex Parties?
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I write flavor articles for RoxieCards.
I play and judge at Giga Bites Cafein Marietta, Georgia.
Nope. It'll be Thor. Without even a name change or a retooling. In fact every red card relating to the gods will just be Glamor Shots of various Thor Incarnations.
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt