I just wanted to try and do a little bit of insight on some of the factions of Zairo. It's not that great, but it's a good start to start and flesh out some ideas.
On Zairo, the Isari are one of the five factions that dominate the world, and rather quite literally. They are the most widespread and numerous of the Factions, and have many stronghold temples across the vast moors and plains. Controlling white and black magic, the Isari have learned to manipulate their ability to bend the life force of other creatures and their own. While the Nekral, another Faction of Zairo, can resurrect their dead to life at the cost of another creature's essence, the Isari take control by simply being "better off" than their opponents. How? By Dominating them.
Dominance As long as you have more life than each opponent, (effect).
The Isari rule by taking those too weak and afraid to fend for themselves and turn them into their own. Many come to the Isari in order to seek better lives and safety from the harsh conditions of Zairo, knowing that the Isari will take them in. After all, the Isari know that strength lies in numbers and order, and it is better to have many rather than few.
However, the Isari do not simply "give" their protection to the people who seek it. They demand tribute, and you must then dedicate yourself to the Isari cause. The hierarchy of the Isari is a immense pyramid of power, with those who are weakest at the bottom, and only a small few at the top. While the people at the bottom are given enough to survive, they often live grim lives, either working for what seems an eternity to keep the Isari stronghold temples alive and well, or to expand their dominion. Many are often treated as slaves, although anyone in the Isari wouldn't use such terminology. They believe they are working for the "better" cause.
The Isari rule by having more life than their opponents, and in turn giving them more resources and power over them. In the same, they dwindle their opponent's resources in order to snuff them out of existence, and then give them a choice: Join the Isari, or die. One of the best ways to showcase this Dominance is by revealing their ruler:
Loax, the Highest One4WB
Legendary Creature - Spirit Cleric (Mythic)
At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, that player sacrifices a permanent if he or she controls more permanents than you. Then that player discards a card if he or she has more cards in hand then you. Then that player loses 2 life if he or she has more life than you. Dominance - You may cast ~ from your graveyard if you have more life than each opponent.
4/6
Loax is a pinnacle in the pyramid of rule among the Isari, and has been doing so for long than any mortal can remember. To keep his reign, he has enforced a great deal of rules and power over those beneath and against him. Maximizing his ability to gain life was his first priority, as is the entire Isari factions:
Spiritual Transcendence3WW
Enchantment (Rare)
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain 2 life. Then if you have twice as much life as your starting life total, you win the game.
There are plenty of ways to win the the Isari, including gaining as much life as possible, but many of those ways involve stripping your opponent's life from their souls.
Soul Quell7BB
Sorcery (Rare)
Each opponent loses life equal to your life total.
Additionally, when you gain plenty of life from the numerous other Isari cards, you can use it to your advantage. How so? Well,
Final PactBBB
Enchantment (Mythic)
Skip your draw step.
Pay half your life, rounded up: Draw a card.
Loax -- This kinda reminds me of Damping Engine. There's a fair amount going on here that an opponent has to keep track of. It's a bit complex, but it's a legendary mythic.
Soul Quell -- It's costed as much as Plague Wind, but it's a devastating life loss effect that's also one sided. I'm not entirely sure about this card, it would definitely be used with Exsanguinate.
Final Pact -- Murderous Betrayal, but in the form of Yawgmoth's Bargain. Again, you'd want to run cards that would gain you back life to keep using as a resource.
On Zairo, the Isari are one of the five factions that dominate the world, and rather quite literally. They are the most widespread and numerous of the Factions, and have many stronghold temples across the vast moors and plains. Controlling white and black magic, the Isari have learned to manipulate their ability to bend the life force of other creatures and their own. While the Nekral, another Faction of Zairo, can resurrect their dead to life at the cost of another creature's essence, the Isari take control by simply being "better off" than their opponents. How? By Dominating them.
Dominance As long as you have more life than each opponent, (effect).
The Isari rule by taking those too weak and afraid to fend for themselves and turn them into their own. Many come to the Isari in order to seek better lives and safety from the harsh conditions of Zairo, knowing that the Isari will take them in. After all, the Isari know that strength lies in numbers and order, and it is better to have many rather than few.
However, the Isari do not simply "give" their protection to the people who seek it. They demand tribute, and you must then dedicate yourself to the Isari cause. The hierarchy of the Isari is a immense pyramid of power, with those who are weakest at the bottom, and only a small few at the top. While the people at the bottom are given enough to survive, they often live grim lives, either working for what seems an eternity to keep the Isari stronghold temples alive and well, or to expand their dominion. Many are often treated as slaves, although anyone in the Isari wouldn't use such terminology. They believe they are working for the "better" cause.
The Isari rule by having more life than their opponents, and in turn giving them more resources and power over them. In the same, they dwindle their opponent's resources in order to snuff them out of existence, and then give them a choice: Join the Isari, or die. One of the best ways to showcase this Dominance is by revealing their ruler:
Loax, the Highest One 4WB
Legendary Creature - Spirit Cleric (Mythic)
At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, that player sacrifices a permanent if he or she controls more permanents than you. Then that player discards a card if he or she has more cards in hand then you. Then that player loses 2 life if he or she has more life than you.
Dominance - You may cast ~ from your graveyard if you have more life than each opponent.
4/6
Loax is a pinnacle in the pyramid of rule among the Isari, and has been doing so for long than any mortal can remember. To keep his reign, he has enforced a great deal of rules and power over those beneath and against him. Maximizing his ability to gain life was his first priority, as is the entire Isari factions:
Spiritual Transcendence 3WW
Enchantment (Rare)
At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain 2 life. Then if you have twice as much life as your starting life total, you win the game.
There are plenty of ways to win the the Isari, including gaining as much life as possible, but many of those ways involve stripping your opponent's life from their souls.
Soul Quell 7BB
Sorcery (Rare)
Each opponent loses life equal to your life total.
Additionally, when you gain plenty of life from the numerous other Isari cards, you can use it to your advantage. How so? Well,
Final Pact BBB
Enchantment (Mythic)
Skip your draw step.
Pay half your life, rounded up: Draw a card.
There are ways.
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Spiritual Transcendnce -- Test of Endurance?
Soul Quell -- It's costed as much as Plague Wind, but it's a devastating life loss effect that's also one sided. I'm not entirely sure about this card, it would definitely be used with Exsanguinate.
Final Pact -- Murderous Betrayal, but in the form of Yawgmoth's Bargain. Again, you'd want to run cards that would gain you back life to keep using as a resource.
Servien
Chaos' Realm
Escalation of Chaos
Tales of Cahdaria
Enigmatic Distrubance
Celestial Unveiling