Welcome to the world of Gryptia, a new plane in the multiverse we have never visited before. The plane is a world short on water and constantly under the present of a blazing ever present sun which have left the world mostly a dry, barren desert. The people of Gryptia worship the sun and live around any patches of water which can be found on the desert plane. Rashi is the one these people, a young adult ready to set foot in the world fraught with danger. This months challenge will see you discovering the world of Gryptia with her.
Round 1
Picture by Frederick Arthur Bridgeman
Rashi stepped out into the scorching heat of the midday sun. After a quick prayer to the mighty god above she picked up the nearest clay pot, and set out towards the river, her only thought being her younger brother. Tarik had been ill for two days straight and desperately needed to stay hydrated. She knew how hard it would be to get any water from the river Nyle but she had to try, the rains were late and there was a desperation from the populous. The Faresi had installed guards along the bank of the Nyle to stop the river becoming depleted and cut the supply off for the capital downstream. But there no choice. Tarik needed clean water if he was to beat this fever. Rashi had to try. She approached the stoic guards, head dipped low in respect with the empty container held out. Hopefully her desperation would see the guard's resolve waver. Failing that, perhaps her sexuality could persuade them otherwise. All she knew was she had to try.
The guards stopped her three feet shy with their spears. She looked up. Two female guards; plan b was already out the window. Neither soldier looked move but the shrivel of a girl in front of them.
"My brother he is..." Rashi was halted by the spear raised to her throat. These two would not be interested. Perhaps she could try further down, backing up a step she looked down the line of soldiers.
"None will help you" said the darker soldier, an inhabitant of the city no doubt. "The palace ordered none shall drink from the banks. Any guard helping will pay with his head as would any peasant attempting to defy the order."
"Please..." Rashi started to plead
"We really can't" said the olive skinned guard, her face softening to an apologetic frown. She was probably raised in a hovel similar to Rashi. Her sympathies would do little to heal Rashi's kin though.
She broke down and dropped to the knees. She wouldn't get through. All was lost. The ground filled with her tears. She could feel the water from her eyes hitting her knees, her arms, the back of her head. Wait. The back of her head. It couldn't be. She looked up. The great sun be praised the skies had decided to weep with her. The rains were returning. She held the vase high to collect every precious drop as tears turned to tears of joy.
Challenge:
Design a common card for an Egyptian themed magic set. This card should involve an island being on the battlefield in some fashion.
Judging
Judge the 6 names below you. Judging consists of feedback for the designer and a top three. So for example if I were Wearth then I would judge Zoomba through to hopefulhawkeye and then rank the best three from first to third. If your at the end of the list then just swing round (e.g. Vertain judges - WantonWiard, Cythare, Egak, Wearth, Zoomba, Moss_Elemental). Any questions just ask.
The list
Wearth
Zoomba
Moss_Elemental
RaikouRider
GameWorldLeader
Mis Master Mikaeus
hopefulhawkeye
Jimmy Groove
LustLain
GG Crono
doomfish
Am Shegar
SelesnyaNewLife
The1AndOnlyAGar
REALLY_LONG_NAME
Vertain
WantonWiard
Cythare
Egak
Entry Deadline: Monday 4th August , 23:59 EST. Judging Deadline: Thursday 7th August 23:59 EST.
Kaar River Shrine Artifact - Building(C)
Build 6 (Play this face-down as a land with "Tap an untapped creature or a land you control: put a construction counter on this". Turn it face up any time by removing six construction counters from this.) T: Draw a card. Activate this ability only if you control two or more islands.
Dry Riverbed
Land - Desert (C) T: Add 1 to your mana pool. T: Add U to your mana pool and gain 1 life. Activate this ability only if there are two or more islands on the battlefield. "Once life thrived here, and in the right conditions it can thrive again." = Awati, Raincaller
Pharaoh's Natatorium
Land (C) 4, T: Gain control of target island. T, Sacrifice an Island: Put a 2/2 white Soldier creature token onto the battlefield under your control.
Mental Dehydration2B
Sorcery (C)
Target player discards two cards. Draw a card if you control an Island. "It's not just the body that needs water." - Sehotep, Gryptian Healer
Desiccate1B
Instant (C)
Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn. If you control an Island, another target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. The Zaghiri tribe see humans as just another source of water.
Oasis Sage2W
Creature - Bird Cleric (C)
Flying
When Oasis Sage enters the battlefield, if you control an island, you gain 4 life.
2/1 "Water, like life, is sacred. I have dedicated my life to protecting both."
Gift of Kus1U
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant creature
When Gift of Kus enters the battlefield, draw a card.
As long as there are four or more islands on the battlefield, enchanted creature can't be blocked. "Her blessing of the basilisk is not to be unappreciated."
I always thought an egypt inspired set would feature composite beings.
Sekob Hunter3G
Creature - Crocodile Human (U)
As long as you control an island, Sekob Hunter gets +1/+1.
Whenever Sekob Hunter attacks, target creature blocks it this turn if able. Despite their human body, Sekobs are excellent swimmers. They drive their victims into open waters, where it becomes easy prey.
2/4
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
—Eli Shiffrin, Rules Manager, on a design stacking lifelink instances
Veil of Anubis1U
Enchantment - Aura {U}
Enchant creature
Whenever enchanted creature deals damage to an opponent, you may draw a card.
Enchanted creature can't be blocked if the only lands its controller controls are Islands.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A mere ten days after the Mending, a young knight of Valeron and a young ranger of Eos made a discovery that would change Alara forever.
So how will judging work. With only 19 I'm going to try MDenham's list method this month. So first here's this round list. I will update the list each round to try and prevent people not judging/being judged. You just have to judge the 6 names below you. Judging consists of feedback for the designer and a top three. So for example if I were Wearth then I would judge Zoomba through to hopefulhawkeye and then rank the best three from first to third. If your at the end of the list then just swing round (e.g. Vertain judges - WantonWiard, Cythare, Egak, Wearth, Zoomba, Moss_Elemental). Any questions just ask.
The list
Wearth
Zoomba
Moss_Elemental
RaikouRider
GameWorldLeader
Mis Master Mikaeus
hopefulhawkeye
Jimmy Groove
LustLain
GG Crono
doomfish
Am Shegar
SelesnyaNewLife
The1AndOnlyAGar
REALLY_LONG_NAME
Vertain
WantonWiard
Cythare
Egak
GG Crono - A little boring, but no surprise there... it's a common. Can't really find a fault with your card, it's very well done both mechanically and flavorfully.
doomfish - Flavorfully, this card's a near-homerun. If this were a real Theros-esque set that revolved around Egyptian gods, it would fit right in flavor-wise. Though I do have to wonder why you didn't just use provoke. I understand that there's a subtle difference in that Sekob Hunter can't have a creature untap to block it, but I think that it would make more sense flavor-wise to get rid of the +1/+1 ability and make provoke the ability that is conditional based on whether you control an island or not (since it drives the victims into open waters). Also, a minor quibble, but there appears to be some grammar weirdness with your flavor text... namely the switch from plural "victims" to a singular "it". I think the last clause ought to be "where they become easy prey.". Despite the minor issues I had, I actually really liked your card... could've been my #1. It's just really unfortunate that you labeled it as being an uncommon when the challenge was to design commons.
Am Shegar - An... interesting concept. Unfortunately, I feel that this card's a little complex. Certainly too complex for a common, but also doesn't mesh well at any rarity with Magic's rules that assume face down cards are 2/2 colorless, typeless creatures.
SelesnyaNewLife - Outstanding flavor, however I feel the card might be a tad undercosted. That, and like doomfish's, you've unfortunately labeled your card as being an uncommon when the challenge was to design a common.
The1AndOnlyAGar - Overall it's a simple and decent card, though out of all the cards I've been tasked with judging, yours has the weakest flavor. I can't in good faith vote for cards that don't adhere to the guidelines set however, so yours just barely squeaks by and makes my top 3... try to make something a bit more inspired next time though.
REALLY_LONG_NAME - I enjoy the mechanics and flavor of this card quite a bit. The only fault I can find with it is the rather uninspired name.
Kaar River Shrine Artifact - Building(C)
Build 6 (Play this face-down as a land with "Tap an untapped creature or a land you control: put a construction counter on this". Turn it face up any time by removing six construction counters from this.) T: Draw a card. Activate this ability only if you control two or more islands.
I think MaRo has said in the past that face-down cards are 2/2 creatures because of morph. Printing cards that become face-down cards other than 2/2 creatures muddy the water too much. The effect is otherwise alright, though conditional card-draw like that with no other abilities is not my idea of a fun card. I'd also put it at uncommon since it has no mana cost: too many of these at common wouldn't be fun to draft, I think.
Blessing of the Nyle1U
Instant (C)
Target creature you control gains protection from creatures your opponents control until end of turn.
If any opponent controls an island you may draw a card. The Nyle bestows those who bathe in its revitalizing waters an invulnerability which fades as its inhabitants become dry.
A fair and basic design, though from what I've seen unusual protection abilities like that usually go at uncommon.
Dry Riverbed
Land - Desert (C) T: Add 1 to your mana pool. T: Add U to your mana pool and gain 1 life. Activate this ability only if there are two or more islands on the battlefield. "Once life thrived here, and in the right conditions it can thrive again." = Awati, Raincaller
Alright, that's a fair design. It blooms with life when there's water, and you can gain mana from it. It also isn't excessively reliant on whether or not your opponent plays Islands: you can play blue and get the bonus. A cycle of lands like this would be cool.
Pharaoh's Natatorium
Land (C) 4, T: Gain control of target island. T, Sacrifice an Island: Put a 2/2 white Soldier creature token onto the battlefield under your control.
Though I get what you're going for with this design, I believe that permanent "Gain control of X" effects are uncommon (Mind Control, Conquer). The flavor's good, but the abilities on it seem ungainly on a land. It would probably be better off as an artifact.
Oasis Sage2W
Creature - Bird Cleric (C)
Flying
When Oasis Sage enters the battlefield, if you control an island, you gain 4 life.
2/1 "Water, like life, is sacred. I have dedicated my life to protecting both."
Another basic and easy-to-grasp design. Control an Island, get a bonus. This is a good limited piece in the vein of Lagonna-Band Elder.
I always thought an egypt inspired set would feature composite beings.
Sekob Hunter3G
Creature - Crocodile Human (U)
As long as you control an island, Sekob Hunter gets +1/+1.
Whenever Sekob Hunter attacks, target creature blocks it this turn if able. Despite their human body, Sekobs are excellent swimmers. They drive their victims into open waters, where it becomes easy prey.
2/4
I would probably lower it to 2/3, simply because a 3/5 for 4 that will take at least one creature down with it might be hard to fight off in limited. Otherwise, I think this is a really good and simple card that subtly supports the "Islands matter" theme.
Welcome to the world of Gryptia, a new plane in the multiverse we have never visited before. The plane is a world short on water and constantly under the present of a blazing ever present sun which have left the world mostly a dry, barren desert. The people of Gryptia worship the sun and live around any patches of water which can be found on the desert plane. Rashi is the one these people, a young adult ready to set foot in the world fraught with danger. This months challenge will see you discovering the world of Gryptia with her.
Round 1
Rashi stepped out into the scorching heat of the midday sun. After a quick prayer to the mighty god above she picked up the nearest clay pot, and set out towards the river, her only thought being her younger brother. Tarik had been ill for two days straight and desperately needed to stay hydrated. She knew how hard it would be to get any water from the river Nyle but she had to try, the rains were late and there was a desperation from the populous. The Faresi had installed guards along the bank of the Nyle to stop the river becoming depleted and cut the supply off for the capital downstream. But there no choice. Tarik needed clean water if he was to beat this fever. Rashi had to try. She approached the stoic guards, head dipped low in respect with the empty container held out. Hopefully her desperation would see the guard's resolve waver. Failing that, perhaps her sexuality could persuade them otherwise. All she knew was she had to try.
The guards stopped her three feet shy with their spears. She looked up. Two female guards; plan b was already out the window. Neither soldier looked move but the shrivel of a girl in front of them.
"My brother he is..." Rashi was halted by the spear raised to her throat. These two would not be interested. Perhaps she could try further down, backing up a step she looked down the line of soldiers.
"None will help you" said the darker soldier, an inhabitant of the city no doubt. "The palace ordered none shall drink from the banks. Any guard helping will pay with his head as would any peasant attempting to defy the order."
"Please..." Rashi started to plead
"We really can't" said the olive skinned guard, her face softening to an apologetic frown. She was probably raised in a hovel similar to Rashi. Her sympathies would do little to heal Rashi's kin though.
She broke down and dropped to the knees. She wouldn't get through. All was lost. The ground filled with her tears. She could feel the water from her eyes hitting her knees, her arms, the back of her head. Wait. The back of her head. It couldn't be. She looked up. The great sun be praised the skies had decided to weep with her. The rains were returning. She held the vase high to collect every precious drop as tears turned to tears of joy.
Challenge:
Design a common card for an Egyptian themed magic set. This card should involve an island being on the battlefield in some fashion.
Judging
Judge the 6 names below you. Judging consists of feedback for the designer and a top three. So for example if I were Wearth then I would judge Zoomba through to hopefulhawkeye and then rank the best three from first to third. If your at the end of the list then just swing round (e.g. Vertain judges - WantonWiard, Cythare, Egak, Wearth, Zoomba, Moss_Elemental). Any questions just ask.
The list
Wearth
Zoomba
Moss_Elemental
RaikouRider
GameWorldLeader
Mis Master Mikaeus
hopefulhawkeye
Jimmy Groove
LustLain
GG Crono
doomfish
Am Shegar
SelesnyaNewLife
The1AndOnlyAGar
REALLY_LONG_NAME
Vertain
WantonWiard
Cythare
Egak
Entry Deadline: Monday 4th August , 23:59 EST.
Judging Deadline: Thursday 7th August 23:59 EST.
Artifact - Building (C)
Build 6 (Play this face-down as a land with "Tap an untapped creature or a land you control: put a construction counter on this". Turn it face up any time by removing six construction counters from this.)
T: Draw a card. Activate this ability only if you control two or more islands.
Creature - Hound Assassin (C)
Mirage Stalker has hexproof as long as you control an island.
2/2
Land (C)
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
2, T: Target attacking creature gets
-2/-0 until end of turn. Activate this
ability only if you control an island.
"The reed fields are often more of an
obstacle than the rivers they are grown
at." - Faresian scout report.
Land - Desert (C)
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
T: Add U to your mana pool and gain 1 life. Activate this ability only if there are two or more islands on the battlefield.
"Once life thrived here, and in the right conditions it can thrive again." = Awati, Raincaller
Land (C)
4, T: Gain control of target island.
T, Sacrifice an Island: Put a 2/2 white Soldier creature token onto the battlefield under your control.
Sorcery (C)
Target player discards two cards. Draw a card if you control an Island.
"It's not just the body that needs water." - Sehotep, Gryptian Healer
Instant (C)
Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn. If you control an Island, another target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
The Zaghiri tribe see humans as just another source of water.
----------------------------
Club Flamingo Wins: 10
----------------------------
EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------
Creature - Bird Cleric (C)
Flying
When Oasis Sage enters the battlefield, if you control an island, you gain 4 life.
2/1
"Water, like life, is sacred. I have dedicated my life to protecting both."
Creature - Wraith (C)
Raheshi Sandwraith gets -1/-1 and has first strike as long as no opponent controls an Island.
4/2
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Creature - Beast (C)
Oasis Hippo has +2/+2 and trample as long as you control an island.
3/3
Creature - Human Soldier (C)
Khassi Warrior enters the battlefield tapped unless you control an island.
3/3
Currently working on Nations of Pentys, my first custom set and the first set in the Pentys block. (52/250)
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant creature
When Gift of Kus enters the battlefield, draw a card.
As long as there are four or more islands on the battlefield, enchanted creature can't be blocked.
"Her blessing of the basilisk is not to be unappreciated."
MCC March 2014 - 1st Round (17th-24th)
MCC April 2014 - 1st Round (17th-32nd)
MCC May 2014 - 1st Round (17th-32nd)
MCC June 2014 - Judge
MCC July 2014 - Host
MCC August 2014 - 1st Round (17th-31st)
MCC August 2015 - 1st Round (21st-36th)
MCC September 2015 - 1st Round (22nd-39th)
MCC October 2015 - 1st Round (13th-20th)
CCL May 2014 - Score: 29/36 (10th)
CCL June 2014 - Score: 86/150 (10th)
CCL July 2014 - Score:36/50 (6th T)
CCL August 2015 - Score: 14 (5th T)
CCL September 2015 - Score: 3 (5th)
CCL October 2015 - Host
DCC October 2015 - Score: 46 (8th-T)
Land
Common
T: Add U to your mana pool
1: Target land is an island until end of turn
Sekob Hunter 3G
Creature - Crocodile Human (U)
As long as you control an island, Sekob Hunter gets +1/+1.
Whenever Sekob Hunter attacks, target creature blocks it this turn if able.
Despite their human body, Sekobs are excellent swimmers. They drive their victims into open waters, where it becomes easy prey.
2/4
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.
—Eli Shiffrin, Rules Manager, on a design stacking lifelink instances
Enchantment - Aura {U}
Enchant creature
Whenever enchanted creature deals damage to an opponent, you may draw a card.
Enchanted creature can't be blocked if the only lands its controller controls are Islands.
Emille, Seven-Sting Dancer Shalin Nariya
The list
Wearth
Zoomba
Moss_Elemental
RaikouRider
GameWorldLeader
Mis Master Mikaeus
hopefulhawkeye
Jimmy Groove
LustLain
GG Crono
doomfish
Am Shegar
SelesnyaNewLife
The1AndOnlyAGar
REALLY_LONG_NAME
Vertain
WantonWiard
Cythare
Egak
Scores will be compiled at the end of the round.
Your judging deadline is 07/08 11:59 EST.
LustLain
GG Crono
doomfish
Am Shegar
SelesnyaNewLife
The1AndOnlyAGar
GG Crono - A little boring, but no surprise there... it's a common. Can't really find a fault with your card, it's very well done both mechanically and flavorfully.
doomfish - Flavorfully, this card's a near-homerun. If this were a real Theros-esque set that revolved around Egyptian gods, it would fit right in flavor-wise. Though I do have to wonder why you didn't just use provoke. I understand that there's a subtle difference in that Sekob Hunter can't have a creature untap to block it, but I think that it would make more sense flavor-wise to get rid of the +1/+1 ability and make provoke the ability that is conditional based on whether you control an island or not (since it drives the victims into open waters). Also, a minor quibble, but there appears to be some grammar weirdness with your flavor text... namely the switch from plural "victims" to a singular "it". I think the last clause ought to be "where they become easy prey.". Despite the minor issues I had, I actually really liked your card... could've been my #1. It's just really unfortunate that you labeled it as being an uncommon when the challenge was to design commons.
Am Shegar - An... interesting concept. Unfortunately, I feel that this card's a little complex. Certainly too complex for a common, but also doesn't mesh well at any rarity with Magic's rules that assume face down cards are 2/2 colorless, typeless creatures.
SelesnyaNewLife - Outstanding flavor, however I feel the card might be a tad undercosted. That, and like doomfish's, you've unfortunately labeled your card as being an uncommon when the challenge was to design a common.
The1AndOnlyAGar - Overall it's a simple and decent card, though out of all the cards I've been tasked with judging, yours has the weakest flavor. I can't in good faith vote for cards that don't adhere to the guidelines set however, so yours just barely squeaks by and makes my top 3... try to make something a bit more inspired next time though.
REALLY_LONG_NAME - I enjoy the mechanics and flavor of this card quite a bit. The only fault I can find with it is the rather uninspired name.
Top 3:
#1 - GG Crono
#2 - REALLY_LONG_NAME
#3 - The1AndOnlyAGar
----------------------------
Club Flamingo Wins: 10
----------------------------
EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------